This is an interesting question to consider in the home schooling debate. In our class discussions we have looked at the teacher-parent relationship from a different angle. We’ve debated whether or not teachers should “fill in” where parents and families are lacking. The question of should we help the student reach their highest potential when their parents aren’t has come up. People tend to either feel that teachers should help out for the sake of the child. Or, teachers shouldn’t because they already have so much responsibility and are enabling the parents. But Hess discusses a different angle in reference to home schooling. The idea that teachers are trying to correct the family is an invasion.
I think that, as in many situations, a middle ground is the way to go. Students are frequently home schooled because the parents feel it is in their best interest. Jenn discussed a variety of reasons ranging from religious/moral to environment. This comes down to the idea that parents want to choose how their child is educated and formed into their future self. I can respect this to an extent. The article Amid Hard Times talked about how much home schooling strengthened the family structure and how the older children believed in it to the extent that they would sacrifice for their younger siblings. But I also feel the sheltered environment robs them of learning about others, being exposed to uncomfortable situations, and diversity of life. In Hess’ chapter the educational thinkers called this, “freeing students from the yoke of their family provincial understandings”. If a family is biased against an ethnic group or way of thinking my bet would be that that would be portrayed through in their lessons and work. Personal bias does come into play in all families, but when students attend school they are at least exposed to other environments and ideals for 6-8 hours a day. The interactions with teachers and other students will have an influence on their opinions. This exposure prepares them for the future in the working world and lives up the diversity of our country.
I am not arguing against home schooling. Like anything I am sure it can be done in an appropriate manner with good intention. I love the idea of families getting together and planning excursions and I understand when it is necessary for some individuals like those with health issues. But I do think it would be beneficial for the students to get some education/time away from their family structure.
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Steff, In reading your blog you said that on one hand you think that parents should have the right to choose what type of education their child receives, and that it would be intrusion if this was denied. However, you also felt that “the sheltered environment robs them of learning about others, being exposed to uncomfortable situations, and diversity of life. I would beg to differ. Is it not our job to protect our children and shelter them to some extent from the evils of the world? Is it not our job as parents to protect them and preserve their innocence? As a parent I have tried to do this, and it is actually almost impossible considering the biased media which is blasted everywhere in our face. Our children are a gift from God, and although we ultimately don’t own them, we are called to raise them up to know, love, and serve the Lord, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. They will grow up and be thrust into this crazy secular world way too fast, and it is our job to give them a firm foundation in the truth. Did you ever think that perhaps some of these families who are homeschooling actually go out in the world helping to feed the poor, and helping at the local soup kitchen? Of course, there is an exception to every rule. Some families may be spreading racial bigotry, but I tend to doubt this if they are centered on Christ.
ReplyDeleteI read the “The Civic Perils of Homeschooling” by Rob Reich, and this article was very frightening to me. In it he states that “Homeschooling is the apogee of parental control over a child's education, where no other institution has a claim to influence the schooling of the child. Parents serve as the only filter for a child's education, the final arbiters of what gets included and what gets excluded. This potentially compromises citizenship". Does this man actually think that I or any parent would take the responsibility of influencing and educating our children and hand it over to the state? He is nuts. Oh, so it is okay for public schools and the state to brain wash my children with its secular, socialistic,
Godless jargon. No thank you! As I mentioned in my blog, this is reverse discrimination.
I really like the idea of homeschooling in the sense that it is done for the benefit of the child and the parent feels they can do a better job that what there current school system. I do not believe that homeschooling should be for the reason to "keep your children away from those other children". I see children in our library every day and I asked one of the librarians what they were doing there during school hours and she said that a tutor comes to the library and helps these children that are homeschooled three times a week. (Vermilion Library) I saw this as a plus - the children were with others, all ages, and they were not constantly with their parents. I do love the idea that homeschoolers go out and see and experience their education much more than the public schools. If a parent wants to homeschool - good for them - it is their choice.
ReplyDeleteSteph,
ReplyDeleteJust as a parent can choose to send their child to a public or private school so can they have the choice to homeschool as an option. I think that many parents would like to see their child be taught the same values as they may have been taught.I think a benefit of homeschooling is that homeschooling may create children that are not social misfits" in any sense.They will have more experiences by others around them and not just socialized by a group of students of the same age. These homeschoolers according to an article I read "Why Homeschool?" can experience "life/learning and living together". If a family does not agree with the public school system and due to economic difficulties cannot afford a private school I believe homeschooling is a possibility for them.
The author of "The Civic Perils of Home Schooling" says that home schooling parents like the idea of customizing their child's education. Maybe if we gave our children more options for study in the public school, it would appeal to more parents. High Schoolers have some options, but they can be expanded. Elementary could begin to offer choices in curriculum or field experiences. Let's think out of the box and revitalize our schools and make them competitive for today's societal needs. Of course, as Jenn stated in class, most parents opt for home schooling due to religious and moral reasons. Not sure we can do anything about that. Any ideas? When did it become illegal to teach or read the bible in a public school? Wasn't the bible the first curriculum in the public school?
ReplyDeleteThis is in response to Mary's comment:
ReplyDeleteIt is the parents responsibility to protect and nurture their child in order to help them grow to be contributing members of society. And I am sure that the majority of home schoolers do so. As I am sure that within the confines of a public school setting students are educated through the stance of respect for others, concern for their classmates, and a sense of responsibility to ones' self and the world around them. Which if you stop and think about it, is very similar to many of the teachings you find in the Bible....and certainly isn't "secular, socialistic, God-less jargon." By actually stating that, you are passing a hard judgment on your neighbor, which if I recall correctly, the Bible doesn't get too thrilled about.
It is also the parents responsibility to know when it is time to step back and let the students test the moral foundation they have instilled in their child. Public school prepares students for many things they will come across in their adult life and it teaches them the coping strategies, problem solving skills, open-mindedness, and communication skills for many situations that they are guaranteed to experience.
So, lets jump off the God wagon, allow people to make their choices, whatever they may be, and stop passing judgement, because that certainly is loving thy neighbor!
Mary-
ReplyDeleteIt was not at all my intention to argue that home schooling families are not giving back to their community or that parents shouldn't be able to protect their children. I support both of those ideas. I stated that "I am not arguing against home schooling" because I wanted it to be clear that I support this situation when done in a productive way. When writing my posts I try to choose words carefully and consider the issue from all angles. I was not refering to the entire home schooling community when I stated that it "robs them of learning about others, being exposed to uncomfortable situations, and diversity of life." But I do think that in many instances they can miss out on this life skill that I highly value. Like we discussed in class there are positive and negative ways home schooling can be carried out. I probably should have added the word "can" before that sentence.
I have known families that carry out homeschooling in very successful ways and I love the concept that they, like many people, spend time giving back to their community. But I also feel it is important that the families work hard to make sure that the students are being exposed to things outside of their perspective. We know that this is happening with the students in public school for 6 hours a day, we don't know if it is happening in the homes. Being exposed to other life situations prepares students for the diversity of life in our country and acceptance in the outside world environment. Which, in my opinion, will help them as responsible citizens.
Jenny-
ReplyDeleteI love your idea of more choice in the school environment. What a great way to adapt to our changing world. When I read over Strickland's plan I think one of his graduation requirement suggestions included some form of a choice senior project. Hopefully that sticks in the plan!
I remember speaking with another person on a plane once while traveling. She stated that she was spending a month in NYC to do her senior project on September 11th (shortly after it occured). They got a month off school in the Spring of their senior year to do these real life projects. This might be one extreme and I am sure there are more realistic ways to make it possible in our classrooms, but I did think it was a cool idea to share! Good thought!
Megan and everyone, Gee, I guess you all can't tell how passionate I am about these issues, can you. Megan, I know it appears I am coming on strong with my words, but I am doing it to make a point. Of course, some of my comments are generalizations, however, the point is that some of this "secular, socialistic, God-less jargon" is being taught by some in the school arena. I also want to let you all know that I am not a total blundering idiot, and do know that there are teachers who are promoting respect and concern for their fellow classmates; perhaps even teaching their students the "Golden Rule". In regards to passing judgement on others, Christ never said that we could not judge other people's actions. It's the condemning that is His alone to judge.
ReplyDeleteWhile we all evaluate ideas, positions--everything, really--through the lens of our values and experiences, I think that the notion of "judgment" implies a position of authority or superiority, which is not conducive to open dialogue and the free exchange of ideas. Also, as I suggested in my comment to Mary's post, I think we really need to try to avoid basing our arguments on one-sided (and so necessarily incomplete) portrayals of the situation.
ReplyDeleteJenny, I, too, really like your idea of increasing choice; as Steff noted, this is something that Strickland has presented as part of his plan. I think we need to do what we can to make sure that, as Steff says, it "sticks!"
Steff, I really do think that real world/real life situations are so important for children to be in. I have said before that in our schools we are basically creating our own little societies and the students that live in them daily are growing and changing because of them. I know as a parent that I will never be able to home school my daughter bc I will always have to hold a full time job. It is my prayer for her that in her time of public or private education, that she will be exposed to a variety of experiences in all areas, morally, academically, socially, etc. And that at the end of that time, I will be thankful that she could receive that and become a responsible citizen not because of what she did NOT receive by going to school, but by what she DID receive and take away with her.
ReplyDelete