731 sats \ 9 replies \ @cryotosensei 25 Feb \ on: Over 3 Million Americans are Homeschooled charts
You piqued my curiosity n I went to Google the number of homeschooled children in Singapore: Parents of about 50 children in each cohort each year opt to homeschool — considering that a typical yearly cohort is about 40,000-strong, homeschooling is truly the path less trodden.
I’m amazed at the structure of these American families. In Singapore, we typically need both incomes to survive, and working from home is not yet popularised. My wife has to go back to the office three times a week. In fact, Singaporean parents tend to outsource their children’s education to cram schools haha
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I think most parents who opt for homeschooling want their children to be more grounded in religious/spiritual education (rather than an outright rejection of the education system). So if you don’t move in those circles, you probably don’t want to stick your neck out and choose something different for your child
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That's not my experience. The reasons and motivations are very varied, mostly philosophical and there is a huge rejection of the education system. I have been home educating for 16 years and 3 of those I have travelled around the world and met many different nationalities who are educating their own children.
However, I'll concur it seems there are a lot of religious families doing it the US.
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This is very true in USA. Every home school parent I have met is Christian or LDS.
Orthodox Jews send their kids to Jewish day schools where religion is part of the curriculum.
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i wonder if there is a tipping point beyond which parents consider homeschooling a viable option because they know of other parents taking the same approach.
Yes definitely. There are some that will do it regardless - trailblazers who are not afraid to stand alone - but there are those who will be encouraged by the social contagion. It's whether they stay the course and keep at it that remains to be seen. Some will and some won't.
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I thought public schools in Singapore were excellent?
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Yes they are. Unfortunately we are a nation that still largely ties our self worth to academic achievements. Given that class sizes are large in Singapore (1 teacher to 35-40 students), many parents are willing to splurge on additional lessons at tuition centres to ensure that their children get all the As they need to advance to the next level.
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I see. Sounds like South Korea
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Yes, very similar indeed.
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