Homeschooling provides a well-rounded education to children who acquire high test scores at the national level. It is a method of imparting education to kids at home without sending them to established public schools.

History of Homeschooling

The idea of homeschooling came up in the 1960s when people indulged in counter-culture activities. But it fizzled out soon. It gained ground a decade later when the Supreme Court supported the idea that it wasn’t unconstitutional to remove school prayer. It prompted Christians to homeschool their children. At that time, homeschooling did not get legal recognition in forty-five states.

Gradually, the laws changed. By 1993 homeschooling was accepted as the right of a parent in all fifty states. Soon people noticed its benefits, and homeschooling became very popular.

Reasons for Homeschooling Kids

Some reasons why parents prefer to homeschool their children are as follows:

• They want to protect children from school violence.
             
• They are not satisfied with the teaching methods and education imparted in regular schools.
             
• They wish to provide moral or religious instruction to their children.
             
• Their children have some physical and mental problems.    
             
• Their children have some special needs.
  
  

Academic Performance of Homeschooled Students

A study named “Strengths of Their Own: Home Schoolers Across America” was conducted in 1997. Five thousand four hundred two homeschoolers participated in it. The study confirmed that on an average basis, homeschoolers performed better than the public school students in all the subjects by 30-37 percentile points.

Besides this, many homeschooled students fulfill the requirements for graduation and join college earlier than the students from regular schools. It is because homeschooling is flexible by nature.

Studies have shown that parents provide educational settings that yield more AET or “academic engaged time” than traditional school settings. It makes homeschooling more conducive for the children’s learning and development.

Due to the high level of academic performance and self-discipline of the homeschoolers to complete their work, colleges recruit more homeschoolers.

Parents Are the Best Teachers

No formal qualification is necessary for homeschooling. Parents can teach any class to their children according to their needs, especially at the elementary level.

Children have the opportunity to clarify their doubts at any time. This facility is not there in traditional classrooms where the teacher may be busy, or the children have to wait for a suitable opportunity to ask questions.

The students can get personal attention, and parents can shape their minds and careers in the best possible manner. They can customize their approach to help the children to develop their strengths and overcome their weaknesses.

To teach students at a higher level, parents can make use of resources such as correspondence or online courses, co-ops, and community classes.

Sufficient Opportunities to Socialize

Homeschoolers do not have to face peer pressure and make an effort to get group acceptance. They can participate in various community activities and sports, join karate or dance classes, or clubs for students where they can enough opportunities to socialize.