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I think you may be missing some things random thoughts Send a noteboard - 03/03/2010 02:48:27 PM
One of the Romeikes' concerns was about their kids getting bullied. But their main objection involved what was being taught in the classroom. "The curriculum goes against our Christian values," Uwe says. "German schools use textbooks that force inappropriate subject matter onto young children and tell stories with characters that promote profanity and disrespect."

Bullied? I'm calling bullshit on that one. Whatever, everyone eventually encounters a bully in life whether in school or in adult life in the work force or with authorities. The bullying part is a pretty lame excuse. I'd also like to know what they consider so profane and disrespectful in German textbooks. I could make guesses but that is all they would be since the article doesn't specify.


Bullying is not something people should just be expected to accept. Bullying can go well beyond a shove or simple name calling. What we have now is very young children are put in situations where verbally and physically abused on a regular basis and little is done to protect them.

When my son was in middle school he was attacked several times by a group of older kids and the schools only solution was I should drive him school.

So I call bullshit on your bullshit. The motive for the two shooters at Columbine? They were tired of being bullied.

Regardless of how lame I think their excuses might sound they should still have the right to turn their kids in to socially defunct persons if they wish.


Unlike those socially balanced kids we have coming out of public schools?

In 2007, Germany's Federal Supreme Court issued a ruling - which did not specifically involve the Romeikes - that parents could lose custody of their children if they continued to homeschool them. "We were under constant pressure, and we were scared the German authorities would take our children away," Romeike says. "So we decided to leave and go to the U.S."

German officials, for their part, note that the Romeikes had other options. "If parents don't want to send their children to a public school, they can send them to alternative private schools," says Thomas Hilsenbeck, a spokesman for the Baden-Württemberg education ministry. Homeschooling advocates counter that there are few private schools in Germany, and they tend to be expensive. But beyond that, many religious parents have problems with sex education and other curricular requirements. "Whether it's a state school or a private school, there's still a curriculum that is forced onto children," says Kuhnle.

Well no shit Sherlock that there's still a curriculum forced on them in private schools. I hope they did their homework before trying to homeschool their kids here where there is still certain criteria they must be tested on and pass. I hope they don;t think they can just keep their kids home and isolated and teach them whatever they want. That isn;t how homeschooling works here.


Well Sherlock that forced curriculum doesn't include social teachings they may not agree with or sex education or evolution. With the exception of some of the social teachings I would want my kids to learn those things but there are other people who don’t and I think in the long run parents are the best people to decide how children should be raised, within reason of course.

And then there are the social aspects of going to school. Homeschooling parents tend to want to shield their children from negative influences. But this quest often runs counter to the idea that schools represent society and help promote tolerance. "No parental couple can offer a breadth of education [that can] replace experienced teachers," says Kraus, of the German Teachers' Association. "Kids also lose contact with their peers."

First of all, I am going to have to agree with Cannoli on this one. <img class=2' />

Quoting a teacher in this instance is asinine. No motivation there to portray the parents decision negatively, no siree. Even though I think his point is valid, homeschooled kids are less socially adept (at least anecdotally in my experiences with them and the experiences of everyone I know with homeschoolers), parents should still have the ultimate choice to make them so as long as they receive an education on core topics via homeschooling.


Homeschooled children have a much higher rate of attending college and make more money then public or private school children. In fact I have not seen any studies that show real negative consequences to home schooling.

I find it odd that so many people who have experienced American public school actually believe that they are places where you learn important social skills. Skills like how to be in right click and you can build yourself up if you help pick on the little guy? Yeah those are vital skills.

If any thing I would say our public schools are turning out dysfunctional individuals.

Concerns that homeschooling could lead to insularity - or worse, as Kraus puts it, "could help foster the development of a sect" - are shaping policy debates in European countries. In Britain, for example, Parliament is considering legislation that would create a new monitoring system to ensure that homeschooled kids get a suitable education.

A sect? LMAO! Seriously, that is just lame. As far as Britain developing a monitoring system goes, good for them. I wish America monitored homeschooled kids better. From what people who homeschool have told me it is quite easy to cheat. The American system (which I believe is regulated state by state - correct me if I am wrong) could use some real reform.


Unlike say the public school where all the students who graduate have achieved acceptable levels of education. I do believe most state require home schooled kids to pass the same standardized testing as other students. I know this because the homes school supporters keep bragging about how their kids outperform the other kids.
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Homeschooling: German Family Gets Political Asylum in U.S. - 02/03/2010 10:30:01 PM 1402 Views
Looks like a win-win situation to me. - 02/03/2010 11:01:22 PM 654 Views
Exactly - 03/03/2010 08:54:10 AM 618 Views
yah...but...but.... - 03/03/2010 01:13:31 PM 512 Views
Germany does have a history of getting rid of people it doesn't like *NM* - 03/03/2010 02:08:37 PM 393 Views
Yawn. At least beckstcw was joking when he invoked Godwin's law below. I hope. *NM* - 03/03/2010 02:10:18 PM 359 Views
That is a load of crap - 03/03/2010 02:53:02 PM 434 Views
uhm, how would Germany be offending the US? - 03/03/2010 02:56:52 PM 392 Views
I meant in general not in this specfic case - 03/03/2010 02:59:01 PM 344 Views
ahh mk *NM* - 03/03/2010 03:09:39 PM 378 Views
Um. - 03/03/2010 02:57:53 PM 282 Views
But our religious beliefs and belief in allowing religious freedom is fair game? - 03/03/2010 03:09:48 PM 277 Views
Yes? - 03/03/2010 03:40:30 PM 264 Views
If you made fun of the Native Americans I would be offended - 03/03/2010 03:46:05 PM 504 Views
It's actually quite the opposite. - 03/03/2010 03:57:19 PM 484 Views
and I would say they trying to fix intolerance with more intolerance - 03/03/2010 04:13:49 PM 271 Views
That was probably the stupidest thing I ever saw you write - 03/03/2010 03:28:39 PM 432 Views
You were the one who said good riddance - 03/03/2010 03:43:24 PM 297 Views
It's the usual story of American ideology and European pragmatism. - 03/03/2010 03:52:51 PM 458 Views
exactly. - 03/03/2010 03:56:11 PM 397 Views
Yes, because I won't miss them much. - 03/03/2010 03:55:29 PM 481 Views
well said - 03/03/2010 06:34:18 PM 473 Views
I think it's outrageous they'd fine people for that - 02/03/2010 11:07:57 PM 659 Views
Re: Homeschooling: German Family Gets Political Asylum in U.S. - 03/03/2010 01:09:23 AM 787 Views
The socialization thing is mostly garbage - 03/03/2010 02:32:19 AM 661 Views
Yep, exactly. - 03/03/2010 02:41:14 AM 455 Views
Re: Yep, exactly. - 03/03/2010 03:12:48 AM 432 Views
Re: Yep, exactly. - 03/03/2010 03:34:33 AM 677 Views
Re: Yep, exactly. - 03/03/2010 04:34:30 AM 671 Views
*shrugs* I said it was anecdotal. I have no hard figures, only experiences. - 03/03/2010 03:28:29 AM 455 Views
The operative word IS mostly - 03/03/2010 04:33:20 AM 629 Views
'Mostly' is all that matters - 03/03/2010 05:46:01 AM 659 Views
Uhm, socialization is incredibly important. - 03/03/2010 06:03:30 AM 633 Views
Yes, but you don't need to be taught to do it - 03/03/2010 06:47:06 AM 593 Views
cats aren't pack or herd animals - 03/03/2010 06:53:02 AM 577 Views
Something of an inside joke, sorry - 03/03/2010 07:41:50 AM 620 Views
I'm a homeschooling parent. - 03/03/2010 07:09:03 PM 603 Views
LOL, we seem well represented on this site - 03/03/2010 10:02:16 PM 691 Views
I think you may be missing some things - 03/03/2010 02:48:27 PM 709 Views
Re: I think you may be missing some things - 05/03/2010 12:16:37 AM 791 Views
I was homeschooled through grade 12, and my mom has done pro bono legal work for HSLDA. - 03/03/2010 02:20:38 AM 583 Views
I agree that it can be a very good option for some families - 03/03/2010 04:42:21 AM 721 Views
Re: I agree that it can be a very good option for some families - 03/03/2010 05:16:17 AM 550 Views
It depends on the public school. - 03/03/2010 05:23:09 AM 593 Views
Re: It depends on the public school. - 03/03/2010 05:45:07 AM 595 Views
"done right" is not always the case - 03/03/2010 05:58:26 AM 416 Views
Re: "done right" is not always the case - 03/03/2010 06:14:43 AM 731 Views
Re: "done right" is not always the case - 03/03/2010 06:31:04 AM 642 Views
Well let's talk stats then. - 03/03/2010 06:55:14 AM 605 Views
please do not get me started on statistis. - 03/03/2010 07:11:19 AM 529 Views
Re: please do not get me started on statistis. - 03/03/2010 07:28:41 AM 575 Views
you missed my point. - 03/03/2010 01:10:26 PM 595 Views
You seem to be ignoring the matter of qualified teachers. - 03/03/2010 01:29:01 PM 557 Views
Your comments on public school educations have rather limited relevance to other countries, though. - 03/03/2010 09:53:30 AM 659 Views
+ ^ *NM* - 03/03/2010 01:11:04 PM 347 Views
While I support homeschooling, this is ridiculous. - 03/03/2010 04:48:40 AM 717 Views
Meh. - 03/03/2010 05:20:50 AM 641 Views
one year in a public school - 03/03/2010 05:32:13 AM 660 Views
Re: one year in a public school - 03/03/2010 05:58:48 AM 459 Views
No, I think i will nitpick. - 03/03/2010 06:11:44 AM 576 Views
This is getting off track and wasting time. - 03/03/2010 06:26:36 AM 626 Views
I'm not even certain it's 100% legal. - 03/03/2010 06:34:44 AM 413 Views
Yes, but we can't argue abuse of law. - 03/03/2010 06:51:23 AM 531 Views
I only used Mexicans because I'm from Arizona - 03/03/2010 07:04:29 AM 627 Views
I think I have the gist of it, - 03/03/2010 07:17:40 AM 554 Views
we haven't heard anything about their beliefs for me to think they're stupid. - 03/03/2010 02:54:25 PM 635 Views
According to the Süddeutsche Zeitung... - 03/03/2010 03:38:13 PM 561 Views
they don't have private christian schools in germany? - 03/03/2010 03:54:07 PM 511 Views
Not many, I dare say, but a few probably. *NM* - 03/03/2010 03:59:11 PM 368 Views
Say what? - 03/03/2010 09:38:40 AM 506 Views
Being able raise your kids by your beliefs is a frivolous matter? - 03/03/2010 03:21:23 PM 432 Views
Germany is not saying "you can't raise your kids by your beliefs" - 03/03/2010 03:31:01 PM 557 Views
It's not a recent law, and supposedly other German families have moved to France and the UK. - 03/03/2010 03:45:56 PM 657 Views
figured that. - 03/03/2010 03:58:57 PM 564 Views
I think that would fly in very face of political assylum - 03/03/2010 04:12:48 PM 590 Views
Yes, but they did not need political asylum. - 03/03/2010 04:28:16 PM 625 Views
how is that different then other political refuges we allow in? - 03/03/2010 04:55:14 PM 518 Views
I believe Legolas linked an article - 03/03/2010 04:57:09 PM 499 Views
I never saw the link - 03/03/2010 05:08:21 PM 414 Views
I'm not sure if they offered "formal" assurances or some such - 03/03/2010 05:21:54 PM 337 Views
Compared to not being able to feed your kids, yes, it is. - 03/03/2010 03:42:58 PM 436 Views
yes but we don't grant political assylum for being hungry - 03/03/2010 04:34:23 PM 519 Views
no we don't. - 03/03/2010 04:50:31 PM 395 Views
Do you have a better system? - 03/03/2010 05:05:42 PM 683 Views
Immigration processes could certainly use some reform - 03/03/2010 05:32:22 PM 487 Views
The system sucks, big government typically does not function well - 03/03/2010 05:48:25 PM 417 Views
we probably would all be better off... - 03/03/2010 07:27:28 PM 532 Views
good because Texas is taken - 03/03/2010 07:47:46 PM 546 Views
No, true, that was about the illegal immigrants. - 03/03/2010 09:53:18 PM 639 Views
Absolutely. - 03/03/2010 09:32:41 AM 617 Views
Doesn't matter why, but all parents should have the right to homeschool..... - 03/03/2010 04:48:57 AM 453 Views
there are far worse faults for a country to have *NM* - 03/03/2010 05:14:11 AM 346 Views
That whole thing is pretty silly - 03/03/2010 12:18:45 PM 687 Views
Re: socialising. - 03/03/2010 06:13:49 PM 664 Views
And then there are secular people like myself, who - 03/03/2010 06:44:13 PM 604 Views
I think I'd do that too, if I had the patience. - 03/03/2010 06:45:20 PM 468 Views
*agree* - 03/03/2010 07:41:56 PM 652 Views
That is the catagory I'm in. - 03/03/2010 07:46:12 PM 510 Views
Re: probably more likely - 04/03/2010 12:19:37 AM 662 Views
I am opposed to homeschooling but believe it should be a legal option. - 03/03/2010 02:32:34 PM 605 Views
I think you make a good point here - 03/03/2010 05:22:59 PM 640 Views
but...but...parents can't educate their children outside of school!! - 03/03/2010 05:40:30 PM 577 Views
I don't agree with them I just support their right to be wrong - 03/03/2010 06:04:11 PM 646 Views
The statistics are flawed, as I've noted above - 03/03/2010 07:07:11 PM 494 Views
Your views on this are not fact-driven - 03/03/2010 09:13:07 PM 656 Views
No, what you're saying is that my answer isn't driven by STATISTICS. - 03/03/2010 10:36:50 PM 586 Views
Granted, but there is no obvious source for bias - 03/03/2010 10:57:19 PM 509 Views
Again, I'm not saying it applies to everyone - 03/03/2010 11:51:17 PM 417 Views
Re: Again, I'm not saying it applies to everyone - 04/03/2010 12:16:29 AM 637 Views
You mean aside from the fact that you are already arguing about it? - 04/03/2010 12:14:02 AM 419 Views
Yes, I mentioned this in my reply to Tom, see below... - 04/03/2010 12:19:42 AM 557 Views
Fair enough - 04/03/2010 12:21:41 AM 484 Views
Re: Fair enough - 04/03/2010 12:37:06 AM 881 Views
Re: Fair enough - 04/03/2010 09:39:38 AM 595 Views
Umm Massachusetts did have slavery in 1717 - 03/03/2010 02:55:25 PM 510 Views
Wow....so this got the board going. A question for everyone... - 03/03/2010 06:02:57 PM 702 Views
I think it is incumbent on the state to show that kids are being in some way harmed - 03/03/2010 06:07:13 PM 611 Views
Interesting - 03/03/2010 06:25:43 PM 720 Views
I never said there should be no limits on what parents should be able to do - 03/03/2010 06:38:53 PM 667 Views
What you said was: - 03/03/2010 06:51:26 PM 657 Views
I think it's safe to say teaching your kids to be little sociopaths qualifies as harm. - 03/03/2010 09:17:48 PM 440 Views
I think so too - 03/03/2010 10:46:41 PM 666 Views
Yes they do. Provided... - 03/03/2010 07:04:46 PM 544 Views
One of the reasons... - 03/03/2010 07:40:54 PM 618 Views
that is fair enough - 03/03/2010 07:51:31 PM 516 Views
Hmmph. Inappropriate action on the part of the judge who allowed them to stay. - 03/03/2010 06:22:08 PM 558 Views
I agree completely with this. *NM* - 03/03/2010 06:42:01 PM 370 Views
agree. *NM* - 03/03/2010 06:49:01 PM 237 Views
You just skip the part where they have to show they are being persecuted - 03/03/2010 06:54:20 PM 672 Views
"Persecution" can be a matter of opinion, though. - 03/03/2010 07:04:46 PM 646 Views
officers will track down kids ditching school here. - 03/03/2010 07:17:57 PM 712 Views
I'm not sure what they do in Canada - 03/03/2010 10:49:00 PM 561 Views
Agrees - 03/03/2010 06:54:59 PM 534 Views
New Cosmic Powers of the admins - 03/03/2010 06:52:57 PM 445 Views
It is the Power of the Ben™ *NM* - 03/03/2010 08:48:11 PM 365 Views
*walks in, looks around* - 03/03/2010 07:52:09 PM 646 Views
Re: *walks in, looks around* - 03/03/2010 09:25:46 PM 412 Views
What, no defending Germany today? *NM* - 03/03/2010 10:03:01 PM 369 Views
Even I need a day off *NM* - 04/03/2010 01:02:17 AM 357 Views
Re: *walks in, looks around* - 03/03/2010 10:33:24 PM 460 Views
Interesting - 03/03/2010 11:02:27 PM 634 Views
Am I recalling correctly that you know some German? - 03/03/2010 11:07:00 PM 577 Views
Sorry, nope. - 04/03/2010 09:14:49 PM 422 Views
Oh. Ah well. - 04/03/2010 09:23:11 PM 567 Views
One thing all of us homeschooled kids are missing is... - 04/03/2010 01:53:22 AM 512 Views

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