Homeschooling can be an incredibly rewarding form of learning, but its success really depends on how you approach it. The determining factor is motivation, both on the part of the parents and the student; in some cases it works wonders, but it is totally inappropriate in others. Every education system offers great opportunities for children to learn new information and skills, and to take advantage of their own unique qualities and interests. Homeschooling is no different from public school, private school, charter school, unschooling and other models in that there are advantages and disadvantages.
Now is the time to have a very frank conversation about the pros and cons of homeschooling based on feedback from our parents, Calvert, and others. One of the biggest myths we break is the idea that the socialization of homeschooling doesn't exist or that those who study at home are all weird or don't know how to interact with people. The truth is that there are advantages and disadvantages to the social experience of students who study at home, just as there are pros and cons in public school. Experiences will vary for all children, but the fairest way to characterize socialization in a homeschooling environment is to say that it is different.
However, it's important to consider both the pros and cons to ensure you make an informed and informed decision. Below is the chart of advantages and disadvantages of homeschooling from Calvert Education. The table includes some of the points from the previous article, along with additional factors. One of the things that I have enjoyed so much about homeschooling is seeing my children thrive in extracurricular areas.
Another way we can measure how students who learn at home compare academically to students with traditional education is to compare success at the university level. While there are many free resources available, homeschooling supplies, such as textbooks, books, paper, art materials, computers, software and other homeschooling tools, cost money. Having knowledge of private, charter (non-profit and for-profit) and public schools, it makes sense to me that students score better if they are homeschooled. While cost is certainly something to consider, many families find that homeschooling actually saves money in the long run.
For most families who are used to sending their children to traditional school, homeschooling can be a big lifestyle change. A third aspect of homeschooling to consider is the academic freedom you can gain and the impact that will have on you and your child. However, this does not mean that children who study at home do not have access to their peers or do not have the ability to play sports or interact socially with others outside their family. The NHERI conducts research on homeschooling, is an information-sharing center for the public, researchers, homeschooling students, the media and policy makers, and educates the public on the findings of all related research.
Parents and children often cite how the homeschooling curriculum encouraged them to leave home and learn about science, art, mathematics, and history in the real world. The researchers found that children who studied at home scored higher on this scale than students with conventional education. However, the research designs made to date do not conclusively “prove” that homeschooling causes these things. While many homeschooling families teach English, Mathematics, Science, and History, education is by no means limited to just those subjects.
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