A (stupid?) question about unschooling

[kaydee]

I don't know much about unschooling, but am quite intrigued by the philosophy(ies).

I do have a ? for the unschooling parents here: where does college/university fit (or not view) into your view of formalized education? Do you see value in this level of educations? Or do you see the same problems there that lead you away from formalized education at younger ages? Do you think your unschooled children will want to go to college? And if so, do you think their being unschooled will make it more difficult for them?

TIA for taking the time to help me learn!

[UnschoolnMa]

Kaydeesac wrote:
I don't know much about unschooling, but am quite intrigued by the philosophy(ies).

I do have a ? for the unschooling parents here: where does college/university fit (or not view) into your view of formalized education?

I think college is a great option, but it has to be the student's decision if they are going to get anything meaningful and lasting out of it.

Do you see value in this level of educations? Or do you see the same problems there that lead you away from formalized education at younger ages?

I definately see value in college and both hubby and I have expressed that to them. I don't see the issues in college that I have with the school system at younger ages. Actually the college environment lends itself very easily to unschooling IMO. Unschooling involves studying what intrigues you, and following the learning to get where you want to go. It involves choices and freedom and that is right up the alley of unschooling.

Do you think your unschooled children will want to go to college? And if so, do you think their being unschooled will make it more difficult for them?

Yes I think so. So far both of them are quite excited about the idea. My son would love to go right now but because he is only 13 he has to wait 3 years more. He plans to take some computer stuff and to go to culinary. My daughter isnt sure yet, but she has many interests. She told me the other day that she is so excited she can be anything she wants when she is grown up. I love hearing that

TIA for taking the time to help me learn!

Very welcome. I hope it was helpful

[SagMom]

I think there's value in college/university if the person WANTS to be there. They might want to go for the experience itself or because their ultimate goal requires a degree.

What one studies in elementary school or high school is dictated by the school system. In college, there is more freedom. Even if certain courses are "required" for a degree, the assumption is that the student has chosen to follow this course of study.

I don't know yet if my kids will want to go to college...but if they do, I don't think they'll have a problem. It'll be an adjustment, but then, it was an adjustment for ME and I went to ps. I DO think that they'll have a different experience than someone who has been schooled, because they will not have been trained in the same way.

I've started to look into "alternative" colleges (there's a thread on that here if you do a search) in the event that my kids aren't interested in a traditional program. Some of these are more like unschooling, in that the student can create their own curriculum or course of study rather than fullfill set requirements with certain credit counts.

There are always options.

[Dar]

Yeah... college is qualitatively different than K-12 education.You chose your classes, you decide whether or not to show up, you can drop if you want. If you're not treated with respect, you can leave.

Rain plans to start community college classes when she turns 13 (she's almost 12 now). She wants to take classes in the areas that interest her - French, ASL, dance, voice, theatre - and maybe more. Eventually if she wants to get a degree she'll need to take the general studies requirements, but if she's just following her interests she doesn't need to worry about those.

And there are definitely many ways to go. I know lots of unschoolers who have never taken a college class and have good jobs now - mostly in computer programming - and thers who started at 13 or 14 and had an AA before most kids would be out of high school.

Dar

[kaydee]

Thanks, all--that makes a lot of sense to me!

[JavaFinch]

Originally Posted by Dar

Rain plans to start community college classes when she turns 13 (she's almost 12 now). She wants to take classes in the areas that interest her - French, ASL, dance, voice, theatre - and maybe more. Eventually if she wants to get a degree she'll need to take the general studies requirements, but if she's just following her interests she doesn't need to worry about those.

And there are definitely many ways to go. I know lots of unschoolers who have never taken a college class and have good jobs now - mostly in computer programming - and thers who started at 13 or 14 and had an AA before most kids would be out of high school.

Dar

Interesting. I wasn't aware that kids could go to community colleges. What age is the minimum and what do they have to do to enroll (test wise)? Thanks!

[Dar]

I'm sure varies from state to state, and between different counties in the same states. I know in many places in Arizona and California and Oregon, community colleges admit high school students, as well as other "qualified" students without a high school diploma. Some require placement testing, and some don't allow students without a hs diploma to take remedial classes. Most require some sort of documentation from the homeschool (legally a private school for us) or parents or both. The plus side is that tuition is free for students under 18

I know even in our area, some community colleges make it easy for younger students to enroll, and some make it difficult. One did make a rule banning students under 16 unless they had a high school diploma - you can just take the CHSPE here for that.

I also know that some colleges and universities allow homeschoolers to enroll - CSU does, apparently, but you have to apply a year ahead of time if you want to take the class for credit. You can audit easily, though.

Dar