Homeschooling, or home education, is an educational alternative to traditional schooling that gives students more control of their learning. Homeschooling has grown in popularity in recent decades and with new technologies and approaches, the growth of homeschooling has happened at a rapid pace.
With the increased number of homeschooled students in college, the question arises – are homeschooled students more successful in college than traditional public-schooled and private-schooled students?
What is Homeschooling
Homeschooling is a form of education that occurs outside of the traditional school environment. A homeschooled student is usually assigned individualized learning and guided by their parents, legal guardians or mentors.
Homeschooling gives students more control of what they learn and study, allowing their parents or guardians to tailor learning to their individual needs and interests. Homeschooled students can use curricula specially designed for them or follow an approved instructor-led program. Homeschooled students often have a lot of freedom when it comes to learning and doing homework.
Benefits of Homeschooling
Many homeschooled students value the freedom to learn independently and to follow their interests and passions. With access to customized learning material and specialty courses, homeschooled students are given more flexibility to explore more topics and take more classes than those who attend public schools.
Homeschooled students also have more time to connect with other students and can concentrate on their course work and assignments instead of trying to balance multiple activities. Studies have also found that homeschoolers have a better understanding of core fundamentals and excel in areas that may not be as heavily emphasized in traditional student curriculum.
Pros and Cons of College for Homeschooled Students
The transition from homeschooling to college is often an intimidating one for many students—especially for those homeschooled students who value the freedom and autonomy of their own homeschooling experience. College is a different learning environment than the one they are used to and the transition can be a challenging one. On the one hand, homeschoolers can find college a more interactive and stimulating atmosphere.
They have the opportunity to meet different people and learn from different perspectives, which can greatly enrich the college experience. On the other hand, if homeschoolers are not used to having a structured schedule, the transition to college can be more difficult and make it more difficult for them to stay on top of their course work.
Success Rates of Homeschooled Students
Studies have found that homeschooled students are often more successful in college than traditional classroom-schooled students. Homeschooled students are often more independent, self-motivated and resourceful than traditional school-taught students. They have the freedom to complete assignments and explore knowledge at their own pace, which helps them to stay on top of their course work.
Studies have also found that homeschooled students come to college more prepared in terms of knowledge and skill-set. The college curriculum is often more rigorous than what they had in high school and homeschoolers are often better prepared for the level of difficulty.
Lack of Socialization for College-Bound Homeschooled Students
One potential challenge for college-bound homeschooled students is the lack of socialization that comes with being schooled at home. Homeschoolers may have a harder time than traditional students getting involved in college activities.
Unlike traditional public and private school-goers, who have had more structured social interactions, homeschoolers may feel more left out and isolated in college. This can be difficult for students to adjust to if they have not had a full range of social experiences in high school.
What About Homeschoolers’ Academic Performance?
When it comes to academic performance, studies have shown that homeschooled students can often outperform traditional public and private school-goers. In a study of homeschooled and traditionally schooled college students, researchers found that homeschooled students had higher grades and GPAs than their peers.
In addition, another study found that homeschooled students often take more advanced courses and are often more proficient in those courses than their traditional school peers.
Adjustment Levels
When it comes to adjusting to college, homeschooled students may find the transition more difficult than their traditional public and private school counterparts. This is due in part to the lack of socialization and structure that can come with homeschooling. Despite this, studies have found that homeschooled students generally fare better than traditionally school-taught students when it comes to adapting to the college environment.
How Do Homeschoolers Rank Compared to Public and Private Schooled Students?
When it comes to ranking the success of homeschooled students against traditional ones, the results vary greatly. Some studies have found that homeschooled students fare better than public and private schooled students while other studies have found that traditional students do better.
It is important to note, however, that these studies often look at different factors such as academic performance, overall grades, and adjustment levels.
What Can Parents of Homeschooled Students Do?
For parents of homeschooled students who are considering college, it is important to take the transition seriously. Parents should help their children transition to college by emphasizing the importance of a structured schedule, working with the school to explore the social and academic opportunities, and, if necessary, helping their child find a mentor or tutor to supplement the homeschooling experience. It is also important for parents to have realistic expectations and be aware that the transition from homeschooling to college can be more challenging for some students than others.
Conclusion
The transition from homeschooling to college is not an easy one, but it can be a rewarding experience for many students. Homeschoolers often have a better understanding of core fundamentals and excel in areas that may not be heavily taught in traditional school curriculum.
They can often find college a more interactive and stimulating atmosphere, but should be aware that the transition to college can be more difficult and make it more difficult for them to stay on top of their course work. While some studies have found that homeschooled students do better than traditional school-taught students, others have found that traditional students do better. It is important to consider all aspects of a student’s college experience before determining whether or not they are more successful than other types of students.