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>
Comments
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i go to public school but my mom and i are thinking of home schooling me. i'm not challenged enough at all in school and about 95% of the people are total f*cking a$s. everyday i struggle to fight back the urge to kick the living sh*t out of them until they are a bloody pulp and on the verge of dying.
CanYouFeelIt, April 8th, 2009 at 03:05:07pm
I've never went to a public or private school and I don't think I'm sheltered at all. People make it sound like teenagers that have been homeschooled won't make it in the world because they can't name 5 different drugs that they're friend have took, or say that they know kids that had sex when they're 15. Have you ever heard of a homeshcooled kid that's cut themselves on they're lunch break, or brought a gun to they're dinning room table do do they're math in the morning?
BREASTS, September 5th, 2007 at 09:17:32pm
Except he thinks Green Day is garbage. Anyway, I had fun arguing with you guys over these past few days... but I guess it's time to move on...
Droplets of Mercury, June 21st, 2007 at 01:44:17pm
Letterbomb, you REALLY sound like this one friend of mine... it's so weird. You're like his female twin...
Droplets of Mercury, June 21st, 2007 at 01:43:11pm
Alright, this is the last comment I'm adding because fighting with public schoolers about homeschooling is pointless because you guys have never been homeschooled before.
I am proud of this paper and I am also proud to be homeschooled; you people are not going to change that. I love writing. It's my favorite thing to do, and I've always excelled in it.
Like I said, I have been public schooled, I've gone to a private school, and I've been homeschooled, and personally, I've enjoyed homeschooling the most and I've found that I learn a lot more with homeschooling. I have several teachers that review my work, and I'm proud of what I've accomplished so far during the whole school journey.
Honestly, I didn't mean for this to cause any arguments. I just wanted to bring up a few points. I didn't mean for this to be hurtful, controversial, or anything like that. I just wanted to bring up some good points and make you think. Sorry if I offended anyone.
Letterbombx723, June 20th, 2007 at 11:35:44am
1) Well, you obviously went to a sucky public school.
2) Of course your mommy is going to pay more attention to you.
3) She did a sucky job at trying to teach you to write papers
southernidiot, June 20th, 2007 at 11:25:50am
haha, Thank you
Joni., June 20th, 2007 at 09:56:06am
Oh, by the way, back there, I wasn't saying all public schoolers are thick-headed, because a lot of them aren't. Just DDF, for being such a... never mind.
I think both sides can be smart. I'm sure there's lots of public schoolers out there that are smarter then my homeschooled self. So... yeah.
Droplets of Mercury, June 20th, 2007 at 09:25:50am
Droplets of Mercury, once again, said it all. Learning is more important than "teenage socializing," and it is a fact that homeschoolers learn more than public schoolers.
Also, I am not sheltered from the real world. I know what goes on. I watch the news. I've been watching the news since 3rd grade, so don't tell me I don't know what's going on in the real world.
Please also keep in mind that I have been homeschooled, public schooled, AND private schooled. I know what all of it is like. Public school teachers don't care as much as your parents do; that's just the way it is. A one-on-one relationship with your teacher(s) is helpful, and you will obviously learn more in this environment.
Another thing. Check out these list of names:
Leonardo da Vinci
Alexander Graham Bell
Thomas Edison
Albert Einstein
Booker T. Washington
George Washington Carver
George Washington
Thomas Jefferson
John Quincy Adams
James Madison
William Henry Harrison
John Tyler
Abraham Lincoln
Theordore Roosevelt
Woodrow Wilson
Franklin D. Roosevelt
I know at least a few of them ring a bell. Guess what they all have in common? They were all homeschooled.
Letterbombx723, June 19th, 2007 at 08:25:19pm
Homeschoolers aren't all sheltered. I'm not. School is NOT the only place to meet people and make friends, guys.
It really has been statistically proven that homeschoolers are smarter then public schoolers. And that's what really counts, because you can go out and learn to be social at any old time in your life (like when you start college, or get a job), but you pretty much HAVE to learn all you can about school subjects when your young or you don't really have a chance.
If I can't be a sheltered homeschooled kid and expect to survive in your social world, then you can't be a thick-headed public schooler and expect to get a good job in the real world.
Droplets of Mercury, June 19th, 2007 at 04:12:27pm
If you are public schooled, Lee, You still get an education + Social skills you NEED to survive in work enviroments and such.
You can't be a sheltered homeschool kid and exspect to survive in our social world.
Dance Dance. Fool!, June 19th, 2007 at 04:12:52am
You're making it sound like all Public School kids are uneducated, undisciplined, unsocialized, just all around bad kids, and that the teachers in public schools dont care any about their students. THat's completely wrong. Even though you may run onto a teacher every now and then that doesn't seem to care about their students, there are still the majority of teachers are very passionate about what they do. And learning to put up with those teachers that don't care is a part of life. If you're taught by the same person your whole life, you won't know how to deal with people bossing you around and not caring about you in your future career.
And besides, even if you do think you have a better eduacation than public school kids, education isn't always the first thing you need to worry about. If you're completely unhappy in your life and you have no friends, being smart won't change that.
This essay is completely biased. It discriminates against public school students
Joni., June 19th, 2007 at 01:56:25am
Exactly. We're just like any other kids. Public schoolers tend to look down on us because we're homeschooled and are "isolated from the real world." They have no clue...
Letterbombx723, June 18th, 2007 at 07:58:44pm
Actually, there is so much more I wanted to say, but... I didn't. I don't like it when people hate on homeschoolers 'cause we're different, you know?
Droplets of Mercury, June 18th, 2007 at 02:29:24pm
...wow, you pretty much said it all, Droplets of Mercury. Thank you for commenting.
Letterbombx723, June 18th, 2007 at 11:55:44am