by Jennifer Cartwright
Many parents are choosing to home school their children for a variety of reasons ranging from dissatisfaction with a particular individual in the school system to religious reasons. It is important for a parent to understand his or her specific reason for choosing home schooling and to be aware of the work involved in home schooling. It is not a choice to be made lightly or in the heat of the moment. This article will explore rationales for a decision to home school and look at the ramifications of the choice to home school.
- Religious: You may feel that you do not want to expose your children to certain type of ideas or individuals who do not have the same religious beliefs that you do.
- Better education: You may feel that you will be able to give your child a better education than the public school. You will be able to tailor the educational program to your child and provide undivided attention to them.
- Afraid of the school environment: You may be concerned that the school is in a neighborhood that is not very desirable or that the students in the school are not a good influence on your child.
- Personal vendetta with the school: You may have had an argument or problem with some of the school personnel including the principal and teachers.
- “Living off the grid”: You may like living a self-sufficient life style with little interaction with society in general.
Why do families choose to homeschool their children?
Families homeschool for many reasons. Some want to weave their religious values into every subject. Others feel they can offer a more personalized program — tailored to their child’s pace and learning style — than a public classroom allows. Safety concerns about the school environment are another common motivator, and some families simply prefer a self-sufficient lifestyle with less institutional involvement. What matters most, according to Jennifer Cartwright (a 29-year special education teacher), is that the decision is made thoughtfully rather than in the heat of the moment.
What is an example of the wrong reason to start homeschooling?
Acting on emotion rather than careful thought is a clear warning sign. The article shares the story of a father who pulled his three children out of school after a heated argument with staff — with no plan, no materials, and no time set aside to teach. The result: the children fell behind grade level and had to repeat the year. A sound reason for homeschooling is grounded in your child’s genuine educational needs, paired with a realistic plan for who will teach, when, and how.
Do I need teaching experience or credentials to homeschool successfully?
Formal credentials are not required, but genuine commitment and consistent time are. Even parents who work from home need to carve out dedicated hours each day to gather materials, deliver instruction, and monitor progress. If neither parent has the bandwidth to follow through consistently, children can fall behind. Honest self-assessment before you begin is one of the most important steps you can take.
What are the benefits of homeschooling compared to traditional school?
Homeschooling lets you build a curriculum around your child’s individual learning style, give them your undivided attention, and align their education with your family’s values. You also choose their learning environment without the social pressures that might exist in a local school. The trade-off is that those benefits only materialize when the family is genuinely prepared — with dedicated time, a solid plan, and a clear sense of purpose.
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Jennifer Cartwright B. A., M. Ed., Ed. D. Candidate, has been a classroom teacher working with children with disabilities for the past 29 years. She began her career working with institutionalized severely and profoundly mentally impaired, multi-handicapped children and has, through the years, worked with children having various disabilities. Jennifer has taught in public schools in Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, and Georgia. She has been a co-presenter for workshops on ADHD in New Hampshire. She currently lives and teaches in Georgia.Disclaimer: Any names used in this article do not represent any real people or children, but are based on the experience of Jennifer Cartwright in her many years of teaching experience. 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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