13 Comments
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Shadow Rebbe's avatar

How do I get in on this bet?

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Shari Keller's avatar

Everyone who cares about what's happening to our kids should read this. Kids need connection.

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Stephen Riddell's avatar

A very interesting analysis. As a kid I was home-schooled through primary school, went to a pretty small intermediate school, then to a massive high school. I loved learning in my younger years, but got very depressed in the large high school environment and coasted through my classes instead of studying seriously.

I'm curious if these findings around microschooling and homeschooling also apply to the business world? I've noticed as an adult that when I've worked for massive companies there are severe mental health problems amongst the staff, but at smaller companies this is not a major issue.

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Michael Strong's avatar

This would not surprise me, but I haven't seen any data on this,

"I've worked for massive companies there are severe mental health problems amongst the staff, but at smaller companies this is not a major issue."

Thanks for your personal anecdote that confirms what I've seen many times.

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Den Slon's avatar

Completely agree. When I created my micro-school, we had about 10 depressed kids, and they quickly became happy. If you're interested in learning about such an experience, I wrote a book about it.

https://denslon.substack.com/p/1-from-tinder-to-taxiarch-a-night

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Bree Gorman's avatar

This is fascinating. I’ve never thought about the connection between school and suicide. Thanks for putting this out there. Important stuff.

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Justin Reidy's avatar

I'm a new reader, so forgive me if you've covered this before.

But what does "school connectedness" look like in a homeschooling environment? How does it map differently from family connectedness?

Thanks!

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Michael Strong's avatar

Good question - I expect the category "school connectedness" is effectively the same as "family connectedness" in homeschooling. At present, I don't believe there is any research on this.

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Justin Reidy's avatar

Thanks! I suppose there’s consistency with pedagogical fit and agency/motivation. Would love more data. Maybe someday.

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Manisha Rose Snoyer's avatar

Hi Michael, I also have a Substack on homeschooling and modular learning and would love to connect with you or others excited about this relationship-centered, community-driven movement! https://teachyourkids.substack.com/

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Michael Strong's avatar

Email me at michael@socraticexperience.com so we can set up a time to talk. We certainly have a lot in common!

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Dissident Teacher's avatar

I think they know where their bread is buttered and it’s on the corporations who understand that with the buildings already built and the student devices funded by bond measures in perpetuity, if they can get corporates shoehorned into the public schools, their marginal revenue is going to be ENORMOUS.

I can’t believe they both blocked you. For someone educating for publicly funded choice in education, I.e. more of the people’s property going to schools blocking is a bad faith move in response to your polite and reasoned disagreement.

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ReadingRainbow's avatar

I think you’re missing the purpose of government school.

You are working towards a different goal than they are.

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