July 27, 2005
NEA Calls Home Schooling Parents Well-Meaning Amateurs
When you consider that my kids knew how to read before they went to public school and that a HUGE portion of what they have learned in every subject was imparted to them by my wife and I. You have to wonder if these people can fit through doors with their heads swelled this big. Some of my favorite mind blowing quotes are under the fold.
The “it” is meant to be “teaching.” Let’s face it, teaching children is difficult even for experienced professionals. Wannabes have no idea.Those wannabes are parent if case you didn't know. Be sure to read them all. To believe some of this is one thing, to publish it as though no one but they can read is mind blowing.
Michelle Malkin has more.
So, why would some parents assume they know enough about every academic subject to home-school their children? You would think that they might leave this -- the shaping of their children’s minds, careers, and futures -- to trained professionals. That is, to those who have worked steadily at their profession for 10, 20, 30 years! Teachers!
There’s nothing like having the right person with the right experience, skills and tools to accomplish a specific task. Whether it is window-washing, bricklaying or designing a space station. Certain jobs are best left to the pros. Formal education is one of those jobs.
It’s obvious to me that these organizations are in it for the money. They are involved in the education of children mostly in the hope of profiting at the hands of well-meaning but gullible parents.This mean all professional teachers would work for free?
I’m certainly not opposed to religious schools, or to anyone standing up for what they believe in. I admire anyone who has the strength to stand up against the majority. But in this case, pulling children out of a school is not the best way to fight the laws that govern our education system. No battle has ever been won by retreating!
Don’t most parents have a tough enough job teaching their children social, disciplinary and behavioral skills? They would be wise to help their children and themselves by leaving the responsibility of teaching math, science, art, writing, history, geography and other subjects to those who are knowledgeable, trained and motivated to do the best job possible.Rarely have I ever seen a more blatant display of elitism.
Posted by Sid at July 27, 2005 11:57 AM | Speechless
Comments
aye its the teachers who are the true commies. The industrial model that is used in american schools is lifted wholely out of commy doctrine. Its flat stupid to think that all ppl learn at rate x. And as far as i have heard home schooled kids are kicking but and taking names on the standard tests.
Posted by: Xraxnd at July 27, 2005 04:12 PM
oh and check out the credentials on this nut.
(Dave Arnold, a member of the Illinois Education Association, is head custodian at Brownstown Elementary School in Southern Illinois.)
Posted by: Xraxnd at July 27, 2005 04:15 PM
Teachers are trained in their subjects? Some are, some are not, and some are just coaches with extra time. In my school, the science teachers knew what they were doing, math teachers too for the most part. The other classes I took the teachers seemed a bit shaky in their knowledge for the most part, or just not very good teachers. There was one good english teacher though... Overall, it wasn't too bad, I managed to get the classes I cared about with teachers that were good and/or knew their stuff very well.
That said, one of my better/best friends as a kid was homeschooled, and he was doing pretty good. Didn't seem to have any social problems either. Though I don't recommend it for everyone. It takes intelligence on both the part of the kid and the parent imo, as well as plenty of time.
Posted by: Sid A at July 28, 2005 12:22 AM
Addendum: Calling homeschool parents "wannabes" is just not right...
Teachers don't seem to be paid very well. I wouldn't doubt it if free wasn't just a step below their wages.
Posted by: Sid A at July 28, 2005 12:24 AM
Actually teachers salaries are fairly competetive when you include benefits and adjust for having 3 months in the summer off.
"Average teacher salaries. California had the nation's highest average salary in 2002-03, at $55,693. States joining California in the top tier were Michigan, at $54,020; Connecticut, at $53,962; New Jersey, at $53,872; and the District of Columbia, at $53,194.
South Dakota had the lowest average salary in 2002-03, at $32,414. The other states in the bottom tier were Montana, at $35,754; Mississippi, at $35,135; North Dakota, at $33,869; and Oklahoma, at $33,277. Also in the lowest tier were the Virgin Islands, at $34,764; Guam at $34,738; and Puerto Rico, at $22,164."
This is 2003 data from here: http://resource.educationamerica.net/salaries.html
Several other sits had similar data.
Posted by: Sid at July 28, 2005 01:12 PM
