Should parents have complete control over thier children's education or should the state have a say in it?
100729
Most home school students are better educated and have higher test scores than those at school. As long as the children are doing well the state needs to keep their nose out of it.
277960
I would have to contribute this partly to the parents.  These days, parents are not as involved in their children's education as they once were.  Also, there is a growing number of parents who condone WHATEVER it is that their child is doing (even if it is the wrong thing).  The parents will always come to the child's defense and blame everyone else.  Additionally, there is a lack of discipline in the homes because parents are afraid to firmly (spanking) discipline their children because of legal retort.  And last, I will have to say that the government is doing very little to support educators (teachers and instructors).
947292
I think the parents should co-operate with the school and show respect to the teachers who work so hard to educate their children.  If the parents don't set an example of valueing education and respecting those who teach their children, things won't improve.  Parents should realize that loving and supporting their children doesn't mean accepting everything they do without judgment.  If their children have done something wrong, they should accept the consequences and only this way can they guide them back to the right way.  How can a child know what's wrong and what's right when his/her parents say "oh, I love my child and will stand by him/her, no matter what or oh, I'm so proud of him/her... blah-blah-blah" when he/she has done something awful (getting pregnant, bullying others, getting into trouble with asbo...)and unforgivable (robbing, mugging, killing...).  Parents in this country are sometimes too tolerant of their children's wrongdoings and this is not the way to love their children.
162724
I was recently re-married and now have a 9-year-old son, so I'm clearly not an expert yet.  My husband and I have discussed this topic frequently since we are very concerned about our son's education/ future.  The conclusion we arrived at is that parents are the number one determinant of how well a student does in school.  We noticed that the difference between a good school and a poor school is the level of participation the school receives from the parents.  The public school our son is going to has almost 100% parent participation for open houses and teacher conferences.  The school district is also the highest rated school in our city and very highly rated in the country as well. They are rated high, mainly because the parents demand high performance. They basically teach the same content mandated by the state but they are producing a culture of learning above and beyond the state standard. So, by observation, we've concluded that the schools are not failing our students, the parents are really failing their children. Try shutting off the video games and TV in your house and hand your child a book to read.  You'll begin to see a change in your child overnight.  America is not responsible for it’s future as much as Americans are responsible. This applies to more than just school obviously, but what better place to start.
619978
Yes! I believe if parents want the reponsibilty of raising children that also includes knowing their where abouts at all times. If the parent is going to be neglectfull and sit in the house and watch tv and let their kids go outside and play by themselves and then someone grabs them and the kids get hurt or end of dead, i definitly believe that the parents should have the same punishment as the person who hurt their kid. Because if the parent would have been watching their own kid(s)- their kid(s) would be unharmed. Parents need to take care of your own kids and not allow a stranger to take care of them for you. If parents do their job, no one gets hurt or goes to jail, end of story!
447902
Huge debate there... not sure where to start.\n\nPros:\n-Educates the masses about STDs.\n-Educates the masses on reproduction and general knowledge of health issues and care for ones reproductive system.\n-Takes the stress off of the parents who may feel too embarrased to discuss with thier children.\n-Offers relief to those who wonder if the changes they are experiencing are "normal".\n-Helps remove the shame western cultures have towards sexuality.\n-Demystifies controversial topics like homosexuality.\n-Give a third party the opportunity to observe behaviors in the student that may suggest sexual abuse.\n-Educates student on safety issues.\n\ncons:\n-Does not (and should not) explain moral issues.  This is the sole responsibility of the parent, not the government.\n-Does not give the parent the decision of what time is best for thier child to be exposed to sexual topics.\n-Does not (and should not) cover religious issues. Also the sole responsibility of the parent.\n-Invites curiosity in the students which might lead to experimentation.\n-Introduces students to topics that parents may not approve of, like homosexuality.\n-Depending on the maturity and psychological state of the student, could create fear or anxiety.\n\nMy personal opinion, I am pro-education on all topics.  My only request is that the schools let me know the curriculum and agenda so that I can cover the topics with my child first.  She should understand our families moral and religious views before she is introduced the topic by a stranger or government employee.
852261
Private, charter, or home schooled.  Parents don't have enough say in what the public schools are teaching because the federal government is too involved in education.  Public education went downhill after Jimmy "Mr. Peanut" Carter pulled the cabinet position of secretary of education out of his ass.  It needs to be done away with and parents should take some responsibility in what the schools teach their kids.
109054
It depends on what issues you are talking about. For example, the "No child left behind" act is a Federal program (in theory it is meant to help improve education in this country) but the Governemt is only telling the state what to do and what standard to meet. The Federal Goverment needs to back that up with Federal money and not just enforce the rules it made up.\n\nIf you could define the issues/programs/concerns that a State should control VS. Federal Control your question could be answered more effectively
11786
I would also have to answer that it depends on the parent’s perspective.\n\nIf the parent actually and truly enjoys spending time and teaching the child, then yes.\n\nIf the parent is creative, patient and understanding, then yes. \n\nIf the parent knows his or her own limitations (when to teach, when to hire a tutor), then yes.  \n\nIf a parent is looking out for the best interest of the child instead of trying to satisfy a martyr syndrome, then yes.\n\nIf a parent recognizes that a child is not thriving in school, and wants the best for THAT child and not the best for the system at the cost of THAT child, then yes.\n\nIn my case, homeschooling is a preferred method of education. You see I have two children who were both in public school.  One was advanced and was not allowed to advance at his own speed.  Homeschooling remedied that problem.  The second was suspected to have ADHD and we were constantly being pushed to test and medicate.  Homeschooling also remedied that problem.  The child is still very active, but it turns out her learning was tied to that constant moving.  While being allowed to jump up and down in front of the computer, this child completed 2 years curriculum in 1 year, and is moving ahead at the same speed as her brother.\n\nTherefore, if a parent is willing to make personal sacrifices, which include putting off a career, driving children all over town to have activities with other homeschoolers, and shell out a bit of money here and there for superior instruction, then I highly recommend homeschooling.
847433
It's dead wrong.  It's punishing law abiding citizens.  A college education is an oppertunity, not a guarenteed right to anyone.  There's tons of good students who can't afford to go, who's parents can't afford it either and are caught in the middle with grants and loans.  Many who still have to work their way through just like I did.  Many who just have to accept they can't go now or maybe never.  To allow carte blanc to ONE group of people is wrong.  I couldn't afford out of state tuition and so I had to go and live in that state and fullfill their residency requirements before I could go.  No one is "forbidding" them the oppertunity to go.  There is no rule that says you HAVE to go to college the fall immediatly following HS graduation or you'll never get an education.  It might be the prefered route but it's not mandatory.  A secondary education was only "easy" for the people with alot of money.  The rest of us had to find a way if we wanted it bad enough.  Why should they be any different?
765002
Yes, junior high school as an optional class and high school mandatory.  I also believe that people should be licensed to be parents.  There are too many rules in America, but I could live with adding this one.  If someone can't pass a parenting class, why should they be allowed to have children?  I know, it's too much trouble, but what an idea!  Only qualified parents!  Maybe there were be less neglected and abused kids.
949477
no....the parents should!\nThe government will supply the SSI check to help out!
856179
I agree with you.To many much more important things to worry over.\nAlso,home schooling isn't right for everyone but it is for my son.Everyone is entitled to their opinions but no one is entitled to down someones beliefs.
180797
No there are some things that the parents should take responsibility for. Second it might be somewhat OK but I don't want people teaching my kids wrong morals. I think it's sad that parent can't sit down and talk to their kids. I don't want it cheapened by someone who doesn't have the same morals as me or the same beliefs.  Everything is being tainted now adays. They really need to stick with the education that will help them with college and getting the skills they need to go forward. There are also too many groups who would want to put there two cents in and I don't agree. You would have the heterosexual theme then the gay theme and everyone would want equal time given to their preferences. Lets stick to the basics of Reading Writting and arithmetic.
1054774
teachers role is as teacher, I never thought it took a village to raise my child, I parent my children, the teacher parents her children only...good grief everybody, thats right, hand over your parental rights and let the teacher give your kids their values, why did you have kids anyway? The only time they can take over the parents role is when the parent lets them.
248586
I think the parents can assist in the homework but let the child try to do it first so you can see what they know and where they need help. If you do all the work your child will not learn. I would think work done at school would reflect who did the work you or  the child. No one said the child has to get everything perfect the first time. They learn from the mistakes.
284286
I agree with doing away with compulsory attendance laws, but with limitations. I disagree with some states (like Florida) who suspend a kid's driver's license if they are under 18 and drop out. If a kid doesn't want to go to school, let them stay home ! They're just a distraction for those kids who do want to learn.\n\nAs for the limitations I mentioned above, I think the danger is that parents will simply say they are homeschooling their kids and really, having them working on some money-making venture.\n\nI am all for parents educating a kid in whatever manner they please- as long as they are trying to get them an education.