Public School? depending on the school district they can get a very good education. may hear somethings you may not want them to hear. May win others to Christ. (S invited her teacher to harvest 08 and the teacher came and became a christian)

Private School? expensive. Some of them can be worse then public schools in things that children can hear. Some of them your child can be treated as an outcast if they are not exactly like all the other children there.

Homeschool? well, here in Pa all the rules and regulations. IT is inviting the government into your home more then sending them to public school is. and more is required then public school

Public School?

There aren't any pros to public school, and I don't say this as the homeschooler who never went to a government institution. All class work progresses at the pace of the dumbest child, or which ever child is acting out the most. Teacher can't teach when they're constantly having to call down rambunctious children. The curriculum has progressively gotten worse over the years...and the material that is there, the children are only taught to the test. Pass the test, and you're good, actually learning the information isn't necessary. The only possible way to fail government school is to either (1) just not show up at all to any classes, (2) have an IQ below 60...otherwise, everybody passes. The piece of paper isn't worth anything, and it doesn't represent a body of knowledge aquired. Government school is a waste of time, and is only indocrination.

Private School?

Private school (and christian school) is where all the kids that the public schools didn't want to deal with are sent. Most of my peers went to either a private or Christian highschool, and there isn't any difference...and if possible, the moral character is worse than at government schools. This isn't just random bias or prejudice that doesn't have any basis in reality: anybody who thinks that private or christian schools are somehow "better" never talked to any of the kids from there; never sat in on a regular day.

Homeschool?

Homeschooling, while undoubtedly the best option of the three, isn't an easy pass either. FAR too many parents exist under the delusion that by simply saying "oh, we're homeschooling" that their children will (1) become very smart, (2) aquire the information, (3) out perform their peers...and yet they don't do anything with their children's education. They don't require a committment to educational excellence, they don't pursue academic knowledge, but simply sit around talking about how much smarter or how much further ahead **their children** are. Homeschoolers are rapidly spending the capital that the people in the 80s and 90s built up...the capital that homeschooling can give a better education than the government, at a much faster pace; that HS produces brilliant, academics. Go to an average homeschool group, and see if this holds true. I taught a homeschool coop class, I know whereof I speak.

In conclusion, homeschooling is the only way, but it requires effort, committment and dedication. Children are not going to lay the intellectual foundation by simply uttering the magic words "homeschooling."

hmmm i dont know if i can say anything positive about public school.I just really see it as the teachers getting them ready for standardized testing time and thats all they worry about now.I know this because i talk to my neighbor whos a teacher here and she hates how it has to be done.and the rotten attitude of others.I know not everyone has bad attitudes.The public school my kids went to for a bit 2 years ago was great onyl because i had very open communicatio with all the teachers but even then the kids still begged to come back home.

Private school i agree with Kristen when she said that if the kid does not share the same beliefs they'll get picked on.I went to catholic school for middle school but was not catholic.it was hard.but i loved the smaller class sizes.that was abig positive in my book

homeschooling i think the downfall on that is having to listen to the nagativity from people who just dont get it.and dont take the time to understand how great homeschooling can be.the upside how great it can be.You get to spend time wth your kids go at their pace and inroduce them to things they might never have been inroduced to in the other 2 settings

For those of you who thing Public school is horrible. What would you suggest for those parents who can not afford a private school (which really can be worse then public school at times) and can not legally homeschool because of thier states rules?
@kriegerwulff - @Hecalmsthestorm - @javamommy - 

@Kristenmomof3 - Can you tell us more about the homeschool laws in PA which prohibit some people from homeschooling?  I am truly open to discussion on this topic right now.  I have had fairly positive experiences with public school myself.  Our school here has mostly Christian teachers who seem truly loving and kind with my kids, they do not "teach to the test" like the school they attended last year in TX when they were staying with their bio mom, they are very strict about bullying, the kids are very challenged academically and we have enjoyed getting to know some people in our community we would have otherwise not got to know.

@Kristenmomof3 - Yes, I am truly open and want to keep this discussion respectful of all sides.  I truly believe that I have operated in fear in some regards in past years regarding this topic.  I taught in public school and private school before having children and with my 3 bio children... 1 of them has done public, private and homeschool and 2 of them have done mostly homeschool but some private.

@Kristenmomof3 - well homeschooling is not illegal in any of the 50 states.its just a little harder in some states.if you absolutly cannot see yourself being a homeschool mom then i suggest for the public school world to be constantly involved with your childs school not afraid to ask questions be around in the classrooms when you can to help out.Teachers need all the help they can these days with the bigger classes and such.being very involved with your kids homework and such.

@LaurieAnnP - LOL... I could almost word it "for" you sister.  I am sure there have been times I felt the same way you do now and will probably always feel about this topic.  However, I really want to make sure I am not operating in fear when it comes to this topic.  I truly want an open forum where my readers have an open mind about other points of view.  We are all shaped somewhat by our experiences, but we should also be open to the fact that our experiences are not the "only" way. 

I meant to say that I realize you will always feel the way you do and I thought I would always feel that way too... but I am open to exploring whether or not it is truly a Godly conviction or whether it is due to my own limited experiences and fear.  This crazy thing would not let me edit the comment even w/in the 15 min. timeframe. 

@hbasedmomof6 - sure :)

well, one thing is in Pa you must have a high school diploma to homeschool your children. (I only went to school through 10th grade)

The supervisor of the home education program must certify on the affidavit that the supervisor and all adults living in the home and persons having legal custody of the child have not been convicted of criminal offenses. So anyone ever of anything criminal may not homeschool. And you can not homeschool if you would have an older child or relative or anyone living in the house that was convicted of anything criminal. (this doesn't apply to us but it could apply to someone who was convicted of something before they because a christian and turned their life around. THey can not homeschool)

The supervisor of a home education student who has been identified as needing special education services pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), must have a certified special education teacher or licensed clinical or certified school psychologist's approval of the home education program. (this applies to us too as W is considered "special")

Also just a note...in Pennsylvania, School districts do not issue diplomas to students in home education programs.

@javamommy - read above to see why we can't :)

@Kristenmomof3 - I've several friends in PA who are currently homeschooling their children. I understand it is difficult there...PA is like in the top 3 worst states to homeschool in.

My personal thoughts on the matter? Either ignore what the state says (Acts V:29), as they've no right to dictate educational activities of parents, and the charge of education is Biblically given to parents, and not the state. (Deut VI:6-7) Or, move to a state where the legal system is more friendly to parents fulfilling the role God gave them. (as did the Pilgrims) That the state prohibits a God given responsibility from being carried out, doesn't matter in the least to me.

Nobody would ever say "oh, the state says I can't preach the gospel, so I guess I just can't"...

I have taught in public school and a Christian school and am now homeschooling.  This is our 5th year homeschooling.  So, that is where I am coming from.

Public schools, IMO, teach very little.  It is impossible to have a classroom of 20 kids- all varying abilities and home situations and economic situations- and actually manage to "teach" much of anything.  As, a teacher, I felt like most of what I did was crowd control.  There were students who learned.  But, for the most part, these were bright kids whose parents were involved, and that is exactly WHY they learned.  There are also safety concerns in public schools- especially high schools.  I taught in a high school, and my classroom was across from the lunch room.  I kept my door locked every day at lunch because of the fights that would break out.  I had a very large, strong 9th grade boy who ate lunch with me every day because he was afraid of the lunch room!  And we live in a relatively small "safe" town, not a big city.  This was also a "good" public school.  There were many Christians in leadership- even several of the principals; teachers were loving and caring for the most part; there was a positive "family" environment throughout the staff.

The Christian school I taught in had lots of positives- strong Christian curriculum, Christian teachers who loved and cared for students.  But, even then, you had the issue of being able to deal with students individually within a large class.  And the cost was most definitely prohibitive for many families with one income.  I saw women go to work and put their younger children in daycare just to send their older ones to the Christian school.  And I'm just not comfortable with that.

Homeschooling has been wonderful for us, and I am thankful every day that God allows us to do this.  It is not easy.  It is not cheap- in money or in time.  But the benefits are too numerous to count.  I know what my children are doing every day.  I know what they are learning.  Academics are secondary to the life lessons we can learn every day by being together. 

I heard it best said by a long time homeschooler before I even had children.  She said, "Parents are ultimately responsible for their children's education- whether you believe God is leading to homeschool or use a Christian or public school."  I hesitate to say that any of these options are "wrong" because I believe you have to do what God is calling you to do as a family.  I do, obviously, have strong opinions, and I believe we are doing the right thing for our family. 

@kriegerwulff - you say "My personal thoughts on the matter? Either ignore what the state says (Acts V:29), as they've no right to dictate educational activities of parents, and the charge of education is Biblically given to parents, and not the state."

SO in other words you want the person to have their children taken from them by the state?

@Hecalmsthestorm - not at all :) I was just wondering what you would say to those parents. That's why I asked. I wasn't at all offended by your response.