Let's be honest: When people here the term "homeschooling", one of the first images that pops into their mind is a backwards, old-fashioned, inadequate form of education. However, it is true that for centuries, children have been taught at home by their parents. This practice is in no way a new phenomenon and has helped produce many of history's greatest movers and shakers! In contemporary American society, homeschooling has received a reputation for being a poor way to educate children. This reputation, which is limited in perspective, is neither fair nor accurate.
The education that homeschoolers receive is often more dimensional and diverse than the standard means of education received in a typical classroom. One of the greatest aspects of a homeschool curriculum is its flexibility. Learning a lesson about the Impressionist Art period? Pack a lunch in a bag and the family in the car, and head to the museum to see actual work by the artists you are learning about. Learning about the wonder of birds in your science lesson? Grab a pair of binoculars and head outside. These are both incredibly valuable experiences.
In addition, there are many great homeschooling resources that exist for parents interested in taking charge of their children's education. Many of these programs are developed by professional educators and are accredited programs that are recognized as valid education curriculums. Students are encouraged to think for themselves and take ownership of their learning experience.
Some people might say that this information sounds good in theory and on paper, but when it comes down to it, how do homeschool students perform compared to students from the public school? The answer to this question would surprise many! "A 1997 study by Dr. Brian Ray of the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) found that home educated students excelled on nationally-normed standardized achievement exams. On average, homeschoolers outperformed their public school peers by 30 to 37 percentile points across all subjects."
Finding a program with high standards and that fits the needs of you and your child is important, but as you can see, choosing to homeschool your children would in no way impair them for a bright future.