Sunday, 15 February 2009
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Would you rather attend public school or be homeschooled? Why?
At this point, it's rather irrelevant, because I'm already in college. I did have the opportunity to experience both homeschooling and public schooling, and here's my take:
I would prefer to be homeschooled until high school. Why? Well, quite simply, elementary and middle school teachers function as ltitle more than baby sitters. I was severely held back by the intellectual limitations of my teachers and my peers when I was in lower levels of education; I could have already been taking AP classes by the time I was twelve, if anyone had let me. Moreover, the rigid structure of schooling is too much for most youngsters: I would have much preferred to just finish all my work by 2 PM and then have the rest of the day completely free.For high school, I think it would be preferable to enter either a very good public school (with an IB program, if possible) or attend private school. I think it is important to get some sort of institutionalized socialization before attending university. Half of school is learning how to deal with teachers and the other people around you, and I feel like this lesson should be learned in high school. Plus, it's a lot easier for university admissions departments to evaluate a student who attends a certified secondary school, who has grades and recommendations from instructors.
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Comments (37)
I can see how this would work. I kind-of like this method actually... As opposed to my response that is.
i prefer to be homeschooled until i reach the age for high school/college.
I was mostly homeschooled. I do not necessarily think going to high school is necessary for good functioning in college. I believe it depends on the student. I attended college with many people who had never previously attended an institution of learning who did phenomenally well (ending up in Ivy League grad programs, etc.) Before attending college with these people, I probably would have agreed with you. After having known so many people who succeeded hugely without it, I now think that for most kids it isn't necessary.
Thanks for interesting post.
Agree'd.
That's a good answer. As for me, I'm glad I went to a public school from preschool through twelfth grade. My school district is one of the top districts in the state, public or private, so the quality of education was good. In my particular case, I don't think my parents could have done as good a job teaching or socializing me.
Heh. Public school is ok. I got into too much trouble, I suppose, for my own good.
Yea, thats pretty much the way I see it too. Homeschooling early on but a standard highschool is a good combo.
Homeschooling seems like a waste of time. Granted: The quality of education is probably tangibly greater in home-schooling, but this gap isn't so great as to justify the time and effort of a one-to-one education. This seems like too much time and effort for a merely above-average education.
@huginn - You didn't attend my public school. Ugh.
Of course, it also depends on how exceptional the individual student is. For an average student, maybe not. For a student with special needs (on either end of the spectrum), yeah, it is pretty important.
@la_faerie_joyeuse - You didn't attend my public school. Ugh.
Even then, there usually are possiblities in local transfers, magnet schools, private schools?
@huginn - I heartily disagree. I was a homeschooler. I am currently in my senior year of college and have a 4.0 GPA. One of my professors recently recommended that I attend an Ivy League grad school. I know a number of homeschoolers in similar situations. One went to Harvard Law. Another friend is currently working for the National Geographic Channel. Another one is in nursing school, and she completed a White House internship a couple of years ago. One friend from college graduated from high school and came to school at 16. She did extremely well. Many more are in Ivy League grad schools. One made a perfect score on the SAT. One is a coordinator for the Republican Party in the State of Florida. My sister graduated college with honors and is finishing her Master's degree in theological studies.
In many cases, we're not talking about a slightly above-average education. We're talking about a massive difference. I was always many grade levels ahead on standardized tests, and several of my friends skipped grades. If the proof is in the pudding, then it can be seen in the major successes that many have made of themselves.
Homeschooling is a huge sacrifice for parents, but it can pay huge dividends in the lives of their children.
@huginn - Not in my county, and especially not below the high school level.
@Pickwick12 - Homeschooling is a huge sacrifice for parents, but it can pay huge dividends in the lives of their children.
Easy enough to provide exceptional examples: I can look at the set of all my college public-school friends, and circle out the super-duper exceptional ones. I too, can name lists off Harvard laws, top 10 med schools, and doctral candidates.
@huginn - The difference is, the proportion of successes among my homeschooled friends is much bigger than among friends who were educated other ways.
@Pickwick12 - Sure: "Your friends." It seems to me that your sample of examples is more indicitive of yoru social circles than it is of national trends.
@huginn - Really? Any and all national trends I have ever seen placed homeschoolers far above national averages in academics and in college success.
@Pickwick12 - Okay. I'll bite: Quantify this trend for me. You seem to have access to surveys and studies that I don't.,
@huginn - Ok. I will look for some quantifiable stats for you. Might take me a little while.
@huginn - http://www.hslda.org/docs/nche/000010/200410250.asp
This article has many statistics comparing home and public schoolers.
@Pickwick12 - No problemo.
Look: I grant that on the whole, home-schooled kids turn out better academically. But i doubt it's the case that every other home-schoole kids metamorphosize to geniuses and canddiates for the Nobel and Putlizer prize.
@huginn - true, there are many who are unremarkable, but the statistics show that homeschoolers overall do much better
@Pickwick12 - The study isn't normalized for socio-economic standing.
@Pickwick12 - Okay: What was your SAT score?
@huginn - It did, however, take into account how much the families spent on the children's education, which would appear to be tied to economic status.
@huginn - 1360. I know that lots of people do better. (This was before the top score was 2400. It was 1600 then.) I got a perfect score on the verbal section.