Kalweb - You ask about homeschooling - the control, the grades, the programs. You have had several repsonses that help you with the curriculum and grade questions but many thousands of parents opt for the natural learning method as well. Think of the first 5 years of your child's life and the absolutely amazing amount of learning that takes place usually with baby leading you following and encourgaing. Did you have a curriculum for all of this! Young children reach diffferent levels at different times, some walk early - some late, some talk early. some late but we accept that as life. This is natural learning and it need not stop when they reach 5. Some will read early, some late. Teaching reading to a child is no harder that teaching them anything else in fact if left alone most will teach themsleves anyway. Math is is the same - very quick and easy to pick up when the interest is there.I have two sons in Uni. now - homeschooled all their life without a curriculum or program in sight. Research backs up the overwhelming success of this method and it is such fun!

Yes you are right. I was homeschooling 3 children in NZ before we moved over here. After applying for an exemption from school (a learning curve in writing that in eduspeak) we were entitled to a copy of the cirruculum (great paper weight) and about $600 per year for the first child $500 for the second and $300 for the third and any more in the future. It was called a supervisory allowance but the inspector, who tried to come every year, liked to hear you spent your money on school supplies.
The inspector was an ex-teacher who liked to see that you ran your home like a school (which is impossible as anyone homeschooler or not would likely attest to). He also picked holes in your teaching regime. My fellow told me to do more science and basically said to be more like the schools. All this after the kids had done a marvelous job documenting the life phases of the monarch butterfly, and lots of cooking and other science and math. It will be a great shame to have to go back to that.
I now have 9.5 children who are all home educated. The eldest being 15 who is about to study to become a qualified ballet teacher and also sculpts dolls to an international standard which she sells on eBay. They all have above average computer skills(the second child built her own computer), including the 3yrold who can log on and find his programmes that are well beyond his years. They are all learning to read even though they get no hothousing at all. They all have a good grasp of mathematical principles and each have their own self taught skills which they share with others.
cont...

If you vote please write to Mr Bracks and tell him not to mess with the laws on home ed. I have heard rumours they are thinking of charging a 'registration fee'. UNFAIR! After all, how many thousands of dollars of our tax money goes into govt. coffers that we don't use by educating our children at home?? We are saving you money that goes into your schools. Spend it on fixing the schools instead of chasing a group who are already doing a good job producing upstanding productive citizens. Will the govt. give home educators tax breaks? Leave the status quo!!

Thank you for this article Susan.

It is very sad when the ability of parents to choose the best education and lifestyle options for their children is made difficult. Home education is a legitimate and proven avenue for families to choose. I cannot understand why the current Government wants to make this option a harder one. Let us hope more children will not be forced into enduring such atrocious conditions (such as bullying) when they have the option to be educated within the loving safety of their family.

Sajo, home education is an option for most parents, and you degrade your fellow parents by suggesting they are incapable of this. In this society, we need to be more appreciative of diversity not less.
Home education does work for many families, there is overwhelming evidence to prove this. The reason for it’s success is due to the ability of parents to tailor an educational program to suit their children’s individual needs. There are so many different approaches to home education, and this is why there is such a high success rate. It is clear the school system does not work for everyone. Human beings are so diverse it is impossible that such a standardised system would be successful for all. Just as people react differently to different foods, people will respond differently to different forms of education. For the State Government to seek to force all to conform to the one educational way, is just as ridiculous as forcing someone who is allergic to eggs to eat them.
We need more choices in the education of our children, not less.
For you to denigrate parents in this way by suggesting that many are not capable, is small minded and blinkered. Life is more than a set of rules and procedures that we must slavishly adhere to.
Have we become so over legislated as a society that we no longer trust our own abilities as human beings

Chris1 - Actually I said most were either unable or lack the patience or skills. By unable I mean that a large number of parents both work, are single parents, have aged parents to look after, have several children at different learning stages or with special needs that require professional help, a significant number of parents do not speak fluent English, a number of posters mentioned the high level of illiteracy among adults and others indicated the high level of patience that is required. I think this would discourage at least half of parents from homeschooling. At high school level it would be extremely difficult to educate a child in subjects that neither child nor parent has a particular interest or ability in. I am not denigrating other parents - those who choose to homeschool are obviously extremely dedicated and fortunate that they are able to do so. Anyone who says it is easy and anyone can do it obviously has a lot lower standards than I do. That is why we train teachers. I have nothing against homeschooling. As I said I have considered it myself and if bullying became an unsolveable issue I would no doubt be joining you all. I support the option of homeschooling for those who want to but those who can't shouldn't be made to feel guilty.

My concerns are for the children who are not in the position to opt out and are still being bullied while your children are not. I am sure there is a bible verse somewhere about looking after those who can't fend for themselves. It would be nice if we could all live in a loving rose coloured world but unfortunately we don't. I am quite surprised by the level of self interest in this forum.