Homeschooling

Alana Thomas

How does learning at home differ from learning in a school setting? Do you think you would benefit more from one-on-one learning or learning in a group setting?

What Does Homeschooling in the United States look like?

Homeschooling around the United States can take on many forms depending on the parents and students. Some children may work better with visuals on the computer, others may work better with hands-on learning, and some parents teach their children on the road; Therefore, homeschooling comes in many shapes and forms.

There are many different teaching styles, and one worth mentioning is child-led homeschooling. According to Liberto and English, child-led learning focuses on using the child's interests and incorporating them into learning. Not only focusing on the child's interests, but also on their individual learning styles. This can be very beneficial because all children have different learning styles and interests. By using topics that they are already engaging in, learning can be more “fun” for the child and they may have an easier time retaining information (Liberto & English, 2016). However, Goodwin argues that children who are taught using more unstructured lesson plans often face greater challenges in school compared to those who follow a more organized and structured curriculum. (Goodwin, 2021).

It’s hard to say which method of homeschooling is best because all children are different, but based on Goodwin’s statement, it seems that structured lesson plans have the best success rates (Goodwin, 2021). The greatest advantage of homeschooling is its flexibility, allowing parents to tailor the learning experience to each child’s unique needs and interests, focusing on a more personalized and engaging education.

How Does Homeschooling Compare to Other Modes of Education?

There are many different options for American students and their education. From homeschooling to private schools, charter schools, and public schools, but the question is, do they all provide a similar education? The simple answer is yes.

While Bartholet may argue that there is little regulation on the curriculum for homeschooled students, which could result in uneducated students with limited knowledge of opposing views (Mineo, 2020), many believe it is up to the parents to decide what is best for their children and what they are exposed to. Homeschooled students are still required to participate in benchmark tests, or standardized tests, in most states; However, compared to other countries, the United States is more relaxed about their regulations for homeschooled students (Mineo, 2020).

Another facet of education is socialization. Goodwin states that, despite common misconceptions, homeschooled students can be just as socialized as any other student (Goodwin, 2021). Basically, Goodwin acknowledges that as long as parents are giving their children opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities and sports, there is no deterioration of their social skills. Overall, homeschooled children are not at any disadvantage compared to children educated elsewhere as long as they are given the correct resources to do so.

How Accessible is Homeschooling?

According to Hernholm, families who value flexibility and personalized instruction are often those who choose to homeschool their children. In addition, those who want to educate their child with their values or religious beliefs often find homeschooling is the best option (Hernholm, 2024). For many parents, homeschooling is convenient, flexible, and easily tailored to what they want their children to learn.

Take travelling families into consideration. Some families decide to live on the road in campers and spend their days travelling the world. Homeschooling is essential for families like this because it would be impossible for their children to receive a consistent education without the option of homeschooling. Additionally, accessibility of an education is very important for students who live in especially rural areas or children who have disabilities that would make it difficult to go to school every day. All in all, homeschooling makes education accessible for all.

On the other hand, homeschooling is not for everyone due to the financial commitment. As Corinne states, the unanticipated costs, such as textbooks, computer software, and even materials such as paper or scissors, it can all add up quick (Corinne, 2021). For example, public schools provide many school supplies along with daily care for the children, meals, etc. Not to mention, the parents would have to sacrifice their time to become their child’s teacher, therefore losing the opportunity of income for their family; Therefore, public school is the most economically friendly option. While homeschooling is a great option for many families, others may not be able to jump over that financial hurdle.

Conclusion:

All in all, homeschooling is an option that every parent should consider for their child’s education. While it may not always be feasible for some families, making the sacrifice for your child’s future is worth the commitment if possible. While there is nothing wrong with other modes of education, homeschooling offers a personalized education method that would benefit each child who is a part of it. As stated by Goodwin, Most homeschooled children receive higher GPA's than their peers (Goodwin, 2021). Additionally, when Hernholm interviewed parents, her results stated that parents were concerned over the quality of their child's education, along with the environment they will grow up in, and whether or not it was the best option for their children (Hernholm, 2024). Many parents have concerns with certain aspects of public school, and private school is so expensive, that they are preparing to homeschool their children. Concerns regarding the child receiving an appropriate education but also learning in an appropriate environment free of bullying and other social situations that parents cannot control makes homeschooling so attractive.

Test your Knowledge!

Answers at bottom of page

Mr. Jones is homeschooling his daughter, Sally. Mr. Jones asks Sally what she would like to learn about today. Sally exclaims, "I want to learn about outer space!" Mr. Jones creates a lesson around space by telling Sally to research her topic and write about her 3 favorite parts of space. What type of teaching method is Mr. Jones using?

A) Child-Led

B) Direct Instruction

C) Lecture-Based Learning

D) Structured

Which method of schooling is the most accessible and the least expensive?

A) Charter School

B) Homeschool

C) Private School

D) Public School

References

Corinne. The Disadvantages of Homeschooling: 11 Things to Consider. (2021). The Pragmatic Parent. https://www.thepragmaticparent.com/the-disadvantages-of-homeschooling-11-things-to-consider/

Goodwin, C. The Research on Homeschooling. (2021). Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/parenting-translator/202109/the-research-homeschooling?msockid=1c8f2a61b3156cbe3d0d3f01b25a6d2f

Hernholm, S. (2024, April 30). Rise Of Homeschooling And Its Transformative Impact On Education. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/sarahhernholm/2024/04/30/rise-of-homeschooling-and-its-transformative-impact-on-education

Liberto, G., & English, R. M. (2016). Child-led and interest-inspired learning, home education, learning differences and the impact of regulation. Cogent Education, 3(1), 1194734-. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2016.1194734

Mineo, L. (2020, May 15). Law School professor says there may be a dark side of homeschooling. Harvard Gazette. https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2020/05/law-school-professor-says-there-may-be-a-dark-side-of-homeschooling/

Murphy, J. (2014). The Social and Educational Outcomes of Homeschooling. Sociological Spectrum, 34(3), 244–272. https://doi-org.proxy.lib.odu.edu/10.1080/02732173.2014.895640

How I used AI:

ChatGPT was used to provide feedback on punctuation and correctness of sentences by inputting sentences I wrote.
ChatGPT was used to generate images of parents teaching their children in a homeschool setting.
ChatGPT was used to suggest ideas for learning targets.
Canva and Padlet were used to create visuals.

The use of Artificial Intelligence was extremely helpful for this project. I utilized AI mostly to correct sentences and check for punctuation and citation errors. I was also able to use AI to gain a better understanding of my topic by plugging in tricky subjects such as "Child- Led learning" and asking for clarification. I will definitely be able to utilize this tool for future projects.

Answers:

A) Child-Led

D) Public School

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