The iron control some parents want to exercise over their children is truly chilling. Who was the poet who said "Your children are not your children, they are expressions of life's longing for itself.", or something similar?
What do these parents fear so much about exposing their precious kids to a classroom's worth or even a playground's worth of other kids? Sure, every kid gets hurt and teased, sometimes, in the big wide world of school, but in the long run, that can be a good thing. They learn how to deal with difficulty, with teachers who are not fair, and classes that are boring. There will be a lot of that in their future, and if they've been isolated and protected from it, how will they deal with it later? How do you learn that you are just another kid, nothing special, if you are never allowed to experience the rough and tumble of school? How will you learn that there are as many ways to live life as there are people living it, if all you are ever exposed to are the beliefs of your own parents? In the end, who are such parents protecting? Their kids? Or themselves?

I don't think that parents are trying to keep their children away from experiences such as you describe above. I am not homeschooling my children of 5, 10 and 15. But having children at such different age levels, I have had the chance to see many different things that would make me want to homeschool. A child that was placed in remedial classes because she wasn't "smart enough" to keep up with her peers, and a child that is "too smart" so she either needed to be bumped up a few grades or placed into the "focus classes." And I won't even mention the little boy who told my 4th grader that he would like to put his beef inside her taco. O.K., I mentioned it, but I did not find it amusing, and neither did her father! And, I'm sure we would not have heard it had she been homeschooling.....

Hello all,

Julie Novak has put up some facts about home-schooling that undermine the myths and prejudices that pass for knowledge in some circles. Unfortunately, facts mean very little to people like enaj (see top post) who charges in to the debate like a bull in a china shop with words such as "iron control", "truly chilling" and "parents fear so much". Such an emotional barrage only serves to demonstrate the irrationality of people who oppose freedom of choice in education.

enaj wants our children to learn that they are "just another kid", but I don't want any child to feel that grey, especially my children, so I choose to be outside the conformist, lock-step, institutionalising, dehumanising, relativistic state educational system.

enaj, wouldn't it be truly chilling if the state had a monopoly on education? It could then dictate what every child had to learn, incalculate the (politically correct) attitudes they must have, and indocrinate our young in any way it saw fit. That would be an iron hand indeed.

Why is it that people like enaj who make so much noise about diversity and tolerance are very intolerant of those who don't fit the socialist mold?

Couldn't pass up the opportunity to contribute to this discussion! We have home schooled five of our six children for nine years now and we do not regret the decision, nor do our children! Contrary to popular and consistent belief, our children are HIGHLY social. With access to 'support networks', friends, drama, music, St John Ambulance, and other such opportunities for personal growth and social interaction, we struggle to keep up with the multiplicity and diversity of challenges to our personal values and beliefs. Our home is often the venue for 'the great debate' and the focus of that debate alters from week to week, child to child; it is, in short, an absolute delight to engage with our children in their growth to spiritual, intellectual, moral and social maturity.

All our children have identified and established their personal goals early and worked toward them with the knowledge that they are not 'just another kid' but a humble human being with the ability, potential and heart to achieve great things for others; that their legacy can and will make a difference in this hurting world.

Having said this, our first son completed his entire education in a private, Christian school and at twentyfive is a wonderful young man, happily married, a successful business, and a huge heart for others. It can be achieved both ways people, but with each choice there is a need to balance and address the disadvantages presented. Yes, people can be control freaks and create codependency in their children but hey, they can do that in the school system too as so well articulated by Mykah - which one of us would truly like to think that the 'system' was free to 'train up our children'? Scary stuff!! The trouble with this debate, as so often happens with so many, is that people are often defending their already established practices and few seem to be able to transcend their own position to see the honest worth in potential alternatives.

In humility,
Justine.

My grandaughter will be of school age next year. She is an only child and I fear that home schooling will be too isolationist for her.
Does anybody wish to comment?

(Reply to RobertG, about his grandaughter)

Dear Sir,

There are a diverse range of opinions about home-education but the research-based facts show that, on average, home-educated children are better adjusted, have more confidence and better social skills than children who are sent to "the professionals" to be schooled. So it is not just in academic skills that home-educated children have an unfair advantage but also in general life-skills. This is because they are not "socialised" by the mob but learn from the example of their parents and other influential people in their lives (such as their grandparents).

Home-educated doesn't mean "locked up in solitary confinement". Most home-educated children I know are active in community groups, sporting clubs and churches, as well as mixing often with other home-schoolers of all ages.

Dear Robert G, also re your grandaughter,

I have met a number of home schooled kids, without exception, so far, they have related much better to adults than to their peers. To use some psychobabble, they seemed very parentified. My teenagers who go to a co-ed public school struggled manfully to find a point of contact and failed. Probably there are exceptions, but, you'd have to be a supremely gifted home school parent to replace the social learning that kids get from other kids.
Some are socially skilled with grownups, but their skills with other adolescents seemed poor. They lack a layer of savvy, the protective skin that kids more used to the rough and tumble of other kids develop. Some parents may not like that skin, but I reckon every one of us has to develop it sooner or later to survive.
School is a child's first experience of themselves as separate from their parents, as an individual. This can be tough going, but kids are strong enough to cope, by letting your granddaughter go, by expressing your confidence in her ability to deal with what, after all, are only other 5 year olds, you give her something just as important as academic achievement. More so, probably.
And if in year 4, some boy tells her he'd like to stick his beef into her, she'll be learning another important lesson, how to tell him to go jump.

The research that Julie Novak refers to is pretty dodgy and hardly convincing. She refers to a few studies that indicate that the numbers of home schooled children in the US is increasing; but so what? Is the US a model of what is good? I don't thnk so!

Julie refers to two(!) studies that show that home-schooled children achieve academically. But how representative were these studies. Were these studies published in peer-reviewed Journals?

There is no indication of what age the children in the studies were. Were they in grade 1?

Is there any evidence how well they do at University? Julie writes that prestigious US uni’s select home-school students on the basis of test scores and a portfolio of work. What does this mean? How many do they select, and how well do they do if they are selected?

The main point for Julie seems to be the ‘freedom’ that home-schooling provides. Freedom from what I wonder? Freedom from having to understand how the rest of the world thinks?

Is it really such a bad world out there Julie? Do you need to have that much control over your children or is it your anti-government ideology that drives your argument?

Way back when I was a hippie in the 70's, we wanted to home-school our children also - teach them magic and music and art and to love each other - definately not the meat in the taco type of love LOL.

Just as well the 'govment' stepped in and stopped us. My kids did go to state schools, learned what they were taught there and then what I wanted to teach them when they got home.

They were able to decide for themselves which was better. They all got to uni and are doing well.

Bravo to Ms Novak for her discussion on this interesting and contemporary topic. As an 'almost-50' mother with two Primary School aged children, I am intrigued by the concept of home schooling. Next year my husband and children and I are moving from the city to a 100 acre rural property, near a regional town in the Southern Highlands, NSW. This will be a wonderful new experience for us as a family, and I'm considering homeschooling for my children. Life's a journey, and there are no rights or wrongs. I'm not talking about values and ethics. I'm referring to those people who are cynical and criticise anything alternative. It is a joy to have the children around, and to be able to incorporate all facets of life, family, the spiritual, and social into the 'everyday'. I hated school, and left at 14. I've now lost count of the number of degrees I've attained (both attendance and distance education), including a teaching degree and a PhD. Yep, after 34 years of solid employment and concomitant study, I, with my husband, am moving into semi-retirement, and what a thrill it would be to share more time with our dear children.
Doc.

As a home educating mum I read the above comments with interest.

To RobertG: Can I encourage you to ask your question (which is valid because it's your concern and you have questions about the future of someone you care about deeply) on a homeschool support board.
http://www.home-ed.vic.edu.au/Networking/Discussion.htm . This site would be a place to start. You would also be welcome to contact me personally at theforum@grandyzine.com.
On a homeschool support board you will find parents who are living the life of homeschooling with one child. They will be able to share with you their experiences and thoughts from a perspective that enaj is simply not able to speak about. Not through any personal lack but simply by practicality. She has no personal or extensive experience in this matter. Regarding her reference to "I have met a number of home schooled kids, without exception, so far, they have related much better to adults than to their peers...", I have met many children and adults who attended conventional schools, who also do not/did not relate well to their peers, or indeed adults. All 5 of my children relate well to their peers, to adults and have only ever been home educated. Of any feedback that I've ever heard from my own friends and contacts who homeschool with one child, I have never! found any negative issues specific to those circumstances. They have only ever been about the normal homeschool challenges. So please be encouraged.

Regards,
Marion

Dear enaj and Mollydukes-FYI: More details of one of the studies referred to by Julie can be found here : http://www.hslda.org/docs/study/rudner1999/Rudner1.asp.
Another article to read would be this one: http://www.homeschoolchristian.com/Position/WileRebuttal.html. Dr Wile also has many more references to specific studies at the bottom of this article. This article would address some of mollydukes questions in particular.
This next article is a great one regarding Homeschooling in Australia
http://www.aare.edu.au/99pap/bro99413.htm.

All of these may help you to gain a more informed insight into homeschooling and the good thing that it represents to the Australian community, both now and in the future.
In my experience everyone is unique and special, and that would have to include both of you. (I'm sorry if that offends you enaj, that's not my intention here) If we seriously believe that we have nothing special to offer,then the world as we know it is a lie before our eyes. Everyday we see people making a good difference in the lives of others. That can only happen when individuals bring their "special" talents and gifts into the lives of others, into the community. If we were all the same we wouldn't need each other, but we do. Life proves that point over and over again. Theories are all well and good but we must apply and make them accountable to what we see being testified to in the world around us.

Regards,
Marion

Home education is an alternative to school based education. It gives parents choice. Once upon a time all kids learned at home and in their immediate community and apprenticeships were the way they were inducted into adult life. That model of education worked for millenia. Some of us like the idea of trying methods that helped to build about great civilisations, ours among them. Schools, the way they are today, are a relatively recent invention and as far as I can see, fail way too many children. Literacy and numeracy remain national problems, despite the money the education system has thrown at them over the last century. Why can't schools get it right? For ALL children? Some home educators are interested in the academic education of their children, not just the social development. But it's the social atmosphere of schools that freak me out. Sex and drugs peddled in primary school? Should I be worried as a parent? Or should I encourage my child to 'have a go' and grow that thick skin so she can cope(?) better with whatever life throws at her.

With adult children who were variously schooled and homeschooled, I can honestly say that it's not where your kids get that education, but how much effort, you - the parent - puts into that process. If you leave their education and social development in the hands of strangers then you'd better be happy with the consequences.

Beverley
http://homeschoolaustralia.beverleypaine.com
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Visit www.alwayslearningbooks.com.au for a great range of homeschooling, unschooling and books on natural learning!

I am a journalist writing an article about home education. It is interesting to hear the range of views. I am neither for or against home education, but I think it is something many people don't know alot about. I am particularly keen to hear from home educators in the Illawarra region of NSW, but others, please reply
My questions are:
Why did you choose home education?
Do you plan to continue right through high school?
What kind of response do you get when you tell people your children are home schooled?
What kind of resources/support networks do you have?

thanks

I am wondering if anyone has been in my situation before and can offer some advice on how to appeal an application for home schooling. I have two children in their first years of school. I am a divorsee and my ex-wife has custody of the children. I see the children every second weekend. My ex wife has applied to home school the children. It is my ex-wife's opinion that home schooling will benefit the children as it will provide 'love' - something that she sees the NSW school system as not providing. It is my opinion that the children should have a loving and supportive environment at home and have all of the opportunities school provides. To apply for home schooling in NSW only one parent has to agree and to my knoweledge it appears that there is only an initial inspection of the learning environment. It is my concern that the learning environment at home is too small for the children and often untidy. Once approved, this will not be inspected. My children currently enjoy school, but of course think it would be great fun to spend all day with their mum. As I only spend every second weekend with the children, I am worried that they will have a very one sided upbringing, and I will not be able to contribute to their education as much as I have in the past. For example, going to parent teacher evenings and athletics carnivals, helping with school projects, talking with the kids about heir friends at school, etc. I am not against home schooling when two parents are involved in the education, however I am sure most of you can imagine how helpless I feel in this situation right now. I would appreciate any advice.

Hi, I would like some help, my 15 yr old step son suffers from an O.C.D preventing him from attending school. He has been attending a distance ED organisation but has never really gained any joy from, or be comfortable attending. We recently advised the Government Org. that he would no longer be attending but were told that he must until he attains the age of 17yrs. I hold a certificate iv in training and assessing, and instruct, train and assess on law enforcement issues including firearms, plus communications and other general certificate requirements. Is there an option to allow me to provide the young man's learning needs. He is a fine, intelligent young man who simply needs extra assistance and not be labelled as an incompetant or someone who will never have a normal life which has been suggested in the past.........can you help me, help him please. We would be grateful for any suggestions.......Kev

Can someone please give me some statistics for outcomes in educational social and spiritual arenas for children who are homeschooled.
I find it very difficult to assess since only 0.2% of children of primary school age were enrolled this way in the late 1990s and the figure had been tapering off from a high of 1544 children in 1994.

Knowing a small group of children personally with good outcomes is quite different from assessing the likely achievements of children whose home facitity and resources as well as parent ability to teach is likely to be vastly different.
Great as the idea is there does need to be some assessment of children's progress at say ages 7,9 and 11 in relation to similar aged child cohorts.
Please give me some guidance in research material which is up to date and relevant.
Lupus