Home schooling has become increasingly popular in recent years as families seek to tailor their children’s education to their own specific interests and needs. With so much information available on the topic, it can be difficult to know the answers to some of the most basic questions about homeschooling. For anyone considering homeschooling, from families just starting to research the practice to those who are already in the middle of their educational journey, the below set of questions will provide insight into the advantages and disadvantages of homeschooling, as well as the potential effects on students, parents, and the community.
1. What are Some Advantages of Homeschooling?
The advantages of homeschooling may include increased flexibility and personalization of the curriculum, independence in learning, increased academic performance, and greater parental involvement in the student’s education. Flexibility of the homeschooling curriculum allows families to choose the course of study that best meets the interests, strengths, and academic needs of the student, making learning feel more enjoyable and tailored to the individual.
Students can also experiment with different learning environments, enabling them to find the ideal space for their learning—whether it be outdoors or in the family living room. In addition, homeschooling often allows students to progress through the material at a faster or slower pace than they would in a traditional classroom, potentially decreasing the amount of time students spend on nonessential topics or material they already grasp. Furthermore, parents gain considerable involvement in their students’ education when they opt to homeschool, as they have full responsibility for their students’ academic progress and can plan out field trips and extracurricular activities to supplement their learning.
Lastly, homeschooled children tend to outscore those enrolled in traditional schools on standardized tests, and some research has suggested homeschoolers experience higher levels of self-esteem and overall happiness.
2. What are Some Disadvantages of Homeschooling?
Like any educational decision, homeschooling also has some potential drawbacks. First, homeschooling can be a substantial commitment for families, with the average parent-teacher spending anywhere from 20-40 hours per week on instructional activities. For parents who also work full-time outside the home, it can be hard to balance homeschooling their children while also managing the demands of a job.
Additionally, hiring private tutors and paying for homeschool materials or extracurricular activities can increase the financial burden of homeschooling, which has the potential to outpace the cost of tuition and fees associated with traditional schools. Homeschooling also carries social and psychological costs—students may miss out on the opportunities to connect to peers outside the home and work in a team environment.
Further, they may never receive the guidance of a mentor who could provide a different point of view than the parents or students, leading to a lack of non-family interactions and feedback on their education. Lastly, parents and students may struggle to find their identity among their peers and with the idea of their own academic and professional capabilities.
3. What are the Legal Implications of Homeschooling?
Every state has different requirements and regulations for homeschooling, ranging from exemptions to mandatory testing and/or registered instructional providers, so families must research their state and local laws to ensure they’re complying with the applicable regulations or face potential legal actions. Additionally, some states may require that students demonstrate competency in subjects such as math and English, meaning homeschoolers may need to take at least selected tests or exams, even without additional state-mandated regulations. Furthermore, some states require homeschooling parents to file for exemption from the local school districts.
Lastly, parents should be aware of homeschooling fraud, such as claiming their child is enrolled in a registered homeschool program for the purpose of committing certain crimes, which can bring legal consequences regardless of weather homeschooling itself is legal in their state.
4. How Do Homeschoolers Deal with Limited Socialization?
For those who don’t want to homeschool but cite the potential lack of socialization as the reason, research has shown that the majority of homeschoolers do have multiple and diverse social relationships, both inside and outside of their homeschool circle. Homeschoolers have the potential to join public or private co-ops and community classes, which may allow them to receive socialization and instruction from mentors other than their parents. As such, homeschooled students can create relationships with peers and receive helpful critiques, suggestions, and guidance from teachers and other mentors.
Extracurricular activities such as sports teams, scouting, theatrical performances, and community service can further expand the social opportunities for homeschooled students. Additionally, some families organize small groups of homeschooled children to create a mini classroom environment that allows for deeper friendships and social exchange, allowing for involving and enjoyable experiences for young people.
Homeschoolers can even form connections with other students from different homeschooled families by joining online support groups or attending homeschooling recreational activities.
5. What Qualifications Does a Homeschooling Parent Need?
Many states require homeschooling parents to adequately teach their children, often through completing a high-school level of education or higher, or provide portfolio reviews or assessments during the course of their homeschooling. Furthermore, parents may need to demonstrate competency or take a certification or accreditation program to meet the requirements of the state they’re homeschooling in. In some cases, families may even opt to hire a tutor or third-party curriculum provider to assist with their child’s education.
All in all, the regulations vary from state to state, so parents should research their local requirements to ensure their homeschool meets the necessary qualifications.
6. How is Homeschooling Regulated?
Homeschooling is regulated differently in each state. Generally, parents choose one of two paths: they may register their students with a school district or they may file a notice of intent with their state as a way of declaring that they’re homeschooling. In both cases, families should register each year in order to continue their homeschool program and provide statements or tests that demonstrate their students’ achievements and progress.
Although homeschooling parent’s aren’t subject to the same regulations as public and private schools, the regulations for home schooling vary according to the state, so families should research their state for specific details.
7. Do Homeschooled Students Have to Take State Tests?
The answer to this question also varies by state. In some states, homeschooling families may be required to file a notice of intent to the state or school district in order to confirm the academic progress of their student. Further, the state may require standardized testing of homeschoolers—such as the tests normally taken by other public or private school students—to prove the student has met their academic progress goals and/or high-school graduation requirements.
Additionally, some states may require students to take some form of high-school equivalency exam, even if they’re not planning to pursue college or a particular career path. Thus, families should research their state-specific regulations to determine the requirements and whether or not a standardized test will be required.
8. Does Homeschooling Address Special Needs Education?
Research has shown that homeschooling can be beneficial for students with special needs, as their parents can provide customized instruction and accommodations to better suit their child’s specific needs. Further, homeschooling can allow parents to invest more time on the subjects and issues important to their student compared to what schools generally offer for special-needs children. In order to properly address the special educational needs of their children, homeschooling parents must be knowledgeable about and engaged in the unique issues expert to the student’s disability.
As such, families may need to partner with specialists such as psychologists, speech pathologists, and special-education teachers to ensure their child’s educational needs are met. Moreover, parents and students should utilize social activities and programs to provide opportunities for socialization and reduce the potential isolation often associated with homeschooling.
9. Are Homeschooled Students Eligible for College?
Generally, colleges and universities have the same requirements for homeschoolers as they do traditional students, meaning homeschoolers must usually conduct the same admissions processes, such as taking the ACT or SAT exams, submitting transcripts and coursework, and providing essays and letters of recommendation, as students from traditional schools. However, some colleges may consider a student’s homeschooling experience in a more specific way, providing credit for courses completed in an alternate setting or allowing transfers from other homeschool programs. As such, families should always research individual colleges for their homeschooling-specific admissions requirements and procedures.
10. Are Homeschoolers Entitled to Financial Aid?
Homeschoolers are eligible to receive federal student aid, just like any other student. This includes grants, loans, and work-study programs. These types of aid may only be available for those studying at accredited colleges, however, so that should be taken into account when researching college financial options.
Additionally, some states offer funding options specifically designated for homeschoolers, and local groups and organizations may have grants and scholarships typically reserved for homeschoolers. All in all, students should research their options in full to determine which types of aid they qualify for and understand the terms and conditions associated with each option.
11. What is the Difference Between Virtual vs. Homeschooling?
Virtual school programs are those offered through public or private schools, usually with an online or blended learning structure that allows students to advance at their own pace. This option provides support for parents and students who want to remain in the traditional school system but still maintain the flexibility associated with homeschooling—rather than attending a brick-and-mortar school, virtual school classrooms are conducted online. On the other hand, homeschooling can encompass either online or on-site instruction, but families maintain complete control over their student’s educational program and tend to focus on curriculums they consider more beneficial or meaningful than what’s offered in standard schools.
Generally, virtual schools follow states’ standards, so parents don’t have to create their own curriculum, whereas homeschoolers generally have the freedom to design their own course of study.
12. Is Homeschooling Closely Monitored?
Generally, state and local governments do not closely monitor homeschooling, but some may require the filing of a notice of intent, attendance records, and/or end-of-year demonstrations of student progress. Further, some states mandate that parents and/or students submit standardized test results for select grades and/or ages.
13. Is Homeschooling Required to Follow a Specific Curriculum?
Homeschooling parents and students can select their curriculum based on the state’s educational standards or the student’s personal interests, needs, and abilities. Generally, states provide expectations and guidelines that parents and students must meet, but the specifics of the curriculum are left to the preferences of the family.
14. What Are the Opportunities for Homeschooled Students to Participate in Extracurricular Activities?
Homeschoolers can join local teams, clubs, and other organizations just as any other student would. Further, families can look into homeschool-specific leagues and programs, which will provide homeschooled children the opportunity to play and connect with homeschooled peers, as well as to hone their existing skills or explore new interests.
15. Are There Potential Long-Term Effects of Homeschooling?
As with any educational decision, the long-term effects of homeschooling vary from student to student. Generally, homeschoolers and those who attend traditional schools have the same opportunities for successful and meaningful careers, but there is evidence to suggest homeschoolers may have an advantage in terms of independence and academic performance. Homeschooling offers students the opportunity to pursue a more personalized education, enabling them to study at their own pace, focus on their strengths and weaknesses, and explore their individual goals and ambitions.
This can lead to increased self-awareness and higher levels of self-esteem, as students learn to trust their own intuitions and embrace their own learning style. Additionally, homeschoolers tend to have greater confidence when it comes to seeking and starting a job or career, as they have usually been taught to work independently and are comfortable advocating for their goals.
Conclusion
Homeschooling can be an effective and rewarding educational choice for parents and students alike. Before committing to this educational path, however, families must understand and research the advantages and disadvantages associated with the practice. Further, they should know their state laws and regulations and always take into account their child’s academic and social needs.
Ultimately, with the proper resources and support, parents and students can find the best educational fit for their individual needs.