Homeschooling and socialization

[romacox]

Teachers are the biggest influx into the home school market these days, and here are the reasons they are giving (one is about the public school version of "socialization".

http://ezinearticles.com/?Thinking-About-Homeschooling?-Teachers-Are&id=2499296

[Twinergy]

Hi Celeste,
My sister homeschooled her son and she actually wrote the letters of recommendation as his teacher and advisor.  She was concerned that he would have a difficult time getting admitted because he was homeschooled.  But he had fantastic test scores, attendes some college classes with all A's, and had also done some volunteer work in a research lab at a local university.  Not only was he was accepted to every school he applied to, but he was also offered several academic scholarships to many of the top schools in the country.  Now he is studying pre-med at Cal Tech and is ranked first in his class (by GPA).  He still gets some snarky comments about being homeschooled, even from his Profs.  But there are lots of other talented and bright homeschooled prodigy out there that are really proving the old stereotypes wrong. 

Edit to add...
I also wanted to mention something my sister told me.  Apparently the very competitive schools reserve very few slots for sophomores, juniors or seniors; and most of these slots go to returning students.  If your child is looking at these schools they have the best chance of admittance if they apply as freshmen.  So if they are taking college courses as part of their homeshool curiculum it is recommended that they keep their total credits low enough to still be considered a freshman on their application.

[romacox]

In some States, children who finish their academic courses early (as many home schoolers do) can begin college classes free of charge until they turn 18.

 I know several in Florida who have done this, and excel in their careers.  One young man is now a trainer at NASA for men much older than he is.  He is passionate about what he is doing.

I say all of this having worked in the public school system, and being very skeptical about the home school venue.  Experience  has taught me a real respect for home schooling. But it is not right for everyone.  So check it out, and decide for yourself.

[romacox]

P.S.  A good way to check it out is to connect with other home school parents and organizations.  In Florida, that would be Florida Parent Educators Association.  http://www.fpea.com/ . They might be able to direct you to one in your area. 

[Krista G]

Romacox,

In which part of Florida can they attend free of charge.  I am in the Orlando area.

[romacox]

Anywhere in Florida! Oh my, you are in a fantastic area to connect with others. FPEA is having their annual Convention in May (near you).

I highly recommend attending because there you will able to attend workshops (I am giving one on helping children read), network with other Parent educators, check out some excellent curriculum, and it is lots of fun too.

[Krista G]

Thanks!  That sounds great.  I was supposed to attend last year but I never made it.  I will check our their website.

[Celeste]

Thanks Twinergy!

[Twinergy]

I just finished an amazing book that addresses this exact issue.  Hold On to Your Kids, by Dr Gordon Neufeld, discusses the socialization of children.  Although it doesn’t necessarily advocate homeschooling, it does use the success of homeschooled children to support its position.  One theory presented in this book is that our society places an unnatural emphasis on horizontal (peer) socialization and not enough on vertical (intergenerational) socialization.  By doing so children are losing the culture and values normally passed down from their elders and are instead making it up on their own.  The book covers so much more than this, addressing the instincts (attachment aka love) that guide the development of a child. 

On a personal note, I gained so much, as a parent, from reading this book.  It really helped me focus on what is important to me, rather than getting caught up in the more difficult moments of parenting. 

[patreiche]

Sounds like a good book, I will have to get it.

[Nikita]

My 13 and 14 year olds are having a friend from their christian school sleep over. She brings magazines with her I refuse to buy for my kids, and prefer they dont read. Last time is was girlfriend mag, this time it's Dolly. There's a sealed section. "The Sexually transmitted diseases file". Kids in primary school read these mags. They grow up too quick and think more promiscuously in the school system, because they arent sheltered. And they (school kids in general) want to wear more revealing and tight clothing than homeschooled kids tend to wear, because they're competing for boy's attention and other girls' envy etc.

[romacox]

I work as a professional Tutor for the public and home school venues, and see parents agonize over their child's needs.  I am very impressed with most of what I see happening in  home schools, but it is not for everyone.  I m also impressed with the dedication of teachers in-spite of insurmountable odds. 

Each parent has to decide what is best for their child...it is a personal choice.  But even if parents have decided to public school.  They almost always find themselves doing some home school work.   

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