Looking for more information about homeschooling? Homeschooling is simply education in the home or on the road, usually by parents or tutors, instead of learning in a formal settings like public or private schools. There are different reasons why parents decide to homeschool and since it is legal in many countries, parents have embraced this option. Before the 19th century most people were homeschooled. The upper class paid for tutors while the lower class relied on parents or just did not school at all. Since this posed a problem, countries decided on a public classroom setting for schooling.
Most schooling took place at home or in small communities back before there were compulsory school attendance laws. Nowadays governments like to make sure all children are getting the education they need in order to function in society. The problem with this is that everyone is getting the same education. Nothing is tailored to meet the needs of the individual child.
The number of homeschooling families have increased over the last decade. Parents have decided to homeschool for many different reasons. The main ones are a decline in public school safety, curricula used, and a lack of biblical and moral teachings. Children with special needs may benefit greatly from being schooled at home. Other reasons for homeschooling include people who are traveling or don’t live in their country of origin, children in sports or extra curricular activities, and people who just don’t live close to the nearest public or private school. Many families choose to homeschool because the price of private schools are just too expensive and public school is not an option for reasons previously mentioned.
Due to the decline in public school education programs, families are finding that educating at home is just a better option for the welfare of their child. There is an extensive amount of educational information out on the web for anyone to use. With so many free curricula and supplemental materials that are extremely easy to access, anyone can be homeschooled if there is a family desire. Using the Internet and homeschool curricula can help to supplement what the children are learning in public school if homeschooling is not feasible. Parents are also supplementing because they live in low income areas that may not get as much financial support.
Homeschool cooperatives also provide a means to educate. Children are able to learn from other parents who may have more knowledge of a subject. Some of these cooperatives take place in a classroom setting allowing for the children to experience learning from another adult and get feedback from their peers. These cooperatives allow for socialization including such activities as field trips, back to school picnics, dances, and even graduations. Homeschooled students are now allowed to participate in sports through some district’s schools so group sports are readily available.
Studies conducted have proven that homeschooled children statistically outperform their public school peers on standardized achievement tests. They also have a greater high school graduation rate. Homeschooled students in college perform just as well or better than public school graduates with a higher graduation rate and better grade point average. Quite a few homeschoolers opt to take college courses while still in high school lessening their time to acquire their preferred degree.
While there are many critics of homeschooling everyone must decide what is best for their family. There are so many reasons and ways to homeschool that it’s impossible to not be able to do it. The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) is out there to help with any legal information you may need. Once you have made the decision to homeschool there are many resources to help you get started.