It is estimated that there are between 900,000 and 2 million schoolchildren in the notes. While it is difficult to determine the exact number of home school students due to the fact that states don’t require schools students to register their students and a bias against homeschooling by public school systems there are some studies which first suggestion of the idea of how many students are in homeschooling. According to a 1999 study conducted by the US Census bureau on homeschooling United States: trends and characteristics it was found that there were 791,000 children who were homeschooled. The Department of education statistics put the figure of children that are homeschooled at 1.5 million in 2007.
Whatever the precise number of students at a homeschooled their number is growing. This popular form of education is growing at 7 to 15% per year according toTd monthly magazine.
Studies Showing The Benefits Of Homeschooling
In 1997 study which looked at 5,402 and school students it was found that on average they outperformed students in public schools by between 30 to 37% and all subjects. What was also interesting was the fact that students had been homeschooled longer tended to score significantly higher than those with only been homeschooled for a short period of time. Students had been homeschooled or two or more years school in the 86 to 92nd percentile. Those students that have been homeschooled released in a year where an average in the 50 not the center.
- Homeschooling may be of particular benefit to minority students who sometimes perform worse in the school system. The study showed that in the state system there is a significant difference between white and black and Hispanic students. In the state system white public’s eighth grade students scored in the 58th percentile in mathematics and in 57% of inbreeding. In contrast black students scored an average in the 24th percentile at the 28% of inbreeding. However the students that were homeschooled whites scored in the 82nd percentile and minorities scored in the 77%.
- Homeschooling is less expensive than many people realize. Homeschooling costs on average $546. In contrast the cost for a public school student is $5325. This is despite the fact that homeschooling students are perform academically public school students.
- The school students are more able to think independently, because homeschooled students have been exposed to pair pressure and groupthink are usually find it easier to make up their mind independently. homeschooled students know how to think a problem through for themselves and reach a solution without having to worry what it is think.
- One-on-one teaching environment – Is no secret that smaller class sizes improve academic performance. Therefore what could be better than the one on one teaching environment that can be provided in a homeschooling environment. The amount of attention that a student receives an homeschooling is difficult to replicate in the traditional school environment.
- Students are constantly challenged – Smart students often become bored or run into trouble in public schools. The reason for this is that they are not being sufficiently challenged and become bored. Teachers who are teaching a class need to work through the material at a pace which allows the slower students to keep up. Students that are naturally talented in a particular area as to artificially slow down their learning. In a homeschooling environment the classroom and teaching material can be tailored exactly to the individual student.
- Creates closer relationships with family and parents – With both parents working and children at school it is no secret that many children are deprived of the company of the parents. Homeschooling is a great way to build stronger relationships between children and their parents and their siblings. Because of the closeness of the relationship this can lead to fewer behavioural problems.
- Great learning environment – Unfortunately public schools do not always provide an ideal learning environment. Children who are skilled are not exposed to any negative influences by their peers, they are not tea still believed and they do not have to experience sup five teaching. Instead they have a safe learning environment where they can feel comfortable answering questions and focusing on the studies.
- More opportunities for learning by doing – When children homeschooled they will have more opportunities for activity based learning. Parents can take their children to museums, parks zoos, Aquariums, educational centers and other places where they can experience hand on learning.
- Homeschooling is perfect for children with special needs – The factors they were classifying an increasingly large amount of children as having behavioral issues. Children who have been classicist hyperactive or not behaving in class are often highly intelligent but a disadvantage in a public school system. Homeschooling allows for the classroom environment to be catered to their particular needs. They get the attention and learning style that they require in order to excel. This is something not something that can be offered in large public school setting.
- Students are focused on learning not on the grades – There is a strong argument to be made that state school system which focuses on grades is not actually conducive to learning. In a homeschooling environment children can spend Explorer topic in more detail if they have an interest in it. This allows students to study where their strengths lie rather than wearer/curriculum takes them. Also because homeschooled children’are often studying with their siblings were of different ages they do not have the same competitive impulses for grades that are found in public school. Simply put homeschooling is learning the leading sake.
Best practices for homeschooling
One of the first steps should be to find out what you are required to do to legally homeschool your children in your state or location. Homeschooling is completely legal and every state in in the United States. But each state does have its own rules. Some states will require the period remains in contact with the local public system. Other states do not have this requirement. In some cases the state will require that parents follow a curriculum that has been set by the local public school system and they will be required to report to schools. In other states this requirement will not be met. Another difference between states is that in some parts of the country parents are required to have a teacher qualification and will be visited by educational professionals for a home visit. If you have any issues or questions you can contact the State or local homeschooling Association. They will be able to provide information about whether your homeschooling plan complies with local regulations.
- Create a curriculum – In some states you will be not required to follow a set public school curriculum. In this case you can develop the curriculum according to the interests of your child and what you would like them to study. This can include setting up and designing your own modules. One option is to design your own curriculum from scratch. This is the least expensive option but it is also the most time-consuming. If you have experience of teaching then you may want to take this approach. Another option is to purchase a prepackaged curriculum. This will include teachers materials, worksheets and textbooks. This can be expensive but there are also a number of sites online we can obtain teaching material for free.
- Create a schedule – The next step should be to create a schedule which will detail how many hours each day your child will study. You need to decide whether you will use a school year and whether there will be times the breaks during the year. Take the curriculum that you have designed and work out how long your child will need to work at. When you first homeschooling a child you may find that the scheduling have set i is either too short or too long to cover the material. This means that you may need to make adjustments to the schedule in order to cover up all of the course material. Generally you will find it easier the following years to create a schedule. As with many elements of homeschooling with experience it does become easier.
- Keeping records – It is a good idea to keep records whether or not your state requires it. These should cover what your child has covered each day. This will give you reference material you can refer back to at a later date. It also makes planning for future curriculum easier. In some cases keeping detailed records as required by the State and they will want to be able to see these. Therefore it is important that information you keep it accurate and easily to hand.
- Planning for expenses – According to the statistics mentioned earlier it costs on average $546 to homeschooled one child. Other experts have put the cost of home schooling a child at between $500 and $2500. The exact cost of homeschooling a child would depend on a number of factors including how many educational related trips are taken and whether computer equipment is provided. Even on a more limited budget you will need to plan for textbooks,, lined paper, and pencils pens, and textbooks. For older children you may want to hire tutors to teach subjects that you are not comfortable with. Before getting homeschooling your child you should set out an annual budget which details the expenses that you will incur.
- Attend homeschool conferences – If possible try to attend one of the annual home-school conferences that is sponsored by homeschooling advocacy and support groups. These homeschooling conferences will include workshops and lessons by experienced home-schoolers. You will be able also be able to access curriculum material and books. This is an excellent opportunity to meet other people who are homeschooling their children and to share ideas.
- Make sure that you will have enough time – Along with considering your child schedule you also need to think about the amount of time that you will have available for home schooling. Consider your work requirements and how much time you’re reasonably be able to devote to teaching your child. If you have other social commitments these will need to be considered as well. Homeschooling has significant advantages for the child but it does require a large commitment of time from the parents. Make sure you are ready to commit that time before taking up homeschooling option.
- Be patient with your child – Even if you have experience with teaching you still need to be aware of the difference of working with your child. You need to have a lot of patience when clicking through the course material. It is important that you avoid pressuring the child to learn information before they are ready. Children learn at their own rate and have different interests. This is one of the main advantages of homeschooling. Make sure that you are allowing the child to explore the areas that they are interested in and not forcing course material on them to soon. At the same time you need to be patient with yourself and not have unreasonable expectations if you have never taught before homeschooling is not just a learning curve for the child there is also many things that you will need to learn is a teacher as well.
Homeschooling is is not an option that should be taken lightly. You need to consider the time and effort that will be required in order to educate your child properly. That said there are serious benefits of homeschooling that are not available to students in the public school system. Children who are homeschooled independent minded, are more likely to excel academically, and have the chance to be exposed to learning opportunities that would otherwise not be available. The key to success with homeschooling is planning and preparation. The more effort that you put into the curriculum the greater the rewards for your child.