As a former homeschooling parent I am
greatly offended by this person's totally
biased viewpoint. My 16 yr old is
currently in 10th grade, on grade level,
and my 8 yr old is a grade level ahead. My
16 yr old started private school last Sept.
and my 8 yr old will start public school
this year. I, too, will be going back to
school to complete my elementary education
degree. Yes, we are upper middle class,
but if parents are informed and active in a
local homeschool group they get more than
adequate socialization, and in our case,
even upper level (jr. high and high school)
courses are offered. This year they
offered lab science (biology), Spanish,
French, and for the younger children
science/social studies co-ops. A couple of
years ago a boy from our local homeschool
groups earned a perfect score on the SAT.
He's now a junior in college and his mom
continues to homeschool his younger
siblings.
As for not allowing jumping into public
school after homeschooling, there is no way
that it can not be allowed. After all,
homeschooling parents have to pay taxes,
too.
I'm not against public schools, after all,
I plan to teach in one, but, each parent
should have the freedom to choose what they
feel is best for their child.

Janet Guthrie, juddsfn_99@yahoo.com,
4/27/00

This month's letters: