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>
Posted on June 17th, 2007 at 05:08pm

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