Homeschooling is becoming more and more popular each year with over 2 million students nationally being homeschooled. It’s becoming a major lifestyle choice for many families and a great option for those looking to explore different educational strategies and learning types.
With its increasing popularity, the question arises: do homeschooled students perform better following? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the research and views surrounding homeschooled students and their education. We’ll go through the pros and cons of homeschooling, the academic performance of homeschooled students, and much more.
Let’s dive right in!
Pros and Cons of Homeschooling
The first thing we need to do when investigating homeschooling and its effect on student performance is to consider the pros and cons of homeschooling. One of the main advantages of homeschooling is the flexibility and customization it offers.
Homeschoolers have the ability to tailor their studies to fit their needs and interests, and the family’s lifestyle. Homeschooling also gives students and parents the freedom to choose which subjects to focus on, and when and how to study it. This allows for a deeper understanding and appreciation of the material, and a closer and more supportive relationship between parent and child.
With all the advantages and freedoms that come with homeschooling, there are naturally some drawbacks. One of these is the lack of social interaction and socialization opportunities with other children. Homeschooled students may miss out on the friendships and experiences that come with attending traditional school, and so parents must be sure to actively search out social activities and programs for their children.
There is also the financial commitment that comes with homeschooling, as parents need to take into account expenses, beyond educational material, such as supplies and field trips.
Academic Performance of Homeschooled Students
One of the main questions many have about homeschooling is whether or not it has a positive impact on student performance. The research surrounding this question is limited, however, what studies have been done indicate that homeschooled students typically perform better academically than their peers attending traditional schools. According to a once-in-a-lifetime study of 15,000 homeschooled students from all 50 states, published in the Peabody Journal of Education, homeschoolers outperformed those in traditional school environments across a variety of skill sets.
The study found that, on average, homeschoolers performed 37 percentile points higher than public school students. Homeschoolers also scored higher on nationally normed achievement tests in all subjects, including math and science.
Aside from the research, there is also anecdotal evidence to support the notion that homeschooled students perform better than their peers. Many parents are passionate advocates of homeschooling and feel that their children’s education is improved by the personalized education they receive. Some parents also report that their children perform better academically when homeschooled, as they are able to focus more on their studies and are able to develop their own learning style.
Conclusion
To wrap things up, let’s consider the evidence surrounding the performance of homeschooled students. The overall consensus is that homeschooled students perform better than those attending traditional schools, yet the research surrounding this remains relatively limited.
While it’s impossible to know for sure whether homeschooling leads to better academic performance, many parents and students report anecdotal evidence to support this idea. Homeschooling also provides many advantages such as flexibility and customization, although parents must remember to introduce their children to social programs such as sports teams and classes to ensure they are exposed to opportunities for social interaction. Ultimately, homeschooling is a decision every family should make for themselves considering all the factors and research.