I am sixteen years old and am home schooled. I have gone to public school every year up until now. My opinion on public schooling is simply, well, blunt! Public schooling sucks. It is a waste of money and government funds. Public schooling is a governmentally run test that is failing miserably. I think the kids now a days should spend more time on education and future outlooking. Public schooling is mostly revolved around social "needs", drama and the craving to fit in and " be cool." Call me a stereotypical person if you want. My opinion on public schooling is very realistic and in most parts TRUE! It is proven everywhere, that kids being home schooled are most likely to be smarter and frankly more socially advanced. This is actually because they are spending their education time on the actual education. Less time on drama and what is happening to the other kids in school. If anyone agrees please please let me know. It only takes common sense to see this!

Thanks very much for your time,

Melissa Andrea

Home schooling has its place and it sounds like it's working for you. Every child and every parent is different, though, and not all are going to respond the same way. You obviously have a good teacher, whom I assume is your mother or father. Not all parents will make good teachers and many will not have the necessary education, patience or time to teach. Many families need both parents out in the job market earning an income.

Home schooling works for you, and that's great. It is not the single answer to all problems associated with public schools and it has issues of its own. Come back to Epinions in five years an write an essay about your educational experiences. That will be very interesting.

--Bob

Yeah, different strokes for different folks, I guess. I went to public school all the way through and felt like I got a great education in very nice facilities. It prepared me very well for college and law school.

Michelle

way better than home school

I'm on your side. A teacher in the local public schools for many years and now working for a private tutoring company, I've seen the good and the bad.

The systems in my world are definitely test driven and strictly programmed. Pity the poor child who can't keep up.
The No Child Left Behind fiasco has made a bad situation even worse, frustrating and crushing those who can't conform to the higher, rigid, uncompromising standards.

The failings of the public schools and the lack of compassion and flexibility keep the private entities in business. That some parents feel compelled to spend many thousands of dollars for that which the public schools can't or won't provide is a travesty.

I came from a public school. I can relate to what you brought up, but there are some things i did notice throughout the years after I graduated:
#1 a little over 50% graduated.
#2 most of them are either in jail or are currently not with us anymore.
#3 (Now get this) The one's who took it upon their own Initiative to excel became everything they wanted to be. It's not whether you go to a public school or not, it's what you do with it. It's your decision on what road you go, not a public or private school.
I know this is a 180 degree turn. I have a drum student that was home-schooled and made straight A's. He started high school last year. His social status and ability to communicate with other's in his school is well below average. he now has a probation officer and has been kicked out of school permanently.
It's hard, I know, but do yourself a favor, excel and get something out of this lemon, make lemonade.:)

public schooling is cool for me... you get to meet different types of people...