Now that home-schooling is more prevalent and no longer the vestige of just people suspicious of government schools (such as fundamentalist Christians who want religion taught in the schools), the idea of there being "lack of socialization" or " a desire for play mates" is now laughable. There are hundreds of networks across the countries, for homeschoolers to get in contact with, including those that participate actively with the public schools to enhance elements of their children's education such as sports or musical interest. Parents can now join co-ops with other families to enhance and help each other with ideas or skills they may be lacking (trading time with a parent good in math w...

Now that home-schooling is more prevalent and no longer the vestige of just people suspicious of government schools (such as fundamentalist Christians who want religion taught in the schools), the idea of there being "lack of socialization" or " a desire for play mates" is now laughable. There are hundreds of networks across the countries, for homeschoolers to get in contact with, including those that participate actively with the public schools to enhance elements of their children's education such as sports or musical interest. Parents can now join co-ops with other families to enhance and help each other with ideas or skills they may be lacking (trading time with a parent good in math while you might be better in grammer, and so forth). I have homeschooled for 10 years, and trust me "a desire for playmates" has NEVER been an issue. Plus, the playing field is extremely resource rich, especially with access to the internet.

Homeschooling is not for everyone. But, it works for my family. I have the pride of having taught my children to read and write, among a multitude of other things.

The case in question is an anomaly. This family obviously needed help, but refused to get it. But the irony is, if this child had been abused by a teacher, they would simply have encouraged her to continue go back to the same school, not take away the school's license to teach. The court reached too far, passing judgment on an entire segment of people rather than the case that was in front of them.

Why should my family and others like us be judged by one "bad" family? Most people don't judge all teachers based on the abusive ones. There's bad apples in every bunch. You can't judge the whole barrel by one apple.

Boy alanocu, you read me all wrong; or at least you forgot the rest of my words. I didn't want to make a loooong assertion about the article.

I agree with your list to a very large extent except I don't think class sizes are too large. I think there is a lack of discipline in the classrooms.

You mentioned school violence but I'd focus on bullying and intimidation. I'd add sexual predators masking as 'teachers' of which we have had an epidemic here in our state. Most parents send their children to schools expecting them to be safe and protected. Little do they know.

I'm very well aware of homeschooling networks. The public schools are failing the kids; that's why homeschooling is sky...

Boy alanocu, you read me all wrong; or at least you forgot the rest of my words. I didn't want to make a loooong assertion about the article.

I agree with your list to a very large extent except I don't think class sizes are too large. I think there is a lack of discipline in the classrooms.

You mentioned school violence but I'd focus on bullying and intimidation. I'd add sexual predators masking as 'teachers' of which we have had an epidemic here in our state. Most parents send their children to schools expecting them to be safe and protected. Little do they know.

I'm very well aware of homeschooling networks. The public schools are failing the kids; that's why homeschooling is sky-rocketing. States are losing dollars because of it, so there's cuts which only exacerbates the problem.