I am not a hot head at all but this got me a little on the burning side. I can say from experience that in the area that I live more so than not you do find people with these attitudes. Article was copied and pasted from about.com Homeschooling Unfair Advantage? I was at a barbeque at a friends house when one of the men (whose child was throwing a fit) made the remark, "this kid must be unschooled, that's a new name for homeschooling". I asked him if he was looking for trouble. He shared with me what he heard about unschooling and kids teaching themselves and that's what homeschooling was...I then explained to him about homeschooling and the different methods. I don't usually speak up at times like this, I usually just let these know-it-alls speak their minds. But not this time, I jumped right in. I guess I'm getting tired of all the bad publicity we are getting by people who really don't know or understand homeschooling. Now, we're getting a bad rap because homeschoolers are winning contests and getting accepted into major colleges. A few months ago, I read an article by a sports reporter saying that homeschooled kids shouldn't be playing high school athletics. I was very offended by this person, but wrote it off as his ignorance and tried to forget about it. When these spelling bee and geography bee victories happened so close to each other, I had a feeling I would be hearing about unfairness again. It is an outrage. They don't want us to compete in sports or academic contests; yet, they're very concerned about socialization and what goes on in our homes all day. I think they should be looking into what goes on in the schools all day; after all, homeschooling is producing educated, well-adjusted young men and women. I think it is really funny that people would be crying unfair, when they really should be saying, "Hmmm, homeschooling does work." I also wonder what makes people think that homeschoolers aren't carrying "a full school schedule and varied academic course load". Surely, to be accepted at colleges such as Stanford, one has to have a well rounded education. I have a few observations that the opposition to homeschooling seems to be missing: The fact that our kids are excelling in contests and being accepted at colleges is a testimony to the success of homeschooling. Homeschoolers being accepted to these colleges is proof that homeschoolers are carrying a full load and studying all areas. We've invested many years in our kids and their education, now we are reaping the benefits. That's not a crime and it's not unfair, the sacrifices have been plentiful. Today, I was asked to link to an article, but found that it was such good reading, I wanted to feature it to make sure it gets the attention it deserves. Read the article at: Home schoolers are criticized for "unfair advantages" Home schoolers -- big winners in national spelling and geography bees -- are criticized for "unfair advantages." What ever happened to freedom of choice?
YOU GO GIRL!!! I'D also like to say WHAT ABOUT THE THING THEY ARE NOT DOING FOR OUR CHILDERN With my child they were given a chance and FAILED!!! When I have a few extra minutes I will read the articles. I just had to give you a big thumbs up
I have to agree with Amy U way to go girl. Yes, its hard when you hear that, but I use to hear it all the time from my family but now that I don't talk to them hardly I don't have that problem and our life is getting better.
Anytime anybody downs homeschooling I become a hot head in a hurry. I know what I was called to do and don't care what others think. Way to go AmyU.
They can here in the South and why shouldn't they be able too, they are kids too. SO what if they are homeschooled. I never understood and will never understand why people have to pick and choice and be so picky.. Like if you are this color you can't come here and if you are homeschooled you can't do this, we need to change our ways. But, I know it will never happen.
No, I disagree. Here in Ohio it varies from place to place. I don't know what the rule is for where we live. Now, what I'm going to say next is MY OPINION!!! Many of you will probably disagree, and that's fine with me! But please, no tomatoes, lol! I have decided to keep my children out of both private and public schools. I knew before making that decision that it would probably mean no school sports. I knew it meant they would not be able to take part in many of the social things connected with school. they might not have a "graduation ceremony", or go to prom (no lose there!). They wouldn't be able to take part in school plays or play in a marching band. But the purpose of the school is to EDUCATE, not to provide an arena to play sports. I don't think it's right to say that we will take part in THESE activities, but not in OTHERS. I think that in the places where it's an "all or nothing" deal, we need to accept that. Now, for those areas where it is considered OK, fine. After all, we pay taxes, too. And I MIGHT be checking into whether or not Rachael can play soccer with the local middle school next year. MAYBE. But if I do and they say no, I'd accept that and not try to change it. Spelling bees is another story!!! That's academic and not connected with the schools. Our kids should be allowed to take part in any and all non-school competitions!
Is there a rec. council Rachel could play soccer with? We have many teams here through the rec council and it doesn't matter if you're homeschooled or not. I've been fortunate to find lots of good things for Jeannie over the years.
Yes, that's what she's been doing. There are several leagues in our area, but at the middle school level it seems you either play for your school or Select (which is expensive, plus it is a MAJOR time commitment, etc.)
I don't see the problem in giving your children an advantage if you can, whether some label it as 'unfair' or not! Surely your goal as parents is to do the best you can for your children. What is it Wayne Dyer is always saying? We should strive to be 'independent of the good opinion of other people'. Good advice!
Yeah here the public Schools don't allow HS kids to participate in ANYTHING School related. I got the enrichnment to make an exception but they are not technically related to the school they are run by the PTO. I have nothing against allowing HSers in public school activities, I know that the school gets funds based on number of students and that is why they don't want HS there part-time BUT where does that money come from? oh yeah.. my tax money. ATM the public school has nothing I want Sami in and they wouldn't let her anyhow but if somewhere down the line they said she could do something and she wanted to do it.. I'd let her so long as it didn't interfere with her education. As for other organizations not allowing HomeSchoolers.. I'd throw a fit! If HS is an unfair advantage so is all private school and since when is not conforming to the lowest common denominator cheating? (Unfair advantages = cheating) I agree with Prospero, we should all strive to give kids the BEST education not worry about weather we are bing fair . The pubilc School gives kids this fair attitude to the kids from a young age. Season comes home with it from school. I tell her -Life is not fair. You don't get stuff just because everyone else gets it. You get stuff because you work for it or someone (or God) blesses you with a gift. What's fair is if you work hard for it and you get it. She got past it over spring break and then one week back at school and BAM she is mad we aren't being fair at home again. How is this lesson going to help her as an adult? Why do they push this fairness stuff at the schools? Those kids in Public school didn't work to be allowed to get there in it shows in their attitude. When I taught in India the kids knew that they were incredibly lucky to be allowed to be educated and they didn't waste a moment of that chance! Kids here have to be made to go to school. there they are excited to be allowed, and it's not cause those other children have better classrooms or better teachers or better anything. THye have less qualified teachers in undecorated concrete rooms and some grades don't even have desks to sit at they sit on the floor. You don't catch them skipping school or whining that they don't want to be there. Some of those kids will out shine some of our best students too. I suppose they have an 'unfair' advantage too... THEY WORK HARD.
Usually when people say things, like this one individual has in the article, it means they are jealous. And jealousy will get them nowhere.
I think that PS children are at an unfair disadvantage. I think that it is unfair that they have to spend time "learning" how to stand in line and be quiet. WHile they could be learning spelling bee words. I think that it is unfair that they have to deal with teachers who don't want to teach and certainly don't love them. I think that it is unfair that they spend time "learning" about how an exposion created life instead of the true meaning of life. I think that it is unfair that innocent children are suffering at the hands of our government only so that states can look good on a report card so that they can get money. I think it is unfair that children are being left behind EVERY DAY. Is it unfair to our children, NO? But that is the CHoice that we have all made in a nation that we are free to do so. Is it unfair that our PS are the way that they are? YES! Is it unfair to those children? YEs! We shouldn't be blamed because we chose to EDUCATE our children. Just my opinion.
