CB>Quotes are taken from a message written by Dan to Sheila on
CB>06/30/96...  
CB>DT>We cannot control the mix (ok yes we can to some degree through 
CB>DT>classroom assignments) and the many other variables are not within
CB>DT>our  control either.  But class size is a variable (of classroom
CB>DT>success) and  we can control it.  
CB> 
CB>Your arguments in support of class size are excellent.  I have
CB>tutored  students 1 on 1 and found that I can cover a lot more
CB>material a lot  more effectively than I can in a classroom of 25+.
CB>Ideal class size  would be one student, if we could ignore the cost
CB>factor.  
CB>I have often felt that homeschooling would be the ideal situation for
CB>any family wherein the parents had the ability and dedication to do
CB>the  job correctly.  Too often that is not the case, however.
I find the ideal class for me to be around 24 (and that's at the high 
end).  As far as home schooling goes, I know of several parents who are 
home schooling their children.  Parents choose home schooling for many 
different reasons and it is their right to choose this educational 
option.  I also know of home schooled students who are now graduated and 
moved on to college and are doing quite well.  I know of others where 
the opposite is true.
You hit the nail on the head when you said ability and dedication in 
order to home school.  I think that dedication is a must.  If one 
chooses home school then it becomes a full time job.  There is no room 
for slacking off.  
As an educator in a public school while I don't oppose home school, I 
don't favor it either.  Usually the students that are home schooled are 
the more well-behaved.  the parents are the ones I can count on to help 
out in the classroom as volunteers.  they are dedicated and dependable.  
I have had parents (3 families) send their children to my kindergarten 
class, and as their children grew they decided to they.  These were the 
best parent helpers I have ever had.  We are still good friends to this 
day and their children play on my school chess team.  Still, having them 
in the regular school setting was a plus for our school.  Now that they 
are no longer active they are missed.  We need more parents like them in 
the public school system as they were fully supportive of education.  
They mainly left public education because of the series of violent acts 
they witnessed (hitting, swearing, attitudes).  But I don't think one 
can fully insulate children from the world around them.  Children are 
amazing at adapting to their surroundings.  Public schools need 
community support and school is not a supportive endeavor.  I am sure 
others in this echo have insights into this subject. 
Dan 
* CMPQwk 1.42 445p *Innuendo: Where your cat sits to look outside at the 
birds.
--- GEcho 1.11+
---------------