Homeschooling : A Productive Individual And A Thriving Student Of Higher Learning

In the article “Why I Homeschool: The Answers Change Almost as Fast as My Kids Do. But My Commitment to At-Home Learning Remains Strong.” Amy Thornton-Kelly initially home schooled her three children in order to spend more time with them. This was her only reason, or so she thought. Amy Thornton–Kelly explains the many reasons why homeschooling is the best decision she has made. First, she explains that once her husband and her considered homeschooling “the floodgates opened” to the many benefits of homeschooling. It alleviates stress, allows her kids to learn in a healthier environment and allows her to teach her kids in a more profound way. Second, Thornton-Kelly states that homeschooling allows her kids to better master subjects,

“You take each student from where they are and provided experiences that will maximize success” (Qualities of a good Teacher). On the other hand, there are no requirements stating that parents doing home schooling have to be trained, experienced, certified or evaluated; or have any particular qualifications, parents who have graduated high school can home school their child. Home schooled parents argue that they can invest more time and energy into their child’s education, but in reality, a parent can educate their children at home with just a high school degree. Their inexperience harms the child more than their attempt to help. As well as educated teachers, public schools also provide a development of adapting to a more diverse environment and instill a stimulation to learn.

Before presenting both the positive and the negative aspects of homeschooling it is worth mentioning that the deciding factor for parents choosing to homeschool as opposed to public schooling generally falls into a biased opinion of public schooling. As mentioned in an NPR radio interview, “the number one reason parents give is the desire to provide religious or moral instruction and that the second most popular reason, closely followed behind, was a concern about the school environment” Martin, M. (2013). These type of reasoning for home schooling presents some valid question, such as, who determines what the best approach or the best form of education? Is the quality of education

Education in our society is a very important factor in shaping our future. One’s future is depended on the education they receive and everyone is somehow affected by this. Children from the ages of kindergarteners to seniors in high school, college graduates, and stay at home mothers, are all shaped by the education the government provides us. There are many different ways to acquire an education some through private schools, public, charter, and being homeschooled. However, homeschooling is growing more in popularity than it has ever been.

While the American public school system educates the majority of students today, a fast growing population is beginning to accept homeschooling as an adequate alternative. Anyone with kids desires only the best education and experiences for them. Those who face this decision have to take in the plentiful list of differences and decide which will suit their family best. For years, most people saw homeschooling as an ineffiecent replacement to the government-provided schools already in existence. However, in the last ten years, studies have proved that homeschooling well equipps a student for college and beyond, changing the minds of many(http://www.usnews.com/education/high-schools/articles/2012/06/01/home-schooled-teens-ripe-for-college?page=2). In order to make this crutial decision between public or home school, one must account for the social and extracurricular opportunites, the educational aspect, and what role the family plays in education.

Homeschooling is on the rise in America. According to a 2007 NHES study conducted by the U.S. Department of Education there are an estimated 1.5 million students actively being homeschooled up from the 850,000 estimated in previous study conducted in 1999 (NCES, 1). Once seen as a fringe activity usually associated with the religious right, homeschooling now encompasses many mainstream families looking for educational alternatives in the face of such issues as violence, peer pressure, and poor academic quality in many public schools. Detractors on the other hand claim that homeschooling is a less effective method of educating America’s youth citing academic and social issues. Despite critics’ claims to the contrary, homeschooling is an effective and viable method of education as its participants not only do well academically; they are well socialized and are successful in college and later life.

Despite home-schooling’s controversy because of the lack of teaching credentials for parents and socialization, homeschooling has big benefits for children. The first benefit is that while homeschooled, students receive individualized education. Parents spend all their time and attention to their children. Parents can devote all their time and attention to their children. Martin points out that parents understand their children best (Martin). Therefore, they can choose the best method to motivate their children to learn. “Parents are also able to evaluate their children on a daily basis and provide further instruction if needed” (Martin). Individualized education also provide necessary help as needed. As a result, homeschooled students achieve

She also had been a high school math and physics teacher along with holding a liberal arts and sciences degree from St. John’s College, and she hold a master’s degree in English from Georgetown University. Homeschooling can be a matter of consistency for families living in isolated rural locations, for those temporarily abroad, and for those who travel frequently. Parents need to be involved in their children’s home schooling and they don’t all need to have a certain degree to teach their children in their home. Although, home schooling only has a small number of students who choose that can have a be superior to public schooling. Even though home schooling has grown over the years there is a wonder if home schooling is a help to public schools or a harm. Marcia summarizes that academic achievement and homeschooling history are especially good. Tensions can be hard with decision on whether home schooling is the right way to go, but with Clemmitt’s article she shares that they can receive adequate education with parents teaching them, academic achievement of homeschooled children, and whether home schooling can help or hinder public

Throughout history, homeschooling has been practiced by parents, extended family, and tutors. However, a small number of children were being subjected to homeschooling as compared to the 21st century (Gaither, p.226). Homeschooling is regarded as the provision of education to young people in a private setting as opposed to public setting. Instead of being educated by the teachers, the children are educated by their own parents, relatives, or tutors hired and paid by the parents. Parents who opt to subject their children to homeschooling, do so for a variety of reasons ranging from religious demand, structure of public schools to personal preferences.

In the ten-year period from 2003 to 2012, the number of American children 5 through 17 years old who were being home schooled by their parents climbed by 61.8 percent. There has been drastic increases in home education over the last several years. It is estimated that a total of 2 million students (2.3%) are home schooled in the U.S today. This begs the question, why home school?

increase of two to eight percent over the past few years (Ray). Yet with this steady rise,

Parent-led education has been around for a millennium, at least, but did you know that up until the early ‘80s the institution of homeschooling was illegal in most of United States? Today, however, we know that it is not only legal, but the number of student’s enrolled ranges from 1.1 to 2 million. Even though it’s one of the fastest growing forms of education, there are still many misconceptions of homeschooling. Generally people feel as though the students are more sheltered and are missing out on sports and other social activities. Not only is that but the curriculum looked down upon. However, when a closer look is taken we find that these students tend score higher on standardized tests, excel in college

Homeschooling is a growing form of alternate education with many topics of interest. Many students are enrolled across the country, with more each year. People debate whether or not these students are receiving the same benefits as public schools. The many forms of homeschooling benefits students as public schools do, but only to a limit.

Surprisingly, there are a variety of people that do homeschooling. Both people from high-income to low-income families. There are parents that even have doctorates or even a diploma in a general subject. Families with either one or two parents and differing ethnics and religious or secular inducement choose to homeschool (Ray 2002). Researchers come to the conclusion that homeschoolers, for the most part, have free reign when it comes to their homework and school pace that they feel that suits them the best.

With this, it must also be remembered the many positives reported from homeschooling. Four of the main reasons students and/or parents/guardians decide to homeschool includes creating a safe environment for students to learn, flexible curriculum, being able to learn year-around, and more time to develop talent.