Comments on: I’ll come up with a catchy title later http://omegamom.com/2008/02/19/ill-come-up-with-a-catchy-title-later/ A "good enough" mom muses about alpha moms, adoption, computers, the State Of The World, Internet quirkiness, and the Kosmik All Tue, 07 Oct 2008 08:16:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Trope http://omegamom.com/2008/02/19/ill-come-up-with-a-catchy-title-later/#comment-5856 Trope Thu, 21 Feb 2008 15:14:39 +0000 http://omegamom.com/2008/02/19/ill-come-up-with-a-catchy-title-later/#comment-5856 Off-topic! (sigh) You would hardly recognize Cabrini Green now. It's ground zero of the Chicago gentrification initiative... not that I'm complaining, because we have an office near there and life is much easier now that Daley and his squadron of tree-planters have arrived, but it's amazing how things change in a short time. I didn't even notice the cursing. I suppose I've lived here longer than I thought. :) Off-topic!
(sigh) You would hardly recognize Cabrini Green now. It’s ground zero of the Chicago gentrification initiative… not that I’m complaining, because we have an office near there and life is much easier now that Daley and his squadron of tree-planters have arrived, but it’s amazing how things change in a short time.

I didn’t even notice the cursing. I suppose I’ve lived here longer than I thought. :)

]]> By: ruralaspirations http://omegamom.com/2008/02/19/ill-come-up-with-a-catchy-title-later/#comment-5847 ruralaspirations Thu, 21 Feb 2008 02:42:06 +0000 http://omegamom.com/2008/02/19/ill-come-up-with-a-catchy-title-later/#comment-5847 Hi, I found your blog via Spacemom. You wanted some research...the Fraser Institute here in Vancouver, Canada released their second review of homeschooling studies. You can read the news release here:http://www.fraserinstitute.org/COMMERCE.WEB/newsrelease.aspx?nid=4933 and I can email you the actual report if you want it or you can search their articles (http://www.fraserinstitute.org/COMMERCE.WEB/search_articles.aspx?Page=1&title=&keyword=&date=0&topic=0&sort=date&author=1299)for "homeschooling" and find the pdf there. There are no more failed homeschooling stories than there are failed school stories. The former get more attention b/c what homeschoolers actually do is little understood by the mainstream. Hi, I found your blog via Spacemom. You wanted some research…the Fraser Institute here in Vancouver, Canada released their second review of homeschooling studies. You can read the news release here:http://www.fraserinstitute.org/COMMERCE.WEB/newsrelease.aspx?nid=4933 and I can email you the actual report if you want it or you can search their articles (http://www.fraserinstitute.org/COMMERCE.WEB/search_articles.aspx?Page=1&title=&keyword=&date=0&topic=0&sort=date&author=1299)for “homeschooling” and find the pdf there. There are no more failed homeschooling stories than there are failed school stories. The former get more attention b/c what homeschoolers actually do is little understood by the mainstream.

]]> By: Tricia http://omegamom.com/2008/02/19/ill-come-up-with-a-catchy-title-later/#comment-5846 Tricia Thu, 21 Feb 2008 02:14:03 +0000 http://omegamom.com/2008/02/19/ill-come-up-with-a-catchy-title-later/#comment-5846 This is completely off topic, but I LOVE-LOVE-LOVE the picture of the Omegamom and her darling dotter. I think Mother and Dotter look so much alike in their happiness. Had to share. This is completely off topic, but I LOVE-LOVE-LOVE the picture of the Omegamom and her darling dotter. I think Mother and Dotter look so much alike in their happiness.

Had to share.

]]> By: Meredith http://omegamom.com/2008/02/19/ill-come-up-with-a-catchy-title-later/#comment-5845 Meredith Thu, 21 Feb 2008 01:32:01 +0000 http://omegamom.com/2008/02/19/ill-come-up-with-a-catchy-title-later/#comment-5845 I am a public school teacher and I am strongly considering home schooling my daughter. She is only one, so I have some time to consider, but I am telling you: public schools are totally test driven right now. I recently blogged about how I feel about the current state of things in pupblic schools (well, at least my public school). I invite you to check it out if you are interested. http://meredith1225.blogspot.com/2008/02/on-being-teacher.html I am a public school teacher and I am strongly considering home schooling my daughter. She is only one, so I have some time to consider, but I am telling you: public schools are totally test driven right now. I recently blogged about how I feel about the current state of things in pupblic schools (well, at least my public school). I invite you to check it out if you are interested. http://meredith1225.blogspot.com/2008/02/on-being-teacher.html

]]> By: mary http://omegamom.com/2008/02/19/ill-come-up-with-a-catchy-title-later/#comment-5826 mary Wed, 20 Feb 2008 04:15:11 +0000 http://omegamom.com/2008/02/19/ill-come-up-with-a-catchy-title-later/#comment-5826 I think home schooling has its place depending on the child, the parent, and the school system. For example, I have a friend with a child on the autism spectrum and the public schools simply did not serve him and she had the temprement and drive to learn how to teach him. I also can see home schooling when the schools aren't safe or just are not good. On the other hand I am not persuaded by the justification sometimes given that the kids will learn/be exposed to ideas or life styles that contradict the parents' religious teaching. I know that that have a right to homeschool, but I also know that I want my kids to be exposed to many different ideas and that we will discuss the ones that are counter to our belief systems and hope that this makes my kids stronger in our convictions. I think home schooling has its place depending on the child, the parent, and the school system. For example, I have a friend with a child on the autism spectrum and the public schools simply did not serve him and she had the temprement and drive to learn how to teach him. I also can see home schooling when the schools aren’t safe or just are not good. On the other hand I am not persuaded by the justification sometimes given that the kids will learn/be exposed to ideas or life styles that contradict the parents’ religious teaching. I know that that have a right to homeschool, but I also know that I want my kids to be exposed to many different ideas and that we will discuss the ones that are counter to our belief systems and hope that this makes my kids stronger in our convictions.

]]> By: Dosia http://omegamom.com/2008/02/19/ill-come-up-with-a-catchy-title-later/#comment-5824 Dosia Tue, 19 Feb 2008 22:48:12 +0000 http://omegamom.com/2008/02/19/ill-come-up-with-a-catchy-title-later/#comment-5824 In response to #4, though I agree that these studies reflect that homeschoolers generally do very well on standardized tests (I am no exception to that trend), these studies do not take into account a number of important potential biases and issues in these data: 1. All the studies were made/commissioned by organizations with an interest in positive results (Bob Jones University, Home Education Association, etc.). 2. In regards to the homeschoolers scoring above the "average" public school student, I must argue that the "average" student is truly that -- an average of students from the Bronx to Appalachia to the Native American reservations in the west. If you look at these communities, you will not find homeschooling families to any significant extent. Pupils from these extremely disadvantaged communities are not represented in the homeschooling community, thus biasing results towards the upper end (technically this is self-selection bias) 3. Last but absolutely not least, the claim in this study that homeschooling 'costs less' is ONLY true because the teacher's (read mother's) labour is UNPAID. This represents significant loss of income to the home, which, whether a person stays home to care for their children OR care for and educate their children, should be acknowledged as such. In effect, the household has made a conscious decision to pay the mother to take care of the children full time. It is certainly possible to make an argument that every family should structure itself this way, but it is not a foregone conclusion (and I personally do not agree). For an excellent example of this very issue, see here: (sorry, I don't know how to make links!) http://lilysea.blogs.com/peterscrossstation/2007/09/workmama-comp.html I am studying statistics right now, so pardon the technicalities... In response to #4, though I agree that these studies reflect that homeschoolers generally do very well on standardized tests (I am no exception to that trend), these studies do not take into account a number of important potential biases and issues in these data:

1. All the studies were made/commissioned by organizations with an interest in positive results (Bob Jones University, Home Education Association, etc.).

2. In regards to the homeschoolers scoring above the “average” public school student, I must argue that the “average” student is truly that — an average of students from the Bronx to Appalachia to the Native American reservations in the west. If you look at these communities, you will not find homeschooling families to any significant extent. Pupils from these extremely disadvantaged communities are not represented in the homeschooling community, thus biasing results towards the upper end (technically this is self-selection bias)

3. Last but absolutely not least, the claim in this study that homeschooling ‘costs less’ is ONLY true because the teacher’s (read mother’s) labour is UNPAID. This represents significant loss of income to the home, which, whether a person stays home to care for their children OR care for and educate their children, should be acknowledged as such. In effect, the household has made a conscious decision to pay the mother to take care of the children full time. It is certainly possible to make an argument that every family should structure itself this way, but it is not a foregone conclusion (and I personally do not agree). For an excellent example of this very issue, see here: (sorry, I don’t know how to make links!)

http://lilysea.blogs.com/peterscrossstation/2007/09/workmama-comp.html

I am studying statistics right now, so pardon the technicalities…

]]> By: Crimson Wife http://omegamom.com/2008/02/19/ill-come-up-with-a-catchy-title-later/#comment-5821 Crimson Wife Tue, 19 Feb 2008 21:04:01 +0000 http://omegamom.com/2008/02/19/ill-come-up-with-a-catchy-title-later/#comment-5821 P.S. If you're interested in academic research on the benefits of homeschooling, see: http://www.hslda.org/docs/nche/000010/200410250.asp P.S. If you’re interested in academic research on the benefits of homeschooling, see: http://www.hslda.org/docs/nche/000010/200410250.asp

]]> By: Crimson Wife http://omegamom.com/2008/02/19/ill-come-up-with-a-catchy-title-later/#comment-5820 Crimson Wife Tue, 19 Feb 2008 20:56:24 +0000 http://omegamom.com/2008/02/19/ill-come-up-with-a-catchy-title-later/#comment-5820 One of the benefits I've noticed since I quit my job and started homeschooling is how much easier-to-deal with my oldest has become. She's so much more cooperative, polite, and calm than she used to be when she spent 45 hours/week at a daycare center. Gordon Neufeld and Gabor Mate wrote a very interesting book called "Hold On to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers" about the pitfalls of "peer dependence". Traditional schools foster this kind of negative peer influence, where kids start to look to other kids for guidance rather than to their parents or other adult authority figures. One of the benefits I’ve noticed since I quit my job and started homeschooling is how much easier-to-deal with my oldest has become. She’s so much more cooperative, polite, and calm than she used to be when she spent 45 hours/week at a daycare center. Gordon Neufeld and Gabor Mate wrote a very interesting book called “Hold On to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers” about the pitfalls of “peer dependence”. Traditional schools foster this kind of negative peer influence, where kids start to look to other kids for guidance rather than to their parents or other adult authority figures.

]]> By: Johnny http://omegamom.com/2008/02/19/ill-come-up-with-a-catchy-title-later/#comment-5818 Johnny Tue, 19 Feb 2008 16:59:28 +0000 http://omegamom.com/2008/02/19/ill-come-up-with-a-catchy-title-later/#comment-5818 And the sad followup? My niece was indeed very smart. She got delayed in science. She didn't get a scholarship. She tried 1 year at community college, sorta dropped out and now works selling cosmetics. I bet those boys in the boys-only science class went to college. And the sad followup? My niece was indeed very smart. She got delayed in science. She didn’t get a scholarship. She tried 1 year at community college, sorta dropped out and now works selling cosmetics. I bet those boys in the boys-only science class went to college.

]]> By: Blog Antatonist http://omegamom.com/2008/02/19/ill-come-up-with-a-catchy-title-later/#comment-5817 Blog Antatonist Tue, 19 Feb 2008 16:50:03 +0000 http://omegamom.com/2008/02/19/ill-come-up-with-a-catchy-title-later/#comment-5817 My teacher friend and I go round and round on this issue. She's not against homeschooling, but she's not ready to give up on public school yet, although she is enormously frustrated. I think there are pros and cons to every option. I think the biggest factor is the child. My older child thrives in public school and would not be happy homeschooled. My youngest child would probably do better because of his learning issues and because he's just does better independantly. I considered home schooling, but like you, I lack the patience to deal with my very strong willed child on a daily basis. See, there's another factor...personality types and how they mesh. It's a very complex issue with no pat answer. It's extremely subjective. My teacher friend and I go round and round on this issue. She’s not against homeschooling, but she’s not ready to give up on public school yet, although she is enormously frustrated.

I think there are pros and cons to every option. I think the biggest factor is the child. My older child thrives in public school and would not be happy homeschooled. My youngest child would probably do better because of his learning issues and because he’s just does better independantly.

I considered home schooling, but like you, I lack the patience to deal with my very strong willed child on a daily basis.

See, there’s another factor…personality types and how they mesh. It’s a very complex issue with no pat answer. It’s extremely subjective.

]]>