**** Elections thread *****

[wufwugy]

What's your sample size?

I don't recall. Over a dozen but not big. The striking thing was that 100% of those homeschooled I met were significantly above average. I discussed it with a couple of my teachers. They agreed that the homeschooled students were the best. My calculus teacher claims it's because they're used to doing what they're told, unlike kids in the normal school structure, who are used to getting out of doing what they're told.

[CoccoBill]

I don't recall. Over a dozen but not big. The striking thing was that 100% of those homeschooled I met were significantly above average. I discussed it with a couple of my teachers. They agreed that the homeschooled students were the best. My calculus teacher claims it's because they're used to doing what they're told, unlike kids in the normal school structure, who are used to getting out of doing what they're told.

It could well be that the majority of parents opting for homeschooling are conscientious and dedicated, I agree that there are merits to it. I'd just be worried about indoctrination and the complete lack of second opinions, variety in teaching methods and lack of expertise.

One reason I can think of why a lot of American kids are subjected to bad influence in schools is exactly competition. The best schools in the US are undeniably among the best in the world, but my understanding is that the majority are not. School selection might be heavily affected by the socio-economical standing of the parents, not everyone can afford to go to a good school, and those not well off will end up in schools with the worst teachers, worst students and the most problems. PISA measures average performance, and that's not so much about how good are the best, but how bad are the worst.