I agree with presneie8. The texting is a big factor I think. I do it when I text my kids. I dont want to spell everything right when I talk to them. It can take to much time.when I know they will understand with abbreviations. They also do it in emails. However as hs parents we need to be diligent aboiut our dc education. There are parents out there who arent. If they are a product of ps they may not realize it. My limited experience has shown that ps doesnt push the kids in excellence. Most dont care as long as they pass. This environment was instilled in the parents when they attended. Work ethic is changed. Its what is good for me and what I want. Parents are passing that on to their kids now because thats what they were taught. Its sad! We have to strive for excellence.

It's interesting, I just posted something on another topic (S/O on concerning trend post) and I said something about the pressures of trying to produce academic superstars then I read this post. I have a ds16 who is smart in certain ways but can't spell to save his life. Yes, I care about his education! His brother's (12) brain is wired differently and he spells fairly well. I feel that God has blessed some with academic gifts (perhaps they will be future doctors or rocket scientists) and some with musical gifts and some have gifts that aren't discovered yet. My kids aren't going to set the academic world on fire. They don't play musical instruments or do sports either! I am fine with that! That is why I hang out with mom's whose kids are average like mine and avoid moms that spend their day overloading their kids with academics, music, sports, etc

squidward

minnie is right: you won't see anything better from public schooled kids. I teach a class on Tuesday afternoons at the local Elementary school and I am APPALLED at the lack of academic excellence, bad manners, language, attitude...writing skills, etc..

but as home schooling parents, we DO hope to do a little better job, right?

Hhmm, honestly, I don't know how the IRL home schoolers I know are doing academically. We get together for more social aspects. I take our home schooling very seriously. I come from a family of teachers and was destined (in college that is) to be one myself, so that's how I treat our school work. I grade it, I give and grade tests, I compile quarterly grades and yearly, I put together portfolios on all their work and save *every single* piece of work throughout the year, I finish the textbooks and make sure that when they get something wrong on their daily work, they re-do it and understand it (of course, they don't re-do tests). So by doing this, I feel pretty reassured about their academics. I would agree with you that if someone wasn't doing this, it might lead to less-than-desired results. I have always felt home schoolers had to be better than average. We're working at a disadvantage, sort of having to "prove" that we do "as well." (Though we know how the ps is really doing....) ;o)




Rejoicing in JESUS,
Mommy4Jesus

I just wanted to add that some dcs are better at things than others my son is good at math and had to work for his As in grammar. My dd is the opposite. My sisters kids are smart kids but not good spellers and she was serious about their education. Some things we cant change no matter how hard we try and how diligent we are.

I went to public school and came away from there not knowing how to write and spell but it didn’t stop me from making a good living.

Just a month ago a young man was killed in a garbage truck because he was sleeping in the dumpster. The people who talked about him talked about how well he wrote – he just had trouble living.

My aunt who has her PHD in education, she teaches people how to teach, wrote a book. The book was so boring I just about cried when I read it.

When I lived in another state, I had friends who were writers. They claimed they wrote well but they needed someone else to come up with the ideas to write about. This is something to think about.

Basically, we all have our strong points and we shouldn’t put people down for the areas they don’t have talent in. Homeschool and public school both turn out people who can’t write or spell but that doesn’t mean they will fail at life. I know I’ve spent the better part of two years trying to get me DD to understand how the silent E works and I’ll keep working on it until she gets it - No public school would do that.

I don't feel one can judge one's ability by emails or text messages. People are writing friends, thus they are in casual mode.

That said, this discourages me. However, I had a terrible morning teaching my oldest. A project that should have been simple took two hours and did not come out as expected. What I gleamed from this are areas of improvement that need to be made. My dd has not formally been tested but is behind her peers. I am thinking that I have her working a level above where she needs to be. I don't want to sound offensive. I find this type post discouraging. I struggle daily/yearly with this child. She has made improvements. The pressure is on. I don't necessarily have support for homeschooling IRL. Those around me are judging us by my dd's success or appeared failing. I feel everyone's eyes on me. Sadly I have allowed this to rule our homeschool too long and my dd has suffered. I am painfully aware that my dd mispells every other word in her writing. She is very creative. If I could write everything for her. She tries very hard, but things come so hard to her. Be careful when reading other's things and judging circumstances. We don't always have all the pieces. My dh continually tells me to not focus so much on everyone else. It is so hard. My dd is 11. I am trying to be more realistic of my expectations for her. I am not seeking to make an English major out of her. Math is a better subject for her. That doesn't mean she is above average but it is a positive subject for her. I do feel that my dd is better off having been homeschooled.

FWIW, my sister who is 21 struggled much like my dd. Unfortunately, she was one who slipped thru the cracks and she cannot even add/subtract etc. I don't intend for this to happen to my dd. I will work to achieve her best. However, I cannot be unrealistic. Nor should this be based on others opinions.

Another thing I wanted to mention. I do think so of this is related to the dumbing down of America. There was an article yesterday about the military having trouble recruiting because 75% of those between 18-24 were not acceptable candidates. They said they either could not pass the test or they were obese.