Homeschooling Benefits
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When we’re looking for what is the best choice for education for our children, considering homeschooling benefits is definitely worthwhile. Homeschooling has been gaining popularity in recent years as an alternative to “traditional” schooling. While traditional schooling has been the norm for generations, homeschooling is actually what should be termed traditional. Children were taught at home for much longer than the current failing experiment that we know as public education.
Homeschooling offers a different approach to education that many families find appealing. In this blog post, we will explore the pros and cons of homeschooling compared to traditional schooling, with a focus on the benefits of homeschooling from an unapologetic pro-homeschool perspective. By highlighting the benefits of homeschooling and addressing the shortcomings of traditional schooling, this blog post aims to offer valuable insights into the ongoing debate surrounding educational alternatives in the United States.
Having said that, I have family and friends who are good people, and dedicated educators in the public school setting. This is not an attack on teachers, but what I feel is an honest look at the failures of the very broken system that they work within.
Pros of Homeschooling
Individualized Learning:
One of the biggest homeschooling benefits is the ability to tailor education to the individual needs and learning styles of each child. In a homeschool setting, parents can adapt curriculum and teaching methods to suit their child’s pace and interests, This can lead to more effective learning. Not all children learn at the same rate or have the same interests. “One-size-fits-all” is not the ideal teaching method.
Homeschooling allows for a customized curriculum that aligns with family values, beliefs, and educational goals. Parents have the freedom to incorporate religious teachings, cultural studies, or specialized subjects that may not be offered in public schools.
Flexible Schedule:
Homeschooling allows families to create a flexible schedule that fits their lifestyle. This flexibility enables students to pursue extracurricular activities, travel, or delve deeper into specific subjects of interest. That is much harder to do for public school children. In our house, most of us are not fans of getting up early. So while the public school kids are at school, after getting up early to catch their busses, we’re still tucked in bed.
If they have activities at church or one of their other activities that run later than usual, we don’t have to worry about them not getting enough sleep. Because we don’t have to start school at some time set by random people we’ve never met.
There’s a statistic going around that says 75% of the Time We Spend With Our Kids in Our Lifetime Will Be Spent ​By Age 12. The rest of it says that it’s 90% by age 18. Those numbers will make you stop and think about how we spend our time with our children. I want to spend more time with our children and have them grow up learning primarily from us.
Stronger Family Bonds:
Homeschooling provides opportunities for families to spend more time together, creating stronger relationships and communication between parents and children. The shared learning experiences create a supportive environment where children feel valued and understood. Sometimes it’s not me teaching them. I learn from them as well!
Safe Learning Environment:
Concerns about bullying, peer pressure, and safety issues in traditional schools are alleviated in a homeschool setting. Parents can ensure a safe and nurturing environment where children can focus on learning without distractions or negative influences.
Enhanced Socialization:
Contrary to popular misconceptions, homeschooling provides ample opportunities for socialization through community activities, co-op classes, sports teams, and extracurricular clubs. Homeschooled children often interact with a diverse range of peers across different age groups and backgrounds.
Cons of “Traditional” Schooling
Limited Individual Attention:
In a traditional classroom setting, teachers must cater to the needs of a large group of students, making it challenging to provide individualized attention to each child. This can lead to students falling behind or feeling neglected academically.
Standardized Curriculum:
Traditional schools often follow a standardized curriculum that may not accommodate the diverse learning styles and interests of every student. This one-size-fits-all approach can result in disengagement and frustration among students who learn best through alternative methods.
Peer Pressure and Bullying:
Traditional schools can expose students to peer pressure, bullying, and social cliques, which may negatively impact their self-esteem and academic performance. The prevalence of bullying in schools has been a significant concern for parents and educators alike.
Lack of Flexibility:
Traditional schools operate on fixed schedules and academic calendars, leaving little room for flexibility or customization. Students may miss out on valuable learning opportunities due to rigid attendance policies or scheduling conflicts.
Overcrowded Classrooms:
Many public schools face overcrowding, leading to larger class sizes and diminished teacher-student interactions. Overcrowded classrooms hinder academic progress and create a chaotic learning environment. In an article published last year on Zippia, classroom sizes across the country averaged 22 students per class in 2022. Some were as high as 29 students per class! This does not allow the teachers the necessary time to provide the students with the education they deserve.
Inadequate Resources:
Public schools often struggle with limited resources, including outdated textbooks, insufficient funding for extracurricular programs, and inadequate facilities. These resource constraints can impede the quality of education provided to students.
Evidence of Homeschooling Success
Numerous studies have demonstrated the academic achievements of homeschooled students compared to their peers in traditional schools. For example, a comprehensive study conducted by Dr. Brian Ray of the National Home Education Research Institute found that homeschoolers typically score above average on standardized achievement tests, regardless of their parents’ level of education or household income A Systematic Review of the Empirical Research on Selected Aspects of Homeschooling as a School Choice –
This is not a recent phenomenon. The Institute of Education Sciences published similar result back in 1999. eric.ed.gov . That report said “…Major findings include: the achievement test scores of this group of home school students are exceptionally high–the median scores were typically in the 70th to 80th percentile; 25% of home school students are enrolled one or more grades above their age-level public and private school peers…”
Challenges in the Public School System
Despite efforts to improve education in the United States, the public school system continues to face significant challenges that affect student learning and overall academic performance. Some of the key problems include:
Declining Test Scores:
Standardized test scores in public schools have declined in recent years, indicating a need for comprehensive reforms to enhance academic rigor and accountability.
High Dropout Rates:
Dropout rates remain a pressing issue in many public schools, particularly in low-income communities and underprivileged neighborhoods. The lack of support services and resources contributes to a cycle of academic disengagement and dropout.
Teacher Burnout and Turnover:
Public school teachers often experience high levels of stress, burnout, and turnover due to heavy workloads, inadequate compensation, and lack of support from the administration. The loss of experienced educators undermines the quality of instruction and student learning.
Achievement Gaps:
Persistent achievement gaps based on race, socioeconomic status, and geographical location highlight the systemic inequities within the public school system. Closing these gaps requires targeted interventions and equitable distribution of resources.
Lack of Parental Involvement:
Limited parental involvement in public schools can hinder student success and exacerbate educational disparities. Building strong partnerships between schools and families is essential for fostering a supportive learning environment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many homeschooling benefits compared to traditional schooling. Including individualized learning, flexible schedules, and stronger family bonds. While the public school system faces ongoing challenges such as overcrowded classrooms, standardized curriculum, and inadequate resources, homeschooling provides an alternative approach that empowers families to take control of their children’s education.
Despite criticisms and misconceptions surrounding homeschooling, research consistently demonstrates the academic success and positive outcomes of homeschooled students. By considering all of the homeschooling benefits as a viable educational option, families can provide their children with a personalized and enriching learning experience that nurtures their intellectual curiosity and fosters lifelong learning.
Even supporters of the public school system readily admit that it faces significant challenges, and that there are no easy answers to the problems. The system is broken. VERY broken. I certainly don’t know how to fix all of the problems. But I do know this – I can solve those problems for my own family by opting out of their broken system. If enough families opt out, they’ll be forced to fix it. You will always continue to get from life what you allow.
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