So your gonna....homeschool?

It's was a rather busy weekend.  I was able to clean my house, clear out the room downstairs and just chill with my menfolk.

Funny thing is, I want to homeschool my sons.  While most who hear this -- give me a pained look.  How can giving my sons the best education be a burden?  I am already a 'stay at home mom' (SAHM), teach Zephyr (5 yr ready for kindergarten), and raise farm animals. The farm is a perfect place to learn life sciences.  JMHO

I am also a college educated, two degree holding, master degree pursuing, world traveled, former professional military teacher / supervisor / management consultant -- who only needs to apparently take the TExES to be state qualified to teach.  

I have seen my son struggle to do his homework; seems there is only the schools' way of doing math.  THIS CRACKS ME UP ---- why?

My son is 12 years old and still has little concept of fractions and long division.  By the Texas Education Agency (TEA) he should be mastering some concepts of Algebra already.  So, why has the school allowed him to be at 3rd grade level and in Special Education?  Because, Saenz is only one child; the American education system in built on 1950s setup of 'rote' learning.  If a child can not sit still and aborb information then, they are a problem (special needs) learner. 

TO WHICH I SAY -- NO!

From the begining of his school 'career'  and daycare -- he was labled as: HIGH MAINTAINENCE. 

I was told he has AUTISM.... BULL HOCKEY, I knew he did not have autism. 

I was told he had Asperger, again not the right diagnosis. 

The silly thing is, I told his pediatrican I thought he was dyslexic at 18 months of age. Yes, I noticed at an early age. It was blatantly obvious to me.  Saenz would build blocks structures and draw mirrored images, had no interest in writing/coloring/or following letters or numbers.  But, what did I know?  I did not have a medical or education degree at the time. LOL

So, I refused to medicate him.  I was not going to give him drugs that had not been tested on children with no long term studies, how the drugs impacted (scientifically backed up) brain growth or emotional development.  To me, giving Saenz a pill to 'numb' him into a compliant child; who zoned out in the classroom.  NOPE NOT ON MY WATCH.....

Now, on to his current school district..... I feel despite the medication argument in grades 1 through 5; he has made progress.  His primary special education team was flipping fantastic and he soared; this year though with onset puberty; his progress has slowed and he knows he is behind and so does his peers.  WHICH has opened him up to bullies' the passed two years. 

He has dyselxia but, he doesn't process information at a lower level. He also has IRLENS syndrome which is a visual processing diability.  If your child comes home with headaches often or develops headaches after reading; he / she may have IRLENS. 

To learn more information about IRLENS go here:
http://irlen.com/index.php

Self tests are found here:
http://irlen.com/index.php?s=selftests

Sample distortions (how those with IRLENS see)
http://irlen.com/distortioneffects.php

 Saenz has made lots of improvement with his IRLENS glasses.  In fact, I believe if he had more one on one time - tutoring (ME); he would surprise the heck out of his teachers with his reasoning abilities.  So forgive me if I rant.....  I am just trying to find my way to give my best to my sons.

I have lost faith in the public education system

steps off egg crate ~;>