Homeschooling is a form of education which implies that children should be taught by parents or by tutors at home, rather than in the formal setting of public or private schools (Vahid 9). This is the main peculiarity that should be kept in mind. It is estimated that in the United States at least 2.2 percent of school-age children are educated at home (Vahid 9). However, this trend is likely to become more popular in the future. This is why educators and policy-makers pay close attention to the advantages and disadvantages of homeschooling.
This paper is aimed at discussing the peculiarities of this approach in greater detail and its impact on learners, especially their academic performance and socialization. Overall, it is possible to argue that homeschooling can be a valid alternative to formal education provided that parents and tutors can properly design courses and foster intellectual and psychological development of a child. Moreover, there is no evidence which can confirm the alleged negative effects of education at home, especially lack of social skills. Admittedly, there are certain difficulties, but parents and tutors can cope with them. This is the main thesis that should be examined in greater detail.
One of the main questions that should be examined is the academic performance of children who were educated in this way. This is the main criteria to which educators and parents usually pay attention to. On the whole, the results of standardized tests indicate that the test scores of these learners are not lower in comparison with those learners who attended private or public schools (Lines 81). This trend can be observed in many areas of study such as mathematics, natural sciences, languages, and other disciplines.
Moreover, many of them show better results than their peers (Lines 81). In this case, one should also speak about the integrity of homeschooling which means that a tutor, who works with a single child or a very small group of children, is more able to ensure that each of them understands the topics or questions that should be examined. Under such circumstances, a learner has virtually no opportunities for cheating.
Certainly, one can say that these children could not perform equally successfully in public or private schools. In fact, they could easily achieve similar results. Nonetheless, it is not possible to argue that homeschooling impedes academic attainment of learners. They are able to meet the requirements set by educational organizations that are governed by the state. This is one of the main aspects that should be considered by policy-makers who determine the legal status of homeschooling.
Furthermore, it is important to note that homeschooling provides more flexibility to children and parents. For instance, the teacher can choose the order of topics that should be covered. Similarly, a learner will have more opportunity to review the previous material and evaluate his/her knowledge. As a result, he/she can acquire in-depth understanding of the material. This is one of the main issues that should be considered.
Certainly, school educators also try to offer these opportunities to students, but their work is affected by time constraints. Apart from that, the study of academic performance among homeschoolers indicates that there are no gaps between the representatives of various cultural and racial groups (Clincy 18). This is one of the reasons why many African-American families prefer homeschooling. To some degree, these cases suggest that homeschooling does not obstruct the learning of a child. In many cases, it can even be beneficial. This is the main issues that can be identified.
Admittedly, there are certain risks that can be closely tied to homeschooling. They are often mentioned by the critics of this educational approach. It is necessary to determine whether these concerns are justified. In this case, one can speak about lack of socialization. It is sometimes believed that homeschooled children practically do not interact with their peers. According to a popular stereotype, they struggle with low self-esteem and many other emotional problems.
However, there is very little evidence showing that home-schooled children are alienated from the peers. In contrast, many of these children can have an active social life, and they are not necessarily separated from other children or teenagers. This is one of the main stereotypes that should be refuted. Furthermore, the study carried out by Drenovsky and Cohen suggests that these learners can be well-prepared for college life (19). They can successfully adapt to the situation when they are not monitored by parents and tutors (Drenovsky and Cohen 19).
Additionally, they are more likely to regard their college life in a positive way (Drenovsky and Cohen 19). This is one of the things that many college students lack. Therefore, lack of socialization is not widespread among homeschooled learners. Furthermore, it is believed that these students are more resistant to the effects of peer pressure (Saliger 1). In fact, they are accustomed to self-sufficiency and independent decision-making. Moreover, these children can avoid the dangers of bulling which is very widespread in many private schools.
These are some of the main benefits that homeschooling can bring. Therefore, one cannot say that this approach to education adversely affects the social skills of children or adolescents. Admittedly, one cannot say that the children, who attend public or private schools, are inevitably exposed to bullying or negative peer pressure. These problems can be managed by school teachers. However, homeschooling does not impede the social life of a child and his/her ability to establish relations with other people. This is one of the main points that can be made.
Additionally, the critics of homeschooling argue that this form of education is mostly motivated by the religious beliefs of parents (Lines 76). Many of these people can be intolerant of other religions. Therefore, some people can assume that these parents can only stress religious education of children. Moreover, the critics can argue that these parents who do not want their parents to be exposed to the theories which can run contrary to their beliefs, for instance, the theory of evolution.
Nevertheless, some of the arguments put forward by the critics are not quite valid. For instance, in the majority because parents prefer homeschooling because they are dissatisfied with the quality of education offered at public schools (Vahid 9). In this case, parents speak mostly about the failure of teachers to ensure the development of students’ skills such as critical thinking and analysis (Vahid 9).
Thus, it is not reasonable to argue that homeschooled children can develop religious dogmatism. This assumption contradicts the empirical findings derived by researchers. This is one of the main issues that should be taken into account by people who believe that homeschooling can adversely affect a child. Very often, the concerns that they raise are based on stereotypes, rather than empirical findings.
Certainly, parents should not assume that homeschooling will inevitably bring benefits to their children. This approach will require full commitment of parents who will need to dedicate a significant amount of time to this task. This activity is time-consuming and challenging. Moreover, these people should have significant expertise in education, psychology, instructional design, and other areas. If they lack these skills, homeschooling is not likely to be effective.
Additionally, they should regularly assess the progress of their children according to the standards that are set for public or private schools. In this way, they can detect possible problems at an early stage and make necessary corrections. Provided that tutors or parents do not cope with this task, a child may not be able to acquire relevant knowledge and skills. Apart from that, much attention should be paid learning resources that children can use.
For instance, students can acquire knowledge of physics and other natural sciences, if they have an opportunity to experiment in a laboratory. This is another issue that not be disregarded by parents. On the whole, these examples indicate homeschooling is associated with some difficulties that cannot be underestimated. However, it is impossible to argue that parents and tutors cannot educate children at home.
This is one of the main issues should be taken into account. These are the main issues that should be considered by parents, teachers, and policy-makers. On the whole, various peculiarities of homeschooling have not been fully examined, but at this moment, researchers have not identified risks that cannot be managed by parents and tutors. This is the key issue that should be taken into consideration.
Finally, parents should not suppose that homeschooling is not compatible with formal education. In many cases, parents choose to foster their children’s learning at home by explaining various topics to them. This strategy can be widespread among people who have expertise in a certain area of study like mathematics, physics, literature, and so forth. In many cases, this assistance can be of great value to students who may not understand some complicated topics or concepts. These learners can significantly improve their academic performance. Thus, one can argue that homeschooling can supplement education in formal education. In many cases, this approach to learning and teaching can be very productive.
This discussion indicates that homeschooling can indeed suit the needs of both parents and teachers. The academic performance of homeschooled children has been examined by educational researchers, and it is not inferior to the performance of students educated in formal setting. This is one of the main points that should be taken into account. Moreover, the social skills and their psychological development are not impaired.
However, this approach is applicable in those cases, when parents and tutors have an in-depth understanding of instruction methods, learning theories, and psychological development of children and teenagers. These are the main challenges that parents should be aware of. However, these challenges can be overcome. This is why homeschooling can be a valid alternative to formal education, but parents should know what kind of obstacles they will need to surmount.
Works Cited
Clincy, Sekou. The Socialization of the African American Child: In Contemporary America, New York: AuthorHouse, 2010. Print.
Drenovsky, Cynthia K., and Isaiah Cohen. “The Impact of Homeschooling on the Adjustment of College Students.” International Social Science Review 87.1 (2012): 19-34. Print.
Lines, Patricia. “Homeschooling Comes of Age.” Public Interest. 140 (2000): 74-85. Print.
Saliger, Lena. The Homeschooling Movement in the United States of America, New York: GRIN Verlag, 2010. Print.
Vahid, Amy. Homeschooling: A Path Rediscovered for Socialization, Education, and Family, Boston: Lulu, 2007. Print.