Parents have an important and often daunting responsibility for both their child’s education and well-being. They must decide how best to tackle the job of parenting and what philosophy makes sense for their family and their particular child. Knowing how important a child’s education really is, most parents see that in some way they will be involved. Indeed, public school teachers often lament parents’ lack of concern and are thrilled to have a child interested in learning at home. How that education will be pursued, however, may vary greatly from parent to parent and child to child. Different ideas about the best interests of children and about how their abilities develop, along with contrasting cultural orientations towards schooling and the family, often produce opposing educational visions and philosophies. The debate about the value of homeschooling is one manifestation of this enduring variety. The diverse groups who share the vision of children’s education are often able to find a means to accommodate one another in order to found a common spirit and sustain their own pluralism.
2-Historical Context of Homeschooling
The roots of homeschooling in America go back many years. Homeschooling was the norm before there were public schools in 1852, when mandatory public schooling started in Massachusetts. For Christians, homeschooling has been a solid tradition, based on the Bible’s teachings, in which parents are encouraged to discuss their beliefs in various aspects of daily life. During their upbringing and teenage years, 14 presidents were homeschooled. There is no evidence of harm in their upbringing. The internet and other technologies are everyday bolsters for parents who homeschool their students today. It is easier to find resources and assistance to produce a well-rounded and adaptable student today, rather than just producing good followers.
Parents want the best, well-rounded education possible for their children.
Public schools are struggling with financial restraints and federal mandates for control. Parents want time to spend and manage their teaching in a meaningful way, and they don’t have the ability to achieve this in conventional modern public schools. The boost in the latest technological trends, further research into the positives and negatives of public education accessibility, and an increase in media interest in violence and other concerns in public schools have contributed to the recent boom in homeschooling. Most parents say that they chose to homeschool their kids because they no longer experienced or had any involvement with the schools in their local neighborhood. These parents think they can offer something unique for their children.
3-Current Trends in Homeschooling
Changes in state laws have led to growth in the number of homeschooled students in the public school sector. Beginning in the late 1980s, states loosened regulations, and the number of homeschooled students rapidly grew. In response, public schools developed homeschool programs to attract these families and not lose state funding. These programs are often virtual charter schools, where state funding follows the student to the virtual school, with parents assuming the bulk of teaching responsibilities. These public schools are free, use state-certified teachers, and provide all curriculum materials and online support. Homeschool advocates often dislike these public schools, pointing out they are not tuition-free, and public schools accepting state money affect the legal status and autonomy of homeschooling.
The first virtual charter school opened in 1992, after state law changes enabled funding to flow to the student, with Wyoming as the first state to pass such a law. Now 38 states and the District of Columbia have almost 700,000 private and public homeschooled students, while 13 states and the D.C. have charters, with about 150,000 students enrolled. Public virtual schools for young children, free preschool for children ages four to five, are also available.
4-Pros of Homeschooling
One of the biggest pros of homeschooling is the practice of handpicked teaching. Parents are able to know the strengths and weaknesses of their children and tailor their teaching methods to suit each child’s learning pattern. Teaching a child according to how he learns best can greatly advance his understanding of topics and boost his self-esteem. Another pro of homeschooling is the safety and security of the children. An atmosphere of respect and character development is available in a homeschool setting. An emphasis on caring for children, practicing problem solving and communication instead of taking a “might makes right” approach to life is strongly advantageous.
Homeschooling gets to focus on real world learning. The emphasis can be on ways and skills for living life as adults. A strong emphasis is placed on the family and relationships. Spend more time with their children is one of the strong suits of homeschooling. The world that the children face when they leave the nest is a difficult one. Many homeschooling parents experience a new relationship with their children as they mature into adults. The informal environment of a parent teaching a child in the kitchen or in the car is a strong character building atmosphere. In conclusion, regardless of a person’s socioeconomic status, gender, race, or social injustice, homeschooling works for all. If it is a parent’s choice to make a difference then why should they be punished with the public school dilemmas. Why not make the choice to pull your child out and educate them. Any time with children or productive can be beneficial. Mandatory school attendance is harming the youth.
5-Cons of Homeschooling
There are also a number of cons to homeschooling, such as: It costs money. Tutoring your own children and providing the needed materials can be an expensive proposition. Homeschooled kids are not good test-takers. Some homeschoolers take the view that standardized testing is simply a poor judge of children’s educational success, and others wonder about the value of the test day experience. Parents may not know all the lessons. As a result, kids miss information and might have problems filling in the gaps later. It isolates kids. Critics say it is almost impossible for kids being homeschooled to get the needed socialization experiences from home. Time constraints on mom. The task of teaching kids can be extremely time-consuming for the stay-at-home mom. There’s no delving into topics. Fascinating topics can be covered quickly and superficially.
6-Comparative Analysis: Homeschooling vs. Traditional Schooling
In this section, we will conduct a comparison between homeschooling, which was previously analyzed, and traditional schooling, which we assume is common knowledge. In fact, we will introduce the concept of alternative schooling, distinctly relating it to traditional and home education. In order to study the nature, challenges, and opportunities of homeschooling in a more comprehensive way, we realized that it is important to place it in context, namely, the education and formation of children from a family perspective. Thus, we developed this research by combining general concepts from sociology, psychology, anthropology, pedagogy, and economics with the analyzed cases of homeschooling in Brazil, and we argue for the regulation of this practice by the legal authorities in order to bring transparency and structure to the families that decide to follow this pedagogical alternative.
The educational formation at the family level – homeschooling – has existed since ancient times, but the concept of mandatory education is relatively recent. Education, considered a duty of the state and universal, a common culture for mass society and a human right, is an idea of the modern state introduced by the French Revolution and derives from utilitarian ideas. The influence of states on education varies from one country to another.
The state intervention is particularly observed in advanced countries in their relation to the geographical expansion of instruction and the number of services, as well as in the conformation of the organization and infrastructure. The competition among states in school is also active. The state influence is expressed especially in the obligation to attend school, causing the public to see homeschooling as an attack on democracy. In Brazil, although the Constitution recognizes education as a right for all and a duty of the state and the family, it proclaims that education is based on principles, among them, the freedom to learn.
7-Case Studies of Successful Homeschooling
Many successful individuals are products of homeschooling. Some parents have documented their personal experiences with homeschooling. This section provides case studies involving successful homeschoolers drawn from different age groups who reached their goals by going to college and beyond.
While obtaining their education, they have been active in the community and have held leading positions. These individuals are introduced by narratives provided by their parents. Interviews were conducted by email or phone. The interviewees were asked how homeschooling helped in their academic success and for suggestions about ways to improve homeschooling practices. Also discussed were their transitions to college.
Some homeschoolers continue to learn by teaching others. One parent of a college graduate said that her daughter planned to teach after getting a degree in English, but later decided to do missionary work. In a phone conversation, the parent stated that even though her daughter decided not to teach English, she still wanted to work with children. In her work, she endeavors to help improve their learning process.
She also helps with editing and encourages their writing process. Originally, her daughter was looking at the possibility of teaching in an open classroom with a multi-age group. With the opportunity to do missionary work, she will have a chance to experience teaching children with special challenges. She also helps children celebrate their successes in writing. Frequent encouragement and opportunities for real-world applications can be very beneficial.
8-Expert Opinions on Homeschooling
There are several opinions from experts on the issue. In the opinion of educationalists, homeschooling cannot play any vital role in creating individuals. According to them, every person is important and beneficial. All progress is possible only by establishing healthy interrelations between all people. It is due to society that any individual gets recognition with honor. Educationalists say, “Society is like a nursery for an individual. It is due to society that an individual gets recognition with honor.” The very essence of homeschooling is independence, which cannot develop in an individual. That’s why homeschooling is not considered beneficial.
The parent’s role in the overall development of the child is no less important. Homeschooling is based on this very ancient and natural axiom. A child is to be brought up by the love and care of his or her parents because no one can bring up a child with more love and affection than his or her parents. It has been given a new scientific basis to the fact that the future of the child is secure only in his or her home. Commenting on these views, it has been said, “These views have again come alive in the form of homeschooling.” It is the parents who are the prime and principal educators of the children. Defining a perfect family, it has been said, “We cannot get the feeling of being good without the help of good families.” It has been said, “Today’s good families will be the source of high-level citizens for the country tomorrow.” Defining the aims of such a family, it has further been said, “The primary aim of such a good family is to achieve general personal growth along with the education and teaching that helps the child become the guardian of society.”
9-Future of Homeschooling
There is a real question as to the longer-term future of homeschooled students. Many such students will need to integrate themselves through some standardized testing process. He sees a day when examinations will know no distinction between students, thus forcing this standardization on parents who had intended to give a nonstandard education. Even if the college scene accepts nonstandard educational backgrounds, how many such graduates are colleges and employment markets willing to absorb? Even if most go into entrepreneurial or government employment, how many could be exiles in the general population if they are actually
operating at an early high school level?
Articulated that answer for public colleges 20 years ago. Lower-paying government positions, particularly in human services, such as city and school systems, do tend to be open to a variety of life experiences, subject to the number of cities and school systems willing to employ graduates with diverse backgrounds.
Governmental and many private research laboratories are interesting places of employment for students not needing the strong academic structure in their college preparation. The picture is certainly not dismal from this perspective; it is just highly unclear. Therefore, it is absolutely essential that individual planning begin in the early teen years rather than in the late teen years.
10-Resources for Homeschooling Families
Support for homeschooling families has seen steady growth over the years. When the homeschooling movement began, parental teaching, support groups around the country and at local levels, and a few parent-directed high schools were about all the additional help families could expect to aid them in their educational journey. Today, the ball has rolled forward a bit more. With the in-depth availability of materials and resources ready for student and parent use, schools to support religious teachings, support groups, educational software, and worldwide contacts readily available, families find an abundance of materials as they customize their studies to meet unique individual needs. Curriculum support takes a significant step forward with the transparencies, sample tests, and lesson plans provided in free teacher’s guides for video instruction.
Even families with little or no computer know-how remain well linked through many other sources of homeschool support and information.
Posts on education-related newsgroups, for example, offer ideas for curriculum materials, suggestions for teaching difficult concepts, answers to questions on how to best provide guidance for independently learned projects, discussions on helping students meet state graduation requirements, and sharing by like-minded families. The information that other parents share is cared for by an interested community of educators who contribute support and advice when help is needed. With all of these resources readily available with just a touch of a button, are parents today becoming as or even better equipped than professional staff at local public schools to teach their children? With all of the parents nationwide banding together to help each other, using the many resources available, supporting each other, meeting to discuss concerns, and forming groups to sponsor teaching experts, therapies, special equipment, and classes, the answer is a resounding yes.
11-Common Myths about Homeschooling
All too often, homeschooling is the best-kept secret in the world of education. Many homeschoolers are hesitant to reveal that they have chosen a homeschool environment for their children because they fear criticism. If they had been told the truth about what homeschooling is, the decision might have been a more informed one. Only through understanding can fear be removed.
The reluctance to share our decision is a natural tendency; it can be overcome if we educate ourselves about the true definition of homeschooling. Here is a sampling of some common myths: Myth: “Homeschoolers lack social skills.” Truth: Homeschoolers are involved in a wealth of social activities with people of all ages. This is actually much less true in traditional schools where kids only interact with kids of the same age. In addition, most homeschooled kids go on to college or into the world of work, with little of the typical dropout “fringe” than you will find in public or private education.
Myth: “Homeschoolers are not measured by standardized tests.” Truth: Homeschoolers are required to take tests in every state that allows homeschooling. While standardized testing of children is a relatively new concept, it has never been shown to have any influence on school quality or to result in any more accurate measurement of educational achievement. Test results required by law from homeschoolers are rarely attached to the identification of the children tested, unless the parent chooses to release the results. In these cases, the results are generally better than those obtained in the public school system. Standardized tests have limited use in assessing progress or ability. The real, ongoing demonstrations of achievement can only be discovered within the educational environment, by parents and children themselves.
12-Conclusion
In this chapter, case study evidence and background information on emancipated children allow several general conclusions. Emancipated children are not inherently bright or gifted-in fact many have histories of academic and achievement failure (though some are also academically talented). Rather, they are highly motivated to pursue their education, work very hard, and exemplify resilience and determination in the face, not only of challenging life circumstances, but also of academic adversity, skepticism, and discouragement from the adults who should be protecting their freedom and actively supporting their striving. They invent educational synthesis and strategies for themselves that researchers and educators could learn a great deal from, and they surmount inspirational, internalized practical obstacles to implement them. They also instructively transcend important traditional developmental and cultural narratives about agency, initiative, identity exploration, responsibility, and autonomy.
Unfortunately, at present the law is an impediment to these inspiring young people’s efforts to chart their own educational paths and succeed. The primary source of this predicament is the state-law requirement that minors cannot be emancipated unless they can provide for themselves financially through a full-time job or otherwise. While some legal standards and some common-law states allow minors to earn money from their talent, there is still too little recognition that serious, gifted, and committed young people may want different educational opportunities that are educated, adult-protected, and not predicated on self-support alone. By definition, of course, emancipation is only feasible for the exceptional minor. No current legal standard would allow unremarkable minors, from suffering families or otherwise, such total autonomy.
