Nov. 20, 2006 - Homeschooling in Taiwan
This was posted as a comment, but I thought it was so interesting that it deserves a place out here:
I read here sometimes and enjoy reading about homeschooling in other countries. Here in Taiwan, it has been legal since 1999, but each county/city has their own laws. We live in one of the poorest counties, therefore homeschooling isn't a big thing. Actually, I got to discuss the beginning of homeschooling registration with a new family!! that makes 5 families and 6 kids registered so far. We are the only Christian family though, that can be discouraging at times. We have freedom, but alot of annoyances like: writing a weekly lesson plan for a semester, in home evaluations by a school committee (last time we had 13 adults in our house, talk about pressure), a meeting at the board of education to review the evaluation, meetings to register for the next semester and meetings to review the next semesters lesson plans. NOT to mention the fact that our children (though not forced by law) are "required" to take the midterms and finals. Though I pushed hard for 1st thru 3rd grade my son not going to school to take the tests, we'll see how 4th and up goes. But, this is a small price to pay for the freedom to homeschool. We truly are thankful for this privildege.
Deana in Taitung Taiwan
Who else wants to share?
--Phyllis in Russia
Comments
Nov. 20, 2006 - It's alot to go through.
Posted by AmaniS
But if it was my only way I would try it. Not saying I could. I would then have to get a tutor for Deutsch for myself and maybe one for GTH, but something is better than nothing. I could not imagine having that many people in my house and having to answer all their questions.
How do they get away with spending so much government money just coming to see you?
Nov. 20, 2006 - this time wasn't so bad....
Posted by Panshrmu
only around 10 people!! they basically just chatted because they KNOW that my children get a much better education than that in school. As for spending gov't money, I guess they feel it's ok to get paid going from house to house. They have to take a half day off of their respective jobs (all teachers on the school board). There was talk of giving homeschoolers a subsidy for homeschooling, we will refuse any if it comes up,it could give them too much room in my homeschooling. I am thankful that though it's annoying, it is legal and we can homeschool.
Deana
Nov. 28, 2006 - totally blessed here
Posted by Jimmie
Although in China, no one homeschools, you could if you wanted to. Of course, if you homeschooled your children, they could never get into college. THE SYSTEM is very important here. As a foreigner, though, I have total freedom to homeschool. No one cares what I do with my daughter. The country has 1.3 BILLION people. They can't manage the education for that many people as it is; how in the world could they manage the education of the foreigners too? I am blessed.... I slip right under all radar as far as schooling goes. Locals are amazed that my DD will have all the options to attend college even with homeschooling right through highschool.
Dec. 1, 2006 - Germany Family jailed
Posted by HPrice
Hello, when I heard on the news here in Los Angeles that the family in Germany had been jailed I was saddened. Little did I know that just a few weeks later, I would be withdrawing my child from school and homeschooling her. I had tried homeschooling very briefly, but felt socially pressured to put my daughter back in public school. I took my daughter out of school first in the third grade when she was knocked down the stairs by another student and sprained her leg and was required to use crutches and wear a leg splint until she recovered. At this same school she was surrounded and stomped by several girls. The last straw was when she was knocked down, her backpack taken to the boys bathroom where her jacket and book was put in the toilet. I homeschooled my daughter until the beginning of the next school year and put her in another public school. At first, I thought that things were going well, until she said that she was having trouble making friends. She said that so many of the children curse and have rough behavior. In November, 2006 she was kicked in the ribs and side 3 times by a 5th grade boy. We took her to the doctor and her ribs were not broken but she had a contusion. She was not released to go back to school for almost a week. After returning to school two boys hit her in the head and back and she has been in continual pain. I tried to go thru the authority channels of the teacher, the principal and the district supervisor and was amazed by the run around I was given. Finally today I withdrew her from the school. I am so glad that there are sites that tell you how to withdraw your child with a private school affidavit. They also tell you what to do and what not to do. Now I have the task of developing a good curriculum for my child. If there is anyone who has any suggestions please let me know.
