Are there any other whole-life unschoolers here?

[PurpleChicken]

Perception with this is similiar with homeschooling versus public schools.
I'm 100% for homeschooling and I wish I could afford to homeschool my
son.

I too have serious doubts about any form of education that lacks
expectations, discipline, or boundaries. Children need and want that
type of guidance from parents. Now I suppose if a child has those things
in other areas of their lives and is mature and responsible than this type
of learning may work.

 

[PurpleChicken]

Quote:
Same here. The state keeps their nose out of it.

 

[redhen]

Quote:
so, they dont test the children yearly to make sure that they are actually learning? i think homeschooling is great and may even be better than public schools, BUT, i also do think the state REALLY needs to be sure that any homeschooled children are actually being taught....no?? or am i wrong in my thinking here??

 

[redhen]

Quote:
what he said...

 

[Andora]

Quote:
Unschooling does include expectations, discipline, and boundaries but the goal is to help your child achieve those things intrinsically rather than through an extrinsic system of coercion that traditional schooling uses in most cases. That's the part that others have trouble grasping, because it's so backwards from our normal American culture. We encounter confusion and criticism all the time, especially from family. But we feel good about our choices and so far our daughter is happy, and healthy, and excited about life which is what is most important to me.

 

[PurpleChicken]

Quote:
so, they dont test the children yearly to make sure that they are actually learning? i think homeschooling is great and may even be better than public schools, BUT, i also do think the state REALLY needs to be sure that any homeschooled children are actually being taught....no?? or am i wrong in my thinking here??

IMO anything is better than public schools.

Red, your thinking is what I thought at first too. Then, as I met more
homeschool families, I realized that 99% of families that homeschool
have MUCH higher standards than the state does. So, it is best the
state just stays away. Let the politicians focus on messing up the public
schools worse that they already are.

 

[Bec]

I think that what ever works best for your family is what you should do! I am no one to judge anyone for the choices they make for their family. I , personally, send my kids to school everyday, but I am intrigued by others' way of living.

I am curious, I have never heard of this before now, but when you are unschooled, how do you get a job that requires high school or college education?

 

[Andora]

Quote:
so, they dont test the children yearly to make sure that they are actually learning? i think homeschooling is great and may even be better than public schools, BUT, i also do think the state REALLY needs to be sure that any homeschooled children are actually being taught....no?? or am i wrong in my thinking here??

Well there will always be those parents that don't encourage their children or present them with opportunities to learn, and it's sad that they may fall through the cracks. But I wouldn't appreciate being forced to teach my daughter just to do well on a test for the government. That's what they do in our public schools--they have to take a week long standardized test each year and basically every subject is based on what the kids need to know to score well on that test. (I majored in elementary education...which is what led me into exploring other schooling options.)

So to answer your question, there is no government test for students that are in private schools or homeschooled.

 

[redhen]

Quote:
so, they dont test the children yearly to make sure that they are actually learning? i think homeschooling is great and may even be better than public schools, BUT, i also do think the state REALLY needs to be sure that any homeschooled children are actually being taught....no?? or am i wrong in my thinking here??

IMO anything is better than public schools.

Red, your thinking is what I thought at first too. Then, as I met more
homeschool families, I realized that 99% of families that homeschool
have MUCH higher standards than the state does. So, it is best the
state just stays away. Let the politicians focus on messing up the public
schools worse that they already are.

ahh! yes, i see the wisdom in this PC...very true..sad, but true...

 

[Andora]

Quote:
so, they dont test the children yearly to make sure that they are actually learning? i think homeschooling is great and may even be better than public schools, BUT, i also do think the state REALLY needs to be sure that any homeschooled children are actually being taught....no?? or am i wrong in my thinking here??

IMO anything is better than public schools.

Red, your thinking is what I thought at first too. Then, as I met more
homeschool families, I realized that 99% of families that homeschool
have MUCH higher standards than the state does. So, it is best the
state just stays away. Let the politicians focus on messing up the public
schools worse that they already are.

Exactly.