Funny how true this article is.... http://www.school-survival.net/articles/school/Public_school_is_like_prison.php
I know, it is that you don't think of the public schools are a cult, but then when you think about it, they really do fit the definition of a cult to the T.
well any place that makes you ask permission or punishes you for using the bathroom should be raising red flags if you ask me.
Let's say the kids can go to the pot whenever they feel like it. Can you see the problems that would cause? 25-30 kids in a class, all need the b-room at the same time. And don't think they wouldn't abuse the right. In addition, better to have the kids safe in the class, going with permission, than have them willy-nilly all over the place. When I worked, I had to ask for a relief person so I could go to the bathroom. Had any of us simply walked off our line to go, we'd have at the very least been written up.
I don't think schools are really cults, but I do think they squash somethings in our kids, like creativity and love of learning. The sad thing is that there are a lot of good teachers out there that have to do things the way that is expected instead of having fun and letting the kids learn in different ways.
OH YES! I understand that! But that was my point pretty much, any place that your kid can't use the toilet without permission is no place for the kid. one teacher canNOT possibly educate 25 kids properly. There will be so many left behind and not meet their potential due to the cookie cutter approach and starch regulations, (rules) My experience with PS is they are more concerned about the numbers and rules than your child personally. No place for MY kids!
I know a lot of people have harsh perceptions of public schools but just like all homeschools are not alike, neither are public schools. My dd13 goes to a public school that is great and I certainly would not call it a cult. She has wonderful teachers and she has learned a lot this year. Honestly more than I would have been able to teach her. This year she has done internet and library research, an annotated bibliography, technical writing paper for the science fair, lab experiments, a power point presentation for the history fair and a lot of growing up. I guess we have been lucky but all of her teachers are wonderful and they do seem to actually care about the kids. I think saying all schools suck and are cults is like saying all homeschoolers are weird and unsocialized. It just isn't true.
I think Monkeymamma got it right, we shouldn't be too harsh on schools, because there are some that are really trying to help the students. I honestly don't know what the 100% answer is. I think homeschooling is the best thing in many cases, but sometimes I question myself and my homeschooling situation. If it wasn't for the peer pressure and anti-Christian stuff I would probably never have taken my son out of school. I don't think the way they educate is perfect, but I don't think the way I do it is either. I am sometimes too easy on him and sometimes I am too hard. I feel for the teachers too. I used to want to be a teacher and in some ways I think it would be great. I think it would be very difficult to balance caring for the children and fighting to maintain "achievements" to keep your job. So, I think when we think of schools, we need to remember that there are many teachers out there that if they could they would probably shake things up and make things better, but the system gets in the way.
Personally, I have come to the conclusion that no matter how great a school is, it still lacks individualized teaching. The school can be listed as one of the best schools in America and if it is being compared to any of the schools around here, then it probably is. LOL But one problem I have with them is the fact that even the best schools have a one size fits all mentality. The child's growth is still being halted because they are still covering the same curriculum as all the other students in their classes. If it really boiled down to it and I had a choice to send Ems to the top notch schools in America or homeschool, I would still vote for homeschooling. ...and this isn't to knock anybody who loves their children's school. It just wouldn't work for us.
And that is what i love about the choices we have here! Where you can't ever see sending Ems to schoool I can't ever see homeschooling Samantha again. I honestly do not see where Samantha's growth is being halted or that she is not learning to her full potential. I think and I see that she is thriving and I dont' see that she would be in the same wonderful place had I continued to keep her home. I just really think it has to be an individual family choice. I just don't like when people completely dog out public schools as a whole. It bothers me that homeschoolers think it is ok to label all public schools as "bad" when the same homeschoolers get all up in arms when the public criticizes them for stereotypical things they think all homeschoolers are about. I've been priviledged enough to see first hand a really great public junior high and really great teachers that actually do care about the students and do take the time to teach them on a personal level. I understand all ps are not like that. Just like all homeschoolers don't wear denim jumpers and can't speak to anyone without blushing and hiding behind mom.
ditto on that too! lol The 2 previous posts are exactly where I fall on this issue. I am NOT against public school, like some are, but I'm not for it AT THIS POINT FOR OUR CHILD....I don't care if people send their kids to public school, I don't look down on them anymore than they should look down on me for taking this path. I know there are circumstances in all families that lead them to maybe not be able to choose to homeschool, and I know there are kids like Sam who actually thrive and this is the best choice for her. We've talked about this in private before...you know how I feel about not really fitting into either mold. I AM WEIRD lol
