encounter with a fundie homeschooler today - just sharing

[drfuzzy]

So, I work in a rather unusual library.  It's State-funded educational materials.  We rarely see patrons - we usually ship things out. But there was a meeting on campus, so I had more guests than usual.
  A woman comes in with her three kids. The kids are home-schooled.  She starts in by saying that her 9-year-old needs books to read.  GOOD books.  She's looking for wholesome, Christian stories. She proceeded to tell me that most of the new young adult books are filthy - just filthy.  When she stopped to breathe, I told her that we don't categorize fiction (other than western, fantasy, science fiction - and I got the death stare at "science fiction"  ) but that we have a huge collection of literary classics.  That apparently made her happy.  She checked out quite a few books.

Then she asked how she can get books shipped to her. I showed her how to search the online catalog. She didn't like it, she wants to keep her kids away from computers and the internet.  I got gutsy and told her that literacy now means computer literacy - and that her kids probably won't be able to get jobs or college degrees without it.  She bristled at this, but I quickly pulled up a list of Christian computing/parenting websites.  She liked the list of Christian kid sites and "how to set restrictions" section. <sigh>  

She was visiting from Topeka, KS.  I think a tattooed lesbian atheist just helped a Westboro Baptist Church fundie find books for her kids.    

[Minimalist]

I feel sorry for the kids.  They have no chance.

[brewer]

Do I really need to mention the patience of Job? (hilk, hilk)

[The Valkyrie]

Makes you feel sorry for the kids, really.

What future do they really have?

[Ravenshire]

My biggest problem isn't with home schooling. It's with the states not holding the "teachers" to the same standards as real teachers. If you want to home school, you should be required to provide the same level of education that can be received at the local public schools. Otherwise, you're handicapping your kids, likely for life.

[drfuzzy]

Thanks guys.  I did feel a little run-through-the-wringer after.  
Min & Valkyrie . . . yes, I did hurt for the kids.  I was once very much like them.  I escaped.  If I can, they can.  
mh.brewer . . . Yeah, I held my tongue.  Decent jobs aren't easy to come by these days.  

[Brian37]

Makes me want to have them removed from their home.

[drfuzzy]

My biggest problem isn't with home schooling. It's with the states not holding the "teachers" to the same standards as real teachers. If you want to home school, you should be required to provide the same level of education that can be received at the local public schools. Otherwise, you're handicapping your kids, likely for life.

Abso-freaking-lutely, GB.  There are decent home schooling groups that require standards and testing, but the state doesn't really monitor home schooling parents or require much of anything from them. (and this is Kansas)   There was a story recently about a family in Texas that wasn't teaching their kids at all, because they were "going to be raptured".  https://www.rt.com/usa/320564-texas-home...ion-trial/
I was actually pleased that she was wanting the kid to read something other than the Bible . . .

[Aroura]

My biggest problem isn't with home schooling. It's with the states not holding the "teachers" to the same standards as real teachers. If you want to home school, you should be required to provide the same level of education that can be received at the local public schools. Otherwise, you're handicapping your kids, likely for life.

Home schooling has very little oversight in most states.  I know, because I home school.  Not for religious reasons, obviously, lol.

My daughter has to pass a test at the end of 3rd, 5th and 8th grades.  And by pass, i discovered it means she must score above 17%.  I'm not even joking.  Some states are much worse and do not even require minimum testing.  some states are harsher, and require you to submit the cirriculum for approval, and even how many hours per day your child does schoolwork.

[The Valkyrie]

My biggest problem isn't with home schooling. It's with the states not holding the "teachers" to the same standards as real teachers. If you want to home school, you should be required to provide the same level of education that can be received at the local public schools. Otherwise, you're handicapping your kids, likely for life.

Home schooling has very little oversight in most states.  I know, because I home school.  Not for religious reasons, obviously, lol.

My daughter has to pass a test at the end of 3rd, 5th and 8th grades.  And by pass, i discovered it means she must score above 17%.  I'm not even joking.  Some states are much worse and do not even require minimum testing.  some states are harsher, and require you to submit the cirriculum for approval, and even how many hours per day your child does schoolwork.

I can't understand why home schools aren't held to a decent standard.  Is it because of religious fundamentalism in the local and state boards?

I just read so many awkward stories of unprepared, unsocialised home schoolers going out into the world unprepared and failing dismally.

And seriously: 17% to pass?