The unfortunate and very sad story that aired on CBS News on October 13 had nothing to do with homeschooling really - but I understand homeschooling was mentioned repeatedly. I don't know if you caught this on the news or not, but it portrayed a bad picture of homeschooling. Is homeschooling the culprit or is this a case of bad parenting? I'll let you be the judge. It is sure to cause a ruckus in the homeschooling world. NCHE's stand
There are two threads in the forum where you can share your views: CBS News and DARK SIDE of Homeschooling.
A response from a forum member:
"Well, after watching it I got upset. It only lasted about 5 minutes and there will be more tomorrow. I felt the need to write in so I did. I will post it below. I hope I made sense due to my trying to clear out all my thoughts at once with them." Cari
"We are a homeschooling family in the state of Texas. We are considered to be a private school. We have been homeschooling for nearly 6 years now.
We watched the first part of the evening news report on the "Darkside of Homeschooling." We were amazed at the way it sounded as though you were implying that 'where you school your children could have an effect on whether they might be abused or even killed.' I am almost sure you are aware that a child can be homeschooled at home, at a co-op, at a public building, outside, in a hotel, or in a church building... There are many more places giving the fact that the world is one's classroom. Everyone in this world is learning everyday from the world around them.
The term homeschooled is used loosely. Homeschool basically means that a child is not publicly schooled by a government-run facility using a government-approved curriculum. A homeschooling family might choose to homeschool for many reasons. Religion, poorly-ran and or poorly-kept public schools, health, disability, and curriculum are just a FEW of those reasons. There are many more.
We chose to homeschool due to our child's health (lethargy from radiation and chemotherapy) and due to the end results of EACH public school day that she attended. Expanding upon the latter, our child went to public school for all of first grade and half of second grade. The kids were not like her in that they hit and stepped on her, broke her glasses, said mean things to and about her, kept themselves away from her in the form of cliques, and stole from her. Keep in mind these are lower level elementary grade children.
At the end of each public school day we would pick her up. First thing as always we would ask her how the day went. She told us each bad thing that happened to her and other kids. She told us about the things that were said, which generally shocked us. And as always, about what she learned... "I don't remember." Ever hear a kid answer with that? But imagine what they do remember!
After months of tears from our child, and disbelief on our part, we decided that it would help her to do her work at home where she could get the extra catnaps she was in need of and where she could be in an environment that was loving and good. We are sorry that we put her through all of that. And we know there are many more children who go through these horrible treatments daily and are not fortunate enough to be taken out of public school.
Today, with one on one schooling at home, at the library, at the gym, in hotels while traveling to visit the place we are learning about, our children are enjoying school and doing well! They attend gym classes with other homeschooled students as well as field trips, fun outings, and events. The homeschooled children we participate with are well-mannered children who can even be found to be nurturing to their own younger siblings. They treat each other well, use nice language, and speak about subjects that parents would approve of. They do not mistreat the children they participate with and do not speak ill of them.
Both homeschooled and publicly schooled children can have it bad at home..." (letter continues)
