[beatgirl]

I have been reading these threads for awhile and trying to understand the whole Homeschooling idea. Unschooling, I am not so sure about. I must say I have learned alot and looked at things from a whole different perspective. Always learning on MDC!!

I was wondering , however, how colleges and higher education views homeschooling.
Do those of you who homeschool want your children to continue their education beyond high school?
Do those of you who unschool, think that higher education is important?

Just curious...

I was wondering

 

[UnschoolnMa]

We unschool, and I think that college is a fine option if the child (teen?) is interested. I don't think it's absolutely necessary. Colleges these days really are generally quite open to non-traditionally educated kids. My unschoolers plan on getting into community college around 16 or so.

 

[Sasha_girl]

:

 

[RedWine]

When I was a grad student at Harvard, I met a few undergrads who had been homeschooled. My husband is a Prof. at MIT, and he has had students who were homeschooled. He says the homeschooled kids were impressively well-read,easy to speak with, and intelligent.

We view college as very important. If you want to get a job, you usually need a degree of some sort. While I wish that weren't true, it generally is.

We also think college is a chance to be around a LOT of people who value education. We always want them to be around people who love to learn, who view it as a beautiful thing. Of couse, that atmosphere depends on the college...

All that being said, we will HOPE our kids want to go, but we will try very hard not to make them feel pressured to go. Both my husband and I went to college as "older" students (in our mid-to-late 20s), and I know we both got a lot more out of the experience than we would have had we been pushed by our parents.

 

[Citymomx3]

Hi! We unschool too and I am pretty sure my dd8 will go to college (she talks about it now!). She has taken very well to unschooling - the log I keep of her activities is pretty academically impressive. I need to keep records for my school district, but it's nice having it to really see what she does. Anyway, if college is something she is interested in when she's a teenager, she and I will discuss the steps it takes to get there.

Many unschoolers are (or usually become) very self-directed and self motivated. They can make goals for themselves and achieve them. What I see happening with my dd is she might take community college classes at high school age. She already has to take standardized tests every other year (NY rules) so shouldn't have a problem knowing how to prepare for the SAT if she chooses that path. She might want to get a GED just to make college admission a little easier. Almost every large college/university I have looked up online has a page about homeschooled children and what their requirements are.

Basically, college is definitely an option for homeschooled and unschooled children. I read an article about how colleges take a higher percentage of homeschooled children. Here's a quote: 74 percent of home-educated adults aged 18 to 24 have taken college-level courses compared to 46 percent of the general U.S. population. (Dr. Brian Ray of the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) of Salem, Oregon). http://www.ontariohomeschool.org/studyHSadults.html

And some more links:

http://www.cnn.com/2004/EDUCATION/01....ap/index.html

http://learninfreedom.org/colleges_4_hmsc.html

I am also finding more and more books and articles written on homeschooled kids and college. In this day and age there are so many options for anyone with a goal!

 

[RiceMomma]

Most colleges are open to homeschooled students, and even unschooled. The most important thing is the SAT or ACT scores. Then you could write gobs about what the student did for education in a "transcript" put together by mom. As a matter of fact, many colleges are seeing homeschool as an advantage- better students. I was homeschooled for highschool (long story...) not unschooled, but was on my own- basically, here's the books, go for it, kid. My mom was ill. Anyway, I had alot of responsibilities and ended up a year behind- as a junior with a sophmore's worth of highschool credits, I dropped out, took my GED and started going to the University in our town. I was light years ahead of all the other students, having half as much highschool as they had. I blew the curve for all my classes. I'm no genius. I had just learned alot more.

Anyway, many homeschooled kids are ready for college early, around 16, so many of them start taking correspondence college courses, or attend the local community college, so when they transfer to a university, highschool doesn't really factor in anymore.

 

[alegna]

Most universities and colleges LOVE homeschooled kids. They already know how to manage their own learning. I think college is needed for some fields of work (mostly the knowledge isn't needed, just the piece of paper)

you've gotten lots of good info

-Angela

 

[Openskyheart]

Link to extensive lists of colleges/universities which have accepted homeschoolers:

http://learninfreedom.org/table_of_contents.html

Link to information on homeschoolers who are preparing to go to college:

http://www.homeschoolteenscollege.com

Cafi Cohen has published several books on the subject. They're good reading!

I know 6 adults who were homeschooled who've graduated from college, and every one of them feel that they had an advantage over their traditionally schooled peers. They were more self-motivated, and (here's the clincher) they didn't see learning or completing assignments as a drag or an obligation.

So, after doing my own research into this area, I've come to the conclusion that if a child wants to go to college, homeschooling can be a superior way to prepare for it!

Laura

Edited to fix link, and correct a grammar error (there are probably more of those, though

).

 

[SagMom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by beatgirl I was wondering , however, how colleges and higher education views homeschooling. Do those of you who homeschool want your children to continue their education beyond high school? Do those of you who unschool, think that higher education is important?

Since your first question was already addressed, I'll just move on...

I would expect that my kids would continue their education beyond age 18, simply because it would be nearly impossible to live the rest of your life without learning anything.

If my kids want to go to college, then I'll do everything I can to help them get there. Some professions require a degree and if they're choosing such a path, then they'll need college. So for that reason, I think college is important. Or, if they simply want the "experience" of college, then yeah, it's important. However, there are many paths that don't require a degree and any wisdom or growth or experience that can be gained in college, can be gained elsewhere in life, so I don't think it's vital to attend U.

 

[Crunchier]

ben will definitely acquire some form of higher education. What kind and how much is entirely up to him. I would like very much for him to get some vocational training in whatever field interests him, and if he turns out to be academic, I'd expect him to go on to college.

We are unschooling, and when Ben gets to the point that he is ready for more structured, advanced, or specialized education than what DH and I can provide, we'll send him to the local college. We are unschoolers in Louisiana. We are both students, and at this time, we don't see a time when one or both of us won't be in school (we are both going after multiple advanced degrees). The local college here offers the equivalent of 6th grade math and english, so I guess Ben could probably start at age 12 or so, if he wanted to.

I'm orginally from Los Angeles. It's not at all uncommon for kids to pick up a college course or 2 from the age of 14 or 15, and I went to school with quite a few full time 15 yos. I had a classmate who attended a college level french course when she was 10. Not a terribly impressive student, it was just something that she and her mom wanted to do together.

 

[beatgirl]

Wow!
I have to say I am really impressed with all the responses!
I guess I never realised how much thought and work went into homeschooling..I have heard so many horror stories(not here,though).
I am however glad to hear that higher education seems to be a priority here as well.
This thread actually prompted a LONG discussion yesterday with DP. I think we talked about it, in some form, all day long!
Besides the non-social part of it, I have to say that I am glad that parents are being proactive about their childrens education when the schoools they are around are not meeting the needs of either parent or child.
My two oldest are in public school. The school system here is not the best, but I am very active in their education. I have been known to yank my kids out of a bad environment more than once. Its all about being involved.
Thanks again for all the great links and info

 

[shaywyn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by beatgirl Besides the non-social part of it, I have to say that I am glad that parents are being proactive about their childrens education when the schoools they are around are not meeting the needs of either parent or child.

Hi, not being confrontational, I swear, LOL! However, what do you mean by "Besides the non-social part of it"? Because if you are still under the impression that socialization is an issue with homeschooling, then I would want to help direct you to a bunch of threads and links that will help dispel that outdated stereotype for you.

 

[beatgirl]

I dont feel confronted at all

What i meant by that was that it is important to me that my children be exposed to all types of people in their lives. Especially their peers. I think its important for them to to interact with children of different cultures and backgrounds. Which is why I always choose diverse neighborhoods to live.
We are exposed daily to all walks of life, from the grocery store to the park but I think that working in groups and learning from others is some of the most valuable part of schooling away from home.
Afterall, when they are in the real world they are going to be exposed to people in the workplace that they dont necessarily get along with but will be more equipt to deal with if they are exposed to differing personalities early in life.
A life example for me is with my first child. I was forced to put her in childcare at about 18 months, because I was young and needed to work, etc.
I felt horrible everyday, even though she was in a wonderful environment, I still wished I could have been the one with her all the time. However as she got older she was very adaptable to social situations and has since, never had a problem in social interraction.
My second child, however, I decided that even though I still had to work outside the home that I was going to have a live-in nanny. This was ideal for us because we knew that when we werent there that he was in his own environment and was with someone we/he loved and trusted.
This seemed ideal until he started school. He did not know how to interract well with others and I wished that I had at least exposed him to more time with his peers when he was younger.
I am not advocating childcare, but I do believe that social interaction with children other than the siblings, is very important to raising a well rounded child.
I have a toddler now and I am very fortunate that I do not work away from the home (except an occasional weeekend when she is with her daddy). I try to set up regular playdates with other babies because of everything I stated earlier.
I stand firm on what I believe works (and is working) for MY children and in no way judge any other parent on the choices they make for their childern.
After all we have to do what we think is best for each individual child. What works for one may not work for another...boy am I learning that!

 

[shaywyn]

Wow, I thought you said you have been hanging out here and are starting to understand the homeschool concept, LOL! You definitely have some misconceptions of a homeschoolers life! My dd's social life is waaayy better than mine, LOL!! :LOL Probably yours, too

Quote:

I am not advocating childcare, but I do believe that social interaction with children other than the siblings, is very important to raising a well rounded child.

What makes you think that homeschoolers only interact with their siblings?

Quote:

I think its important for them to to interact with children of different cultures and backgrounds. Which is why I always choose diverse neighborhoods to live.

I agree, we do everyday

We also interact with people older and younger, unlike in a classroom

Here's are some nice essays:

http://www.tnhomeed.com/LRSocial.html

http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig/zysk1.html

http://learninfreedom.org/socialization.html

Read this whole thread:

http://69.20.14.30/discussions/showt...=socialization

And this one:

http://69.20.14.30/discussions/showt...=socialization

I can't find all my links right now, baby just woke up, I'll be pleased to find more for you later and talk to you in more depth

Take Care!

Edited for typos

 

[beatgirl]

Thanks for the links

I read most of the other threads in which this subject was brought up previously.
Bottom line is, we are all going to defend our choices. And that is a good thing. I like it when people are passionate about their beliefs.
If you would have read my entire post, you would have seen that I was referring to my own personal situation. Not trying to attack yours or anyone elses. I dont live in your house.
The whole idea of "socialization" could be argued forever and many angles can be taken.
I stand firm on what I believe is best for me and my family

Thanks again for all the info.

 

[shaywyn]

Oh, I read your whole post and I understand how you feel

I, too, would not judge anyone in doing what they believe is best for their child.

However, some of your statements perpetuated some stereotypes and I just couldn't let them slide. :LOL I also raised my eyebrows at the getting along with groups in the workplace, real world statements, LOL! Nothing more real world than drawing one's education from the world around them rather than an artificial classroom environment. Read the first half of your post while pretending to be me, you might see what I am saying

I don't want to have to list all the wonderful activities that my dd participates in, but I wanted you to know that the first half of your post struck me that you believe our kids are not getting to be around other kids. You are probably not even aware how you sounded, and maybe I am too defensive

It's just not the case for my family and for the families in my homeschool support group, and most of the other homeschooling families that I know of. I guess I am just in the mood to be a Homeschooling Advocate tonight

No offense meant and none taken.

 

[Openskyheart]

Quote:

I am not advocating childcare, but I do believe that social interaction with children other than the siblings, is very important to raising a well rounded child. I have a toddler now and I am very fortunate that I do not work away from the home (except an occasional weeekend when she is with her daddy). I try to set up regular playdates with other babies because of everything I stated earlier.

beatgirl, this is the part of your post that I am responding to. My homeschooled kids have more social interaction, more interaction with the real world, and more interaction with babies, children, adults than they ever did when they were in school all day, then in after school activities, then home to a couple of hours of homework. (Each of my kids left school at some point during their 2nd grade year).

Just for grins, and not necessarily for beatgirl, I am going to list the last week's social activities my children participated in. I do respect the decisions you've made, beatgirl, and I'm not trying to convince you, or defend my own decisions. But because there are other people who are thinking about homeschooling who are reading this thread who may be under the same misconception that homeschooled children are not properly socialized, I want to list the real social activities that my real children participated in during the past week. I have a 10 year old son (ds10), and an 8 year old daughter (dd8):

Friday, 5/27 - Met new homeschooling friends at a park for the afternoon. Hung out with their mom, 1 year old baby, 4 year old son, 8 year old daughter, and 9 year old son. 9 and 10 year old boys happily included 4 year old boy in their playing. After the park, my ds10 went to this family's house to play awhile longer while dd8 went to her dance class - where she has several friends from a variety of backgrounds, several of whom are also homeschooled

.

Saturday, 5/28 - dd8 went to her French class with 3 other kids - 2 white, one Indian, one hispanic. In the afternoon, our family went to a large local park where there was a huge Civil War re-enactment. We watched a re-enacted battle, walked through both the "Yankee" and "Rebel" camps. Talked with many re-enactors who stayed in character discussing their family lives, the war, their beliefs, their domestic tasks, etc. Hundreds of people from the community also there.

Sunday, 5/29 - Both kids and I attended a birthday party for a boy from our homeschool group who was turning 11. There were about 10 kids there - several of whom had *terrible* social experiences when they were in school - not my kids, but others - heartbreaking. All these kids get along so well, it's great to see. We then dropped dd8 off at a friends' house for a sleepover. Dd10 and I came home, and after about an hour our neighbors dropped by with their 11 year old son, and 11 year old friend, and 13 year old daughter. We had a spontaneous party! I threw some pasta in a pot - the neighbors ran home and brought back stuff for salad, dh and and our friends jammed in the barn (which is now a mere shell of it's former self - sniff). Ds10 then decided to put on a Billy Blanks Tae Bo tape, and all 4 kids - along with my friend Tae Bo'd in the living room, giggling like crazy.

Monday, 5/30: Picked up dd8 from friend's house. Had a mellow day of hanging out, cleaning up the garden, etc.

Tuesday, 5/31: dd8 went to her last writing workshop for the year - with a group of homeschooled kids. I took ds10 to the climbing gym where he met another kid, and they bouldered together for awhile. I then dropped ds10 off at home, picked up dd8 and took her to her dance classes.

Wednesday 6/1, another mellow day. Took the kids to the climbing gym. Ds10 is developing quite a passion for climbing. Cooked dinner with dad at home, and watched movies together in the evening.

Thursday, 6/2 - Beach Party with our homeschool group. About 45 people ages 6 months to 66 years old from a variety of economic and racial backgrounds munching, talking, laughing, swimming, boogie boarding, skimboarding, building sand castles, digging holes.

Friday, 6/3 - Kids spent a good part of the day in the creek collecting bits of iron they found. We learned all kinds of things about iron, and other metals from websites we found on Google. Dd8 went to her dance class. Ds10's friend who spends every other weekend living next door is in town. The two of them are inseparable when he's here. After dd8 came home, the 3 of them explored the creek, and built paper airplanes for hours.

Today: French class with dd8 this morning. Ds10 and his friend set up a campsite, and spent the day exploring the creek, and adding to their tree house. This afternoon, dd8 and I went to a birthday party for 4 kids - at the beach again. It was huge! Tonight, I'll camp out with the 3 kids. Dh just went to check on the camp site set up.

Also, during the week we went to the grocery store, the bank, the pharmacy, etc. where the children can and do interact with all kinds of people from their community. It didn't happen this week, but we also participate in volunteer work in our community where we interact with *tons* of people from all over.

Whew! As you can see, the issue here isn't "not enough" social interaction, nor is it social interaction only with an exclusive set of people, separated by age, or neighborhood, or family income, or race. Our issue is: Too much social! I mean, I do have to get the laundry done at some point! :LOL

Laura

 

[Openskyheart]

Oh - another idea. Several of the homeschooling families I know have their kids going to the Boys and Girls Club downtown. It costs $15.00 a year! And the kids are taking piano lessons, swimming lessons, web design classes, playing basketball, etc. We'd do it too - if we had the time. :LOL

Laura

 

[PJsmomma]

I was homeschooled as were my 3 siblings.

Each of us went to college with absolutely no problems.
One of my siblings became a librarian at a college and is now a librarian for a Chinese school in San Fransisco--the school has 2 campuses and 1200+ children--I am so proud of her

I graduated Cum Laude with a degree in Home Ec/Christian Education & a double major in Bible. I was president of my society.

I now own my own business (which I totally created by myself) and interact with all sorts of people from all races, religious background, and every orientation in the book

I am pretty normal I'm sure

College is no big deal! Piece of cake if you were homeschooled and learned how to study/dig/explore/think for yourself!

 

[ErikaDP]

Hi Beatgirl,

I am going to answer to 2 of your posts here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by beatgirl ...I was wondering , however, how colleges and higher education views homeschooling. Do those of you who homeschool want your children to continue their education beyond high school? Do those of you who unschool, think that higher education is important? Just curious... I was wondering

We are unschoolers and we let our children decide if college is right for them. We have 4 children-3 that are adults and a 12 year old. All of the older children have gone on to college, and right now the 12 yr old thinks that he wants to go as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by beatgirl ...We are exposed daily to all walks of life, from the grocery store to the park but I think that working in groups and learning from others is some of the most valuable part of schooling away from home. Afterall, when they are in the real world they are going to be exposed to people in the workplace that they dont necessarily get along with but will be more equipt to deal with if they are exposed to differing personalities early in life. A life example for me is with my first child. I was forced to put her in childcare at about 18 months, because I was young and needed to work, etc. I felt horrible everyday, even though she was in a wonderful environment, I still wished I could have been the one with her all the time. However as she got older she was very adaptable to social situations and has since, never had a problem in social interraction. My second child, however, I decided that even though I still had to work outside the home that I was going to have a live-in nanny. This was ideal for us because we knew that when we werent there that he was in his own environment and was with someone we/he loved and trusted. This seemed ideal until he started school. He did not know how to interract well with others and I wished that I had at least exposed him to more time with his peers when he was younger. I am not advocating childcare, but I do believe that social interaction with children other than the siblings, is very important to raising a well rounded child.

Only my last two were unschooled. And you wouldn't be able to tell who was schooled and who wasn't by how socially comfortable they are. They are all very comfortable in a wide variety of social settings. I believe that personality and the home environment is a far better predictor of how well one navigates their outside of the family social environment than early exposure to peers in school/daycare. And I say this as a former teacher and owner of a small private school.
I also have to agree with the poster who said that you may have some misconceptions of homeschoolers/unschoolers. We can be very social, doing many activities with large and small groups of fellow unschoolers, or we can be solitary in our pursuits. That is the real beauty of unschooling, you can make your family's experiences be anything you like.
Now I have a few questions for you. How old are your kids? Do you plan to or are you homeschooling? have you met any homeschoolers/unschoolers in real life? I look forward to your replies.