When my younger son had problems in school (he's dysgraphic- like dyslexia in handwriting) and my older son was being made to run laps in spite of a doctor's note (resulting in inflamed knees due to a mild congenital deformation), I pulled my kids out of public schools. I home schooled them for 3 years. The elder decided, rather than go back to 12th grade in public school, to get his GED. He took it "cold", no studying and passed with flying colors. My younger boy, went back into 8th grade where they tested him for academic proficiency. In science, he scored grade 16 (that's 4 year college), math was a bit below average, but the rest were at grade level or better.

We had a blast home schooling! We would pick a subject- earthquakes, Southwestern Native Americans, the planets, etc, and study it for a week. We also watched CNN for an hour and then discussed what we saw. The only reason we stopped is that my younger needed the socialization and the older had hit 12th grade.

My kids are quite different- my oldest is "computer wizard" at a local school. Well liked by everyone and always smiling, my oldest is quite successful. The younger is like his Dad, unemployed and semi-antisocial. (However, he's a first-rate cook and does a gourmet dinner 3 nights a week for his poor old Mom.)

I also work at the school and spend much of my time fixing the teacher's mistakes. About 1/3 of the 5th graders at my school have trouble doing multiplication- which is bad, since they are doing algebra now. Spelling is a disaster for many of them. To put is bluntly, I'm not too happy with the job the local schools are doing. I had to listen to the DARE crap today, which does not put me in a good mood. Even in the second grade, I can spot kids who are thinking "This is BS!" as they listen to the cop. By the time they hit 7th grade, they can hardly keep from laughing at all the BS!

Pull your kids out if you feel you can do a better job than the schools! It isn't that hard! Hit the public library and have fun! -Granny:hippy: