I recently read the pages in the textbook on home schooling, as I didn’t know much prior and actually haven’t thought about it too much. My friend made me start thinking about it when she brought up that she was home-schooled until Grade 9. Unlike the reasons given in the textbook for reasons of home schooling, her parents chose to do this because they were constantly moving. Her dad is a minister at a church and was always going from place to place to help those in need. She has lived in Australia, Philippines, and many other places around the world. When we were talking about being home schooled, she was very disappointed that she was home schooled, and she made that the reasoning why she felt she was so behind when she went to a high school in grade 10. Each to their own though because everyone’s experience as a home-schooled student, as well as in traditional school system, is going to vary a lot.
At the same time my one friend regretted having been home schooled, another friend brought up that she really enjoyed being home schooled. She has gone on in education and actually became a T.A. at a school. It is interesting to see the differing results that home schooling can give. This is what helped me become interested in the aspects of home schooling and allowed me to ask questions about it.
According to the text, it says that there are about 10 000 children who are being home schooled in Canada alone, but also that there may be 30 000 others who are unofficially being schooled at home. How are parents able to do this? And, does their education become recognized if it isn’t official? Unlike my first friend whose family was on the move, so she needed to be home schooled, there are other numerous reasons why parents choose to teach their kids at home. These ranged from reasons such as dissatisfaction with schools, they wanted their children to be able to communicate and not just the teacher and they wanted their curiosity and creativity to grow, both things they felt were not accomplished in traditional schools.
There are two main reasons why skeptics would not agree with home schooling which include the belief that a students social skills would not develop and they would not be able to compete with students who are in “regular” schools. Advocates would disagree and say that they become independent thinkers, and that their grades are equal to or greater than those in traditional schools.
I don’t believe that there is anything wrong with home schooling, but as it does take a lot of dedication and hard work, it is important to put the right amount of effort into it. It also makes me question the amount of time we spend in school. How are we in school for 5 years to become teachers, but still perceived as unqualified. It can be a very controversial issue though.
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Part of my essay was on home schooling and on how many people assume home schooled children are less social than traditionally schooled children. The research that I found showed that generally home schooled children are more mature and more social than other children. This may be associated with the number of activities these children are involved in. Many parents know that they need to find social activities in addition to the schooling activities for their children and most have their children in things like scouts, 4-H, music lessons which help them develop their social skills. You’re right that home schooling takes a lot of effort for the parents but I think it can provide a good alternative to school if needed or desired. My husband was home schooled for his junior high years and loved it. He spent his time completing his work and was able to do many more things outside of “school.” He went back to traditional school in high school and did not appear to be behind others at all.
ReplyDeleteI think it is really unfortunate that your friend did not have a good home school experience but perhaps it is simply that she thought it did not adequately prepare her for high school. I thought the home school curriculum was aligned with the Alberta curriculum so that a child would receive the same information to what the teachers were teaching. I guess it could depend on the depth that the concepts are covered. I would think that her experience traveling the world with her parents would be very educational, although perhaps in a different way. In fact, a few years ago I found out that one of my old principals and his wife were taking their twin boys out of school and traveling the world and “teaching” them that way. I’m not sure if they were covering any type of curriculum or simply teaching what they thought they should learn.
I also wonder how those that are unofficially home schooled are recognized as being educated. Do they write provincial or diploma exams? What about going to university? Do they have to write an entrance exam? This would be interesting to know.