Pro's & Con's of home schooling and public school?

Question

Can someone help me out with the pro's and con's of both home schooling and traditional classroom schooling?

It would be beneficial to have the input from both school teachers, as well as home school providers too.

Answer 1

School teacher here. I suppose the pro's of home schooling are that you can control what your child learns and keep your child away from negative influences. The con's are that you have to come up with the curriculum on your own. That includes planning lessons, buying materials, and figuring out how to assess the child's progress.

As for public school -

con's:
You have no control over the curriculum.
Your child will be exposed to school yard problems such as bullying, bad language, talk about sex, and the like.
You can't be there every moment to know exactly what is going on during your child's day.

pro's:
Your child get instruction from trained, experienced professionals.
Your child learns valuable social skills.
Your child has the opportunity to interact with his/her peers on a daily basis.
Teachers are trained to spot learning problems or disabilities, and public schools have resources to test and accomodate students with special needs.
Your child will be exposed to different kinds of people and ideas.
Your child will learn basic study skills that he or she will need through high school and college.

Obviously, as a school teacher I am biased. But the amount of work and planning that go into teaching are tremendous. Teachers are trained in the most current, research-based method of instruction. They know how to evaluate a child's progress and how to intervene when the child needs special attention. They are familiar with the standards - they know what a child needs to learn at each grade level. Why try to do yourself what professionals take years of schooling and experience to master?

Answer 2

You will do a lot of injustice to the kid if you do home schooling. Other than close supervision and attention, safety, being so studious etc... is not the only thing in learning.

You are denying their growing up in a school environment. It is so necessary for social interaction and future enrichment of the kid's young years.

I have always looked at my school & university years with fond memories even though I am out of it such a long time ago. It is sweet. (and some bitter too). But, hey - that's school life. The friends I have made there still last me and I think they will be with me till I die.

So, do not do home schooling for your kids.

I will not go into pros and cons because others have listed them here.

Answer 3

Home Schooling -

CONS:
No communication with the outside world and interaction with society & people. No REAL LIFE situations (ex: how to stick up for yourself). No real application to what's being taught (ex: say hello to someone you see walking by. Kid goes out and says hello to someone and that person says "FU"...how does your child react to that?. Home schooling is a total isolation from REALITY.

PROS: Safety.

Traditional Classroom:
CONS: NONE, b/c everything taught in a traditional classroom will be used to gain valuable knowledge for your childs up-bringing. Yes, kids can be cruel...people can too...but it's a learning process.

Answer 4

Have a look here.