Home schooling is a growing trend in the United States, and the number of students enrolled in home schools is increasing steadily year over year. But with this increasing popularity, come questions about the safety and efficacy of this alternative educational model. Many worry that a lack of access to traditional school structures and resources can be harmful to students, both in terms of their academic performance as well as their social and emotional development.
The following article will explore the potential dangers of home schooling and identify ways that parents and educators can ensure that the home schooling experience is beneficial, rather than detrimental, to student development.
Difficulty Obtaining an Accurate Assessment of Student Progress
Home schools are not subject to the same standardized testing and assessment requirements that traditional schools are. This means that it can be difficult to accurately assess the progress of home schooling students. This is especially true if the parent lecturer is not aware of or is not implementing lesson and evaluation strategies that ensure that the student is being held to the same educational standards as students in traditional schools.
As such, there may be a lack of external accountability for the parent lecturer, and students may not be receiving the support and feedback that is necessary for strong academic growth. Furthermore, without access to a comprehensive overview of the curriculum and skills that are covered in traditional schools, the parent lecturer may not be providing the student with a well-rounded education.
This means that the student could miss out on important educational experiences, or even vital preparation for higher education. This lack of comprehensive preparation must be addressed in order to ensure that the student is not at an educational disadvantage.
Underdeveloped Social and Emotional Skills
While traditional schools typically offer built-in social opportunities and resources that support students’ socioemotional development, home schooled students may miss out on these critical growth experiences. Without access to a diverse peer group, home schooled students may have difficulty learning the skills that preserve friendships and promote healthy self-image.
Furthermore, the lack of a separate learning environment often leads to social skill deficits and the inability to self-regulate behavior. Without regular access to a structured learning environment and resources to support social and emotional development, home schooled students may struggle to develop healthy relationships and maintain a positive self-image. As well, home schooling may limit access to extracurricular activities, such as sports teams or student organizations, which are an important part of the school experience and provide additional opportunities for development.
Moreover, the lack of participation in these activities may put home schooled students at a disadvantage in terms of learning resilience, discipline, and communication skills. Without the necessary skills to advance their social and emotional learning, home schooled students may struggle to form healthy relationships and contribute positively to their communities.
Potential Gender or Racial Injustice
Unfortunately, home schooling families may be subject to discrimination or gender or racial injustice. Without the oversight of an educational institution, there is limited external accountability for upholding the rights and freedoms of students.
This means that a family’s personal beliefs may be imposed on the educational experience, potentially creating a learning environment that is not conducive to open-mindedness or equity. As such, families must take extra steps to ensure that their students are being provided with unbiased instruction that is rooted in facts and up-to-date resources. Additionally, the family should work to ensure that the learning environment is judgment-free and safe for all learners.
Furthermore, parents should be mindful that home schooling may lead to a homogeneous learning experience in which the student is only being exposed to viewpoints similar to those of their family. Without access to a more diverse peer group and curriculum, a student may not receive a comprehensive education. Therefore, parents must take extra steps to ensure that their students are receiving instruction that is equitable and well-rounded.
Conclusion
While home schooling can provide a personalized learning experience for students, there are potential dangers that can compromise the experience. If parents and educators are not taking active measures to ensure the safety and efficacy of their home schooling environment, students may be at risk of not receiving a well-rounded education, developing underdeveloped social and emotional skills, or falling victim to gender or racial injustice. Therefore, parents should take active steps to ensure that their students are being provided with the same resources and experiences that they would receive in a traditional school setting.
As long as the home schooling environment is properly managed, there is no reason why this alternative educational choice cannot lead to successful academic and personal growth.