[Madelaine Amee]

I wonder if any other parents or grand parents have noticed this ..... the grand daughter who is in college applied for every type of scholarship in her town and State and got NOTHING. All the scholarships went to public school kids! Thankfully her academic ability got her a full four year scholarship, without which she would have had to take loans.

[sunnyatlast]

Originally Posted by manaboutown

My four grandchildren were home schooled two years. Their mother has a bachelor of science from a top university and additionally trained as a teacher. When the children entered public schools upon testing it turned out each child was at least two years academically ahead of the rest of his/her class. The two boys are the youngest as well as the top students in their classes seemingly without much effort. Where they are benefitting is making new friends and getting into various group activities and team athletics. Unfortunately, their schools being public they plod along at an excruciatingly slow pace academically speaking.

Yes, but they must allow themselves to be utilized to "level the playing field" and make it "fair" for those who are at a "disadvantage" for not having parents who, for example, read to them at home��.

Is having a loving family an unfair advantage?

"Plato famously wanted to abolish the family and put children into care of the state. Some still think the traditional family has a lot to answer for, but some plausible arguments remain in favour of it. Joe Gelonesi meets a philosopher with a rescue plan very much in tune with the times."

Is having a loving family an unfair advantage? - The Philosopher's Zone - ABC Radio National (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

[manaboutown]

Sadly, the powers that be in the USA have been dumbing down the schools for many years now. SAT scores peaked in 1965 if I recall correctly; it has been down hill ever since. The situation got so bad that several years ago they dumbed down the SAT in an attempt to raise current mean scores back up to what used to be the mean in the good old days. Tragic!

I wish my grandchildren could attend schools as good as Finland has. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_Finland

[jojo]

I have worked in education all my life and have been consulting across the country in the area of high school improvement for the past 15 years. Most folks define school based on their own experiences and media descriptions. I have probably observed more than 2,500 classrooms in the past few years and have seen it all from poor to extraordinarily gifted teachers. For the most part, I see teachers who are professional and personally committed to students despite often adverse conditions and increased standards (which are a good thing). I am sure the same continuum exists for home schooling. As many of the posters have said, it is not what it used to be. That said, I’m hoping my grandchildren will stay in public schools. The first grader has homework that I didn’t do until middle school.

[DougB]

Originally Posted by manaboutown

My four grandchildren were home schooled two years. Their mother has a bachelor of science from a top university and additionally trained as a teacher. When the children entered public schools upon testing it turned out each child was at least two years academically ahead of the rest of his/her class. The two boys are the youngest as well as the top students in their classes seemingly without much effort. Where they are benefitting is making new friends and getting into various group activities and team athletics. Unfortunately, their schools being public they plod along at an excruciatingly slow pace academically speaking.

And there are some homeschoolers who come back to public schools two years behind. What's your point?

[PammyJ]

I have three college degrees and I didn't know "jack" about how to educate until I actually became a teacher. Now that I supervise over 80 staff and teachers, I find that we are constantly learning and keeping up with the latest research.We are in exciting times in Education! It is hard to understand because it is not the same education that we received. I assure you, it is not dumbed down. It is full of rigor and problem solving skills needed for the work force of the future so that we can compete with the rest of the world. America educates all young folks and does not pick select few. Teachers work very hard to provide meaningful experiences for our youth. Because of the pendulum swing we are in, there may be a few teachers who are resistant and are not willing to grow. Time will take care of this. This is my life profession in which I am dedicated and continually grow in. I know what I am talking about and ask you to withhold strong judgement. We are working hard! I cannot see how homeschoolers can compete in 21st century skills in a home school situation,unless there are very structured programs available for them. In my experience, home schoolers come back to the school system at least two year 's behind. I am sure this is not true everywhere, I home schooled one of my sons, but I am an educator. I did it for social reasons, not academic. Education is not the same regurgitation of facts as it was in our day. Problem solving skills and rigor are key. It is amazing and invigorating to see our youth rise to this expectation!

[manaboutown]

The proof is in the pudding. U.S. Students Slide In Global Ranking On Math, Reading, Science : The Two-Way : NPR

http://www.cnycentral.com/news/story...4#.VV_OWqZRrR0

http://www.oecd.org/unitedstates/PIS...results-US.pdf

[DougB]

Originally Posted by manaboutown

The proof is in the pudding. U.S. Students Slide In Global Ranking On Math, Reading, Science : The Two-Way : NPR

New survey ranks U.S. students 36th in the world - How do we improve? : News : CNYcentral.com

http://www.oecd.org/unitedstates/PIS...results-US.pdf

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[DougB]

Originally Posted by rustyp

What would you do if your children decided to home school your grandchild?

There is no one right answer. There is no home school vs public education debate. Every child is an individual. Some will thrive in public education, some in private, and some in home school. You need to look at the child and the services and resources that can be provided to help them achieve success and reach their full potential.