Astra Taylor on the Unschooled Life

Raised by independent-thinking bohemian parents, Taylor was unschooled until age 13. Join the filmmaker as she shares her personal experiences of growing up home-schooled without a curriculum or schedule, and how it has shaped her educational philosophy and development as an artist.

• Category

  Education

[tanrat7]

School is very overrated. For centuries, people had very little formal schooling, or none at all and were resourceful, creative and productive.

[MarkProffitt]

I'm self-educated (preferred term to unschooled). My family was extremely poor. Neither of my parents had college degrees. By the time I was 12 there wasn't anything my parents could even help me learn. I learned to read when I was 4 & after that started teaching myself everything else. My parents took me to the library and talked to me. I saved my own money to buy a computer & taught myself to program & was doing it professionally by age 16. My experience is quite typical.

[James Allen]

But.... How will I know what massa (Our Masters/Owners; owners of the media and schools) wants me to do unless he tells me?

[AskaLizzy]

Speech starts after the intro, formalities and thank you's at 4:46

[ash win]

well -- you'd be happy to know that the government does not intrude much in the lives of homeschooled children. Indeed, it is the most laizzez-faire aspect of society in America, which is a good or a bad thing, depending on how you look at it. Most parents who home school their kids actually do not want the government breathing down their necks, and are suspicious of anything having to do with government-control. I would recommend talking with the school district about the bullying first

[Andreamom001]

Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states. Regulations differ from state to state, so find out the laws in your state. Remember, YOU are the parent, so it's up to you to raise your children, including deciding how to educate them. The school doesn't own them. The school doesn't have the right to tell you how to educate your children. Try joining the "Unschooling List" (gogle it and click on the Unscholing List FAQ) and ask for feedback on your state's laws--someone may know.

[Mark Mahoney]

"Surfwise" :)

[Jon Lewis]

What State you in? Because in our experience each state has a different set of rules to follow. Besides, what legal action would state take on you? Would they take away your kids or something like that?

[hogwartspta]

Homeschooling is legal in ALL 50 STATES , the state has no right to take legal action against you when you pull your child out of public school . Get in touch with home schooling groups in your area and they can help you get through the process.

[yanikv]

Yeah, the modern system of public education is absurd...that much is true... but not quite as absurd as overprivileged white kids or the adults they eventually become.

[Ana Harris]

If you like this, then check out this book by Dale J. Stephens, Hacking Your Education.

[thalonelygirl]

I've been doing some research on unschooling due to having a daughter who is being bullied by her peers as well as her teacher. Unschooling seems like a wonderful option for her. However, I've yet to get a nuts and bolts answer to a basic question. How do you avoid legal action on the part of the state when you pull your child out of public school? Can someone please answer this???