Teachers Split on Effectiveness of Homeschooling

by Andrea Hermitt | More from this Blogger

23 Jan 2009 07:59 AM

Having a diva child, I have a subscription to the Children in Film newsletter. While we don't live in Hollywood, you never know when a local part might come up. Anyway, today's newsletter is about the way Studio Teachers (teachers to tutor actors on set) feel about students, their education, and their parents. Here is what they have to say about homeschooling.

"the studio teachers we surveyed agreed that most child actors are up to date with their school work and are on par with their grade level. While most of the child actors they work with attend regular or public school, some are home schooled and studio teachers were split as to whether or not home schooling positively affects the children they work with. 39% of the studio teacher said child actors are positively impacted by homeschooling; 37% said that the children they work with have been negatively impacted by homeschooling and 24% either said "it varies from child to child" or chose not to respond."

They added that

"while most parents come prepared, 16% of you come empty handed and 13% of you didn't event know that school was required, by law."

Of course I took that as slight at first, but then I realized that studio teachers are in fact, teachers and teachers as a whole are split on the effectiveness of homeschooling.

It was actually a principal who told me that homeschooling might be the best option for my daughter. I have friends, and family members who are teachers and administrators who support my decision to homeschool. In fact, it is more often that someone who does not understand teaching that would give me the most problems with homeschooling. In fact, many homeschoolers I know were once classroom teachers. Read: Why teachers choose homeschool.

Still, while I feel supported by most of the teachers I know, I meet alot of resistance from many teachers in online forums. Though there are just as many who say they admire what I do.

So, are you a teacher, and if so, what side of the fence are you on?

*Have a question about homeschooling? Just ask.

* Have you seen the homeschooling curriculum glossary?

Learn more about Andrea Hermitt

Andrea Hermitt is a native New Yorker currently residing in GA. She has been married for over 16 years and has two teenage children.

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Pam Connell (2658) 27 Jan 2009 05:46 PM

These teachers are not seeing the typical homeschool population--okay, there is no "typical", but most homeschoolers aren't actors. Since the teachers say the kids are on par scholastically, I assume they refer to "socialization"-type issues--and mightn't being a child star have something to do with that?

Valorie Delp (49340) 28 Jan 2009 04:46 AM

Actually I would assume that being on par scholastically would mean regarding what they know and are learning. But I would also assume that when they say it impacts them negatively, that could refer to socialization type issues.

I agree Andrea--that people who tend to give me the hardest time about homeschooling are those who don't know anything about education. Although I've met plenty of teachers against it.

Pam Connell (2658) 28 Jan 2009 10:47 PM

I agree Valorie--what I meant to say was that, since most teachers think the kids are on par with their grade level in terms of learning, but many still feel the kids are negatively impacted, I'm thinking the teachers are thinking about behavior or socialization impacts. I'm not trying to stereotype child actors, but if some children are making bushels of money, are interviewed in magazines, have their parents and manager rearrange their lives around the kids' schedules, are exposed to the Hollywood party scene and spend most of their non-study time with adult performers instead of "kid" activities...then I suspect those are the causes of negative socialization impacts, not the homeschooling!