by Ann Bowers
Home schooling is an effective, educational alternative to attendance in a public or private school. Children learn under the supervision of their parents and together they take control of their learning. Home schooling is not the same as “independent study” or “visiting teacher” programs. These programs, for children who are ill or cannot attend school for other reasons, are home education, but the parents and students have no control over the content and the students are expected to return to the public school system as soon as they are able.
There are many reasons why families home school. There are many benefits to home schooling, including:
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Development of a strong parent and child relationship.
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The opportunity to closely supervise the content that is taught.
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The opportunity to include religious and moral instruction.
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The ability to meet special needs of children, including learning styles and interests.
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Concerns about safety at school.
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The reluctance of children to make long bus trips to and from school.
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The flexibility of being able to set one’s own schedule, travel, and use various locations for learning.
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The incredible amount of time the family can spend together – living, learning, loving, working, and playing.
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The understanding of the family that develops and the commitment each member makes to the family.
This is difficult to answer because not all families who home school are registered. About 2% or two million children in the United States are home schooled. There is no question but that home schooling is growing.
What is homeschooling and how is it different from public school?
Homeschooling is an educational approach in which parents teach their children at home rather than enrolling them in a public or private school. Unlike independent study or visiting-teacher programs, true homeschooling gives parents and children real control over the curriculum content and learning pace. Parents can tailor what is taught to their child’s learning style, include religious or cultural values, and adjust the schedule to fit their family life — all things a traditional school environment cannot offer.
Who can homeschool their children?
Virtually anyone can homeschool — families from all backgrounds, income levels, family structures, and beliefs successfully educate their children at home. Working parents, single parents, blended families, and families of all races and religions all homeschool. The situations where homeschooling is not recommended include when neither parent truly wants to do it, when the teaching parent cannot maintain a consistent schedule or structure, or when serious personal challenges would prevent effective teaching.
Why do parents choose to homeschool?
Families choose homeschooling for many reasons: the ability to closely supervise curriculum and include religious or moral instruction, meeting a child’s special learning needs or learning style, safety concerns about the school environment, flexibility to travel and learn in varied locations, and the opportunity to spend dramatically more time together as a family. Many parents who start homeschooling continue because of the positive effects they see on their children and the deepened family relationships it builds.
How many children are homeschooled in the United States?
Approximately 2% of school-age children in the United States — around two million children — are homeschooled, and the numbers continue to grow. Exact figures are difficult to confirm because not all homeschooling families register with their state, but homeschooling has been expanding steadily as more parents recognize it as a viable and effective alternative to traditional school.
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Ann Bowers has been an elementary school teacher, in kindergarten through 8th grade, for 20 years. She was a Bilingual Education Grant Project Coordinator for seven years and a school principal for seven. She has a B.A. in English, an M.A. in Education, and holds California Life Teaching Credentials and specialist credentials in Remedial Reading and Teaching English as a Second Language.  She is retired and has started a second career as a freelance writer. No part of this article may be copied or reproduced in any form without the express permission of More4Kids Inc © 2006 |
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