[Sacamuelas]

TR/Bill-
I encountered many home schooled classmates going through my post-high school education. On average, I found them to be just as capable in academic abilities and critical thinking skills. The only deficit that I have seen in the group is that they lack the ability to function well in peer groups. It is the only personal stereotype I have developed about the overall group. IMO, this leads them to have difficulty functioning on teams that don't necessarily agree to do things their way. I think it stems from the "your my #1 student" mentality that they get when mom is their teacher. They always graduate #1 in their class every year. They aren't expected to be responsible for themselves and their education. MOM is always on top of things... No way they can get out of doing their homework and learn the critical lesson of self-reliance.

I have seen this in numerous classmates and it tends to be a strong pattern in home schooled children. This is true of the non-formal independent home school parents and the national association/national convention type of home school parents.

How do most parents try to counter this? Easy and some parents succeed at it. They enroll them in athletics, arts, groups such as boy scouts, etc. This enables them to get the peer to peer interaction that they need . Lessons of winning, teamwork, losing with character, hard work , and competition are learned not taught and read about. Also, these are ways to expose the child to discipline from other adults who have authority over the child.

I have no problem with home schooling although I feel that children that receive an education from a local high school (public or private) have the potential for getting a better education. There are of course exceptions for personal beliefs/value contradictions as well as religious values. I consider special needs kids to be a class of their own and not in this discussion.

Some of the best teachers I have ever been exposed to were from my high school era. That includes fancy boy private college and competitive professional school professors.

I am glad we have a choice though... and I am especially glad that you guys/gals who feel the need for your child have sacrificed what it takes to make it happen. Whether I agree with home schooling for mine or not, I completely respect your decision to do it for your kids.