Homeschooling, once thought of as an unconventional educational choice, has become increasingly popular in the last few years. But do homeschoolers really have an advantage over children who attend public schools?
This article will cover the advantages and disadvantages of homeschooling and provide details on if homeschoolers ultimately succeed.
Advantages of Homeschooling
Homeschooling offers a number of advantages for families. First, it is often the most efficient option for parents who want to work from home or those who commute long distances.
They can work while their children are homeschooling, without having to make a long commute to a school or daycare. Additionally, parents are able to tailor their children’s education to the individual needs of each child. If a child is struggling with a particular subject, homeschooling offers the benefit of an instructor who is able to better focus on their individual needs.
Furthermore, homeschooled children are often able to move at their own pace, rather than having to stick to the one-size-fits-all pace of a traditional classroom. Another advantage of homeschooling is that it allows parents to be more flexible in their schedules and activities. Students can participate in extracurricular activities, such as sports, music, and drama, that may not be available in their local school district.
Additionally, homeschoolers may have the option to participate in online classes, internships, and even take college classes at an early age. Lastly, family time is often increased as homeschooled students have the opportunity to travel, explore, and since they don’t have to worry about time-consuming preparation for tests or completing homework.
Disadvantages of Homeschooling
Homeschooling has its share of disadvantages, too. First and foremost, depending on the relationship and resources available, the parent may not be the best suited to teach the child.
If a child is struggling, parents may not know what type of teaching techniques to employ, leading to frustration and unfavorable results. Additionally, homeschooled children do not receive the same level of socialization that school-going children do. Families should make an effort to ensure that their children are getting outdoors, interacting with others, and getting the same amount of human interaction that any other child would receive by attending a traditional school.
Parental burnout is an additional disadvantage of homeschooling. Parents can easily become overwhelmed if they do not have a strong support system, or take on too much teaching themselves. Homeschooling also requires a great deal of time and effort, as parents are often responsible for researching and defining their own curriculum, as well as finding materials, resources, and activities for their children’s education.
Lastly, homeschooling may also be expensive, as parents may find themselves spending money on supplies like textbooks and learning materials in addition to any tuition costs.
Do Homeschoolers Succeed?
So, do homeschoolers succeed? The answer is a resounding yes. Research has found that homeschooling can be a successful form of education, leading to positive outcomes such as higher test scores, better college performance, and even lower rates of discipline problems.
Homeschoolers have been found to have higher ACT and SAT scores than their counterparts enrolled in public school. This could be due to the increased amount of individualized instruction, which allows the student to receive more of the instructor’s attention and drill down deeper into the material.
Furthermore, research has also found that homeschoolers tend to perform slightly better in college. This can be attributed to homeschoolers being better prepared for college-level material and having higher confidence levels as a result of their individualized education experience.
Lastly, homeschoolers also tend to have lower rates of discipline problems. This could be due to the increased amount of parental involvement and supervision. Homeschooling allows for parents to be more involved in the day-to-day activities of their children, providing an environment where they can learn to exercise self-discipline and be held accountable for their behavior.
Conclusion
To conclude, homeschooling can be an effective form of education if the proper resources and support are in place. Homeschoolers are more likely to have higher test scores than public school students, perform better in college, and have fewer discipline problems. However, homeschooling comes with its own unique set of challenges, as parents are in charge of creating their own curriculum and ensuring that their children are socially active.
But with the right preparation, homeschooling can be a great way for children to receive an individualized education and be equipped to succeed beyond classroom walls.