Statistics abound on how homeschooled children achieve vs. how students in public school achieve academically. Unfortunately, these studies are either conducted by home school advocate groups or public school advocate groups and thus provide very little reliable, impartial information. So, how does one know if homeschool is right for their family?
There are over one million homeschooled children in the United States alone and while the research is mixed regarding the outcome of elementary school children in a home school environment – statistics show that homeschooled high school students are at a disadvantage to their like-aged peers.
Teaching is not as easy as people think and teaching ones own children is even more challenging. The dynamics of the parent child relationship is unique and parents need to consider how it may be altered by the frustration of a student who may struggle. This said, homeschool parents control the curriculum and what their children are exposed to.
Homeschooling takes more time than people think. If parents decide to homeschool – at least four to five hours must be devoted to teaching. This time must be filled with direct instruction, modeling lessons and helping children learn to master standards. But there is no waiting in line and the one-on-one children get from qualified parent homeschoolers can be beneficial.
Knowing the standards and their application is detailed work and requires much disaggregation. What children learn today is much different than it was even twelve years ago. Many parents are surprised by the depth of knowledge and skill level required to teach – especially subjects like math and science. Not teaching the right material puts children at a disadvantage. Most home schooled children who return to school are at least a year behind their same aged peers. This is based on my experience as an educator.
Parents who undertake this massive commitment must be certain that they know the subject matter as well as a teacher would. There is much evidence that subject matter knowledge and pedagogy are both essential elements to foster student achievement and many parents are not subject matter experts. Being a sixth grader once does not make one qualified to teach sixth grade.
School is more than the classroom. It is about socialization and learning to get along and discovering what children can do without the safety net of their parents. Even when parents make certain that children are provided alternative socializing experiences – it isn’t the same. Kids need to grow, to expand, to find themselves…they need the world of school to wander in. Parents who choose to homeschool need to consider how their children will learn to find their place in the world at developmentally appropriate milestones and how they will provide these experiences so their children do not miss out.
The biggest consideration that is often overlooked when children are very young is college admission. Many home schooled children do well on ACTs and SATs, but they still face tremendous obstacles when it comes to getting into college – as most academics look skeptically on the home school process.
Homeschooled students face both school and legal provisions that make the college application process more involved than it is for children in traditional academic settings. While some are just hoops, others can be major obstacles to homeschooled graduates trying to get into the college of their choice. It is wise for parents who wish to homeschool high school students to contact colleges and universities of their choice during the ninth grade to see what will be required and how college admission can be accomplished.
Homeschooling is difficult, but if parents understand what they are getting into, have vast and detailed subject matter knowledge, pedagogical knowledge and provide extensive socialization opportunities – then perhaps it will all work out. The one-on-one attention a student will get from their parent/teacher and if the parent/teacher is knowledgeable can be worthwhile. Plus, parents control the curriculum. I can’t stress it enough that parents need to seek out the help of schools and districts if they need it. They are there to help you. In California, homeschool parents fill out paperwork with the California Department of Education and become private schools. These private schools are under their County Offices of Education and can request books and curriculum help and even Title 1 services if they live in the right attendance areas.
Parents need to know that the school and county offices of education are not the enemy. All have the same goal…well educated students who turn into productive members of society.
Note: Most school districts have hybrid independent study programs that are a cross between no help with standards and curriculum and full on classroom programs. These types of programs are ideal for parents who have scheduling problems, religious reasons for keeping their children home or are disenchanted with the public school in their attendance area. There are also many online programs that will help parents out.
The most important thing for parents and students – is to know exact what they are getting into and have a mapped out plan for success.
