We live in one of the largest districts in the country- top 25. The district's policy is to bus kids all over the county to achieve balancing. While they can't do this based on racial lines, they skirt the law by doing on "free and reduced" (F&R) lunch criteria, which is essentially the same thing. This serves the purpose of camoflauging the actual problems, while fixing none. The results are unmeasurable and the costs (transportation, etc.) seemingly undeterminable. They then tout themselves as one of the best districts in the nation.

While we have had good teachers for our children and primarily good schools, the district itself sucks. If a parent said, "I', homeschooling." I'd say, "I understand". I konw of several people who took oportunities to move, all driven at least in part by the school system.

Social interation? We have 4 boys (same family) in our scout troop who are homeschooled. Smart and polite; true young leaders actually. Whereas, my son was bulllied all through middle school and the school seemed incapable of dealing with it. Same thing when a neighbors daughter was groped on the bus. Oh, but how they moved when the police were called. I've heard people say the problems at thier schools are coming almost exclusively from children bused in. Instead of fixing the problems and addressing the issues at each school, the school administration is moving students around the system in a shell game to hide the problems. Kids from the same neighborhood wind up going to schools 10-15 miles apart- so social networks from school are fragmented.

For those that think being a techer is overly difficult. Both my wife and I have graduate degrees (I've instructed at the graduate level). I think neither of us would have any problem implementing a defined instructional program. That's not to say we don't appreciate the good, hardworking, and underpaid teachers our children have had. Nor is it to say it is not a hard job.

It's sad but my wife and I have gone from involved parents and school supporters to people who will NEVER support another school bond (due to waste and mismanagement) and will not even join the PTA. Our sole goal is to get our youngest through HS (about 5.5 more years) and then I don't care. I never thought I'd think or feel this way, but I do. Until the system changes and is accountable I won't change my stance.

For those who might care, the system is Wake County, NC.

So back to the thread- if you want to home school and you are up to it, I think it's perfectly fine.