but as a public school educator, I think you’re painting all schools with the same brush, which is unfair. Many public school educators, including myself, are working our very hardest to bring the best out of our nation’s children.

It is true that the school system has increasingly been asked to take on more roles and responsibilities traditionally assumed by parents. Many parents abandoned their responsibilities, and the government was more or less forced to step in to provide those roles and responsibilities for the good of society.

I happen to teach in an exceptional public school that I attended from K-12. Our district mission statement pretty much says it all:

We will achieve distinctive learning results that exceed similar schools and all public schools.

We will provide a positive, nurturing and enabling learning environment for all students and adults.

And day after day, my colleagues and I are working towards these two goals. Despite budget crunches, the ridiculous implementation of some of the facets of the No Child Left Behind Act, and the rising poverty levels among our students, we are getting some great things accomplished. Bear in mind that our poverty levels are above 65% in our district.

I’m a theater and vocal music educator, and while some may argue that it’s a “fluff” area to teach in, I try to help my students develop skills that will aid them far beyond the classroom. Both my voice and theater students keep journals that help them document and discover their own learning styles. They set goals for each quarter with what they want to learn, how they plan to take action, and how they will be able to observe that they’ve accomplished their goals. They self-assess their own performances and the performances of their peers. Our efforts as a music department have been recognized on both local and national levels

Furthermore, my fellow music educators and I have worked hard to make the music department a nurturing place for kids. Many of our students elect to spend their free time down in the department, where they may come to work on music-related pursuits, or just do their homework. We get to know more about their lives than many typical teachers do. I try to remind myself every day that I may be the only loving, caring adult that comes into contact with a kid each day—it’s up to me to set an example of how an adult should behave.

As for my own children (which I have yet to bear), I suspect I will likely always remain highly involved in their education, whether by supplementing what they receive at school with in-home teaching, or perhaps home-schooling them for a period.

I agree with you that the American education system needs to continue to be reworked, but the answer is not necessarily to pull your children out of the system entirely. Get to know your local educators and their philosophy. Start a movement within your area. Your thoughts and experiences can be part of an educational revolution—and please don’t write those of us in public education off! Most of us are truly working our tails off trying to shape a better tomorrow for your children!

school is made, like many things to be acceptable to the lowest common denominator; the middle masses.

If a child does not fit nicely inside that little box, due to learning disabilities, giftedness, personality or a host of other reasons, traditional public school will fail those kids. They will either be beaten down (emotionally) until they submit and conform or they will be outcasts, labled bad kids and trouble makers.

That is the sad fact of the matter. And with around 30 children and only one teacher in your average classroom, teachers can’t be expected to cater to the individual needs and desires of kids on the outsides of the bell curve(whatever bell curve that might be measuring) Not to mention that teachers are now forced to teach kids how to pass standardized tests rather than how to love learning for learning’s sake.

The only viable options for that odd child (like mine) seem to be expensive private schools that use “alternative” methods of education or homeschooling. Since I have a lot more time than money, It seems like we will settle on the latter.

since moving to Nebraska. In Portland, we had some truly extraordinary public and many private schools to choose from. Here, well, I’ve been angry, scared, and finally fed up with what’s been happening to my child. And she’s only been in kindergarten a little over a month.

I know I’m pulling her out, but there are not many options, one montessori and a few catholic schools.

I agree with all of the above comments. It’s been such a frustrating experience: watching my child, and others be brow-beaten, learning how to be “seen, not heard”, learning how to “fit in”, even if it means pretending she doens’t know something she’s known for the last 2 years. Her little face looks so strained. I’ve been volunteering in the classroom, and I just couldn’t bear to hear how the teachers spoke to them, the lack of creativity, or inspiration in the projects. It makes me sick.

I’ll be looking for that Mary Pride one you mentioned. One thing that scares me about homeschooling, is that I simply don’t have a model for it in my mind, I can’t visualize how it’s going to work . . . . Then there’s also the fact that my child is off the charts extroverted, and learns very quickly by being exposed to different caretakers, teachers, adults and children, and don’t know how to provide that on my own.

Sorry, to ask dumb questions, but I’m very ignorant on the whole subject. I just now feel this overwhelming need to protect my child from the mindless indoctrination.

Hi Pioneerspirit,

I understand your heart! You have not asked any dumb questions. I understand you love your child and you want a better chance for her. The key now is to put action behind it and fight for your child’s future. It’s important that you find your voice in homeschooling. This will help you out in many, many areas.

Don’t worry about your daughter now, she is only five. Don’t panic and feel you are shorting her an education. she just needs to play and spend time with mommy. The real schooling starts at 7 or 8. You have lots of time to research. However check your state laws.

The laws here in Nevada do not require us to register our children until they are 7. Different rules for different States. Here is the link to Nebraska
homeschooling laws and resources.Sorry you have to cut and paste. http ://www.nchea.org/

Here are some steps to take.

1.First read Mary Pride.
This will help you make a sure decision.

2. If you are married make sure your husband feels the same way. It takes a family to do this.

3. Buy and research these books. You wont find a homeschooling method right away. It could take 2 years or so. Homescholling is by trial and error at first.

4. Find a support group who homeschool in your community.

Churches are a great place to start.
Not all homeschoolers are Christians. If you are not a Christian that’s okay. You can still homeschool it’s just a stereotype that scares people away.

You will get your best advice from, what we call is a lifer.These are Parents who have commited to homschooled their children k-12th.
If you can find a homeschooler mentor that is great.

5. Know your state laws. I believe you said Nebraska. I have sent you a link for Nebraska’s homeschooling laws and resources. If I have the wrong State let me know I can help you with a link.

You are going to have many, many questions so don’t loose hope. They will all be answered in time

I hope I helped. I am always here for questions.

I use Robinson Curriculum. That is self-teaching method. I absolutely love it.

Here are some links.or just cut and paste.

These are the names of the books. Cut and paste into amazon search engine

Kind regards,

Colleen -5inReno

p.s

Let me know what you think of the Mary Pride book .I would love to hear your thoughts on it.

Website:look this up in Google.
Homeschool Curriculum Excellence – Robinson Self-Teaching Homeschool Curriculum

Books:
1. The Way Home: Beyond Feminism, Back to Reality
by Mary Pride

2. Mary Pride’s Complete Guide to Getting Started in Homeschooling
by Mary Pride (Paperback – June 2004)

Home learning year by year by Rebecca Rupp

Charolett Mason books (Fantastic)

Homeschooling is not for everyone. I have a very dear friend who thinks homeschooling is the best. However she knows she has no patients for it. She does the best she can with her children and they are very happy. She keeps her kids close and communicates with them. She refuses to give all the power over to the teachers.
I like what you are doing with your children you are bringing balance. I wish more parents did that.

I believe there are many good teachers.
I also believe education just works better one-on –one.
Homeschooling better prepares you for learning how to learn. In almost all cases you get a better foundation in reading and math, and you’re free to adjust grade levels by subject according to your abilities. Homeschooling also prepares you for interacting in an adult environment. , Since the vast majority of extracurricular activities have a much better adult-to-child ratio than you find in public schools.

I wish this was the fix realistically this is not. Homeschooling indeed is a big decision. I can say homeschooling is very successful for most families. Can I say I will never put my children in public school? NO! I do this year to year. You never know when life will through you a curve ball.
Testing the concept? Yes its possible.

Thank you for your encouragement.
Colleen

Here are some leaders in our country that were homeschooled.
George Washington, General Douglas Macarthur, Thomas Edison, Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, and many more.

Maybe you should learn to spell before you try to teach your children.
I think it’s a stupid idea. You’re just going to make them friendless and insecure around other people. Kids need to learn how to interact outside of their home.