persuasive essay on homeschooling vs public schooling

Compare and Contrast Essay: Homeschooling vs Public Schooling

A lot of people like to debate what type of schooling is best for their children. Public schools provide an environment with different types of people and help students adapt to what the world is like. Students learn very useful social skills and practice them every day to be prepared for future opportunities. Homeschooling, on the other hand, seems like a better option for many students as they struggle to balance their schedule, more often at the high school age. Now, especially with the pandemic going around, many parents are switching their children to the homeschool option. 

Money can very often be an issue when parents decide on their child’s schooling. Public schools are typically less costly than homeschool curriculums. The reason why many parents can’t get homeschool, even if they want to, is mostly because of the cost. It is very stressful juggling a job and children in need of an education, and it just seems simpler to send them to public school.

Something that moves parents to deciding on homeschool for their children, is concern for their safety. Public schools may have drugs going around and people getting discriminated against and bullied. According to the CDC, 1 in 5 high school students reportedly experienced school bullying. That leads to a higher risk of suicidal thoughts and even attempts. And parents are trying to keep their children feeling safe in their home. 

Being able to socialize in a healthy way is important to learn from a young age, so we can apply those skills in the future when you need to apply for a job interview. Public schooling includes more socialization than homeschool. Homeschool can teach some skills, but in public schooling it is “built in”, as students are pretty much required to communicate with classmates and teaching personnel. Some homeschooled students tend to feel very lonely. I myself have no friends, and sometimes think to myself that it would be way better to actually learn to socialize in a social setting instead of cooped up in a home sitting at a desk.

Schedules can be very important for teens as they start to be more involved in activities and even work. Public schools are on a pretty tight schedule and everything is laid out specifically by hours. While in homeschool, the schedule is very flexible and changeable. Having a pretty flexible schedule also helps with job opportunities. If a restaurant wants you to work from 8 to 10 AM, on a weekday, it would be really hard to juggle this and public school. While for homeschool, you can just watch the daily lessons later in the day. 

Though there are many differences in homeschooling and public schooling, they both teach relatively the same subjects. Sometimes more or less, as it depends on if it is a religious based homeschool or public school. They both offer the basics, such as math, science, reading, writing (English in older grade levels), and also foreign language can be an option for older grades. In many homeschool curriculums there are plenty of options for Performing Arts and Family and Consumer Science. Though public schools may offer more in terms of elective courses, variety of sports and other extracurricular activities. Also, both options may use many types of media and sources to teach in a more fun or “hands-on” way. If it is alright with your on-site teacher, you can get creative while doing homeschool too. It isn’t as boring as some people perceive it to be. There are plenty of classes like art and science that offer hands-on activities. 

Both schooling options can have downsides, and great sides to them. Money, safety, being social, and scheduling are all important factors in a healthy school experience, but at the end of the day, I believe what matters most is what you feel like fits you best and what makes you most comfortable.

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Homeschooling vs Public School (Argumentative Essay)

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Public Schooling versus Homeschooling

Education is viewed as an essential commodity to the future of every child. Parents’ desire is to give their children the best education in a favorable environment. In an attempt to give their children the best education, parents have to choose the best schooling system they feel best considering the abilities of their children. Amongst the choices available are the public education and homeschooling. Homeschool are led and managed by the parents while public schools are governed by the government. Parents make their decisions depending on their social and economic beliefs and other factors depending on the experience they have had with schools. Some parents believe that homeschooling is better than public schooling and reverse is also true to some parents.

Public schooling is the oldest education system in the educational system. It has preferences to homeschooling by some parents. In public school apart from uniforms and other requirements the government pays most of the tuition fees. Payment of tuition fees by the government guarantees most children education, whether from rich or humble backgrounds. This is not the case with homeschooling as parents are forced to buy everything from books to teaching services in homeschooling.

In public school the level of socialization is high. Children meet and interact with other kids from different parts of the country. Children get to know how to communicate to various groups of people from different parts.

Public schools have enough funds to enable students to participate in extra-curricular activities like clubs, bands, and sports. These events make the child grow up physically healthy and with confidence.

Homeschools are gaining popularity due to their advantages over public schools. Many parents see the expenses of homeschool as less than that of public schools. In a homeschool, there are no uniform requirements, and this reduces its expenditures. Also, there are no mandatory fees in homeschooling.

In a homeschool, there is family togetherness. Every child grows up knowing their family values and cultural practices. The family does most of the chores together, which is viewed as an essential part of learning. Each child is given a chance to show his worth and role in the family; this makes children feel part of the household.

Academically, the quality is enhanced in homeschools. The parents choose what curriculum best fit their children depending on children’s ability. Most parents have had education in public schools, and they have their good and bad experience about the quality of academics in public schools. Also, in a homeschool teacher-student ratio is reduced and every student can be attended by a teacher at persona levels, unlike public schools.

In a homeschool the environment is safe, and parents feel their children are secured. The children are free from the danger of drugs, unwanted religion by the parents, bullying, etc., which might not be the case in a public school. With such threats out of mind, the students are safe.

Education quality is essential to the future of each country. Therefore, all efforts and funds should be directed towards quality education. The high quality of teaching in homeschooling makes it have an advantage over the public schools. This implies that the homeschooling should be encouraged and where possible its expenses subsidized by the government. Funding the costs alone may not be enough, but a combination of it and other activities like inter school sports will see homeschooling a great success and a better option.

Homeschooling vs. Public Education: A Worthwhile Debate

We’ve all seen them.  They were the unfamiliar and often socially awkward kids who joined our tee ball teams or showed up to the Girl Scout meetings.  “Who are they?” we all whispered.  Maybe they went to a different school.  Maybe they were new in town.  But when we asked our parents about these kids, they replied in that slightly condescending tone, “Oh, they’re homeschooled.”

Despite the stigma which still surrounds homeschooling, parents who choose this form of education are finally getting their payoff.  Since 1999, the number of parents who choose to homeschool their children has grown by 75%.  And although the number of children in a homeschooling environment still only represents a mere 4% of the total number of school-going youth, the number of parents choosing to forgo “traditional” public education is growing seven times faster than the rate of children being enrolled in public schools each year.

For those who argue that these numbers do not justify the effectiveness of a homeschooled education, we might instead look to the statistics.  The typical homeschooled child scores in the 65th to 89th percentile on standardized testing, while the average child in a public school environment scores somewhere around the 50th percentile.  Further, homeschooled children have been shown to score consistently higher on the ACT and go on to earn higher GPAs as college students.  Homeschooled children have even been shown to attain four year degrees at much higher rates than students from public school  and private schools.

The benefits don’t stop there.  Whereas the average total expenditures for a child in public school near $10,000 a year, those for the homeschooled child average somewhere between $500 and $600 a year.  So not only does homeschooling provide educational benefits, but it provides financial payoffs as well.

But what about socialization?  Often plagued with the stereotype that homeschooled children lack basic social skills and cues, proponents of homeschooling claim this is not true.  The National Home Education Research Institute claims that homeschooled children have actually shown to become more socially engaged individuals than their peers, demonstrating “healthy social, psychological, and emotional development, and success into adulthood.”

So what might the future bring?  Will more parents opt for homeschooling than public schooling?  And what can be done to remedy the apparent downfalls in public schooling that are causing more parents to choose homeschooling?

It appears that the issues with public schooling really come down to a few things.  First, there seems to be a lack of individual communication between students and teachers.  In larger public schools, there may be as many as 40 some students in a class, often severely decreasing the amount of time a teacher may spend one on one with each student.  Particularly at young ages, this one on one communication can be vital to the strength of a student’s education.  A student struggling with reading or math is easily overlooked in a large class and often does not have the confidence to approach the teacher on their own.

Public schools may also limit the achievement of a student.  Some schools are ill-equipped, whether financially or faculty-wise, to provide advanced or accelerated level courses for those students who have been shown to consistently score well academically.  Often these students are then forced to learn at a much slower rate due to the capabilities of  their classmates and thus are stunted intellectually.  Although this system is acceptable to parents of students who may be struggling compared to classmates, it could well be detrimental to those high achieving students.

Finally, as is evident by the strong anti-bullying push present in nearly every modern school, public schools often foster social anxiety and damage to mental health.  When a child learns to associate school and education with unease and even dread, it becomes a difficult perception to change.  Many students who are bullied in primary school struggle with their academics, too caught up in the social aspect of school to remember that education is the true purpose.

So what is to be done?  Given that the issues above have long been present, it seems unlikely that there will be an easy change.  Thus, it seems to be left at the hands of the parent, whether they believe in the merits of public education or prefer to foster their child’s learning in the home.

Source:   Education News

3 thoughts on “ Homeschooling vs. Public Education: A Worthwhile Debate ”

I really enjoyed reading this blog! In the area where I grew up there has always been a negative stigma towards homeschooling. I knew barely anyone that had been homeschooled growing up, so I had little to no knowledge on this subject! I truly cannot believe how many positives there seem to be surrounding the idea of home schooling! I think that this alternative route for education could benefit many kids. I will have to think about this someday when I consider where I want my kids to go to school! (if I have kids, that is)

I think that it is difficult to say whether homeschool or public school is the better option. All the statistics seem to say that children who are homeschooled are just as, or even more successful as those who aren’t, but homeschooling isn’t always plausible for families. Most parents work so they don’t have time to educate their children on top of that. I think that it is more a question of how can we improve the school system to accommodate for the problems that are easily fixed by homeschooling. Maybe building more schools so classes aren’t as large could be one option. There are always many issues with these solutions though as well so who really knows what the best fix is.

I love your topic choice for this blog! As you mentioned, homeschooling has often in the past been looked upon as a stigma within the average community. However, the points you made on the potential benefits leads me to question why this method of education isn’t used more often? With arguments surrounding a fostered environment, more individualized teachings, and advanced classes, maybe the main reason to why this form of teaching could be due to parents not having adequate resources to pursue this style. Many parents often have to balance a busy work schedule with time with their kids, and often public schooling is an easier option. Even with parents who are homemakers, they often may not have the skills to teach their child higher level calculus where public schools have that capability. Although homeschooling is a good alternative, there are still limits on its effectiveness and variability. Thanks for the great read, keep up the good work!

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Homeschooling vs Traditional Schooling: pros and cons

As a vast majority of the world went remote in early 2020 at the dawn of the COVID-19 pandemic, students had to quickly adapt to remote learning from home. Due to this, many parents began to consider homeschooling for their child rather than return children to their traditional schooling methods. But what are the pros and cons of homeschooling versus traditional schooling?

Homeschooling: the pros

• No commute: Very often, students can only attend certain public schools if they reside in the right district. Alternatively, if they attend a private school further from home, the commute can be long during peak school run hours. As such, homeschooling saves time which can be spent doing further coursework, exploring personal interests, or spending more time with friends and family. 
• Tailor-made Curriculum: Although certain states/countries may have specific requirements on what it takes to graduate from high school if homeschooled, the option does give students and their parents the luxury of exploring personal interests, going at their own pace, and taking advanced courses where the student is able to. 
• Custom Schedule: The typical 8am-3pm does not have to hold true with homeschooling! While some legal requirements for a minimum number of hours may be present, students are able to have flexibility to pursue other goals such as competitive gymnastics, travel the world with their families, etc. 
• Higher performance: According to ThinkImpact, public school students received an average score of 21 out of 36 on the ACT, whereas homeschooled students received an average of 22.8. As for the SATs, homeschoolers scored a nationwide average of 72 points more than their traditional schooled counterparts in the United States in 2020. 
• Safety: The risks of COVID-19, school shootings, and other unfortunate situations are minimized at home. The extent of safety will also vary upon the neighborhood the school and home are located in. 

Homeschooling: the cons

• Social life restrictions: Students who are homeschooled do not have classmates with them daily. As such, they can be lonely unless a solid effort is made to interact with peers their age through other activities such as attending a church or place of worship, sports teams, community events, etc. 
• Pressure on parent’s time: Working a job and raising a child is already a huge time commitment for most adults. As such, being the child’s teacher is an additional burden on parents which not all are able to undertake. Furthermore, a parent will have to ensure that healthy boundaries are set between the parent and child now that the “teacher and student” dynamic is also present. 
• Cost: The cost of a homeschool curriculum can be a few thousand dollars, whereas public school is free. However, it should be noted that homeschool can be cheaper than private school, so it is up to a family to decide how to best use their educational budget here. 

Traditional Schooling: the pros

• Social life and development: At school, teens get to spend dozens of hours each week with peers their age, thus giving them a platform to develop their social skills.
• Professional instruction: Teachers at schools are qualified, trained professionals who have mastered their craft and in the later grades specialize in their area of instruction. 
• Structure:  Many children thrive on having a set routine and structure in their daily schedules, and schools are the greatest source of structure in a youngster’s life. 
• Extracurriculars: Schools, especially those with a larger student population, tend to offer extracurriculars which a student is not able to acquire at home. Be it being a part of the chess club, trying out for the football team, or running for student government, certain activities cannot be done in a home setting.
• School spirit: Being a member of a school helps develop a youngster’s identity, and students are able to obtain a sense of belonging (provided the school is a good fit for them, of course!). 
• Fostering independence: From keeping track of their own timetable (deadlines, bus schedules, etc), purchasing/bringing their lunch, and finding their way from classes, traditional schooling helps build valuable life skills which shall help students once they graduate. 

Traditional Schooling: the cons

• More traditional curriculum: Instead of exploring their own interests, students are forced to study subjects at the same pace as their classmates and course selection is more limited.
• Peer pressure: Be it wearing the latest Nike shoes, fitting in with the cool crowd, or dealing with bullies, peer pressure plays a big part of a teenager’s life and is more present in traditional schooling environments.
• Overwhelmed teachers: Many teachers have dozens of students on their roster and getting each student’s individual needs met is not often accomplished. 
• Fitting in: Perhaps the school is simply not a good fit for who your child is – be it the type of curriculum offered, the crowd present, or the overall management of the school. 

While these are just a few of the pros and cons seen in traditional schooling vs homeschooling, I would like to remind you that there is no direct answer as to which option is better. A family needs to consider their own needs to make this decision, including their time, teaching capabilities, educational budget, location, future goals, and resources. Here at Crimson we are always happy to discuss these options and also work together to advise a hybrid model if necessary – where students may take some courses outside of school in addition to the courses in their regular schooling. The pandemic has made more families consider homeschooling after seeing how their child has been handling remote learning – but before you jump the gun, make sure to consider all the pros and cons thoroughly! 

Your friendly neighbourhood Rise blogger, 

Learn more about Crimson Rise’s strategic mentorship, academic support, and extracurricular coaching for young students, and request a free consultation on your child’s journey!

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Argumentation For and Against Homeschooling: Essay Example

Homeschooling: essay introduction, why homeschooling is bad: essay body paragraph, why homeschooling is good: body paragraph, home schooling: essay conclusion, works cited.

The popularity of homeschooling seems to increase, although some people are convinced that homeschoolers are not going to amount to anything valuable in the long run. In this speech, I am going to outline the strong points and drawbacks of homeschooling.

It is believed that homeschooled children lack social skills, and their parents bear huge expenses and have no time for themselves; on the other hand, homeschooling perfectly fits the child’s needs, is valued no less than public schooling, and creates closer family bonds; additionally, in contrast to public schools, homeschooling de-stresses children rather than distresses them.

As their strongest argument, skeptics generally maintain that homeschooled children do not receive the social interaction they need. At earlier stages of development, it is critical for children to socialize and advance their communication skills.

Children studying at home do not get this opportunity and are likely to have problems socializing and making friends later in life. An unsociable child is also prone to have troubles with peer acceptance – not least because homeschooling is still regarded as an oddity and deviation.

Another argument is concerned with the cost of home education. At that, it does not matter if the parents choose to educate the child themselves or hire a tutor –in both instances, their budget is likely to be shattered.

A serious point to consider is that, on average, a tutor’s services will cost $30-40 per hour (“The Tutor Guide” par. 1). A parent tutor will probably have to quit their job to get all the time they need. One way or the other, homeschooling is a costly affair.

Apart from the money it takes to homeschool children, parents are likely to devote most of their time to it. Eventually, they might find themselves spending 24 hours a day with their children with not a moment of solitude and privacy left. Although such parental participation does not seem alarming short term, it can be stressful in the long run – which is the reason some parents find they are not quite ready to homeschool.

These arguments are logical and true to life – but let us look on the brighter side.

Those who stand for homeschooling insist that it provides tailor-fit education. The child has a chance to learn at their own pace, which can be slower or faster than that of public school students. It is true that every child is special, and every child’s needs matter.

Still, in cases when children cannot cope with the public school environment, homeschooling can be the only way out (Kirk et al. 2). The parents (or tutor) can fit the education process to their child’s needs – presumably, for the children’s own good.

To counter the parental stress argument, it does not make much logical reasoning to admit homeschoolers are likely to have better relationships with their families. Provided that the parents are not overly authoritative when it comes to educational activities, familial bonds are formed and preserved lifelong.

By educating their children and tracking their progress, parents have a chance to know their children better, which is the cornerstone of good parenting. Additionally, parental involvement can prevent aggressive and destructive behaviors in teens and pre-teens, which is another solid point to consider.

Speaking about aggression, one cannot deny that bullying issues are pressing as ever. Despite public schools’ best efforts, peer pressure is persistent. Homeschoolers, in their turn, are free from the agony and negativity bullying brings.

Consider a harassed school student trying to concentrate – and failing at that. Now consider education in a comfortable homely atmosphere where a child feels loved and valued. In this respect, a homeschooler not only has a chance to focus but also develops an emotionally stable personality.

Finally – and this is good news – there is an extensive list of colleges that accept homeschoolers (Bunday n.pag.). Each year homeschooled students are admitted to study in selected colleges and universities across the U.S. Such institutions like Harvard College, Yale University, University of Chicago, Trinity University, and many others are known to have admitted homeschooled students – that is, without high school diplomas. Many institutions believe homeschoolers are more fit for the scholarly atmosphere. Based on some general tests, portfolios, and application essays, homeschoolers have equal admission chances.

To conclude, it would be wrong to say homeschooling does not have its weak points. Still, the strong points can seem more relevant for some and, eventually, determine their choice of educating children. Whether you think that the strengths of homeschooling outweigh the weaknesses or not, you have to admit the practice is viable and is quite likely to bring positive results.

Bunday, Karl M. “ Colleges That Admit Homeschoolers .” Learn in Freedom. Learn in Freedom, 2013.

Kirk, Samuel, James J. Gallagher, Mary Ruth Coleman, and Nicholas J. Anastasiow.

Educating Exceptional Children. 13th ed. Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning, 2011. Print.

“ The Tutor Guide: Tutoring Fees .” Care.com . Care.com, 2016.

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How Does Homeschooling Compare to Public School?

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Basic Differences

Test results, grade point average, college placement, emotional adjustment.

Many parents considering a homeschool education over a more traditional experience want to know how homeschooling compares to public school—especially when it comes to academic performance.

You're not alone if you've considered removing your children from regular school in favor of homeschooling. When you think of the advantages of teaching your kids at home , you likely envision the freedom of making your own schedule, focusing on particular areas of interest, and going at your child's pace.

But does a home-based education offer a leg up for kids in terms of scholastic advancement? It depends. Here's how educating at home stands up to public school for test results, GPA, college placement, and more. 

An education at home differs from a traditional public school education in some basic (but significant) ways that may impact academic performance. Individualized attention from a parent-slash-teacher can make a world of difference for a student who is struggling academically or has a learning disability , for example.

Working independently may also allow more advanced students to go at their own pace, not having to wait for others to catch up. On the other hand, depending on the challenge level of subject matter, you may have to learn about certain topics alongside your child (or access someone with the appropriate expertise).

Many factors you might expect to affect academic success at home have surprisingly low impact. Whether or not a parent has earned a teaching degree or certificate is not associated with their child’s academic achievement, and neither is the degree of government control in their state . Parents’ level of formal education and household income are also not correlated with children’s scholastic proficiency.  

While test results aren’t the only indicator of a child’s academic prowess, they can be an important benchmark of learning—and they do matter for college placement. The effects of homeschooling on test results are promising.

As far back as 1998, one study found that homeschool children’s median scores on standardized tests such as the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills landed in the 70 th to 80 th percentile.

Similarly, according to the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI), students educated at home typically score 15 to 30 percentile points higher than public school students on standardized tests for academic achievement.

For Black students, the numbers are even higher. Black children who homeschool score 23 to 42 percentage points higher on standardized tests than their counterparts in public schools.

On the ACT, a test used nationwide for college admissions, composite scores for homeschooled students fluctuated between 22.3 in 2007 and 22.8 in 2014. (The highest possible score is 36.) Though not as high as scores from private school students, these rankings were 1.4 to 2.2 points above the average public school student.

Grade point average, or GPA, is another common point of reference for academic performance. Because many homeschool families don’t calculate GPA, limited data exists comparing grade point average between home and publicly educated kids. However, research has been conducted on the GPAs of college students who homeschooled during their K-12 years. 

One study conducted at an unnamed private university in the American Southeast found a statistically significant increase in the college GPA of students who were homeschooled versus those who were not.

In another study from an unnamed university in the Midwest, students who had homeschooled finished their freshman year of college with an average GPA of 3.37, compared with the 3.08 average GPA of other students.

The academic advantages of homeschooling continued throughout the college years. As seniors, the same students earned an average GPA of 3.41, compared to the 3.16 average GPA of non-homeschooled seniors.

Other, more in-depth research tells a somewhat different story, however. A 2016 study analyzed data from nearly 825,000 students at 140 colleges and universities and found that students who had been homeschooled did not achieve higher GPA in their first year of college, nor were they more likely to return for a sophomore year.  

For many colleges and universities, admissions are handled very similarly between students who have had a traditional education and those who have homeschooled.

With the rise in various nontraditional forms of education, even institutions like Ivy League schools have acknowledged the value a home-based education can provide their potential students. (However, many do not publicize statistics about their homeschool admissions.)

Homeschooled students may need to emphasize certain aspects of their education in a college application to improve their chances of admission. Applicants may need to provide extra information about their academic curriculum and take optional tests to establish their academic abilities.

On the other hand, because homeschoolers can often earn college credit before high school graduation, they may have an advantage for college placement—or, at the very least, for finishing a degree sooner than students from public school. 

A comparison between home and public education isn’t all about academics. Your child’s emotional development matters, too. Stereotypes about homeschool education may have you believe that homeschooled kids are more likely to be socially awkward or emotionally stunted. Fortunately, this doesn’t have to be the case.

According to the NHERI, homeschoolers often rank above average in measures of social, emotional, and psychological development.

The degree to which your child grows emotionally will largely depend on the environment in your home and the activities you expose them to.

Consider how you might involve your child in volunteering, participating in academic or extracurricular cohort groups, playing league sports, or taking lessons on an instrument. These outside-the-home extras can all expose your child to other people of various backgrounds, as well as help them make friends.

A Word From Verywell 

Only you can decide if homeschooling is the best choice for your family. If you do choose to teach at home, there are no guarantees that this form of education will produce better results, academically or emotionally, for your child.

In large part, the success of homeschooling depends on you as an educator and your child as a learner. However, much of the research indicates that homeschooling can provide your child a greater likelihood of academic achievement.

Ray BD. Homeschooling: The Research . National Home Education Research Institute. 2020.

Rudner LM. Scholastic achievement and demographic characteristics of home school students in 1998 . Educ Policy Anal Arch. 1999:7(8). doi:10.14507/epaa.v7n8.1999

Ray BD.  African American homeschool parents’ motivations for homeschooling and their black children’s academic achievement .  Journal of School Choice. 2015; 9:1, 71-96. doi:10.1080/15582159.2015.998966

ACT, Inc. Trends in ACT composite scores among homeschooled students . 2015.

Almasoud S, Fowler SR. The difference in the academic achievements of homeschooled and non-homeschooled students . Home School Researcher . 2016;32(1).

Cogan M. Exploring academic outcomes of homeschooled students . Journal of College Admission. 2010;208:18-25.

Yu MC, Sackett PR, Kuncel NR. Predicting college performance of homeschooled versus traditional students . Educ Meas . 2016;35(4):31-39. doi:10.1111/emip.12133

U.S. News & World Report. How homeschooling affects college admissions . 2018.

By Sarah Garone  Sarah Garone, NDTR, is a freelance health and wellness writer who runs a food blog.

Homeschool vs. Public School:

The ultimate showdown, read ahead:, a spectrum of schooling options, homeschool vs. public school: the pros and cons, do you wonder if they might be better off in public school, what about public school at home.

• Wouldn’t My Children be Better Educated by a Professional?

Since Homeschools Are Private Schools in Texas, Aren’t They Regulated the Same Way?

Is homeschooling about to become the new normal.

• Public schooling : Your children are  under the care of trained professionals  who apply a district-wide or statewide curriculum over which you have almost no influence. Children are educated in  groups of approximately 25 and are   away from home about eight hours per day  (counting the commute) for approximately 180 days of the year.
• Private or charter school : Your children are  under the care of trained professionals  who apply a specific curriculum over which you have almost no influence. However, private and charter schools offer alternatives to public school curriculums. If you choose a private or charter option, it’s likely because their curriculum or method of instruction more closely aligns with your own educational philosophy.  Class sizes may be considerably smaller. As with public school, children are away from home about eight hours daily  for approximately 180 days a year.
• Public school at home : Also known as virtual school, your children are  under your care but are under the instruction of trained professionals.  They apply a district-wide or statewide curriculum over which you have almost no influence. Instruction may be in online groups, but  your child is at home  with limited in-person exposure to other students. Students may complete their work more quickly, spending  as few as four hours daily .  Depending on the program , students with special circumstances may have flexibility to complete their work outside regular school hours.
• University-Model : This hybrid model is part homeschooling and part private school.  Your children are at home for two to three days per week, attending a kind of private school on alternate days . As for curriculum, the choice is yours on home days and you may have some influence on group days. Some programs have trained educators, while some use parents to teach group classes. Most programs have a regular academic schedule, meaning that your child will be away from home about 20 hours weekly.
• Unschooling : In this alternative method of homeschooling,  your child engages in self-directed learning with varying degrees of oversight by parents or teachers . Since the child is in the pilot’s seat, we listed unschooling to the left of other homeschooling types. Typically,  the child is at home with parents, schooling as much as the family deems necessary . (Although acceptable in Texas, other states may have minimum attendance requirements.)
• Homeschooling : This encompasses  many variations , including traditional homeschooling, classical education, Charlotte Mason, unit studies and other types. However, most share the common characteristic of  parent-taught education using a curriculum of the parent’s choosing. The class size is the number of school-age children in the household. In Texas, parents determine the school schedule.  Other states may have statutes requiring a certain number of days or hours.

I Needed Her

I needed relationships, i needed a godly worldview, but i’m not a certified teacher wouldn’t my children be better educated by a professional.

• 5 Reasons This Homeschool Grad Plans to Homeschool Her Kids
• Facts About Homeschoolers
• Resisting Bureaucracy: A Case Study of Home Schooling
• Should You Homeschool Your Special Needs Child?
• Don’t Feel Smart Enough to Homeschool? Rely on 1 Simple Principle…

Homeschools

• Requires that parents teach in a bona fide manner and provide a letter of assurance, if requested by the school district.
• Requires written curriculum consisting of reading, spelling, grammar, math and a course in good citizenship.

Traditional Private Schools

• Requires immunizations unless parents have an exemption for health risks or religious reasons.
• Must report names of students who are suspected of having infectious diseases.
• Must obtain records of anyone under the age of 11 for identification purposes.
• No alcoholic beverages within 1,000 feet of school.
• Requires all students to have a medical screening.
• No guns or other weapons allowed on school premises.
• Require adequate financial resources.
• Demonstrate professional management of their resources.
• Provide a clearly stated philosophy with objectives that are adequate to implement the philosophy.
• Need a physical location and facilities adequate to support the program.
• Staff must hold relevant college degrees and be qualified, by preparation or experience, for the positions and work to which they are assigned.
• Must have a minimum attendance requirement similar to public schools, either in hours per day or days per year.
• Must conduct a self-study and qualitatively assess its strengths and limitations, including achievement of objectives and compliance with state Board of Education rules.
• Private elementary schools must maintain student academic records and achievement levels required for promotion, comparable to those in public schools.

Teaching Truth in Your Homeschool Curriculum

How did we get here, seeing the truth for what it really is, it’s more than policy and laws, share this story, choose your platform, related posts.

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Great read!!! Thanks for sharing such a great read, keep sharing such a great blog. Blog like these helps each and every homeschooler in homeschooling their children in the best possible way.

Thank you! We love helping homeschool families find the resources they need! Blessings, Ashley – Customer Relations

No Thank YOU

i need more info

Dear Kimberly,

I am not entirely sure what you need more information about, but if you are trying to find out how to homeschool, check out our website, under Getting Started: https://homeeducator.com/getting-started/

Blessings, Ashley – Customer Relations

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this article! I am hoping and praying that my husband will come to an agreement for me to homeschool our children. Thank you for sharing this!

Dear Michelle,

I am so glad you enjoyed it! We have some other great articles below to help equip you if you decide to homeschool.

Watch: I am a homeschooler (meet other homeschool families)

Record keeping: https://homeeducator.com/keeping-homeschool-records/

Preparing a high school transcript: https://thsc.org/homeschool-transcript/

Great article, I really enjoyed seeing homeschooling from an inside perspective. You mentioned a lot of facts on the homeschooling reasoning. However, I believe that no matter what a parent may choose to do with their child, God will be there guiding them along the way. I plan on becoming a public school teacher myself. And i do believe that God has a strategic plan to place me in a school where I will have an effect on those students like myself (christian and going through public school). I was expecting to read more about the difference between the two. But overall great read, and I appreciate the time and effort put into this article!

Thank you for your kind words! The differences between the two can be subtle or extreme, depending on the state you live in. For instance, in Texas, there are only 3 requirements families must meet, they do not have to report to anyone, and parents should oversee the homeschool, not a program, according to Texas Education Code. However, some states do have rigorous reporting requirements and families must report to the district, or other facilitators, depending on that state’s laws. Learn more about homeschool laws across the United States: https://homeeducator.com/getting-started/state-requirements/

Is Jennings the only author on this source? This page is a little hard to cite and I want to make sure I give credit where credit is due!

Dear Sarah,

Actually, I believe this article was an effort of multiple members of our publications team and our other teams to collect information. Thank you for that. Ms. Jennings one member of our team. The contributors are: Donna Schillinger, Brian D. Ray, Ph.D., Kenzie Knapp, Jeremy Newman

Thank you for sharing this article!

Blessings, Ashley – Customer Support

I’ve been homeschooled all my life and I’m going into 6th grade and I debating if I should stay home school or go to public school and this helped a lot. thank you so much!!!!!!

I love hearing that! Keep up the great work.

Well written and informative. It can be challenging for many parents to transition to homeschool but reading this article answers a lot of questions and concerns.

Thank you! We love helping homeschoolers find great ideas.

16 Public School vs Homeschool Pros and Cons

The National Home Education Research Institute reports that there are more than 2.3 million homeschool students in the United States right now. This figure has been rapidly climbing since 2010, with some years seeing 8% growth. Homeschooling is the traditional educational practice that was once considered an alternative form of instruction, but it is now becoming a mainstream choice for students of all capabilities. Some public schools even offer it as an option for the most gifted and talented students in their district.

It Is often far cheaper to educate students in the home environment when compared to the structure of modern public schools. In the United States, the average taxpayer supports each student to the tune of more than $11,000, plus capital expenditures, to create a positive learning environment. Homeschooled students cost virtually nothing to the taxpayer because the family picks up the tab.

Although there are some stereotypes involved with homeschooling, it is just as diverse as the public school population. You will find Christians, atheists, liberals, conservatives, families in poverty, and households with enormous wealth all looking at the pros and cons of public schools compared to homeschooling.

If you are thinking about making a switch, then here are some of the key points to consider.

List of the Pros of Public Schooling vs Homeschooling

1. Public schools allow parents to work outside of the home more efficiently. The design of the average day for public schools is purposely intended to work in conjunction with the usual demands that adults face in the workplace. Kids will get on the bus at 8am, and then return home around 4pm during each weekday (save for early release days, holidays, and some teacher work days). That makes it possible for a two-parent household to make ends me it better because both adults can work outside of the home full-time without the added financial burden of daycare expenses.

2. Public schools are still an affordable option compared to other outcomes. Homeschooling is still cheaper than a public school, but for the average household, attending classes through the local district is still an excellent financial consideration. The average cost of a boarding school in the United States was more than $24,000 in 2017. If you attended classes at a school that was independent of affiliation, your price would be even more than that. Many families can attend the local public school without an additional expense beyond their tax liabilities. That is why it is such an affordable option. Everyone in the community chips in to provide an effective learning environment.

3. Public schools offer access to more diversity. When children attend a public school, then they are more likely to encounter other people that don’t look, act, or think exactly like they do. It is an opportunity to learn about different cultures, income levels, and perspectives that homeschooling does not always provide. There are even opportunities to work with other students that may have physical or mental disabilities. By understanding how humanity is diverse at a younger age, it creates a strong foundation that students can build upon as they get older and approach adulthood.

4. Public schools offer more extracurricular opportunities. Students in public school often have more options for activities after the final bell compared to children who are attending a homeschool or private school. There are options for athletics, theater, and music. Although some school districts will offer these opportunities to homeschooled students upon request, this option is not always guaranteed. If a student is interested in high school sports, then in most locations, public school is their only option to be active.

5. Public schools require specific certifications that teachers must meet. Teachers in public schools are generally required by their state or community to be certified in the subject material that they will teach. Private schools and charter schools do not always have this requirement, which means parents are not always aware of the level of training that their child’s teacher has obtained before being hired. Homeschooling often places the burden of teaching on the parent, which means they must be well-versed in all subject materials to help their students stay competitive with the local district.

6. Public schools allow students to have more social opportunities. One of the most common complaints that students have when they are homeschooled is that they do not get to spend as much time with their friends when compared to their public school counterparts. When you attend a public school, then the connections that you can make are automatically there. If you are homeschooling, then it is up to each family to find the connections in their community where relationships can begin to build. If you are the only family that decides to homeschool or you live in a very rural area, then it can be an isolating experience.

7. Public schools offer a guaranteed schedule. Unless there is a snow day or an unexpected emergency, you know what to expect from the public school calendar each year. Families receive this schedule at the beginning of the year, allowing them to plan for specific events in advance that might have a conflict with their regular schedule. When the end of the year comes along, you know whether or not your child will advance to the next grade. With homeschooling, parents must always be vigilant about motivation. Otherwise, the school year can easily extend into the summer months.

8. Public schools provide a glimpse of how the world operates. With the development of homeschooling co-ops, there are more opportunities for students who learn at home to socialize than ever before. Where a public school holds an advantage is in its overall structure. When you are in control of your entire schedule as a homeschool student, it can be a struggle to adapt to firm expectations about what you are supposed to do or when you must arrive. Being in a public school creates an opportunity to learn how to manage these expectations so that it is easier to be successful once you begin to pursue a vocational career.

List of the Cons of Public Schooling vs Homeschooling

1. Homeschooling allows parents to determine the curriculum. Parents have a lot more say in the curriculum that their children follow when they decide to homeschool instead of sending their kids to public school. Although there are state laws that must be followed in the United States regarding the quality of the materials are used, there are several options from which to choose that you would not receive if you worked with your local school district. You also get to be in control of the schooling schedule, which means you can work around family needs more often without having an extensive back-and-forth with administrators.

2. Homeschooling helps you to create stronger bonds with your kids. Many homeschooling parents act as the teachers for their children when using the educational materials for each grade level. There is much more time for family bonding when compared to public schooling because the classroom is wherever you want it to be. You are spending more time together in a way that promotes conversation and bonding that is just not possible when working with the local school district.

3. Homeschooling allows you to move at your own pace. Homeschooling makes it possible to adapt teaching methods to the best ways that individual children learn. Even when parents are using a K-12 online schooling option for their homeschooling needs, the teachers and administrators which work with the program can adapt to changing circumstances more quickly than public schools. If children need to spend extra time working on a challenging concept, then they can stay at that part of the curriculum until they have mastered the issue. This structure promotes a greater understanding of core issues that may impact the student later on in life.

4. Homeschooling provides students with greater safety. The stories of school shootings that flood the news cycle each year create a rightful worry for parents who send their children to public school. You may never know when a text or phone call comes in that says a lockdown incident occurred at the school where their child attends. When you make the decision to start homeschooling, then you can begin to provide an extra measure of safety for your family.

It is an opportunity to protect kids from more than just school violence. There are fewer issues with drug use, behavioral distractions, and other adverse events which can sometimes occur in a public school setting. As a parent, you won’t be dealing with lollipops in the hair or gum being thrown at someone because another child thought it was funny.

5. Homeschool allows parents to discuss controversial topics with discretion. One of the most critical elements of parenthood today is to teach children your family’s culture and perspectives on life. Even though kids may disagree with the perspective of the parent, the discussions on controversial topics can lead to more information and knowledge about the subject matter. This structure may not always be available in public schools. Whether the topic involves sexual education, spirituality, or the potential problems with common core math, the extra level of control that is available outside of public schools allows for a greater depth of individual learning.

6. Homeschool students often score higher on standardized tests. Homeschooled students average more than 70 points higher on their SAT scores when compared to kids to attend their local public school. The average score on the ACT for homeschooled students is 22.8, while it is 21 for the general population. Although critics may point out issues with demographics and sampling, both boys and girls who receive homeschooling score in the 85th percentile or above on average – even when household incomes are below $35,000 per year.

7. Homeschooling allows for more play learning opportunities. Public schools often stick to a specific schedule for play opportunities by incorporating recesses of 15-20 minutes a couple of times per day. Although there are in-classroom play opportunities growing in some districts, homeschooling provides this option whenever you want to have them. Even if you don’t get outside to play all of the time, there are STEM toys that can become part of your lesson plan.

8. Homeschooling provides more opportunities to learn how to schedule priorities. When students attend a public school, their schedule is often dictated for them. That includes any extracurricular activities which they may wish to pursue through their district. Because homeschooling encourages more independent learning, it creates a situation where a student and their family must become cognizant of their educational priorities. You must learn how to identify essential tasks, and then manage your time in such a way that it becomes possible to complete them.

List of the Similarities Between Public School vs Homeschool

1. Both groups can take vacations during the school year. In the past 20 years, the regulations that require students to attend public schools have eased considerably. As long as parents provide enough notice to their school district about a vacation or trip that they need to take during the school year, they have the same advantage as homeschooling parents do when it comes to schedule flexibility. Public school teachers provide assignments for students on vacation during the school year just as homeschool parents would offer to their children.

2. Both groups have access to multiple teaching opportunities. Many states have encouraged their public school districts to identify students who would benefit from learning opportunities that fall outside of the definition of “normal.” You will find gifted and talented programs creating different classroom environments for students today. Teachers and administrators are creating pods in schools that get students away from their desks. There are gardening and farming program opportunities available to students as well.

3. Both groups can eliminate homework from the learning equation. More public schools today are embracing the idea of removing homework from a student’s routine than ever before. Homeschooling doesn’t really have homework either because you are completing lesson plans based on the schedule that works with your family. Although there are exceptions to this similarity on both sides, many kids have their evenings free to pursue other activities.

4. Both groups can pursue curriculum choices that are interesting to the student. Both educational groups have the opportunity to provide input on the curriculum choices that they pursue at school. Although homeschooling families have it easier with this similarity because they can choose specific courses based on their local requirements and resources, public school students are finding more choices available to them as well. The number of districts that are requiring study halls or filler classes to complete the school day are diminishing rapidly.

5. Both groups can still encounter bullying. Although homeschooling will typically create a family environment where bullying does not occur, it does not eliminate this issue entirely. It is not uncommon for kids to encounter this issue at homeschool co-ops, at church, or even by other families in their neighborhood. It may be less prevalent than at public school, but bullying happens everywhere. Parents in both groups must teach their children how to recognize a toxic environment and how to respond to that situation to help protect their kids.

6. Both groups provide opportunities for children of any age. You can choose to attend public school through the 12th grade in the United States, which is also an opportunity that homeschooling families can access.

A Final Thought About Public Schools vs Homeschooling

The pros and cons of public schools vs homeschooling must be taken from an individual perspective. There is no right or wrong answer that is specific to everyone when comparing these two educational options. Some families are more comfortable with the idea of sending their child to a local school. Others prefer to provide educational opportunities within the structure of their family environment.

What matters most is that each kiddo gets an opportunity to maximize their potential. Choose the option that will do that for your family, and you will have a successful experience either way.

What are the Benefits of Public School Over Homeschooling?

When it comes to your child’s education, you want to know that you are making the right choice. But each child is unique when it comes to learning, and the option that might be right for another child might not be the best choice for yours. Many parents who are concerned about the quality of their child’s education make the choice to homeschool their kids. If you are thinking about homeschooling as an option, take the time to learn about the benefits of public school over homeschooling – they might just change your mind and your attitude about public school.

This video discusses the pros and cons of homeschooling vs schooling in public school.

What is Homeschooling?

In the simplest of terms, homeschooling is simply schooling your children at home. Homeschooling has become quite the progressive movement in recent years with more and more parents choosing to homeschool instead of sending their children to public school. There are a number of reasons why a parent might choose to homeschool their child – here are a few:

• The family might have different religious beliefs than those taught (or not taught) in public school. Homeschooling allows you to choose whether to incorporate religion or not.
• Homeschooling might offer more specialized educational attention for special needs children.
• Parents may have different educational philosophies than public school administrators and teachers. With homeschooling, you choose what philosophies to follow.
• Children may progress faster in a homeschool setting than in a public school.
• Schooling at home may promote a closer familiar relationship – many parents find that they enjoy spending extra time with their kids in homeschool.
• Public school options in the area may not offer the preferred degree of educational quality.
• Homeschool can save time since you don’t have to transport your children to and from school every day. The school day can actually be shortened for children.

The homeschool movement really started to gain speed in the 1970s when authors like Raymond Moore and John Holt began writing about educational reform. Homeschooling was a new option in alternative education at the time but, according to the National Home Education Research Institute, there are now more than 2 million children being homeschooled in the United States each year. And that number increases by as much as 7% to 15% each year.

The Pros and Cons of Homeschooling Your Kids

Homeschooling is legal in all fifty states, but there are some requirements you have to meet. Parents are required to choose or create an educational curriculum that meets certain educational standards set forth by the state. As long as those standards are met, however, parents have more educational liberty with homeschooling than with public school. Students may have more opportunities to choose what they learn with homeschooling, and they can learn at their own pace without having to keep up with more advanced students. Homeschool gives parents the opportunity to incorporate religion into their child’s education and it may promote a closer family atmosphere as well.

This video looks at which student does better: the one who is homeschooled or the one who attends public school.

One of the major downsides of homeschooling is that it takes a lot of time to plan and implement educational strategies. In most families, one parent needs to make homeschooling the children their full-time concern – it can be very challenging for a single parent to succeed with homeschooling. Because one parent may not be able to work, homeschooling may put a financial strain on the family finances. Homeschooled children may also have more limited access to extracurricular activities including sports, and they may not have the same level of social interaction as they would in public school. There are, of course, workarounds for these things but they are still challenges associated with homeschooling.

The Benefits of Public School vs. Homeschool

Now that you know a little more about homeschooling and its associated pros and cons, you may be wondering how public school stacks up. Each child is an individual with individual needs, so public school may or may not be the best option. However, the only way you’ll know this to be the case is to take time to learn about the potential benefits of public school versus homeschooling. Here are some of the top benefits you should consider:

• Public school has a built-in structure. Children, particularly young children, thrive on routine and they require a lot of attention and care. If you are trying to homeschool your children while also being a stay-at-home mom, you may find it more challenging than you imagine.
• Many public schools offer sports and elective options like art and music – these programs may not be available to homeschool students.
• A public school teaches children a certain degree of independence. Depending on the grade, children need to keep track of their own class schedules, find their way from one class to another, purchase their own lunch, and make it to and from the bus every day.
• Teachers are public schools are required to carry education degrees and they may have more experience working with and teaching children. Teaching a child is different from parenting a child and many parents struggle to do both.
• Public school is typically cheaper than homeschooling. You could spend $1,000 or more on a homeschool curriculum alone, not to mention supplies. For a public school, you have to buy supplies once or twice a year and you can pack your child’s lunch to save money.
• Children who attend public school have more opportunities for social interaction than many homeschooled students. There are homeschool co-ops that can be helpful, but a public school has built-in social benefits.
• Sending your children to public school frees you up to just be a parent. Doing double duty as both teacher and parent can be both grueling and frustrating at times – especially if you have other non-school-age children to care for.
• Public school gives you and your child some much-needed time apart which helps to foster your child’s independence and gives you a break as well. There is no harm in needing a break from your kids once in a while.
• In addition to the benefits listed above, there are some downsides to public school. For example, public school has a more rigorous and regimented schedule than most homeschool programs, and students may not have the same degree of freedom and flexibility to customize their education. But unless you can fully commit yourself to create and implementing a strong homeschool curriculum, your child may be better off in public school anyway.

This video outlines five differences between homeschooling and public school.

While there are many benefits of private school versus homeschooling, every situation is different. A public school could very well be the best choice for your child while homeschooling is a better option for another child. You may even find that one of your children does better in one environment and another child does better in a separate environment. Your job as a parent is to provide for your child’s needs to the best of your ability. This often means making compromises or making the best of a bad situation. As long as you keep your child’s best interests in mind, you will make the right choice.

Attending public school comes with its own challenges, but homeschooling is not always the better option. Before you decide to homeschool your child, take the time to thoroughly consider your options and explore them from all angles. You may just find that public school is a better option than you previously realized – it is up to you to make the most of it.

Questions? Contact us on Facebook. @publicschoolreview

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Homeschooling Vs. Traditional Schooling: The Differences, The Pros And The Cons

Categories Homeschooling

Deciding between homeschooling and traditional schooling is a significant choice that families often grapple with, and as we attempt to help you navigate this decision-making process, we’ll encounter notable disparities in both approaches.

We’ll delve into the dissimilarities, advantages, and disadvantages of homeschooling vs. traditional schooling and hopefully provide some insight into the educational landscapes that parents have to explore.

The Educational Environment

One of the primary distinctions between homeschooling and traditional schooling is the learning environment, as traditional schools offer structured, classroom-based learning.

Homeschooling provides a flexibility that allows education to unfold within the comfort of a familiar environment. This flexibility can be particularly beneficial for children who thrive in a personalized setting and who function best in a place where they feel comfortable and safe.

Curriculum Customization

Homeschooling stands out for its flexibility in the curriculum as parents can tailor it to their child’s learning style and pace, which encourages a more profound understanding of subjects.

Traditional schools adhere to standardized curricula designed for large groups, which can potentially leave some students behind. The ability to customize a curriculum is a significant advantage for homeschooling, as it ensures that each child’s educational journey is uniquely tailored to their needs and can be delivered at a pace that suits the child instead of a standardized timetable.

Social Interaction

A critical consideration is social interaction, as traditional schooling provides consistent interaction with peers, which helps to develop essential social skills as students learn to navigate social dynamics, work in groups, and build relationships. In homeschooling, deliberate efforts are required to create social opportunities, ensuring children develop interpersonal skills beyond the family circle, and while homeschoolers can engage in community activities, join clubs, and participate in group events, it requires proactive planning on the part of parents.

Individualized Attention

An advantage of homeschooling is the ability to provide individualized attention, as in a school setting, teachers often face numerous challenges when attempting to cater to the diverse needs of a large classroom. Homeschooling allows parents to identify and address individual strengths and weaknesses, which makes sure that each child receives the attention they need to succeed academically.

Learning Pace

Flexibility in learning pace is another crucial factor, and homeschooling allows students to delve deeper into subjects of interest or spend additional time on challenging topics. This flexibility is invaluable in cultivating a genuine love for learning, but in traditional schools, the pace is generally standardized, which can potentially leave some students struggling to keep up while others may find the material unchallenging and, as a result, can, ultimately disengage from, and with, education.

Academic Performance

Numerous studies show that homeschoolers often outperform their traditionally schooled counterparts academically, and this success may be attributed to the personalized approach and the ability to focus on the aforementioned individual strengths and weaknesses. Homeschooling provides an environment where children can wholeheartedly grasp concepts, and parents can tailor teaching methods to suit their child’s learning style and strengths.

Time Flexibility

Homeschooling affords the luxury of time flexibility, which allows for unique learning opportunities, such as field trips, real-world experiences, and extended exploration of subjects.

Traditional schools operate on a fixed schedule, which may limit the time available for in-depth exploration or pursuing specific areas of interest.

Parental Involvement

Homeschooling necessitates significant parental involvement, and this increased engagement in a child’s education can strengthen the parent-child bond, but it does require dedication and time. Parents become not only educators but also learning facilitators and actively participate in their child’s academic journey. It isn’t for everyone, and we strongly advise that you think long and hard about whether or not it’s a journey that you want to embark on.

Extracurricular Activities

Traditional schools offer a range of extracurricular activities, from sports to clubs, fostering holistic development, and students have the opportunity to explore diverse interests and develop teamwork and leadership skills. While they can access similar opportunities through community programs, they may need to be more proactive in seeking them out, and this is one of the areas where parental involvement is crucial in ensuring a well-rounded educational experience.

Standardized Testing

One drawback of homeschooling is the potential lack of exposure to standardized testing, and even though some educators argue that this reduces stress, others believe it may hinder a child’s ability to perform well in future academic settings. Standardized testing is a prevalent feature of traditional schooling and provides a benchmark for academic performance, but homeschoolers can still prepare for standardized tests through specialized programs and resources.

Teacher Qualifications

In traditional schools, teachers are required to meet specific educational standards and undergo rigorous training and certification processes to ensure they are well-equipped to teach. Homeschooling, however, relies on the parents’ qualifications, raising questions about the consistency and quality of education.

Even though many homeschooling parents are highly capable educators, there is a potential variation in educational backgrounds and teaching styles.

Cost Of Homeschooling Vs. Traditional Schooling

Traditional schooling is often associated with costs such as tuition, uniforms, and extracurricular fees, and homeschooling while requiring an initial investment in supplies, can be more cost-effective in the long run. Homeschooling eliminates many of the traditional costs associated with schooling, and resources can often be reused for multiple children, but the financial impact is entirely dependent on the chosen curriculum and the availability of educational resources.

Diversity Of Perspectives

Traditional schools expose students to a diverse range of perspectives, which can potentially create a broader worldview as students interact with peers from different backgrounds, which helps to enhance cultural awareness. However, homeschooling, if not supplemented with diverse experiences, might inadvertently limit exposure to varying viewpoints, so families need to actively seek out opportunities for cultural enrichment to ensure a well-rounded education that includes diverse perspectives.

Transition To Higher Education

Concerns often arise regarding the transition from homeschooling to higher education, and while many homeschoolers successfully transition to college, some institutions may require additional documentation to assess their preparedness.

Parents and home-based educators need to carefully plan for the college application process to make sure their children meet admission requirements, and this may involve standardized testing, portfolios of work, and letters of recommendation.

Time Management Skills

Homeschooling cultivates strong time management skills as students learn to balance academic responsibilities with other daily activities, and they acquire the ability to set goals, prioritize tasks, and manage their time effectively. Traditional schools, with set schedules, may not provide the same level of autonomy, but the structured nature of traditional schooling can instill a sense of discipline and routine in students, which are valuable skills all children need for their academic and professional lives.

Parental Burnout

The responsibility of homeschooling can lead to parental burnout, especially for those juggling work and teaching, while traditional schooling, by distributing the teaching load among professionals, can alleviate this pressure. Parents who choose to homeschool need to be aware of the potential for burnout, and it’s essential to establish a support system, share responsibilities, and take breaks to prevent exhaustion.

Special Needs Education

Traditional schools often have specialized resources and trained professionals to support students with special needs, and homeschooling, while adaptable, may require additional resources and expertise. Families with children who have special needs face unique challenges in both homeschooling and traditional schooling, and the latter often have dedicated special education programs, while the former may need to seek out specialized resources and support groups. It’s a big decision and depends on the individual needs of the child and the available resources in the community.

Peer Pressure And Bullying

Traditional schools expose children to peer pressure and potential bullying, which can be absent or easier to manage in a homeschooling environment, and even though peer interactions in traditional schools can help to shape a child’s social development positively, they can also expose them to negative influences and the possibility of bullying. Homeschoolers, while avoiding traditional peer pressure, need to actively facilitate positive social interactions, and widespread concerns about bullying in traditional schools have led some parents to opt for homeschooling as a safer alternative.

Homeschooling Vs. Traditional Schooling – The Pros And Cons

Pros of homeschooling.

• Customized Curriculum: Tailors the curriculum to the child’s learning style.
• Individualized Attention: Provides focused attention to address individual strengths and weaknesses.
• Flexible Learning Pace: Allows students to delve deeper into subjects of interest.
• Time Flexibility: Facilitates unique learning opportunities and field trips.
• Strong Parental Involvement: Strengthens the parent-child bond and active participation in the child’s academic journey.
• Cost-Effective: Eliminates many of the traditional costs associated with schooling.

Cons Of Homeschooling

• Limited Social Interaction: Requires proactive efforts to create social opportunities.
• Potential Lack of Standardized Testing Exposure: Raises concerns about future academic performance.
• Parental Qualifications: Relies on the parents’ qualifications, which can lead to potential variations in teaching styles.
• Parental Burnout: The responsibility of teaching can lead to burnout, especially for parents juggling work and teaching.
• Transition to Higher Education: Requires careful planning and additional documentation for college admission.

Pros Of Traditional Schooling

• Consistent Social Interaction: Provides opportunities for regular peer interaction.
• Diverse Extracurricular Activities: Offers a range of activities for holistic development.
• Exposure to Standardized Testing: Prepares students for standardized tests commonly used in higher education.
• Structured Learning Environment: Instills discipline and routine in students.
• Specialized Resources for Special Needs: Offers dedicated resources and support for students with special needs.

Cons Of Traditional Schooling

• Limited Curriculum Customization: Follows a standardized curriculum designed for large groups.
• Less Individualized Attention: Teachers face challenges in catering to diverse needs in a large classroom.
• Fixed Learning Pace: Potentially leaves some students struggling or unchallenged.
• Limited Time Flexibility: Operates on a fixed schedule, limiting time for in-depth exploration.

In weighing the pros and cons of homeschooling versus traditional schooling, it’s crucial to recognize that each approach has its merits and drawbacks, and the decision ultimately hinges on the unique needs and preferences of the family.

In Conclusion

As we explored the vast educational landscape, we found that while homeschooling demands dedication, it also offers unparalleled customization and flexibility, while traditional schooling, with its structured environment, provides a comprehensive social and educational experience. Regardless of the path that parents ultimately decide to pursue, the sole factor that should help them determine their course of action is the continued commitment to their child’s education and development.

Further reading: Homeschool or private school – which is best ?

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Home — Essay Samples — Education — Homeschooling — Homeschooling vs. Public Schooling: Navigating Educational Choices

Homeschooling Vs. Public Schooling: Navigating Educational Choices

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Published: Sep 5, 2023

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Curriculum and learning environment, socialization and interaction, flexibility and individualized learning, overall learning experience, considerations and decision-making.

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