Homeschooling vs Public School Can We All Get Along?

Homeschoolers and the public system can (and do in many communities) comfortably and successfully work side by side and in the best case scenarios, these two entities actually become benefactors of each others time and talents. As homeschoolers, having the respect of a local educational community is an essential factor in this co-existing equation and is readily achieved by following three very basic, yet vital, steps.

First homeschooling  parents make a point of meeting and talking with the local school  principal. Explain to him or her why the family has chosen homeschooling vs public school and discuss any long term educational goals which may eventually include entering your child into the public school arena.

This would also be a good time to inquire about other homeschoolers in the area, their relationship with the school system, their successes with re-entry, and their possible participation in public school activities such as band, chorus, art programs and physical education. The conversation will also give the principal an overall view of your genuine commitment to homeschooling and the education of your child. Secondly, make friends with the school librarian. He or she can be one of your child’s greatest allies in learning resources! A librarian who is happy to teach a homeschooling student how to use the school library is generally also willing to keep the family informed of new book titles that become available for a particular area of study as well as any upcoming book fairs, clubs, and so forth. This relationship could provide your child with regular access into the school building itself, thus allowing him or her not to seem isolated from the school, but instead befriended by it.

Thirdly, participate in an active, visible homeschooling group. If there isn’t one, consider forming one. The obvious reason for homeschoolers to get together with other families who are homeschooling is to provide support and camaraderie for both the children and the parents, but a secondary and no less valuable reason is the public image the group will no doubt choose to put forth. Providing the public with the opportunity to see a group of conscientious mothers, raising respectful children who are active in community events, charitable causes and educational endeavors, speaks volumes. Homeschooling vs public school – It’s your choice.

As the number of homeschoolers throughout the United States continues to grow, the public school system is being forced to consider the opinions and needs of homeschooling families but how much nicer it is to meet out of respect rather than force, to find a common ground rather than a source of contention and to build a sense of unity in education through mutual understanding. Tested and retested, the steps presented offer tried and true techniques that will assist homeschoolers and the public school system in achieving a successful working relationship in which all those involved benefit. And that’s education at it’s finest! Homeschooling vs Public School- It’s a Choice.

For more information and resources on homeschooling vs public school visit http://www.homeschoolingvspublicschool.info

 

• Homeschooled Children Continue Outperforming Their Public School Counterparts as Homeschooling Increases in Popularity
• Home School Myths: No Socialization” Myth of Homeschooling

In America, there was a time when the idea of homeschooling raised eyebrows of concern and could result in a visit from social services. A lack of trust by the government and public in general in a parent’s ability to educate their own children made homeschooling a bit of a stigma.

Even today in some circles, there are still many “old school” thinkers that go so far as to say that homeschooling is tantamount to deliberate child abuse. As ridiculous as that sounds to most of us, overcoming such ignorance has been a problem for some parents looking into homeschooling.

Overseas, it can be much worse. Homeschooling is illegal in Germany, a law instituted under Hitler and still enforced today. German families who choose to home school must do so in secret and run the risk of arrest; or worse, having the state take their children away.

Performance of home schools versus public and private schools

It doesn’t take much effort or investigation to discover that homeschoolers excel above their public school counter parts in nearly every category. According to a study conducted by Dr. Lawrence Rudner:

• The average home schooled 8th grade student performs four grade levels above the national average.

• One in four home school students are enrolled in a grade level that is above their age level.

• In every grade and in every subject, home schooled students outperform both public and private school students.

Other studies confirm these findings, showing that home schooled students have a much higher college entry rate, score higher on SAT’s and ACT’s, have a higher rate of college graduation, and earn higher incomes in the workforce.

These numbers come despite the fact that about 25% of parents in America who choose to home school either never attended college, or attended but never received a degree. An additional 7-10% have only an Associate degree.

Why do homeschooled children perform so well?

The advantages to homeschooling are many, and are quite revealing as to why homeschooled children do so well.

One on one attention – Whenever a child needs assistance, the parent is there to give him or her full attention, whereas in public schools a teacher must divide their attention between dozens of children.

Ability to focus more time where needed – If a student excels in math, but flounders in science, then a parent can very easily devote as much time as is needed to teaching science. Public schools are regimented, with each subject receiving equal time regardless as to the performance of the student.

Homeschooled students move at their own pace – If a student excels in math then they can advance much quicker than students in a public school, where all students are required to move at the same pace.

Diminished distractions – The parents control the environment, and there is no peer pressure from other students trying to talk a homeschooled student into doing things other than school work or study.

Do parents need some kind of special training or certification?

Some states highly regulate home schools, requiring training and certification in some instances. However, studies show that there is virtually no difference in performance between homeschooled students in highly regulated states versus homeschooled students in states with little or no regulation.

The truth is that homeschooling is gaining in popularity and as such, more and more information and help materials are becoming available. The modern homeschooling parent can now effectively teach their children, regardless of the parent’s own education level, thanks to pre-developed curriculums such as those provided by Heritage Home School Academy.

Parents today can use these curriculums to guide their children. Some curriculums are so effective that parents can study ahead of their children in any subject for which they are lacking and effectively teach the same subject to their children. Furthermore, many children often “learn to learn,” reaching a point where they are able to teach themselves and follow a curriculum with little interaction required from the parent.

Each year more families choose to start homeschooling, spreading knowledge about its benefits, and erasing old stigmas along the way. For more information about homeschooling and home school curriculums, visit Heritage Home School Academy.

• Homeschooling vs Public School Can We All Get Along?
• Home School Myths: No Socialization” Myth of Homeschooling