to see this option as some short-term miracle solution for most of the country -- partially for some of the exact reasons you mention. It takes a real commitment to do well (regardless if whether a parent is even doing the actual teaching) and things don't always go smoothly with that commitment -- so a toast to your wife. I just get a little sensitive because there is definitely a layer of discussion that suggests it is essentially impossible and in no way can approach in-school learning along with the notion that it "ruins" a child's ability for proper social development. This is improper, narrow-minded thinking in my opinion and it keeps us locked in to current dogma while I think our kids (on average) fall further behind the rest of the world in a really key area.

For all of the wonderful teachers and programs out there -- many of whom are having to work with kids with really awful home situation -- there is a lot of average to below-average stuff going on that shows no signs of changing (both academically and socially). Don't get me wrong -- there are some terrible home/online programs as well - plenty who "unschool" at home as it can be termed or who have a primary focus of isolating themselves from society. But this should be a moment where we at least try and push some envelopes and create some amount of lemonade out of some rough situations.

If you can't tell, I'm not a giant fan of what I perceive to be more of the entrenched school/administration establishment on this issue -- essentially a Dem constituency (although no doubt there are progressive thinkers on all sides of the aisle on this issue). However, I'm not holding my breath for anything in this administration showing any degree of meaningful leadership either. They have had their chance. I realize education is more local, but inspired federal leadership can always help spur on better things.

[Post edited by fishhoo at 07/17/2020 3:41PM]