Homeschooling Versus Public Schooling
Note: This is yet another one of my essays for school I decided to post on here for you lovely GSBians. xD
The biggest point I was trying to make with this essay was to prove that homeschoolers, in fact, learn more than public schoolers. Also, keep in mind this is a persuasive essay.
A child’s education is immensely important to having a bright, successful future. In school, children are taught the fundamentals that they will use the rest of their lives. While there are many schooling options out there, the two most popular choices are public schooling and homeschooling. A concerned parent might ask, “Which one is better?” Homeschooling offers more benefits than public schooling, hands down.
Among parents that homeschool their children, their reason for homeschooling is unanimous. In a survey, 48.9% of parents that participated claim they wanted to give their child a more enhanced education than that offered in public schools. An additional 25% of parents claim public schools present a poor learning environment, which will inevitably result in poor learning. Another 11% say that their child is not being challenged enough in public school. The good thing about homeschooling is that if your child excels in Math, he can take an advanced course, and if your child is behind in Science, he can take a course that provides him with the information he needs to catch up (and excel, for that matter). This will ensure that your child is never left behind.
Another benefit of homeschooling is that you learn a lot more. This is because you are able to work at your own pace. Don’t understand something? No problem! With homeschooling, you have the options of going to the library anytime you need help, looking things up on the Internet, and, depending on the curriculum you choose, there are teachers at your child’s school that are sitting by the phone, patiently awaiting your phone call. It is a fact that homeschoolers learn more than public schoolers. Brian Ray, Ph.D., states: “Home educated students generally score at the sixty-fifth to eightieth percentile on achievement tests, fifteen to thirty percentile points higher than those in public schools.” Homeschoolers also have a track record of being smart spellers. In the year 1997, the National Spelling Bee winner was homeschooled, and every winner since then has been a homeschooler.
It has also been established that homeschooling provides a safer environment for your child. The unfortunate events that have taken place in public schools, such as the Columbine shootings and the Virginia Tech massacre, prove this point to be true. With homeschooling, you do not have to worry about your child’s safety because you are right there with them. Just watch the news one day, and tell me what you see. You see talk of children taking guns, knives, and other harmful instruments to school. This is not a safe environment for your child, let alone trying to learn in such surroundings. In order to study, one must be in a comfortable atmosphere. What could be a more comforting atmosphere than your own home?
Yet another advantage of homeschooling is that you have much more flexibility. Your child can wake up at a comfortable time, eat breakfast, shower, get dressed, and start their school work. Getting enough sleep and having time to eat breakfast are essential to being able to learn and absorb information efficiently. Plus, with homeschooling, you have the ability to switch subjects around. Say your child would rather do Math instead of Grammar. You can easily switch subjects around and everyone will be happy.
Two common myths about homeschooling are that homeschoolers do not get into college and that finding a job becomes a hard undertaking. These myths are simply not true. In fact, some colleges search for homeschooled children. More and more colleges are becoming homeschool-friendly, and they are making it much easier to enroll. As for finding a job, your child’s college degree is his golden ticket. As long as he has that college degree, he will be sure to get a job that suits him well.
Sometimes, it is said that homeschoolers do not do as much work as public schoolers. I can personally vouch that this is the biggest myth in the history of the world. I get up everyday, eat breakfast, and I get started. I am in school anywhere from four to five hours per day, depending on the lesson. Sometimes, I will finish earlier than this and I will be able to do more than one lesson. This relates to the whole flexibility issue. I have the freedom to choose how many lessons I do per day. I do not kill myself with work, either; I am sure to take many breaks and clear my head, and I get started once again. I work at a comfortable pace, and I do as much work (if not more work) than public schoolers. Outside of doing my lesson(s) for the day, I also do extra-curricular work, such as writing essays, compositions, research reports, etc. In addition, I have tests to take, just like any public schooler. You can definitely rest assured that homeschoolers do as much (if not more) work as public schoolers. I can personally promise you that.
Homeschoolers are also more motivated and disciplined than public schoolers. If you think about it, homeschoolers are at home all day. We can be tempted to spend the whole day on the computer or in front of the TV, but we do not resort to doing these activities. We discipline ourselves to do our lessons. We are self-motivated. Life Science teacher Lori Auten of Keystone National High School (a homeschooling company based in Pennsylvania) states: “A student that has been homeschooled (and receives a diploma) shows the world that they are self-motivated and do not require someone to push them through a course. Homeschooled individuals also show that they can work with a deadline and this looks great on a resume!” She has an incredibly good point.
Possibly the biggest myth about homeschooling is that homeschooled children have no social life. This is unquestionably untrue. Not only do homeschoolers have social lives, but they actually have better social lives than public schoolers. Think about it. Homeschoolers not only associate with other kids in homeschooling groups within his or her county, but they also know how to associate with adults. Author Mary Lanphier brings up a good point in one of her articles: “[A public schooler] does not know how to behave with an adult. This is because in the school environment he interacts only with his peers. A homeschooling environment brings in a more natural social environment.” Homeschoolers have friends of different ages and can associate with anyone, not only children their own age. We know how to carry on a conversation with someone in any age group, whereas most public schoolers do not know what to say around adults. This also represents the maturity found in homeschoolers.
Still having doubts about homeschooling? This form of schooling is becoming more and more popular. In fact, in the late 1960’s, there were roughly fifteen thousand children being homeschooling nationwide. In 2001, it was reported that this number increased dramatically to one million children. The rate is continuing to increase as well, by eleven percent every year. We must be doing something right!
As you can see, homeschooling is a better alternative to public schooling. Of course, it is not for everyone, but if you have the resources and time to homeschool your child, I highly recommend doing so. With homeschooling, you have more flexibility, time, and your child is sure to learn a lot. Personally, I have been on both sides of the fence, so to speak. I have been homeschooled and public schooled. I would not go back to public school unless I was forced to and there was absolutely no way out. I love homeschooling, and I have learned more than I ever would have learned if I had continued with public school.
Sources
Burkhart, Jessica. “Reality: Homeschool vs. Public School.” Teen Scene. 17 June 2007. <http://www.teenscenemag.com/sections/reallife/teen411/homeschool.php>
Lanphier, Mary. “Homeschooling vs. Public Schooling.” American Chronicle. 27 August 2007. 17 June 2007.
<http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=12879>
The biggest point I was trying to make with this essay was to prove that homeschoolers, in fact, learn more than public schoolers. Also, keep in mind this is a persuasive essay.
A child’s education is immensely important to having a bright, successful future. In school, children are taught the fundamentals that they will use the rest of their lives. While there are many schooling options out there, the two most popular choices are public schooling and homeschooling. A concerned parent might ask, “Which one is better?” Homeschooling offers more benefits than public schooling, hands down.
Among parents that homeschool their children, their reason for homeschooling is unanimous. In a survey, 48.9% of parents that participated claim they wanted to give their child a more enhanced education than that offered in public schools. An additional 25% of parents claim public schools present a poor learning environment, which will inevitably result in poor learning. Another 11% say that their child is not being challenged enough in public school. The good thing about homeschooling is that if your child excels in Math, he can take an advanced course, and if your child is behind in Science, he can take a course that provides him with the information he needs to catch up (and excel, for that matter). This will ensure that your child is never left behind.
Another benefit of homeschooling is that you learn a lot more. This is because you are able to work at your own pace. Don’t understand something? No problem! With homeschooling, you have the options of going to the library anytime you need help, looking things up on the Internet, and, depending on the curriculum you choose, there are teachers at your child’s school that are sitting by the phone, patiently awaiting your phone call. It is a fact that homeschoolers learn more than public schoolers. Brian Ray, Ph.D., states: “Home educated students generally score at the sixty-fifth to eightieth percentile on achievement tests, fifteen to thirty percentile points higher than those in public schools.” Homeschoolers also have a track record of being smart spellers. In the year 1997, the National Spelling Bee winner was homeschooled, and every winner since then has been a homeschooler.
It has also been established that homeschooling provides a safer environment for your child. The unfortunate events that have taken place in public schools, such as the Columbine shootings and the Virginia Tech massacre, prove this point to be true. With homeschooling, you do not have to worry about your child’s safety because you are right there with them. Just watch the news one day, and tell me what you see. You see talk of children taking guns, knives, and other harmful instruments to school. This is not a safe environment for your child, let alone trying to learn in such surroundings. In order to study, one must be in a comfortable atmosphere. What could be a more comforting atmosphere than your own home?
Yet another advantage of homeschooling is that you have much more flexibility. Your child can wake up at a comfortable time, eat breakfast, shower, get dressed, and start their school work. Getting enough sleep and having time to eat breakfast are essential to being able to learn and absorb information efficiently. Plus, with homeschooling, you have the ability to switch subjects around. Say your child would rather do Math instead of Grammar. You can easily switch subjects around and everyone will be happy.
Two common myths about homeschooling are that homeschoolers do not get into college and that finding a job becomes a hard undertaking. These myths are simply not true. In fact, some colleges search for homeschooled children. More and more colleges are becoming homeschool-friendly, and they are making it much easier to enroll. As for finding a job, your child’s college degree is his golden ticket. As long as he has that college degree, he will be sure to get a job that suits him well.
Sometimes, it is said that homeschoolers do not do as much work as public schoolers. I can personally vouch that this is the biggest myth in the history of the world. I get up everyday, eat breakfast, and I get started. I am in school anywhere from four to five hours per day, depending on the lesson. Sometimes, I will finish earlier than this and I will be able to do more than one lesson. This relates to the whole flexibility issue. I have the freedom to choose how many lessons I do per day. I do not kill myself with work, either; I am sure to take many breaks and clear my head, and I get started once again. I work at a comfortable pace, and I do as much work (if not more work) than public schoolers. Outside of doing my lesson(s) for the day, I also do extra-curricular work, such as writing essays, compositions, research reports, etc. In addition, I have tests to take, just like any public schooler. You can definitely rest assured that homeschoolers do as much (if not more) work as public schoolers. I can personally promise you that.
Homeschoolers are also more motivated and disciplined than public schoolers. If you think about it, homeschoolers are at home all day. We can be tempted to spend the whole day on the computer or in front of the TV, but we do not resort to doing these activities. We discipline ourselves to do our lessons. We are self-motivated. Life Science teacher Lori Auten of Keystone National High School (a homeschooling company based in Pennsylvania) states: “A student that has been homeschooled (and receives a diploma) shows the world that they are self-motivated and do not require someone to push them through a course. Homeschooled individuals also show that they can work with a deadline and this looks great on a resume!” She has an incredibly good point.
Possibly the biggest myth about homeschooling is that homeschooled children have no social life. This is unquestionably untrue. Not only do homeschoolers have social lives, but they actually have better social lives than public schoolers. Think about it. Homeschoolers not only associate with other kids in homeschooling groups within his or her county, but they also know how to associate with adults. Author Mary Lanphier brings up a good point in one of her articles: “[A public schooler] does not know how to behave with an adult. This is because in the school environment he interacts only with his peers. A homeschooling environment brings in a more natural social environment.” Homeschoolers have friends of different ages and can associate with anyone, not only children their own age. We know how to carry on a conversation with someone in any age group, whereas most public schoolers do not know what to say around adults. This also represents the maturity found in homeschoolers.
Still having doubts about homeschooling? This form of schooling is becoming more and more popular. In fact, in the late 1960’s, there were roughly fifteen thousand children being homeschooling nationwide. In 2001, it was reported that this number increased dramatically to one million children. The rate is continuing to increase as well, by eleven percent every year. We must be doing something right!
As you can see, homeschooling is a better alternative to public schooling. Of course, it is not for everyone, but if you have the resources and time to homeschool your child, I highly recommend doing so. With homeschooling, you have more flexibility, time, and your child is sure to learn a lot. Personally, I have been on both sides of the fence, so to speak. I have been homeschooled and public schooled. I would not go back to public school unless I was forced to and there was absolutely no way out. I love homeschooling, and I have learned more than I ever would have learned if I had continued with public school.
Sources
Burkhart, Jessica. “Reality: Homeschool vs. Public School.” Teen Scene. 17 June 2007. <http://www.teenscenemag.com/sections/reallife/teen411/homeschool.php>
Lanphier, Mary. “Homeschooling vs. Public Schooling.” American Chronicle. 27 August 2007. 17 June 2007.
<http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=12879>
I'm homeschooled, as well, but I can't say if homeschoolers or public schoolers are more intelligent. I really do think that homeschoolers learn more, because when you're homeschooled, you have the full attention of your parent (or someone else, if your parent isn't the one teaching you), and they can help you with every little problem you might have.
In public school, if you get something wrong, that's all they tell you. They don't tell you WHAT you got wrong, or how to fix it, just that you're an idiot for not knowing what to do.
Some homeschoolers might not seem that smart because, it's true, they don't have very good social lives SOMETIMES, and being social counts for a lot, now. It's really just a different kind of smart. But there are still LOTS of activites just for homeschoolers, like homeschool groups and things like that. I still do lots of things, even though I'm homeschooled, like art classes twice a week, Girl Scouts (a homeschooled-only troup), homeschool group in the spring and fall and much, much more. Plus, I have plenty of friends.
And I don't think it's true at all that homeschoolers don't develop good relationships with adults. I mean, you see adults more then you see other kids a lot of the time when you're homeschooled! Most homeschoolers are much, MUCH better at dealing with adults then dealing with other kids. This might be a bad things, or a good thing.
One last fact of homeschooling (yes, FACT) is that homeschoolers are usually a lot more polite then public schoolers. Oh, and they have a lot less chance of doing drugs or having sex at a young age. I'm done now ^_^
Droplets of Mercury, June 18th, 2007 at 11:30:56am
two sides to the argument must always be present. it can be as persuasive as you want, but it can't be biased.
Ashtray Heart, June 18th, 2007 at 11:29:09am
a) it depends on the person. if they aren't motivated, they won't learn in either situation
b) your essay is completely biased
c) statistics don't mean sh*t. you can never generalise. Ever.
Ashtray Heart, June 18th, 2007 at 11:28:07am
You guys are missing the whole point of this essay. With homeschooling, you learn more. Look at the statistics. Like I said, I've been on both sides of the fence. I've been public schooled. The teachers...don't...care. I've been to a private school, too. It was better, but I still didn't learn as much as I do now.
Personally, I think seeing my friends outside of school is better. There's a time for work, and a time to socialize. The two really shouldn't be mixed in together.
Oh, and as for the being more disciplined part, homeschoolers are at home all day. We could do whatever we wanted, yet we choose to do our school work. Most kids would choose to play games all day, but homeschoolers are disciplined enough to put in their 5-6 hours of school per day. Then, we have the rest of the day to go out and have fun.
Letterbombx723, June 18th, 2007 at 10:55:53am
I was cyberschooled for almost a whole year and it was a mess. ._.
Woodrow Derenberger, June 18th, 2007 at 10:15:27am
You kinda contradicted yourself. You said that kids can wake up at a comfortable time and eat breakfast and have a shower and whatever, and start the lesson when they want. Yet you go on to say that Home schooled kids are more disciplined. I would say that if public school kids have to get up at the same time everyday and get ready in a set amount of time, that makes them more disciplined.
In paragraph 9, you say that public school kids only get interaction with their peers.
But it's not like 14 year olds go to one school, 15 year olds go to a completely different school, and so on. You go to school with kids that are sometimes 5 or 6 years older than you.
And who's to say that just because you go to public school you have no idea how to interact with an adult? School isn't the only place that you meet people, dear. If you really had a social life like you say you do, then you would know that.
Joni., June 18th, 2007 at 06:41:11am
altogether, school doesnt teach you what to do when your life is falling apart...
Vegemite, June 18th, 2007 at 02:42:56am
Crap, I forgot to mention this was a persuasive essay.
Letterbombx723, June 18th, 2007 at 01:10:50am
I agree with DDF too.
and also, in any argument, you should also state the opposing view's benefits. This is biased.
southernidiot, June 18th, 2007 at 12:54:45am
i hate school
i only go cuz i get to see my friends
i could be successful in life without learning stuff like Trig and Calc.
or knowing about The Industrial Revolution.
when you think about it. Adults aren't that smart.(not in a commen sense sort of way, but intellectually)
im gonna shut up now before i get in trouble with my horrible grammer
nimrodrockstar, June 17th, 2007 at 10:12:13pm
All the homeschoolers I know are extremely intelligent and receive outstanding grades in all subjects. I am a homeschooler and I certainly wouldn't consider myself "dumb."
As for the social thing, once again, we have social lives. We associate with children our own age and people of different age groups as well. We have more freedom as to what we study, too.
Plus, going to school should be about learning, not about socializing. Actually, the only times you're supposed to "socialize" during school hours are between breaks and at lunch and recess.
Actually, I think the quality of education a homeschooler receives really depends on the person in question. For instance, if a homeschooler doesn't want to learn, chances are, they won't. They will be close-minded and will, in fact, seem "dumb." This actually goes for public schoolers as well. I, on the other hand, want to learn, so I am very open-minded and I learn as much as I can and try my best to excel in all subjects.
I respect your opinion, though, but I just thought I'd throw that in.
Letterbombx723, June 17th, 2007 at 09:38:58pm
Most children I've come across who were homeschoool, were dumb as posts and have poor socials skills.
Education,being more important can be set aside when the child feels they don't have enough friends and lack self confidence.
ohmygodshutyourbutt, June 17th, 2007 at 09:24:41pm
What's more important, social life or education?
My choice: Education.
I don't give a flying f*ck about social lives, I think having a damn brain in your head is more important.
greenday1386, June 17th, 2007 at 08:57:26pm
i agree with with DDF.
i read the whole thing
they need to know how to deal with certain things
my cousins are homeschooled and they aren't any smarter than i am. but they're slower with the social issues.
nimrodrockstar, June 17th, 2007 at 07:16:16pm
Please see paragraph nine in my essay. =]
Letterbombx723, June 17th, 2007 at 07:00:57pm