Mangum: Readers speak out – loudly – on homeschooling

By Jeff Mangum

I honestly thought my Nov. 17 column on the divisive and emotional issue of homeschooling was carefully balanced and wouldn’t offend anyone. I should have known better.

Jeff Mangum

Some readers praised the fairness of the article; others called me ignorant. A sampling of readers’ comments follows. (I have changed the names and edited comments for length and clarity.)

* * * * *

“There are so many variables to consider when deciding the best way to educate our children that I believe it imprudent to be definitively “for” or “against” any one type of schooling, be it home, public or private.” – Ellen

* * * * *

Homeschooling is good in theory, but I’ve never seen it be effective in practice. To parents considering homeschooling, let me offer my experiences.

When I homeschooled my daughter, I learned that distractions at home make it difficult to accomplish much, even with a motivated student. (My daughter credits that year of being home-schooled for having destroyed her good study habits.)

Home-schooled kids tend to be delightful, creative people and often excel at the things they love — drama, literature, art. Unfortunately, they often lack the habits that are taught at school where assignments are firm, deadlines are real, and grades are given, as I have seen with home-schooled students I have tutored. I have been dismayed by their lack of discipline which makes it difficult to succeed in such fundamental skills as English, math and critical thinking. They often lacked consistency in showing up for their lessons and completing assignments.

You only get one shot at educating a child: If he does not learn the skills, habits and knowledge necessary to succeed, he will pay for it the rest of his life. If you are considering homeschooling, be absolutely certain you have the ability, knowledge, discipline, and willingness to do whatever it takes. — Terry

* * * * *

The number of factual errors and misinformation in your article is staggering. I would appreciate it if authors attempting to write about homeschooling would conduct some basic research first. For example, your claim that “there is simply no reliable data available to compare the academic performance of homeschooled students to public school students” is incorrect. Dr. Lawrence Rudner’s 1998 study, “Homeschooling Works,” and Dr. Brian Ray’s “Progress Report 2009: Homeschool Academic Achievement and Demographics” both clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of homeschooling over a public school education. — Amy (commenting online.)

(For the record, I was aware of both studies but considered them statistically flawed and unreliable.)

In her on-line comment Amy cites by the “Home School Legal Defense Association,” an organization that describes its mission as dedicated entirely to advocating on behalf of homeschooling, as proof that homeschooling is effective. A cherry-picked study well over a decade old supporting HSLDA’s advocacy and “confirmed” by the president of the National Home Education Research Institute is what Amy considers authoritative on this issue? So authoritative, in fact, that she cites it as the basis for accusing Mr. Mangum’s balanced article of containing a “staggering” number of factual errors and misinformation? I think it is apparent who has more credibility on this issue, and who never received the benefits of a “liberal education.”  – Ed

* * * * *

Even within my own family the needs of each child are so vastly different that I can’t predict how long I will homeschool — I suppose for as long as necessary for each kid. And that is just us! I wouldn’t ever presume to tell someone else how to educate their children. Do what is best for your kids and your sanity. — Morgan

* * * * *

In one of my previous lives I was an elementary school teacher. I remember how dejected were the little ones, usually boys, who had difficulty mastering reading. Most were just immature and not ready. Today we expect children to do a lot more much earlier — for some it is a tremendous disadvantage.

I would consider homeschooling up to the third grade so children who are not ready can develop without the pressure school puts on them. Some children are ready for school and do well. However, every flower only blooms when ready: for late bloomers, homeschooling for a while might help. — Linda

Mangum is a Poway resident, attorney and former PUSD board member. Reach him at school.maze@gmail.com.

Short URL: http://www.pomeradonews.com/?p=18902

Posted by Staff on Dec 2 2011. Filed under Columnists. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry