Homeschooling is a growing trend around the world. Parents believe that by teaching their child in the comfort of their own home, they can give them a better education than what public school offers. There are some definite advantages to homeschooling, but more often than not, public school ends up providing the best educational experience.
Homeschooling is More Work for Parents
When parents decide to homeschool their children, the majority of the work falls directly onto them. From finding the right curriculum to use, setting up a classroom in their home, to organizing field trips and activities, the parents are put in the position of teacher and administrator.
This means they don’t only have to be a parent, but they also have to take on the added responsibilities of being a teacher. This can be very stressful, and it also means they have less time for themselves and for their family. On the other hand, when a child is enrolled in public school, the child’s teachers and administrators have the responsibility to provide the child with a quality education.
The parents’ role is more of facilitating their child’s learning, attending events, and staying connected with the teacher. Besides this, the parents have more time for themselves and for their family.
Homeschooling is More Costly
The cost of homeschooling can be much higher than public school. Homeschooling requires parents to purchase a lot of materials, books, supplies and equipment that may not be needed in the public school setting. Parents may also need to pay for field trips and extra-curricular activities, which can add up quickly.
Some parents also need to get specialized tutors in order to provide the best education for their children. On the other hand, public school is not completely free.
In some cases, parents may have to pay tuition in order to send their child to certain schools, or for extra programs such as after-school care. However, the cost of public school is generally much lower than homeschooling.
Plus, most schools provide books, supplies and special equipment as part of the tuition price.
Homeschooling Lacks Structure
One of the drawbacks of homeschooling is that some parents find it hard to provide structure in their students’ education. It’s not as easy to stay on a schedule or to ensure that students are receiving a well-rounded education when they’re learning at home.
At public school, the teachers keep students on track and provide them with an appropriate level of challenge based on their needs and abilities. Public schools also have structure to the learning process. There is a set curriculum for each grade and subject, which gives students a well-rounded education.
Standardized tests also provide teachers and parents with an indication of how well the student is learning and progressing from year to year.
Homeschooling Isolation
When children are homeschooled, they can often miss out on important social interactions. This can be detrimental to their emotional and social development, as it’s important for children to learn how to interact with their peers in the real world. Although, it’s true that online interaction with friends can help lessen the effects of homeschooling isolation, it’s not the same as being in the same physical space.
Public schools offer students the opportunity to interact in person, with children of different backgrounds and experiences. This can help children learn valuable social lessons and can even help prepare them for their future.
Homeschooled Students Have Less Opportunities
Public school students often have the advantage when it comes to college opportunities. As the level of competition for college placement is steadily increasing, some universities may be more hesitant to accept students that have been taught at home.
This is due to the fact that public schools generally have a more structured and rigorous curriculum and have better oversight and records of student achievement. Homeschooled students may also have a harder time adjusting to a traditional college environment. For some, it’s the first time they’re spending a significant amount of time away from their parents and away from the home environment.
It can be a daunting task for many who have been homeschooled all their life.
Homeschooling Can Limit Students Expansions
In public school, students have access to a wide variety of courses and extracurricular activities that they may not be able to get at home. From specialized subject classes like advanced math or science, to extracurricular activities like sports or clubs, students can explore and expand their educational horizons.
In homeschooling, it’s up to the parents to find and organize activities that fit their child’s needs, which can be very difficult. It can also be difficult to find specialized teachers or tutors that can provide appropriate instruction. This can lead to students not getting the full range of education they would have in a public school setting.
Homeschoolers Don’t Get As Many Experiences
Public schools often offer students the opportunity to go on field trips and activities outside of the classroom environment. This is not always possible for homeschooled students due to the significant amount of work and planning it requires.
Public school students also have access to a wide range of public facilities, such as museums, parks, libraries and swimming pools. And, public school students have the chance to meet a wide range of people of different ages and backgrounds, which provides invaluable life experiences.
Homeschooling Can Limit Parent Involvement
When parents choose to homeschool, they are usually the ones who are teaching their children at home. This can lead to parents being less involved in their children’s education than if they had chosen to send them to public school.
At public school, parents have the chance to be more involved in their children’s education by attending teacher meetings, volunteering at the school, and joining the PTA. This provides the parents with the opportunity to get to know their children’s teachers and peers, and gain insights into how their child is doing in the classroom. This can be a valuable resource for parents.
Conclusion
Overall, homeschooling can have its advantages, but it does come with some drawbacks. From the added work it requires from parents, to the lack of certain opportunities that public school provides, homeschooling can come with more than its fair share of problems. The decision to home school or send a child to public school should be made on a case-by-case basis, but in most cases, public school may be the better option.