Why Homeschooling is a Valid Choice for Many Parents

Recently, Associated Content Producer, Becky Gallops, whose writing I enjoy reading, expressed her views on homeschooling in her article "Why I Would Never Homeschool My Children: The Viewpoint of a Public School Parent". As a mother with plenty of experience in homeschooling as well as public school, here is my response of disagreement to the points she made. Before reading my counter-responses, it would be a good idea to also read Becky's article.

Becky discussed issues with homeschool, such as socialization, no teaching degree, diversity, radical extremist groups, respecting others, being spoiled, and a fair chance for teachers and educators. While these are valid concerns for parents, teachers, and also for a child who is attending school at home, rather than public school or private school, when done correctly, homeschool can and has overcome these obstacles.

No Teaching Degree, No Problem
Becky makes the point that teachers in public schools have degrees for teaching. While I can certainly see her concern with this, a degree is not necessary to teach children. Now, some may argue with that point. But, before you do that, read what I have to say in the next few paragraphs.

There are many pre-packaged curriculum choices out there that make it simple to teach children what they need to know. These products also can be found in specialized editions for a child's specific state. There are also many instructional manuals out there for homeschool, as well as those marketed to teachers that will explain how to teach lessons in great detail. As with the manuals, there are answer keys and other ways to find a correct answer, should the parent be confused. Many resources are readily available for a fee as well as for free.

Many parents also decide to write the curriculum themselves and/or use a compilation of available resources for instruction. The requirements for each grade level are readily available from the Department of Education for each particular state. Once a parent has these, the parent can then research materials and curricula to decide which is the most effective program or plan.

With research, any parent with the dedication and desire can teach their children successfully, even with subjects they have no prior knowledge in.

Furthermore, homeschooled children must also conform to the same standardized tests as those in traditional school and often score higher, possibly due to their parents' extra efforts in ensuring that each detail is gone over in class time. Homeschooled parents often put education on a very high pedestal. It could also be due to the fact that there is more opportunity for hands-on work in a homeschool setting because a parent can take their child on a field trip or do an experiment or special class for every assignment if they so choose.

Whatever the reason for these higher scores, it disproves the argument that a parent cannot teach their child without a teaching degree.

Socialization Woes No More
As with many people who don't agree with homeschooling, socialization was another factor in Becky's decision. Here's why I didn't agree with what she said. She mentioned that homeschooled kids would not have the opportunity to be around kids who were not homeschooled. While homeschooled kids do participate in activities with other homeschoolers, they also participate in the same activities right alongside kids in traditional school. This gives homeschooled children the advantage of meeting kids who are homeschooled as well as public-schooled. 4H groups, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, Parks & Rec programs, museum classes, and more are taken advantage of by kids from all different backgrounds and kids with all different schooling methods. You don't have to be homeschooled to participate in these events. They take place during hours when schools are not in operation, thus creating the opportunity for all children to take advantage of them.

There are studies that show that homeschooled students do, indeed receive equal, if not more socialization than that of kids in traditional school.
One large study can be found here.

Radical Extremist? Me? Hardly
Becky also made the comment about many homeschoolers being radical extremists. Yes, I am a Christian woman, but that has absolutely no bearing on my choice to homeschool. My children have friends of all races, religions, and socioeconomic backgrounds. We do not travel in groups of only one religion or only homeschooled children. We do not force our beliefs on anyone else. Our children are not made to stay in their house all day long. They have contact with the outside world every day. I am neither narrow-minded nor bigoted. I am very open to new choices and new ways of thinking and doing things. Being open-minded helped me choose to homeschool. My children respect other people's beliefs very well. I was raised by an atheist mother, but am now a Christian. My mother has pondered many different ideas as to the existence of God during my life span, but I respect her feelings and do not try to convince her of what I believe. I understand that everyone is entitled their own opinion and I pass those values onto my children.

The Value Of Respect For Others
Respect was briefly mentioned in Becky's article as well. Our children have great respect for other people, as well as their feelings and property. They know how to interact with others and learned that concept long before they ever attended school. Sharing and caring has always been an important factor in everything my children do. They learned how to do that with their siblings, as well as with children and adults.

Center Stage? Only When Appropriate
A point Becky has also discussed is a child who is used to getting their own way. Contrary to her statements, a homeschooled child is not always the center of attention. Yes, they are with the parent for a good part of the day, and in some cases, the whole day, but that does not mean they always get their own way. My children understand the importance of waiting for their turn in a line, sharing their property with others, and playing games fairly. One child who throws a fit does not provide the example for every child in his or her 'category'. There are plenty of public-schooled and private-schooled kids who throw fits for not getting their own way as well. Is it due to public school? Private school? No. It's due to the parent. Any parent is capable of spoiling a child. It has absolutely nothing to do with the type of schooling method that is used.

Children do need special attention from their parents and they do need to feel loved. However, giving a child attention does not lead to spoiling. Giving in to a child's senseless demands is what leads to spoiling. My children do not cry for candy in a store or throw a fit when a playmate has one of their toys. They are perfectly fine if someone else goes first during any game or activity.

Fair Chance For Educators
I have the utmost respect for those who have trained to teach our children the wonderful things they need to know, contrary to what many traditional school parents may believe. But, as a parent, it is also my responsibility to ensure that my child has the best education. The best teachers still have to conform to rules and regulations, even when they may have a method that they feel is more beneficial. My problem is not with the teachers. It is the way in which many schools are set up. Many schools do not have the resources to handle children who are above or below to a certain degree. If they are just a touch above or below, there is usually help, but in more extreme cases, the way traditional school is set up, there is no room for helping these children. The teacher has to go with plans that are catered to the majority of the class and if a student is ahead or behind more than a small margin, there is not much the teacher can do.

Some schools will place the child with other students at their level, but many will not. Some schools even have special programs for students who are behind, but many don't. Some schools also have gifted programs to help children who are ahead, but there also those that do not. Even when some of these schools have these programs, there are sometimes students who do not qualify for any of the programs offered. These students are then left to try to take lessons that are either too hard or too easy. The parents then are required to do extra teaching with students or hire a tutor, which can wear out a child. It is not fair for a child to sit in school all day and then have to come home and do more work afterwards or do schoolwork on the weekends, when all the other children get to play.

Yes, a child needs to learn their facts, but a child also needs a break. It is also not fair for a child who is ahead to do work that is too easy. A child's mind needs stimulation and new facts and if they cannot get that from school, they will grow bored and decide they do not like school anymore. That is definitely not good. My children love to learn and I prefer to keep it that way with the appropriate stimulation and instruction needed.

Closure Statement
In closing, I will also mention that not all public school is bad and not all private school is bad. There are exceptions. However, I feel that homeschooling is the best choice for parents who can commit to the time and effort it takes to do it the right way. I do not condone the actions of parents that do not conduct the proper research or take the time and effort to educate their children at or above grade level skills. However, the vast majority of homeschoolers are doing this because of their commitment to exemplary education, not to disrespect public school or isolate their children. While there are people who do this type of thing, they do not make up the majority of the homeschool population. As the old saying goes, "There are bad apples in every bunch".

Notice:
AC Content Producer Becky Gallops has been made aware that I wrote this article in response to hers. At the time of publishing this article, it is unknown what her view will be of my opinions expressed herein. Please do not assume whether she is in agreement with the author of this article or not.

The author is open to hear all sides of the argument. Please feel free to express your opinions in the comments section below this article.

Sources:
HSLDA - "Academic Statistics On Homeschooling" ( http://www.hslda.org/docs/nche/000010/200410250.asp )
Home Life Academy - "Home School Statistics" ( http://www.homelifeacademy.com/homeschool_stats.php )
HSLDA - "Socialization: No Problem!" ( http://www.hslda.org/research/ray2003/Socialization.asp )