It’s fitting to begin the New Year by participating in one of my favorite memes That’s My Answer. One of today’s questions is:
What is your opinion of the education system in your city?
Many throughout our United States would nod their heads and say ‘Ah, you live in Florida, that explains why you homeschool’. However, I would be remiss in stating that it wasn’t so much the education system that led me to homeschool but the bullies that manifested themselves within the school system. There are many great education systems throughout the state of Florida, however, I personally would rather teach my child at home.
With that being said, there was one area of disagreement I had with our education system here in the state of Florida and that was teaching to the FCAT. I am strongly opposed to it. However, my opposition did not stop me from instituting the same type of format in my homeschool teaching curriculum.
I found myself educating my daughter over this past year, to learn to take tests…not to learn. Although this is a skill that is necessary in our world of academia, it is not meant to encompass the entire learning process.
Therefore, as I have mentioned recently in My Daybook posts, I am in the process of revamping our curriculum for the coming year. I am so excited. Not just about my daughter’s learning process, but about mine. Being an educator I am trained to follow certain procedures and guidelines. These are so ingrained in me that I can’t wholly abandon them. I need to have an outline of where we are going and a means to document where we have been.
To accomplish this I have turned to the curriculum guidelines set forth by World Book. It allows for structure but also encourages learning ‘off the beaten path’. The challenge for me will be to research and implement creative ‘hands on’ learning in these areas.
The education system in any city is what the parent makes it. You cannot send your child to school with the expectation that the system will fulfill all the needs of your child and all your requirements. If you choose to keep your child in the school system, it is your responsibility as a parent to supplement your child’s education where you feel it is lacking.
So there you have it. I’ll step down from my soapbox now.
6 Comments
Have fun.
Ah you nailed my #1 gripe with the system…teaching has essentially become coaching for test taking. My goal has been to keep the schools from getting in the way of my kids’ education. In short, my job is to detox and help them sift through all the testing clutter and info they get at school and make it apply to real life and life skills. It’s been a great balance for me and my time. I admire you for your efforts and especially for recognizing things you want to improve!
Hugs,
Holly
Teachers in the system have a battle brewing when the teaching stops at school and does not continue on in the school. Many parents, now days will NOT encourage their children to do their school work. I had a student once tell me he and his dad watched the football game instead of his assignment. Yes it is important to spend time with your children, but come on responsibility of getting your “JOB” done does come first. I had a child miss school, missing an exam due to fact that he and his dad went out of time. His dad needed to go pick up some materials for a job and let him take a long weekend to go with him…
Most students come to school these days with a do not care attitude… In the short time I have them, I do try and instill some self respect in them. I think it is wonderful that some parents have that opporunity to home school…. But there are some of us still out there trying to teach the ones who would not be home schooled… it is sad some are there only till the day they can officially DROP OUT…. THESE ARE MY CHALLANGE FOR THIS NEXT YEAR…. TO TRY AND SAVE AS MANY AS I CAN.
In one school system, an article was in the paper this morning where the State Superintendent, is wondering “if the counselors across the state now devote about 40 percent of their to scheduling student achievements tests mandated by federal and state law and working with the instructional Teachers to mak sure all testing requirements are met. As a result, the traditional support system for students is being jeopardized when they need it the most.”
God Bless all you Teachers and Home Schooling Moms out there…. the Future is our children… and right now our responsibility is to make sure they have all the tools they will need.
much love,
Colleen
correction: first sentence that should be continue on in the home…. IS MY FACE RED!!!
Yes! I agree! We can get caught up in the system we left! So interested to hear what you are going to do instead! Blessings to you in the brand new year and new homeschooling adventure! Happy 2009!
I hope that you will be able to meet your goal. I don’t have any gripes with the school systems yet except that kids don’t seem to be taught much respect anymore. But that has more to do with home-life probably.