| sapphi_snake said: A question for Americans: Can someone please explain how homsechooling works? Who teaches the kids? Can they do this all the way through high school? Do they recieve a diploma? Is it a good ideea in general? |
I was homeschooled from Pre-K until 8th grade, so I can help.
Until about 4th or 5th grade (ages 9-10), parents usually teach their children. Some parents choose to use a set curriculum that they have purchased (comes with books, DVDs, CDs, etc. An example is the SonLight curriculum), while others pick and choose what they would like to do.
For a lot of people, co-ops are popular. It's when a group of homeschooled families join together to offer classes taught at a recreational level. (ie. things like geography, science, theater, etc.) That can supplement at-home learning.
My mom got sick in 2004, while my sister and I were in 5th grade. From that point on until 2007 when she recovered, my sister and I homeschooled ourselves. A lot of the material for older children is available on DVD or CD (for example, Pre-Algebra was a DVD set and textbook, and Algebra I was a CD and textbook). So we were able to check each other's work.
A lot of people choose to homeschool because it allows one to tailor a curriculum to meet a child's individual needs. For example, I was reading and spelling at a 6th grade level when I was in Kindergarten. If I had been in a public school, I would've had to dial back. But with homeschooling, I was allowed to progress at my own pace. Now, I'm almost a senior in high school. I skipped a year of high school and would probably be described as a high-achieving student.
I decided to go to a public high school, because it is important to gain world experience before college (I was socially inactive before high school), but high school degrees are available for homeschoolers. Some take the GED, while others choose to take classes at accredited co-ops that give out diplomas.
I think that home-schooling is a good idea. Although you hear a lot of stories about inept homeschooled children, as long as the children are allowed to develop socially (extra-curriculars, etc.), it should turn out fine. And if a child doesn't fit into a classroom environment well, homeschooling can be a good option because it can help a parent to hone in on their child's issues and to address them.
Also, with homeschooling, there is very little homework. I started at 9 AM and was finished by noon. Class periods in American high schools today are either too long or too short, and unfocused, for the most part.
