re: Sandy Hook Commission Draft: Homeschoolers are evil

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it seems more like an indoctrination

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Bingo!

So many innovators in our culture were/are socially different. But they're successful so they're labeled "eccentric" rather than "weird." And yet we don't celebrate or encourage free thinking or differences. We marginalize and ostracize them. Because our schools are not creating tomorrow's innovators. They're creating tomorrow's workers. And that's the most glaring mistake in our education system.

That's a shame. And it's great you can afford that option for your daughter. But those that can't have no choice but to send their kids into those cess pools. Including me. My 2 oldest are in the public school system. But, as time goes on, we may reevaluate that.

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recently began homeschooling my son out of necessity. He's a great kid with no mental health issues. But, he's sick and the school system could no longer accommodate him adequately. Even through the IEP process, there are standard solutions. These solutions work well for the majority, but when your kid doesn't fit into any box, they really don't know what to do.

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Did you ever contact an advocate? Finding an advocate that knows the law, resources, and has a good relationship with parents and schools can go a really long way.

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insisting that they needed to speak directly with his doctor (who recommended homeschooling) like they thought I was lying about it. Even though he put it in writing (twice).

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I don't know child's situation, so this physicians note may have been extremely valid. Sometimes, the law requires specific documentation and a release of information is necessary, such as for other health impaired which covers ADHD and other health conditions and Autism as general health history is mandated by law. Again I am not sure that this is the case in your situation.

In general though, many physicians, especially primary care physicians, do not have a solid understanding of special education. They sometimes will write an note and say a child needs an IEP when no comprehensive evaluation has been completed.

In fact, I have found that some do not have an understanding of many neurological, psychological, or behavioral conditions and their impact socially, behaviorally, emotionally, and educationally; although this, is understandable though. That being said, psychiatrists, behavioral pediatricians, and psychologists have training in these areas and will probably be more well-versed on these situations.

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Teachers suggesting kids be put on medication (illegal, btw)

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This isn't actually illegal. It's just that if they push the issue, the school may be responsible for paying for an evaluation.

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casually "diagnosing" kids with various conditions is rampant in the school system.

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This is aggravating. Many teachers still don't understand that "ADD" is subsumed under "ADHD" and has been for years.

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I am his mother, and in the end, it should be my choice how he is educated. If he cannot be accommodated through typical means, then something else has to be done. Now, our situation is different. But, the reach of the system into my home and personal affairs is out of control.

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I wish you had a better experience. I think a parent advocate would have been beneficial. I have seen some schools that go above and beyond free appropriate public education (FAPE), and I have have seen others fail the most basic level. There are also times that a school will provide every feasible accommodation, the parent's advocate will endorse the accommodations as appropriate, the father will think it is appropriate, then the mother decides that it is not enough and demand that the team start at the beginning. In fairness, these are more rare.

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Not home schooled kids or kids with Asperger's or kids with divorced parents, etc. This reeks of needing to place blame somewhere. The blame lies with the mother for having all of those weapons around a disturbed child and the schools for not allowing teachers to have weapons and so many other societal problems and personal problems within that one family. But, as usual, instead of opening a dialogue and finding solutions to mental health, school system, and gun issues, we have some twisted need to simplify that which cannot be reduced. Many elements were at play here.

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Agreed 100%. It's strictly politics.

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And yet we don't celebrate or encourage free thinking or differences. We marginalize and ostracize them.

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Look no further than this board for illustration.

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our schools are not creating tomorrow's innovators. They're creating tomorrow's workers.

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This is not accidental, IMO.

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Oh heavens no. Only government could rescue you from your child.

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That's disingenuous. I'm just saying that if a problem is present (i.e., a skill-deficit) those with training in that area are more adept at identifying and intervening, not unlike a physician.

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If a parent feels their child needs specialized training they'll seek that help. This is obvious to everyone except those that cling to the notion that government is our saviour.

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Many certainty will, but I bet the individuals less likely to identify the need for help and/or seek the help, are those that are least prepared. A intelligent, well-educated middle to upper class family this is probably less of an issue; unfortunately, not all homeschooling parents will fall into that group.

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Exactly. And that can only begin when government is taken out of the equation. Because government has ZERO vested interest in your child.

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Well they have tried to add a vested interest since No Child Left Behind, regardless its effectiveness.

However, the government as a whole may not have a vested interest, but many, if not most, educators truly have a vested interest in the children.

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Sounds like the intelligent and logical thing to do, then, is to eliminate the inefficiency altogether. It's a no-brainer.

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That sounds great. What is the alternative though? More private schools or charter schools? I have been advocating for the strengths of having well-trained educators with diverse skills, regardless if it is a public school or a private school.

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Do you also recognize that it is not your place to decide what a parent chooses for their child's education?

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I'm not advocating for control; I am just presenting my concerns. I, and I'm sure most people, have concerns with something like alcoholism; however, I would not support any measure that limits our access and freedom of choice. This doesn't mean I don't have have concerns when people become dependent; I just recognize that solutions (treatment) options are important.

In addition, these concerns are not present in all homeschooling situations. UWay explained that his wife (an educator) provides their homeschooling while keeping his children involved in activities that maintain social relationships with his parents. It's hard to find anything wrong with that.

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There are drawbacks in everything you do. Why would you exacerbate that by involving government?

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I admit the government complicates things. In fact, in my state, the DOE has instituted a new law that is so flawed logically, empirically, and statistically that I can't imagine what they were thinking.

I just don't see the solution as homeschooling in the situations where the instructor (i.e., parent) is not adequately trained. Just like I don't see an alternative to public healthcare for children as homedoctoring (couldn't think of a word). There are alternatives in both (i.e., private schools and healthcare) that maintain a standard of care while functioning relatively independent of the bloated bureaucracy that is the government.

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Exactly. And that can only begin when government is taken out of the equation. Because government has ZERO vested interest in your child.




Well they have tried to add a vested interest since No Child Left Behind

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If you honestly believe that, consider yourself part of the problem.

Look, take your "government is your saviour" bullshite somewhere else. I'm not buying.

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A intelligent,

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public education?

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Documentation is required by law. But a medical release is never required.

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True. The parent can provide the physicians documentation so a release in not necessary; however, from my experience, the physicians office is typically how the school obtains medical information.

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Not only that, but many times mistakes or assumptions are made by the school when attempting to interpret medical records making the fight even harder.

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I can't imagine a situation where the school interprets medical information unless it falls under a professionals area (i.e., SLP, school psych, OT, PT), and those would be very narrow and specific.

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Could I have fought them and forced FAPE? Yes. But, I have been doing it for years and you only win momentarily when your kid's condition is constantly changing. And bottom line, the one who consistently loses in that fight is my son.

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I am sorry that you have had a horrible experience. I am assuming (although I could wrong) that your child's condition falls into the less frequent disabilities under IDEA (i.e., not speech and language or a specific learning disability). In those situations, educators may not actually have the expertise; especially at smaller districts.

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It's no longer about bringing the best out of each student or focusing on their strengths and individual gifts.

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This has never been the goal or result of public (or private) education. It's a silly notion, IMO.

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If you honestly believe that, consider yourself part of the problem.

Look, take your "government is your saviour" bull shite somewhere else. I'm not buying

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I said that they tried. I didn't say that it worked. In fact, they probably made it worse in situations.

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public education?

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I will admit that I am not a great writer, and I make a lot of careless errors. In this particular case, I had well-educated first then added intelligent and forgot to change the A to An.

I would hope that you had more respect for the discussion than to resort to pointing out grammatical flaws. If that is the case, then I should probably avoid any more discussion with you, because you could probably find an error in every post I've made.