Homeschooling Pros and Cons

[display_name id=”1″]Pros:
Individualized education that can be custom fit the learning style and interests of each student
Ability to seek out more hands on/field-trip opportunities
Ability to move at the speed that the student needs in each subject
“School work” can be finished in much less time than a typical school day because of teacher/student ration, no wasted time on home-room, period changes etc.
Lack of being bound by age/grade level/ school district etc.
Not bound by the public school calendar for vacations etc
“School” can take place anywhere at any time.
Socializing and socialization (which are 2 different things BTW) takes place in the real world, vs. The segregated setting of public school.
Cons:
Putting up with ignorant stereo-types spouted off by those who never learned to think outside of the public school box.All research indicates that not only are homeschoolers well socialized and well adjusted, but that they also participate in more social activities as children and adults. Research also shows that public schools are harmful to social skills and the ability to socialize. Homeschooling gives the chance to be around a wider variety of people. Homeschoolers are not limited to being around only those who live in the same school district and who were born in the same 12 month period. Instead, homeschoolers are free to be around people of all ages and who live within a larger area. There are so many ways to socialize beyond the box that is public school. Statistics show that the average homeschooler participates in 3x the number of extracurricular activities over their public school counterparts. Studies also show that homeschoolers are more active in their community not only when they are homeschooling but also once they enter college and/or the workforce.

There also seem to be the assumption that parents can’t teach more then they know. There are many false assumptions about how homeschooling works such as: parents are the only ones teaching; the parent can’t learn right along with the student; students can’t learn something on their own…etc. If humans were incapable of learning beyond what their parents knew we would still be living in caves. Humans are curious by nature. It is the unnatural setting of public school that kills that natural desire.
Statistics and standardized test scores prove that homeschooling works. Homeschoolers consistently score higher than their public school peers. When homeschoolers are broken down into categories by their parents’ education levels, the children of school teachers/those with degrees in educational fields score slightly lower that the average for homeschoolers. While no one knows for certain why this is the case, it is believed that “trained teachers” are more likely to insist that a student bend to fit the curricula instead of bending the curricula to fit the student’s needs. Most former school teachers that homeschool will tell you that their schooling got in the way of being an effective homeschool parent.

Many homeschoolers take AP and/or college courses during high school. It is very common for a homeschooler to graduate high school with 1-2 years of college credits. This is usually due to dual enrollment at a local community college or by taking CLEP exams.
There are many ways to meet friends and to be active while homeschooling such as:
Take up a new hobby or expand on a current one
Volunteering
Join a homeschool co-op
Join a homeschool social group
Join the YMCA, YWCA, Boys Club/Girls Club
Take classes through the local recreation center or private studio such as: sports, dancing, martial arts, art etc
Learn to play a musical instrument
Book Clubs
Scouts
Activities through your church/synagogue/mosque/coven etc

It is really sad that those who have bought into the myths and stereo-types are unable to think beyond the literal and figurative box of public school. They do not realize that the reason all their childhood memories and friends come from school is because they spent the majority of their waking hours from the ages of 5-18 in public school or involved in its activities. They assume that friends and childhood memories can only come from public school because sadly that is the only experience they have. They have been duped into believing that public school equals the real world yet they fail to realize that nowhere else in life other than prison is one’s life so controlled by others. In school you can’t even take a drink of water or use the restroom without the permission of someone else.

[display_name id=”1″]Cons:
No built-in babysitter during public school hours. This means that one parent usually has to stay home, or they have to coordinate work schedules or hire a babysitter when at work. It means that the children end up going most everywhere with the parents–though this also means that they learn a lot about living in the world as they see things that lots of schooled kids don’t experience until on their own.
Not fitting in with the majority–Some will question the choice just because it isn’t the choice made by the majority of parents, but there are so many homeschoolers these days that this shouldn’t be a big problem.
People will worry about the social side of the child’s life–though research shows that homeschoolers do better socially (“The Well-Adjusted Child” by Rachel Gathercole). They learn to deal with people of all ages, rather than just those of their own age, and most homeschool parents make an effort to make sure their children get out and mingle with other people, including other children.Pros:
Safety–Lots of stories in the media about school shootings, bullies, drugs, etc. Homeschooled kids rarely deal with these problems, and when they do, the parents are usually nearby to help them figure out a way through it.
Health–Homeschooled kids can eat healthy meals and snacks, get drinks and exercise, go to the bathroom, etc. When they need to–not just when it fits the school’s schedule. Those with allergies can more easily avoid what sets off their allergies. Kids who are sick can get the rest they need without worrying about getting behind, and may be able to do some lessons even while sick–if they are able to read or watch educational programs in bed.
Education–Homeschooled children tend to outscore schooled kids on standardized tests. Since their education can be individualized, they can get an education designed for them and progress more rapidly. They aren’t slowed down by slower students in a class, or frustrated by lessons which assume they know something that they don’t since the parent can have them work at their own pace, and speed up or slow down when needed.
Freedom–Homeschoolers can set their own schedules. Take vacations when they want. Do lessons at the time of day that they want. They aren’t bound to a schedule set by someone else. They can choose curriculum and lessons that work for them, rather than being stuck with a program planned by someone else.

[display_name id=”1″]Yes, you could graduate faster. Yes, you have the same or maybe even a better chance at getting into college.I’m a huge advocate for homeschooling, but I know homeschooling isn’t right for all families. For my family, homeschooling works best.

PROS:
1. Homeschooling offers the most flexibility. If families frequently travel, and as a result kids miss a bunch of school, then I think in that case, homeschooling would be best.
2. If a kid is an overachiever, and finds him or herself constantly being held back, waiting for the rest of the class to catch up, then I think homeschooling would be a great option because the kid could work at his or her own pace.
3. If a child is a struggling learner or has a learning disability, and struggles in public school, I know first hand (my son has severe dyslexia) homeschooling may be a better choice than public school.
4. If a high school kid wants to take AP classes and doesn’t want to have to get a teacher’s approval to do so, then I think homeschooling is a great option.
5. If a high school aged kid wants to get a head start on college, homeschooling is a great choice. Instead of doing all high school classes, the student could enroll in college and take a few classes, earning both high school and college credits.
6. If a kid is easily distracted, or can’t handle typical school related drama, homeschooling would be a great way to go.
7. If a high school aged kid wants to graduate from high school early, then homeschooling is a great option.
8. Homeschooling is a wonderful option for kids that miss a bunch of school due to health related reasons.

There are some instances when homeschooling isn’t a good choice.

CONS:
1. If a kid lacks self discipline, homeschooling may not be a good fit.
2. If both parents work, homeschooling may not be the best choice.
3. If the parents aren’t committed to homeschooling 110%, then homeschooling may not be a good choice.
4. If a kid has severe behavior problems or a lack of respect for their parents, homeschooling may not be the best option.