Expectations versus Reality
Aug. 17th, 2011 06:24 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
crazychicknladyI've noticed the tendency, at least within my own mind, to compare homeschooling/unschooling results with the best possible outcome of a public school education. The "is my kid learning as much as if she were a straight A honor student?" But what would be a more realistic expectation if my kids were schooled?
Would I have a child branded with a learning disabled label because she takes after me and her Grandfather by being somewhat dyslexic?
How about a child in detention all the time (or even expelled given how many zero tolerance schools are out there these days) for being strong willed and opinionated, like her Father, who's Mother learned to answer the phone with "What did my son do now?" when he was in school.
Or maybe a child diagnosed with ADHD for having a very intense desire to move and too strong of an idea of what he wants to do to pay very much attention to directions or instructions from other people.
Why is the worst of homeschooling so often held out in comparison with the best of public schooling?
What about all the children not well served by the standard compulsory schooling model?
Like those who end up with literacy issues.
And then there is the hope that one's children would end up with well meaning, kind, thoughtful teachers and well run schools, rather than having crazy, damaging experiences like these."
I was, by external standards of grading and such a stunning school success. But, even without having to survive some of the newer crazy rules some schools are instituting, I didn't make it through unscathed.
I have to remember how unfair it is to me, and my kids, for me to spend too much time comparing unfounded expectations with reality.
Besides, our reality is plenty sweet as is.
Would I have a child branded with a learning disabled label because she takes after me and her Grandfather by being somewhat dyslexic?
How about a child in detention all the time (or even expelled given how many zero tolerance schools are out there these days) for being strong willed and opinionated, like her Father, who's Mother learned to answer the phone with "What did my son do now?" when he was in school.
Or maybe a child diagnosed with ADHD for having a very intense desire to move and too strong of an idea of what he wants to do to pay very much attention to directions or instructions from other people.
Why is the worst of homeschooling so often held out in comparison with the best of public schooling?
What about all the children not well served by the standard compulsory schooling model?
Like those who end up with literacy issues.
And then there is the hope that one's children would end up with well meaning, kind, thoughtful teachers and well run schools, rather than having crazy, damaging experiences like these."
I was, by external standards of grading and such a stunning school success. But, even without having to survive some of the newer crazy rules some schools are instituting, I didn't make it through unscathed.
I have to remember how unfair it is to me, and my kids, for me to spend too much time comparing unfounded expectations with reality.
Besides, our reality is plenty sweet as is.
no subject
Date: 2011-08-18 07:06 pm (UTC)Children need the ability to learn to think and create. The rest comes naturally.
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