I’m simply suggesting that this is an area where our total social responsibility must be taken into consideration. It may outweigh the right of the individual.

Swilkie,
It seems that Eco has answered the part of your statement about home education being a luxury now I will attempt to answer your concerns about home educators not pulling their weight in this society.
You are right in that schools exist so that our modern industrial age can exit. Schools are and always have been training grounds for the workers both blue collar and white of this society of ours They were purposely designed for that reason. Individualism is sacrificed so that the majority of the populous can keep the industrial wheels turning but there has to be a balance in any endeavour. The fallout from this consumer oriented and fear based society we have been trained to keep alive is all around us but most don’t see or really care .The destruction of the environment, fowling of our planet not to mention the loss of self and this last one catches up with most of us at sometime in our lives. I want my children to be part of that balance and to hear other voices than money. We can’t go on for ever like this and there is not much time left to turn it around. I am ashamed that we have let corporate greed rule this world but I will not stand back and let it continue. Our only ammunition is a new way of educating our young and I am starting now before it's too late

Swilkie, I am afraid you are very much off track when you describe home educators as wealthy. Maybe a few are, but the majority are not.
Those who choose home education do so for many reasons and beliefs. There is no one socio economic class to which home educators originate from.
It is a common misconception that the introduction of mass education produced a literate and better educated society. Literacy levels actually went down after the introduction of mass education, and have been on the decline ever since. If you think about it, in our time Charles Dickens is considered great literature, however in the Victorian times it was akin to pulp fiction. Shakespeare was for the masses in the 16th and 17th century, it was enjoyed by peasant and royalty alike. Today that is not the case. Despite mass schooling the educational gulf between people has widened and not narrowed.
I understand that the concept of education outside the school environment is difficult for many to get their head around, as this requires thinking outside the box of institutionalised mass education. This is not an ability that all possess.
Home educators have found a practical solution to a complex problem, they should be praised and not criticised. It would be a frightening, Orwellian, society indeed if we were all forced to march to the beat of the same drum

Hi Chris - for the record, I have two kids that have recently started Distance Education, one wants to return to school this year for Year 6, and two kids attending different high schools – one public and one Catholic.

During the year 2000, I home-schooled my youngest daughter

During 2002 to 2004 my youngest son had so much time off school that he was essentially being home-schooled.

During the year 2003, I home-schooled my high-school son

During the year 2005, I home-schooled my Year 5 daughter and Year 2 son.

In the 2nd last school week of 2005 my two home-schooled children were finally successful in being provided with Distance Education so, I have received two Distance Education packages. Already I have experienced difficulties and have had to ask the teacher whether, if my daughter has questions, can she email the teacher direct – because I don’t know the answers and I truly struggle to explain things and my kids ask a lot of difficult questions in relation to what they are being told and taught and what is expected. That causes all of us to get frustrated – nothing is ever simple for them, everything is always answered with “well it depends”.

I have got experience and that is why I know that home-schooling is not the best option for every family and child. It really does depend on the circumstances and personality of each individual child and family.

Home-schooling should be a supported and recognized as another valuable method of educating students as for some it is very successful but not every family is in a position to home-school and not every child wants to be home-schooled. .

This topic really isn’t about what is being taught to our children in the home or the school, it is about how students and parents are being treated in education and whether attitudes need to change.

I believe we need to show more respect for parents and students and we need to provide fair and safe access to quality education for all students regardless of their educational choices.

One other thing that I found that home-schooling can not provide enough off for my children is competition! My children thrive on competition and it is something that really motivates them. They enjoy constantly challenging their peers in all areas.

Competition in academics, sport and even socially is what motivates many children! So long as it is presented in a manner that is FAIR, kids usually enjoy themselves and want to be involved! Problem with the Education system is that the competition isn’t fair and that is causing resentment, hostility, frustration and anger.

Of course not all kids like competition and not all competition is being played fair. That’s why home-schooling can be such a great option, or the only option for some!

The ultimate would be if the system played fair and if home-schoolers were welcomed and encouraged to join in and use the facilities at the schools and even join some classes. Combining the school, teacher/parent and home environment is a great way of dealing with the different issues that affect different children and of actually being inclusive and accepting instead of just playing lip service to it.

Parents need to stop arguing with each other about which one is better and support and help each other to ensure that regardless of which option you take that your choice is respected and your child has support and access to quality and appropriate education in a safe, supportive and caring environment.

Well said, Jolanda! All families are different, all children are different, and all should have the opportunity - and the support - to do what works for them.