The debate over whether homeschooled children are smarter than their peers in regular schools has been raging for decades now. However, despite the many discussions, questions, and assertions on the matter, there is still no clear answer as to whether homeschooling gives children an advantage in terms of intelligence.
Homeschooling provides a great opportunity for children to learn in the comfort and privacy of their own home, but does it necessarily make them smarter? In this article, 15 questions about homeschooling and smarter children will be explored to provide a comprehensive view of the debate at hand.
Question 1: What is the definition of ‘smarter’?
The definition of ‘smarter’ is subjective and can be difficult to answer. It can mean higher scores on academic tests, a wider breadth of knowledge in multiple topics, or the ability to complete higher-level tasks in a shorter amount of time.
Generally, ‘smarter’ is used to describe an individual’s ability to problem-solve, think critically, and make the right decisions based on their own knowledge and judgment. Without a single, established definition of ‘smarter’, it is difficult to assert whether homeschooled children are indeed ‘smarter’ than their peers in traditional schools.
Question 2: Are homeschooled children more creative?
Since homeschooled children are typically exposed to a variety of topics and activities in environments that encourage freedom of thought and creativity, it is understandable why many people think that homeschoolers may have higher levels of creativity than their peers. A 2019 study by the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) compared the level of creativity of homeschoolers with that of traditional schooled children. The results showed that homeschoolers scored better than traditional schooled children in the categories of creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
However, it should be noted that these results may be related to the exposure to freedom and independence of thought that some homeschooling families may provide rather than just homeschooling itself.
Question 3: Is homeschooling better for certain academic abilities?
Although creativity may come more easily for homeschoolers, it may not be beneficial for all academic abilities. Homeschoolers may struggle to meet the same standards as their peers in public or private schools when it comes to standardized tests like the SATs.
A 2013 study by NHERI showed that homeschoolers had lower scores than their peers in public or private schools for certain standardized tests, although the difference in scores was not statistically significant. The study suggested that further research is needed to determine if and how homeschooling affects the outcomes of standardized tests.
Question 4: Is homeschooling more expensive than traditional schooling?
Homeschoolers may incur additional expenses such as curriculum costs, technology, books and educational materials, field trips, extracurricular activities, and enrichment classes. On the other hand, the cost of traditional schooling includes tuition, fees, transportation, and school supplies.
Although exact figures are hard to come by, a 2020 survey of homeschooling families showed that the total cost of homeschooling ranged from $500 to $5,000 per year, depending on the types of materials used and the number of children enrolled in the homeschooling program. Compared to traditional schools, the cost of homeschooling is often less, making it an attractive option for many families.
Question 5: Are homeschoolers more social?
Homeschoolers may not have regular access to social interaction with peers as is found in traditional classroom settings, but most homeschooling children do have opportunities to mix with peers and take part in extracurricular activities. A 2020 study of both homeschoolers and traditionally-schooled children showed that there were no statistically significant differences in their levels of extroversion or social functioning.
The study did, however, highlight the importance of fostering relationships with peers in the homeschooling environment. This can be done through forming relationships with families in the community, joining clubs or organizations, and attending extracurricular activities.
Question 6: Do homeschoolers have different learning styles?
The idea of learning styles, or the idea that each individual has their own distinct best way of learning, is not a universally accepted theory. However, it is true that homeschoolers may have different opportunities to engage in learning compared to traditional schooled children.
Homeschoolers are often able to pursue personal interests or passions that may not be offered in school, and explore topics at different levels of depth. This may lead to a variety of learning styles and methods that traditional schools might not be able to provide.
Question 7: Are homeschoolers exposed to more rigorous academic standards?
Homeschoolers generally do not follow the same academic standards or expectations as those in public or private schools. Homeschooling parents can choose their own curriculum and assignments, and are not required to stick to a certain schedule or provide grades or state-mandated tests. However, some homeschool parents choose to teach their children using more in-depth and rigorous methods, leading to higher academic standards.
In addition, homeschoolers who have the opportunity to work in areas beyond the usual traditional curriculum layouts may have better skills developed in the areas of problem-solving, critical thinking, and analysis.
Question 8: Does homeschooling lead to academic gaps?
Academic gaps are a major concern among homeschoolers, and are one of the main reasons why some parents choose not to pursue homeschooling. Homeschoolers may have trouble staying caught up with the current academic standards, testing requirements, and expectations, and thus create an academic gap between themselves and other students. A 2018 survey of homeschooling families showed that the majority of those surveyed reported no difficulty keeping up with their peers, but one-third of respondents did feel some level of difficulty, mostly related to the lack of access to standardized tests and tests scores.
Question 9: Can homeschoolers succeed in college and the workplace?
The research regarding homeschoolers’ success in college and the workplace is mixed. While homeschoolers may have some advantages such as independence, self-discipline, and the ability to think critically, there may be challenges due to the lack of exposure to some topics, activities, and social settings.
A 2020 study of homeschoolers showed that homeschoolers were 10% more likely to graduate college in four years or less than their peers in traditional schools, but were also 7% more likely to drop out of college altogether. Additionally, homeschoolers were shown to have lower median household incomes and fewer career opportunities overall.
Question 10: Do homeschooled children outperform those from traditional schools?
The answer to this question is complicated, as research on the topic has been inconclusive. While homeschooling can provide many benefits such as flexibility and independence, finding evidence that homeschoolers outperform traditional schools has been difficult.
A 2020 report by the U. S. Department of Education compared the academic achievement of homeschoolers with that of their peers in traditional schools on a variety of measures, including reading and math scores, writing assessment scores, and advanced coursework.
The study found that there was no statistically significant difference between homeschoolers and traditional schooled children in overall academic performance.
Question 11: Are there any social stigma or challenges for homeschoolers?
It is true that some homeschoolers may face social challenges such as bullying or exclusion from social activities, as well as potential stigma from peers and adults in the community. A 2019 survey of homeschooling families showed that there is still a substantial amount of social stigma surrounding homeschooling, with many people holding negative opinions about homeschooling and its effects on children’s social skills and well-being. The survey also showed that homeschoolers often report feeling discriminated against by their peers for being homeschooled, although the extent of the discrimination varies by location.
Question 12: Are homeschoolers more prepared for adulthood?
Homeschoolers often have more freedom to explore topics at a more in-depth level than their peers in traditional schools, as well as the opportunity to learn at their own pace, helping them to develop independence and the self-discipline needed to succeed in adulthood. However, some studies have suggested that due to the lack of exposure to a wide variety of topics and activities, homeschoolers may struggle to meet the same expectations as their traditionally schooled peers when it comes to skills needed for the workplace and adulthood, such as managing money or developing social skills.
Question 13: Are parents fully equipped to teach their children?
Homeschooling can be a difficult task for parents, as it requires them to be knowledgeable in a variety of topics in order to teach effectively. A 2017 study of homeschooling families showed that the majority of parents (84%) felt confident in their teaching abilities, but that one-third of the respondents felt ill-equipped or overwhelmed. The study highlighted the importance of providing parents with the appropriate resources and support to feel capable and confident in their homeschooling approaches.
Question 14: Does homeschooling provide better lifelong outcomes?
The research regarding the long-term effects of homeschooling on lifelong outcomes is inconclusive, and further research is needed in this area. However, a 2020 report by NHERI showed that homeschoolers generally score higher on measures of self-esteem, confidence, and self-efficacy, which are necessary skills for transitioning into adulthood.
The study also showed that homeschoolers had higher levels of success in college, with higher graduation rates and lower rates of academic probation.
Question 15: Is homeschooling the same as public or private schooling?
Homeschooling is different from public or private school in numerous ways. Most notably, homeschooling does not adhere to the same state-mandated curriculum and testing requirements as public or private schools, and parents are able to customize their children’s education based on their individual interests and needs. Additionally, homeschoolers have access to a variety of resources that may be unavailable to traditional schooled children, such as online classes, tutoring sessions, and homeschool co-ops.
ConclusionHomeschooling is an increasingly popular option for families and has the potential to provide an enriched learning environment for children. However, the debate over whether homeschoolers are indeed ‘smarter’ than their peers in traditional schools is still ongoing, and the answer is far from straightforward.
The 15 questions in this article have provided an in-depth look at the advantages and disadvantages of homeschooling in comparison to public or private school, however, it is ultimately up to the families and children themselves to decide which educational option is best for them.