Learning What?
November 8th 2007 09:53
I was watching Fox News Channel this morning, as I always do, and heard something outrageous! Lots of parents don't approve of the things kids are being force-fed in schools these days and choose to home school their kids. My daughter is one of them. She didn't want her children being taught about gay and lesbian lifestyles, or given birth control, or forced to study the Koran. She didn't want them told that there is no God, Christmas is bad, and abortion is good. Passing grades for simply being there wasn't making them happy. They expected their children to learn something that would prepare them to do well in the adult world when their education was complete. My daughter and her husband have a set of values and beliefs that the school constantly denegrated so they did the best thing they could and removed their kids from the influences that were against everything they believed. That's why most home-schoolers take that route.
Now there is a movement underway to force parents to teach their children the very things they left the public school system to avoid. "Home schooled children should have more liberal education," say the sponsors of this new movement. They actually expect parents to teach their kids about birth control (when they're too young to care), about abortion and what a wonderful thing it is, about Islam and how it isn't really dangerous (as in 9/11), about how people caused Glo-bull Warming or Cooling or Climate Change or whatever they call it this week, and push every other liberal agenda. Parental rights be damned!
The excuse for this was that home-schooled kids are mostly Christian and mostly conservative, making them less able to deal with society. Excuse me? Teaching moral values and expecting the kids to learn won't make them able to deal with society? Sorry, but passing kids because of their age and not their grades, teaching them that "alternative lifestyles" are acceptable, expecting them to experiment with sex and drugs in grade school, and removing the line between right and wrong isn't going to prepare them for anything but trouble. The liberals say that being home-schooled isolates kids and makes them incapable of functioning in the larger world. They claim that the parents who teach their own children are uneducated religious nuts.
News flash for the libs/dems! My daughter (and most other home-school moms) have their kids best interests at heart. She teaches science, math, foreign languages, martial arts, literature, history, political science, and English! When she first took the kids out of public school, she was horrified at what they didn't know! My grandchildren are very bright, but they had huge gaps in their educations (compliments of lazy teachers).
My grand daughter will be going to college next year, to study nursing. She has written a book of poetry and short stories, plays the violin, is a computer whiz, and has worked as a secretary for some pretty famous people. She didn't need to study the Koran, learn about condoms, "the pill", abortion, and the greatness of "alternative lifestyles" to do this. She also speaks Italian and is learning German. She's active in her church and has a job as well. It doesn't sound like her parents are "uneducated religious nuts" does it?
My grandson is 10 years old and is learning Italian, writes short stories, loves science, was devastated when he missed one (out of a hundred) advanced math problems, and can discuss a variety of subjects with clarity and confidence. He is also active in his church.
Do you suppose he learned all that from an "uneducated religious nut?"
I sincerely wish that home-schooling had been an option when I was young. Maybe I would have graduated from high school. But it didn't work out that way for me. I quit school at the beginning of the 10th grade, got a job, got a GED, and went to college. I was not forced to study Islam, I wasn't given birth control (my parents taught a really unique thing. It was called "self control!") and I knew better than to get involved with the drug culture (because my folks taught me better!) I guess my upbringing would be frowned on these days, not being liberal enough...
My point is, of course, that the ultra-liberal education system (thanks to the libs/dems who have been in charge of it for so long) is not the best thing possible. It's better for parents to teach their kids right and wrong. It's a good thing if the education of children rests in the hands of those who actually care how a child grows up. To force the parents to teach their children things that they don't approve of is totally wrong and should be fought, tooth and toenail. Home-schooled kids have a better chance of turning out to be healthy, happy, productive citizens than those who are dragged through the liberal system.
Now there is a movement underway to force parents to teach their children the very things they left the public school system to avoid. "Home schooled children should have more liberal education," say the sponsors of this new movement. They actually expect parents to teach their kids about birth control (when they're too young to care), about abortion and what a wonderful thing it is, about Islam and how it isn't really dangerous (as in 9/11), about how people caused Glo-bull Warming or Cooling or Climate Change or whatever they call it this week, and push every other liberal agenda. Parental rights be damned!
The excuse for this was that home-schooled kids are mostly Christian and mostly conservative, making them less able to deal with society. Excuse me? Teaching moral values and expecting the kids to learn won't make them able to deal with society? Sorry, but passing kids because of their age and not their grades, teaching them that "alternative lifestyles" are acceptable, expecting them to experiment with sex and drugs in grade school, and removing the line between right and wrong isn't going to prepare them for anything but trouble. The liberals say that being home-schooled isolates kids and makes them incapable of functioning in the larger world. They claim that the parents who teach their own children are uneducated religious nuts.
News flash for the libs/dems! My daughter (and most other home-school moms) have their kids best interests at heart. She teaches science, math, foreign languages, martial arts, literature, history, political science, and English! When she first took the kids out of public school, she was horrified at what they didn't know! My grandchildren are very bright, but they had huge gaps in their educations (compliments of lazy teachers).
My grand daughter will be going to college next year, to study nursing. She has written a book of poetry and short stories, plays the violin, is a computer whiz, and has worked as a secretary for some pretty famous people. She didn't need to study the Koran, learn about condoms, "the pill", abortion, and the greatness of "alternative lifestyles" to do this. She also speaks Italian and is learning German. She's active in her church and has a job as well. It doesn't sound like her parents are "uneducated religious nuts" does it?
My grandson is 10 years old and is learning Italian, writes short stories, loves science, was devastated when he missed one (out of a hundred) advanced math problems, and can discuss a variety of subjects with clarity and confidence. He is also active in his church.
Do you suppose he learned all that from an "uneducated religious nut?"
I sincerely wish that home-schooling had been an option when I was young. Maybe I would have graduated from high school. But it didn't work out that way for me. I quit school at the beginning of the 10th grade, got a job, got a GED, and went to college. I was not forced to study Islam, I wasn't given birth control (my parents taught a really unique thing. It was called "self control!") and I knew better than to get involved with the drug culture (because my folks taught me better!) I guess my upbringing would be frowned on these days, not being liberal enough...
My point is, of course, that the ultra-liberal education system (thanks to the libs/dems who have been in charge of it for so long) is not the best thing possible. It's better for parents to teach their kids right and wrong. It's a good thing if the education of children rests in the hands of those who actually care how a child grows up. To force the parents to teach their children things that they don't approve of is totally wrong and should be fought, tooth and toenail. Home-schooled kids have a better chance of turning out to be healthy, happy, productive citizens than those who are dragged through the liberal system.
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Comment by Lester Caudill
Round Politics
But you can see a large liberal influence, I think Parents should have a say in what their kids are taught.
I wonder what happen to the three R's, I know that today it is a bit more complex. The school systems have no business teaching a life style choices, they won't allow Christianity to be taught, Islam shouldn't be taught either.
When my kids were ready I had that dreaded talk with them. I told them about sex, that it is best to wait to you are married, Told them about birth control, and also about the dangers of sexually transmitted disease.
That's my job as a parent not the school systems, I think the liberals and democrats just want more power over our everyday life, so they can force on us their free thinking as I was told by one of them, but it's not free thinking it's foul thinking.
If the schools would get back to teaching the basics of education, you would see a great increase in the graduation rate instead of the drop out rate.
I think it's the curriculum that they are teaching, they are trying to make little liberals out of our children, because they hate family values.
Comment by S.L. Bradish
Comment by Anonymous
What about social skills? I've often wondered how home-schooled children learned about working as a team, or empathy for others, or the basic reasons and techniques for practicing good manners, when they *aren't* in a classroom with an impartial teacher and kids from different social backgrounds?
Also, does your daughter have qualifications to teach all of these subjects herself? ( science, math, foreign languages, martial arts, literature, history, political science, and English) Does every parent who homeschools have the same amount of knowledge and experience than a teacher who has specialized in one or two subjects for years does?
These are issues that I have wondered about since homeschooling became so popular. While it is understandable that parents want to protect their kids from everything, I truly believe that kids need other kids, as well as other points of view, to truly learn about life. Taken in the long view, these are the flaws I see in the homeschooling system.
How does your daughter address these areas?
Comment by S.L. Bradish
Concerning socialization, as I said, the kids are both active in their church. They have friends and spend Sundays helping with different aspects of the services. My grand daughter plays violin and sings with the choir. My grandson hands out the fliers and helps to seat the congregation (and collects the offerings from time to time.) Their social skills are just fine.
More specifically, her uncle was a martial arts expert and trained her well. I am multi-lingual and assist if she needs help on pronunciation. She is a professional writer and has a great command of the English language. Her next door neighbor is a science teacher and gladly gives advice when she needs it. Her husband is a whiz at math and does his share to help with calculus, algebra and geometry when needed.
I cannot speak for all home schoolers. One of my dearest friends home-schooled her son and he turned out very well. She had a BA in English and Library Science and an AA in music, so she was very well qualified to teach her son (especially since she had spent many years teaching in several schools previously.)
If parents want their kids to learn values and the basics instead of liberal drek, home schooling is a very good thing, indeed. But it seems that all too often real education takes a back seat to liberal ideas and some people just don't want their kids indoctrinated. I would have home schooled my kids if I'd had the opportunity.
As it was, I did home school them during high-school and they learned more from me than any teacher they ever had. It served them well. My daughter has a strong set of values and morals that she would never have had if she had finished her education in the liberal system. If I had it to do over, she would never have gone to a regular school.
Comment by Jolene Stratton
I think that education is the single most important thing in a public school... social skills are at the very bottom of the list. Since I have joined the vast number of homeschool parents I have noticed that they, in groups formed by order of vacinity, gather every week for parent meetings, every other week go on field trips with all of the other kids, celebrate birthday parties, graduation ceremonies and dances with each other.... and you would be amazed at how many homeschool families actually exist in every county. This is where the social value come into paly.. along with boy/girl scouts, and homeschool sport's teams.
But as I said, this is the least of the needs each child should be getting in any school, education should always be first. As I said my kids were vain, lacking all manners that were 'supposed to be learned at school' as well as home, and failing. In only a matter of 4 years I have turned a failing grade of basic subjects into multi-lingual students that have a concept of various cultures, knowledge of how eacxh country had formed their governments, as well as AP courses in History, Science, English and Math. Yes, I had to do a little learning but in all this has been one of the best decisions I have ever made for the benefit of my children.
Comment by S.L. Bradish
Comment by youranter
youranter
Opinions
opinionatedranter
Tales From The Green Lantern
My parents and the church taught us the morals, vlaues and manners we have tody and it suited me just fine.
The left wing mmust be scared to death of the right if they need to do this to 'recruit' future voters. Weren't the ancient Romans also free wheeling? Where are they today? Nowhere near the Empire they once commanded.
Do we want to follow them into the depths of helll?
Comment by S.L. Bradish
Comment by Anonymous
As far as having friends and the internet as teaching resources, well...isn't that kind of like saying you're qualified to be a mechanic because you read up on it? Are you folks basically saying that a teacher's degree is worthless, then, and that anyone with access to the internet or friends in the field can do just as good a job?
Hanging out in a church or with any group that has the same values as you do hardly qualifies as life experience; sounds more like a sheltered and insulated upbringing to me. While you may think that protects your kids now, it's going to hurt them when they have to deal with the real world as adults.
Comment by S.L. Bradish
Could it possibly be that both my grand kids will want to be with a better class of people as adults because they feel comfortable around nice people and not the druggie or criminal element? Maybe they'll even learn to avoid bad situations as adults because of their training as kids? Ever hear the old saying that "the fruit doesn't fall far from the tree?" Or maybe, "How you bend the twig, so the tree shall grow?" In case you don't understand what those adages mean, Anonymous, let me explain...
Im most cases, the way a child is raised and trained determines the sort of adult they will become. Unfortunately, it doesn't always work like that ( look at the Menendez brothers), on the other hand I've seen kids from horrific childhoods turn out really well. But on the whole, if a child is taught the difference between right and wrong, has a set of values and standards, respects what should be respected, they can turn out just fine regardless whether their education comes from the liberal indoctrination centers or home.
Have you ever met a home schooled kid, Anonymous? Or do you just make erroneous assumptions because of your own lack of education?
Comment by Kendall McKee
the other homeschooled kid is Wally. Hes 23 now, married with a baby girl and 2 boys. He and his wife are doing really well, too. In the real world, anon. Wally also became an Eagle Scout before he got married.
You don't know much about homeschooled kids, do you? SL is right, they don't need to hang out with what you call real people. Church people can be a really good influence and help kids make better choices as they grow up. its not necessery for kids to watch there friends go to jail for drugs or get pregnant and quit school for them to understand that it doesn't have to happen to them. Learning about birth control, abortion, gays and Islam don't really do them much good, either. And getting passed from grade to grade because there old enough doesnt teach them anything they can use later in life. the homeschooled kids I know all had to learn what their folks taught or keep trying til they got it right.Because their parents cared how they turned out.Most teachers are in it for the paycheck and job security. I wish I could have beem homeschooled. If I ever have kids, they will be. But I'll have to marry someone with a better education that I got to teach them.
Comment by homeschool DAD
As for the social 'life experiences' portion to this arufument, kids tend (in public school) to form a group and stay within them... jocks, cheerleaders, stoners, nerds, etc....their whole life revolves around them... they don't travel from group to group getting in all of the experiences from each group do they... no. So, what is wrong with children 'hanging out' with church members and people 'like' them? That is ideally what they do in public schools anyway is group themselves with the same ideas, values etc. so what wrong with the church and other people with the same views where homeschool kids are concerned?
I think anonymous needs to grow up and accept that the sad fact is that homeschooled children are far smarter than the public school products so we must be doing something right.
Comment by Anonymous
I came across your blog and found this topic to be quite interesting. I was homeschooled since the 10th grade, graduated when I was 18 and am attending college. Things at my school were getting bad and getting their quick. I managed to cope in society just fine. Honestly, people actually look up to me. I have developed my own ideas and am stable with who I am as a person. Most people my age are so discontent with themselves because they want to follow ideas instead of looking at everything, analyzing it and determining what is right and what is wrong. There is nothing wrong with learning at home. Yes, you don't have as much social interation but you don't have the negitive influences and pressures that come with it either. So many kids today follow what the 'hottest' ideas are instead of what is true and right. I know when I have a family of my own someday i will be homeschooling so my children don't learn all the bad things that were shoved on me. I started buying into all the crap that was taught to me but once I got homeschooled I saw the truth and what really was right. I never disputed it because it was taught and I was tested on it and my grades depended on knowing the "facts". As a student you assume that your school and teachers teach you the truth because you assume that they want the best for you. They are your elders and you trust them...well I assumed wrong...it was a sad fact to face.
Great post S.L.
Comment by S.L. Bradish
Comment by Anonymous
That crack you made about my education level gave me a good chuckle, S.L. Surely you can come up with a few germaine facts to support your views instead of resorting to lame insults?
I ain't {sic} that easy!
Comment by S.L. Bradish
On the subject of name calling, your terms for home school parents as "narrow minded, minimally educated knuckle draggers" sounds a lot more like an insult than my questioning your education. Don't ya think?
Comment by Laughing Out Loud
Personally, I think that Anon may just be a little jealous that he/she doesn't have the best education and perhaps maybe because he/she didn't get to reap the benefits of a good education then no one else should either... you know, the way that a narrow-minded and minimally educated (another lame insult written by Anon) person would do. The fact is this; Homeschool kids turn out more successful, polite, and hardworking young adults whose goals are to help the world in one way or another than those in public schools.
The 'lame' insults are obviously coming from (as always) the people too ashamed to place their name... and no, that doesn't mean for your next comment make one up, because we readers really don't care to play games with you Anon. For a person so astoundingly ignorant about the facts regarding homeschool kids, you sure have a lot to say...
For all of this... I am 'Laughing Out Loud.'
-- Alicia J. Shawdon
Comment by Anonymous
I haven't made any sweeping generalizations about homeschoolers. I happen to have met 8 different examples of knuckledragger homeschoolers, as well as 2 well-educated ones. It's not all rosy. Homeschooling isn't for everyone, but quite a few people don't seem to realize that.
I also noticed, in my personal experiences with homeschoolers, that the teaching in certain subject areas seem to be less than par, i.e. Math and Science.
My public school had kids from many religious, social, and ethnic backgrounds. I learned a lot about things that were outside my realm of experience at home.
As for you, Ms. Shawdon, I'm surprised that you haven't taken exception to the (ahem) sweeping statement made earlier about teachers "just being in it for the paycheck". If you are a teacher who has learned anything, you would know: 1) better than to speculate about someone's education level when you have no info about them, 2) how to use proper punctuation. I guess Spellcheck doesn't cover that one yet, and 3) that one cannot make sweeping generalizations about homeschoolers, good or bad. Bradish I expect it from, but a teacher?
Oh, hey--if you're more interested in having a sniping contest, just say so. I'm trying to point out both sides of the matter so we can have a good discussion here, but I can sling insults with the best of 'em if that's what this is about.
Comment by Laughing Out Loud
First of all, when I comment on blogs and chat in teacher rooms we rarely use precise punctuation and often use short hand ... not to mention that I am a busy person and no, I don't run all of my comments on every place that I visit through the spell check. Seeing as how you obviously have a lot of time on your hands and feel so deficient that you need to appear as 'educated' (yes, we will all laugh over that one) as you can... so be it... enjoy.
Secondly, I have yet to meet any 'knuckle dragging' homeschoolers. So my opinions are that of my experiences. Oh, but looking back at your offensive remarks, any opinions other than your own aren't tolerated and therefore should be subjected to some 'debate' right? LOL
As for the comment 'public school teachers being in it for the paychecks' that would be the EXACT reason I left teaching in a public school. I happen to agree with that statement. I am sure a few teachers somewhere actually care about the kids and the education involved but not many.
Oh, and I am merely speculating on your education by that which I have seen on other posts and this one. Your spelling usually lacks severely even with simple words such as 'the'... on posts like these it seems that you write them and then go through with a fine tooth comb to make sure that you don't make any mistakes... but, truth be told, sometimes a few details slip through your computer's radar.
Bottom line, maybe there are a few people who homeschool and turn out the same quality of child that a public school would have. This doesn't mean that it 'isn't for everyone and they shouldn’t be doing it' it merely means that some home school parents only teach to the same degree as a public school teacher. I have yet to see homeschool kids drop out of school, flunk all tests and other such things that happen all the time in the public school system.
As for the 'sniping contest' you are the only one here doing any of that... if you would read the above comments and you weren't so immature that "all comments must go your way or you get mad" then maybe you would see the facts as they are. Perhaps you need a time out or a nap. It is clear that you can 'sling insults well' that much is clear, but then again that is what all school yard bullies do. You are the product of a public school... thank you for proving SL's point so well.
-- Alicia
Comment by long time reader
Have a good day.
Comment by Anonymous
Okay, my turn:
I know you are, but what am I?
So what is it you claim to have taught, Ms. Shaw? I can see it wasn't English. Let me guess...
"Blowdrying 101"?
"An Introduction to Nail Polish"?
No, wait--I've got it--
"typing for thoes in a hury'
Hey, this is fun! I've never done this before. Okay, your turn.
Comment by S.L Bradish
You're protesting way too much to be believed. If you don't like home schooling, then don't do it. Send your kids to the Liberal Indoctrination Centers and be happy. They can turn out just like you... yeehawww...
Until you can use your own name and stop hiding behind your supposed "cloak of anonymity" find someone else to annoy.
You're beginning to bore me to tears... yawn...
Comment by Mr. AC-CP
Oh, I guess the retard with the small pecker still reads your work... tell me, did you finally get it chopped off? Didn't your doctor tell you to try your best to 'act' like a lady Mr. T? lol
I think the issue here is that some people assume that others are as ignorant as they are and could not possibly teach... that is unfortunate but it is a very sad fact.
As far as homeschooling, any parent can do it if they want to and these discriminatory bigots will always have a problem with it. Many states don't require any education from a teacher as to the subject they wish to teach although it does help. So whose to say that a complete stranger with no real background can do a better job than a loving and devoted parent that wants their child to succeed? Yep, that's what I thought.
Listen you little 'knuckle dragging' morons (those slinging rude insults because parents are choosing their child of political correctness), your only issue here is that people aren't conforming to the liberal mold and abandoning every decent and good moral fiber left in their bodies just to suit you.
Here's a tip: sit down, shut up and read... you may just learn a thing or two from this little lady.
Comment by Mr. AC-CP
Everyone makes mistakes while typing... especially those in a heated moment. Don't look down your nose when someone else makes a mistake... everyone does it- even you and your mother for getting pregnant with a dumb ass like you anonymous.
Comment by S.L. Bradish
I thought Anonymous sounded familiar. Bet you're right!
Comment by Anonymous
This should interest you, then: Google "David Ludwig", "Kara Beth Borden", "Deanna Laney", "Andrea Yates"---just for starters.
Freaks.
Comment by S.L. Bradish