What do you think of home schooling and why?

Question

please give evidence and if you could site sources that would be very helpful.

Answer 1

Homeschooling has worked very well for us. Since socialization seems to be the main point that many people cite as a reason not to homeschool, I'd like to address that first.

My two children are not social recluses. They have both home-schooled and schooled friends and are involved in many outside activities. They're very comfortable talking with people of all ages. (One daughter is more outgoing than the other but that has everything to do with their individual personalities and nothing to do with whether or not they're homeschooled). Homeschooled families have homeschool groups that they can go to for advice, support, and activities. What's all this concern about socialization anyways? At school, you're told not to talk with your classmates unless invited to do so by the teacher. You're supposed to be learning, not chatting. There's a time and place for socializing and homeschooled kids have plenty of opportunities for that. OK, I'm done with my rant.

One advantage of homeschooling is that hs kids learn to think independently and are not so influenced by negative peer pressure. Another advantage of homeschooling is that you can learn at your own pace, so that you're neither left behind everyone else or bored because you're ahead of everyone else. You get more one-on-one attention than you would if you were in a crowded classroom. You don't necessarily have to use the same material that's in the public schools, which are (IMO) sometimes rather dry and boring. There's plenty of homeschool resources out there so families have a lot of choices. If there's a certain topic or subject that really fascinates you, you can actually take the time to learn about it, rather than always being told what to learn. (Yes, I realize that there are things that you should know about but homeschooling allows you the flexibility of also pursuing your interests).

There's going to be good days and bad days when you homeschool. For me, the good days have well outnumbered the bad, and homeschooling for us has been worth it.

I would advise anyone thinking of homeschooling to do lots of research before making up their minds. There's also different philosophies when it comes to homeschooling and it's a good idea to become familiar with them and see what's right for you. (For instance, do you want to stick to a set curriculum and if so, what is the right fit for you and your child? Do you want to be more eclectic or maybe not use a curriculum at all?) When we were considering educating our kids at home, I went to the public library and got out every book I could find on homeschooling (also look up "home education"). Books by John Holt and Raymond & Dorothy Moore are very good. Books on learning styles would be helpful, such as Thomas Armstrong's "In Their Own Way". There's many others as well which should help you with your decision.

Answer 2

If you are asking for people's opinions, they are the sources. They can't cite other sources for their own opinions, but they can cite sources for other people's opinions or studies.

As for me, I think homeschooling is great if the parents will make it great. I've met many homeschooling parents who do a great job. I've met a few homeschooling parents who should maybe not be homeschooling. I've taught public school kids whose parents should definitely never homeschool them. I've also taught some public school kids whose parents would have done a great job homeschooling if they'd decided to go that route.

Those who say that the homeschooled kids they've met are socially backward don't realize that they've probably met other homeschooled kids who weren't "socially backward". There are also too many people who think that homeschooling means staying home all the time and being a recluse. It'd be nice for those who say that to actually explain why they think homeschooling means staying home all the time.

I also think that people are so misguided about homeschooling and human development that they will say all kinds of things that don't make sense, like "kids learn their social skills in school." This is not a fact. Social skills are part of interacting with others--which can be done anywhere, anytime there is someone else around. People in societies where the kids do not have school still learn socal skills because they do things with others. This is no different than what homeschoolers do.

Answer 3

Those who say that homeschooled children are socially retarded or not ready for the real world are not accurately informed. I know at least 15 different hs families and not only are the children very bright, articulate, well behaved in social settings, make friends easily, and have been able to handle conflicts with others (perhaps due to the fact that they are self-assured and have been taught to respect others). I think some critics do not realize that the majority of homeschooling families take this very seriously. They make sure that their children are well-rounded individuals.

Those who oppose homeschooling should ask themselves if they had to teach their children at home what would they do?? Would they keep their children sheltered with no opportunity to meet others and grow both academically, emotionally, an socially?

I can appreciate that homeschooling is not for everyone, but don't be so quick to judge something that perhaps you do not understand.

Look, I think it comes down to parenting. As long as you are a loving, supportive and involved parent(s) your child/children will grow up to be wonderful people regardless of whether they went to a traditional school or where homeschooled.

Answer 4

I was in public school from Kindergarten through 10th grade. I was homeschooled for the last two years of high school.
First of all, those that say homeschoolers are socially maladjusted obviously don't know homeschoolers. I had been terribly shy in public school. I couldn't even talk to most people (unless we were really close) without blushing. After I was homeschooled, I didn't blush with most people. I was still shy, but I could at least talk to people.
Some people claim that the parent's are not educated enough to teach their own children. First of all, I have had teachers tell me that the only thing they learned at college was group control. When you homeschool, you don't need group control. Also, you have the option of going through virtual or distance education. (And parents do have the answer book showing them how to get to the answer.)
Also, Columbia University conducted a study that homeschoolers, on average, scored higher on college entrance exams than other students.
I do have to say that homeschooling is not for everyone. It is in no way easy. It is actually quite challenging for both the parents and the student.

Answer 5

Home schooling is fabulous. As for the social aspect, home schooled kids have all day to socialize whereas public schooled kids have the hours after 4:00 when they are home from school and done with homework. School isn't the place where they should be socializing. It is a place where they should be learning. So if the teachers aren't using all 8 hours of the day that they have with the students to teach them, the students' time is being wasted. I don't think parents send their kids to school in order for them to get girl or boyfriends. They should be sending them to school to get an education. Home schooling takes usually less than 4 hours a day and that's with 5 kids at all different ages and levels. After those 4 hours we are not obliged by law to remain hiding under a rock hoping no one from the outside world will approach us. We are allowed to leave the house and talk to the neighbors or go to a park or store or just run errands. We can go to church and surprisingly enough, we find people in every location we go. Incidentally, when we are adults our time is mainly spent working not socializing. Also we work in a multi aged environment. Lumping kids of one age and many levels in a grade is of no benefit except to teach that conforming is best, not excelling. It doesn't prepare them for the fact that one day they will be working next to someone decades older than them.

Answer 6

I think Homeschooling is great. I may be biased because my son is homeschooled. He did start off in Public School, from Kindergarten through 8th grade. I have homeschooled him these past two years.
It has been very beneficial to both of us. He has a better work ethic and takes great pride in his work, where as before he was just trying to fit in and not stand out just in case he was picked on for wanting to excel and do well in school.
He also has great grades; he has gone from a C/D student to an A/B student. That is not because I baby him our do his work for him. He is treated as a student at school not my son at home. He has to get up and get dressed and we have a carved amount of time to do his work.
Let me also say that his attitude has changed immensely since he has come home. He is not longer that angry child that was always mad for not reason. I think that is in part to us being able to talk more and him not being afraid that someone would find out that he has a good relationship with his parents. For some reason that is uncool???
This year for 10th grade he did go to the church for classes, but he still had to do assignments and projects. We go to the library, museums, plants, parks basically anywhere we have to go to get the work done. It is more flexible to work with a child when he is at home.
We still have to abide be the MD state education but so far we have been doing well at our reviews. It has been a great financial burden to my husband and me but we feel that it was and is worth it. Sorry to write so much.

Answer 7

This question gets asked several times a week on this forum. If you scroll back through the messages, you'll find all sorts of great input.

I think I need to make a standard reply to messages like these....I'm sure others feel the same way.

Is there anything specific you want to know or are you just trying to bring out the "homeschool is awful" crowd????

Answer 8

Home shcooling is great. My mom and aunt were homeschooled, and my brothers and I are homeschooled, as are my cousins. A lot of people say that we don't get any socialization. But I have more friends than my public and private school friends. And all of my friends are not just homeschooled. There are homechool groups that you can join, and they do all kinds of things. Here is a website you can go to, to find out about home schooling: www.homechoolblogger.com . People post stuff on there all of the time about homeschooling. Plus with homeschooling, you can choose what your kids are going to learn. I get to learn Italian, and about the Renaissance. My friends that are not homeschooled are all jealous, because they can't. If you have any questions you can e-mail my mom at [e-mail]. This is her 12th year of homeschooling my borthers and I. So she knows a lot about homeschooling. I hope this helps.

Answer 9

I have been actively thinking about home schooling for 27 years. I first thought about it before my wedding. My soon-to-be husband had heard about it and said to me, "When we have children I want you to home-school them!". I was stunned --- HOMESCHOOL???? What in the heck is that?! But I told him that I would find out as much as possible about it and would take it into consideration. Haha. As soon as I started researching I was hooked. I listened to speakers and I read many books. Home-schooling became the ONLY option for my children.

We got married in 1980 and our first child came along in 1983. By the time he was two I had already met many other families that were making the same decision. I had my plan laid out and ready to go. In 1986, 88 and 90 my three other children came along.

I taught each of them how to walk, talk, ride a bike, tie a shoe, etc.etc. etc. I realized that it would be simple to keep going the next step -- I taught them each how to read, how to do math, how to write. They have taught me MORE things about how to learn than I ever expected to know.

I think that home schooling has been and still is one of the best adventures of my life. It is good.

My children are all in the workplace and in college.

Answer 10

Please do not listen to the idiots.That say homeschooled children are not properly socialized.They do not know us they just make assumptions about us.People whom make uninformed assumptions.Are not just idiots they are A**'s.And has for the people whom are in denil about the state of public schools. I just have one thing to say to them.If you want to lead your child off to be slaughtered by some sick individaul.Whom went off to school with a gun.Because they didn't like something someone said to or about them.More power to you.But it will be a cold day in hell before I will let my child see a publicly ran school.I have homeschooled my son since pre K.And he is well socialized.There are special leagues for homeschooled children to play on.We have support groups and take our children on field trips and we have planned events for our children.Not just through out the school year but all year long.My son has well has a lot of other children whom are members of our orgaziation.Have full happy lives.They have friends in their neighborhoods that they play with after school.Just like the public schooled children.I think one of the problems that most parents of public schooled children.Have with our children are that they are intimitadated by them.My son and a lot of the kids we know that are homeschooled.Are very well spoken and are considerable more advanced than that of the public schooled kids.For example my son is finishing up 3rd grade.But does work on a 5 grade level.He already speaks 3 languages.English,Italian and Spanish.I have also noticed that the parents whom pich the biggest fit.About me homeschooling my son instead of public schooling him.Are the same parents whom have children whom are doing pourly in school.