I wish posters would use correct sentences and double space between paragraphs. Reading would be so much easier.

Surely home schoolers have the above basics?

I despair
Kay

PS: As I despair with the public schooling system.

I cannot comment on private schooling.

Swilkie - Tired, stressed parents are teachers! They are the teachers at our kid’s schools! You don’t have to be homeschooling your kids to be tired and stressed. I am sure that many teachers are parents and are very stressed and our kids are paying the price.

That is why we need to be understanding and supportive and help each other and most importantly respect each other because children learn by example whether they are at school or at home.

You know that it is true that every time a child is removed from the Public System to be home-schooled the system is the loser. It’s the same as people leaving their country because of war. If all the good people decide to go, then who will be left to fight for change?.

However, that’s not to say that home-schoolers should stay at school. Usually by the time parents take their children out of school they have done everything in their power to encourage change. More often than not they do it alone as the parents who use the schools do not support their choices, they criticize them and often ostrasize them because of their choices. You cannot ask parents to leave their children in an environment that is hostile and damaging to their own children’s health and wellbeing. If other parents showed understanding and publicly showed support to those that brought up issues at school maybe the schools would be forced to make changes.

Its very difficult to change anything on your own and the system knows that, that is why they divide. Parents need to stick together and respect each others choices as there is no right way or wrong way to educate – just different ways.

Mayo. In one of sajo’s previous posts on 2 January he said “And thanks everyone else for a good forum - most of my posts have been a little antagonistic mainly because the forum was becoming very one-sided and would soon have got very boring”.

There are those out there who find people supporting each other, helping each other, being understanding and kind towards one another as boring. They like to throw a few boots in order to antagonize people so that they can entertain themselves. There is a name for people like that and yes it is an attitude problem that you find a lot of in schools!

Its pretty much taught and encouraged in schools thats why bullying is so rife. This attitude problem stems from the top.

Before my children were born, I taught in an excellent private school. The discipline was consistent and teachers fair. Despite the safeguards, bullying occured. Rarely did overt bullying become a problem as it was dealt with early. It was the silent bullying of the pack that was more insidious. Children are experts at manipulating the behaviour of their peers, and when in a group are experts at exclusion and subtle put downs. After my own children were born, I began to explore the options for their education. My options were limited due to geographical location. For this reason I chose to homeschool. My children are well socialised and doing well in all areas of their education. Best of all they learn in a safe and happy environment. No bullying occurs! When I later moved to Melbourne with all the educational options, I felt no need to change a process that was and is working so well. Homeschool is not the answer for all, but is a legitimate option that all parents should have access to if they so desire.

TonyC - My ‘agenda’ is that I want all children, not just mine, to have access to good education. Whatever method works is fine.

I was referring to your statement “Literacy levels actually went down after the introduction of mass education, and have been on the decline ever since.” This is contrary to what I understand from a variety of sources although I admit, I am no expert. I am not at all convinced that fewer people can read or write now than 200 years ago, here or anywhere else. If this is a ‘common misconception’ then surely we shouldn’t be leaving education to uninformed parents such as myself:). Maybe you could provide a reference.

Nowadays, in Australia, all children have the opportunity to complete high school, and the majority do, and more than ever go on to tertiary education. Anyone now has the opportunity to do pretty much whatever they please. This is a far cry from how things used to be.

Nicola’s comment about decline in language made me wonder if you were referring to complexity and poetry of language rather than the ability to read and write? Our language evolves with the need for clarity and simplicity in a global, communicative and technology-based world. I have noticed that it is common in Britain for words to be used somewhat playfully as Shakespeare did. I haven’t noticed this nearly so much in Australia or America. Maybe this has to do with the greater mix of languages spoken so that the intricacies are sometimes lost in translation and the English language is becoming more ‘globalised’. Off the point I know but quite interesting anyhow.

Shakespeare appealed to the masses because it was performed in a theatre and used language and humour appropriate to the time and place. It wasn’t necessary to be able to read to enjoy his work.

I was a scientist for many years and am thereby conditioned to be objective. This is not vehemence as some seem to think – just healthy discussion. That is the nature of OLO

ANaturalLearner – sorry, I didn’t put it very well. My comment was meant to refer only to public education and wasn’t directed specifically at homeschoolers. Unfortunately, I had to wait 24 hours to correct it. I didn’t want to suggest that people do not have other community concerns as I know that many do. My point was that those without a direct interest in public education aren’t likely to become involved.

A number of people have been understandably harsh in their response to my arguments but I respect and appreciate their views and I hope that this is reciprocated. Excellent points were made by Nicola, eco, anaturallearner, Jolanda, Susie Blackmore and titaniak that were informative and insightful.

Anyone who cannot understand the purpose, method and benefits of debate or appreciate that others may have a different point of view really should not be educating children - anywhere. Objectivity and openness to criticism are important in any discussion and are essential to ensure integrity and validity in science. They have been seriously lacking in this forum. It is nothing to do with entertainment, nor is it an attitude problem.

Jolanda - the comment that you quoted from my post was followed by: “This issue is important and must be publicised more. Hopefully we have raised awareness of both bullying and the options that are available.” Please do not misquote me by omission – there are already plenty doing that and I had up to now been impressed with your intelligent posts.

I can just imagine the level of debating that must go on in homeschooling groups if this discussion is anything to go by. If you only want feedback that reinforces your views then I suggest you try a different forum.

I have said just about everything I want to more than once so please do not direct any more questions my way