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Essays on Homeschooling

When it comes to homeschooling, essay writing can be a valuable tool for students to develop critical thinking and communication skills. However, choosing the right topic is crucial to ensure that the essay is engaging, informative, and relevant to the homeschooling experience. In this article, we will discuss the importance of selecting appropriate homeschooling essay topics and provide a detailed list of recommended topics for students to consider.

Choosing the right homeschooling essay topic is essential for several reasons. Firstly, it allows students to explore and express their thoughts and opinions on relevant homeschooling issues, which can contribute to their personal and academic growth. Secondly, a well-chosen topic can make the writing process more enjoyable and meaningful for the student, leading to a higher quality of work. Lastly, the chosen topic should be relevant and engaging for the intended audience, whether it's the student's teacher, classmates, or the wider homeschooling community.

When selecting a homeschooling essay topic, students should consider their personal interests, experiences, and knowledge. It is essential to choose a topic that is meaningful and relevant to the student's homeschooling experience. Additionally, students should consider the audience and purpose of the essay, as well as the availability of credible sources and research materials. By carefully considering these factors, students can choose a topic that will allow them to showcase their critical thinking, writing, and research skills.

Educational Benefits of Homeschooling

The impact of individualized learning on homeschooling students
The role of parents as educators in the homeschooling environment
The benefits of homeschooling for students with special needs
Comparing the academic achievements of homeschooled students to traditional school students
The effectiveness of homeschooling in fostering creativity and critical thinking

Social and Emotional Development in Homeschooling

The socialization of homeschooling students in comparison to traditional school students
The impact of homeschooling on the development of social skills and emotional intelligence
Addressing the misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding homeschooled students
The role of extracurricular activities and community involvement in homeschooling
The influence of the homeschooling environment on mental health and well-being

Homeschooling Curriculum and Methods

Comparing different homeschooling curriculum options
The benefits and challenges of online homeschooling programs
The impact of technology on homeschooling education
Exploring alternative teaching and learning methods in the homeschooling environment
The role of field trips and hands-on learning in homeschooling

Homeschooling and Legal/Social Issues

The legal requirements and regulations for homeschooling in different states
The impact of homeschooling on the public education system
The influence of cultural and societal attitudes towards homeschooling
The rights and responsibilities of homeschooling parents and students
The role of homeschooling advocacy and support groups

Personal Experiences and Reflections on Homeschooling

The impact of homeschooling on family dynamics and relationships
Challenges and successes of transitioning from traditional school to homeschooling
The role of self-motivation and discipline in homeschooling education
Personal growth and development through the homeschooling experience
Addressing misconceptions and stereotypes about homeschooling through personal narratives

Global Perspectives on Homeschooling

The prevalence and acceptance of homeschooling in different countries
Comparing homeschooling practices and policies in different cultural and social contexts
The impact of globalization and technology on homeschooling education
Exploring the role of homeschooling in addressing educational inequality and access to quality education
The influence of international trends and movements on the homeschooling community

Parental Involvement

The role of parents as educators in homeschooling
Challenges and benefits of homeschooling for parents
Effective communication between parents and children in homeschooling
Parental support for extracurricular activities in homeschooling
Balancing work and homeschooling as a parent

Cultural and Diversity Perspectives

Homeschooling in different cultural contexts
The impact of homeschooling on religious and cultural beliefs
Addressing diversity and inclusion in homeschooling
Homeschooling and multicultural education
The role of language and heritage in homeschooling

These essay topics should give you a good starting point for exploring the various aspects of homeschooling. By considering these categories and the suggested topics within each, students can identify a relevant and engaging topic for their homeschooling essay. Whether they choose to explore the educational benefits of homeschooling, reflect on their personal experiences, or delve into legal and social issues surrounding homeschooling, there are ample opportunities for students to showcase their critical thinking and writing skills in the context of homeschooling.

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School Education /

Essay on Home Schooling in 150, 250 and 400 words

Updated on
Jan 8, 2024

Homeschooling refers to the practice of education at home or any other place outside the school premises. Over the years, the popularity of homeschooling has increased quite a bit. It is much more convenient for both students as well as parents. It saves time, is efficient, and de-stresses children, unlike normal schools that distress children. But just like everything else, along with the pros, homeschooling too has some cons.

A lot of people believe that education in homeschooling is confined to home boundaries only. These students are not able to develop social skills and find it hard to socialise with others. Some of them become introverts too. These are just misconceptions. We have provided below samples of essays on homeschooling. Let’s have a look at them.

Table of Contents

1 Essay on Home Schooling in 150 words
2 Essay on Home Schooling in 250 words
3 Essay on Home Schooling in 400 words

Essay on Home Schooling in 150 words

Homeschooling is a concept that has been becoming quite popular over the years. Especially in times of natural calamities and pandemics such as COVID-19, it has gained quite a reputation for being an alternative to traditional schooling. Some of the benefits of homeschooling include convenience for both, children as well as parents. It provides tailor-fit learning education to children as every child has his/her own learning pace.

Homeschooling de-stresses children, unlike schools that distress them. But just like any other thing, homeschooling too has some drawbacks. One of the drawbacks that most concern parents is that their child would not be able to have social interaction. Children need to have social interaction in the early stages of childhood to develop their minds. Hence, it’s up to each child and parent whether to take up homeschooling or not.

Essay on Home Schooling in 250 words

One of the aspects that has been gaining quite a lot of attention and popularity is homeschooling. Over the years, it has been gaining quite a reputation of becoming an alternative to traditional schooling. Homeschooling is a good way to deliver tailor-fit education to children as every child has his/her own pace of learning.

So for children who are unable to cope with the pace of school education, homeschooling is a great option for them. Homeschooling is extremely convenient for both, children as well as parents. It saves time and money as well. The children who are homeschooled have to deal with less stress as traditional schooling gives them a lot of stress. By tracking the progress of their child on their own, parents get to understand their child better and hence make necessary adjustments for them.

But just like any other thing, homeschooling too has some drawbacks. One of the major drawbacks is that children who are homeschooled lack social skills. Having social international for children in their early stages of childhood is essential for developing their minds. Children who are homeschooled may even become introverts. Parents might find it stressful for them in the long run to have to homeschool their child if they do it on their own.

They might also not be able to have any time for themselves. Homeschooling is a choice that requires assessing the situation. It might be suitable for some, while others may not find it fit for them. Hence, the decision to homeschool should be made judiciously.

Essay on Home Schooling in 400 words

Over these past few years, the concept of homeschooling has gained quite a lot of attention. Especially in a time like the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become an alternative to traditional schooling for many parents. Parents can hire a tutor for the same or can even teach their children themselves. Homeschooling has a lot of pros for both, parents as well as children.

Pros of Home Schooling

Also for many students, the school environment can become quite stressful making it difficult for them to get comfortable and hence causing them stress. Homeschooling, on the other, de-stresses children. They are safe from even getting bullied and have the comfort of their own home. Parents get a chance to track their child’s progress and hence, get to know them better. Such a thing generates positivity all around.

Cons of Home Schooling

But just like any other thing, homeschooling too has some drawbacks. One of the major drawbacks that concern parents the most is that their children would not be able to have proper social interactions. Social interactions are very important in the early stages of childhood to develop a child’s mind properly.

Failure in that can even lead to a child becoming introverted. Some of the homeschooled children also face problems in mixing with others. For parents, depending on the situation, homeschooling can turn out to be costly as the tutors they hire may charge high fees from them. Parents may also find that they are not able to have time for themselves, which, in the long, can become quite stressful for them.

The decision of homeschooling shouldn’t be just opted for the convenience of it. Parents should take into account every scenario of their current as well as to some extent, their near future situations to make a correct decision. Hence, it would be fitting to say that the decision to homeschool should be made judiciously.

Deepansh Gautam

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An Introduction to Homeschooling

Homeschooling is an educational option that allows parents to teach their children at home instead of sending them to school. There are today a wealth of resources and opportunities available to homeschooling families, and in a landscape of increasing school choice homeschooling has become more and more accepted by the public at large. Parents choose homeschooling for a variety of reasons. Modern homeschooling began in the 1970s and 1980s, championed by progressive educational reformers hoping to free children’s inner creativity and conservative evangelical leaders concerned about the environment of public schools. There are now around two million children being homeschooled, and in the early twentieth century homeschooling has become increasingly diverse, both in terms of race and class and in terms terms of parental motivations. See Homeschooling Numbers and and Homeschool Demographics .

Parents choose homeschooling for a wide variety of reasons. Some parents have concerns about the social environment or academic quality of local public schools. Some want to ensure that their children are educated in accordance with their religious beliefs. Some believe their children will learn better through child-directed learning outside of a classroom setting. Some have children who were bullied in school or have health problems or demanding practice schedules. A growing number of families enjoy the flexibility homeschooling offers, and many children may find that homeschooling is a good fit for their natural learning styles or personalities. If there is one thing that can be said about parental motivations for homeschooling, it is that they are anything but monolithic. For more, see Reasons Parents Homeschool .

While homeschooling is legal throughout the United States, the level of oversight for homeschools varies from state to state. Most states require parents to notify state or local education officials of their intent to homeschool, and half of all states have some form of assessment requirement. Most states have days of instruction or subject requirements and a smaller number of states have parent qualification and bookkeeping requirements. Some states require none of the above. The patchwork and often woefully inadequate nature of homeschool oversight means that there are few protections in place safeguarding the interests of homeschooled children. For more, see Current Policy .

Research has shown that children who are homeschooled can succeed academically, especially when given support and resources from their parents. Many homeschool parents are driven and motivated, and are extremely involved in their children’s education. They educate themselves as they go along and seek out resources, tutors, or classes for those subjects they may not be able to teach themselves. In many ways these parents are more facilitators or coordinators than teachers. However, while homeschooled children can succeed academically, that success is not guaranteed. In cases where homeschool parents are not driven and motivated or do not place as much importance on their children’s academic progress, homeschooled children may struggle academically or even not receive any education at all. For more, see Academic Achievement .

Homeschooled children are typically involved in an array of social activities, including homeschool cooperatives, dance and music lessons, church and Sunday school, field trip groups, and other classes, clubs, and groups outside of the home. With the networking potential of the internet and the greater social acceptance of homeschooling, the opportunities available to homeschool families have grown in recent years. If parents put in the effort to find social outlets for their children, homeschooled children can be well socialized and can integrate well into society. In contrast, if parents do not ensure that their children have adequate opportunities to meet their social needs, homeschooled children may be lonely, develop social phobias, or have difficulty integrating into society. For more, see Homeschooling & Socialization .

An increasing number of states allow homeschooled children to enroll in public school part time to take individual classes or to participate in public school athletics and other extracurricular activities. Some studies have found that as many as 20% of homeschooled students enroll in public school part-time. Some states have public school at home or public or charter correspondence programs that allow children to be taught at home while receiving benefits from enrollment in public school. “Cybercharters” have become popular among some homeschoolers, and a number of charter schools have developed programs where children come to an actual school for classes once or twice a week and are otherwise educated at home. In an increasingly educationally diverse world, homeschooling offers a variety of flexible and creative options.

Feedback from the first generation of homeschooled students, now in their 20′s and 30′s, indicates that those who are homeschooled responsibly frequently do well in college and professional life while those who were neglected or subjected to an abusive homeschooling environment often face low-wage job prospects, poor integration and connection with their communities, and struggles with poverty and dependency that could have easily been prevented. For more, see Homeschool Outcomes and Abuse and Neglect . The quality of a child’s homeschool experience depends almost entirely on the parents’ dedication to providing a functional, nurturing environment with optimal conditions for education and healthy child development.

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The Pros and Cons of Homeschooling

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Choosing to homeschool your kids is not a new concept. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, the phrase “school choice” took on a whole new meaning as more and more parents considered homeschooling a solution for their families.

To curb the spread of the virus, school districts around the country offered a variety of educational possibilities , from in-person school with masks to full online school to a delayed start to the academic year to a hybrid model that offered some days in a physical classroom and other days virtually.

Even as things opened back up and returned to normal, some schools continued to offer a virtual option. And since some younger kids are still unable to get the vaccine, some families feel uncertain about sending their kids back to brick-and-mortar schools.

UPDATE: November 2022

On October 20, 2022, the Center for Disease Control's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted to add COVID-19 vaccination to the childhood immunization schedule. While the CDC makes vaccine recommendations, each state will determine which ones are required for school entry. The updated schedule is set to be released in early 2023.

If you’re thinking of teaching your child at home for the first time, or you've always considered this option for your family, you likely know there are many pros and cons.

We’ve rounded up a list of common advantages and pitfalls you may encounter—with input from real-world homeschooling parents. As you weigh your decision, give some thought to how each of these might impact your own circumstance and trust that whatever decision you make will be the right one for your family.

Flexibility

Individualized education

Strong relationships

A lot of work

Less time for yourself

Inability to work

Too much togetherness

Missing out on certain opportunities

Facing judgment and bias

Whether you call it self-determination, freedom, or control, one clear advantage of homeschooling is the ability to make your own choices. As a homeschooler, you’ll be able to freely travel or move, include religious teaching in day-to-day learning, and not worry about social pressures or bullying your child may encounter at school.

Plus, in home-based education, all subjects are fair game, from sailing to sewing to science. Practical skills, volunteering , artistic pursuits, and traditional trades can all fall under the broad umbrella of homeschooling. According to some homeschoolers, teachable moments are always happening, and "school" isn't limited to school hours.

Who doesn’t like to set their own schedule? By educating at home, you determine the structure of your day. If your child struggles to wake up by 7:00 a.m., for example, you can start school later. And, since homeschool timing is fluid, you can go ahead and make your child's dentist appointment on a Tuesday at noon.

You even have room to push back a lesson when you (or your kids) just aren’t feeling it. There are many ways to make it up later.

Individualized Education

Every child is different. Unfortunately, in the larger group setting of regular school, teachers can’t always tailor lessons to your child’s unique needs. At home, on the other hand, you can meet your child right where they are, customizing lessons to their particular interests.

Does your younger child need a little extra help with math ? Take an extra 15 minutes to help them understand fractions. Is your older kid into outer space? Start an astronomy unit!

Homeschooling also lets you vary your approach from child to child if you have more than one—in terms of learning styles and grade levels. Plus, you get to celebrate any success or achievement together in real time.

Strong Relationships

The more time you spend with your kids, the more opportunities arise for bonding. If you’ve always wished for more hours in the day as a family, perhaps homeschooling is the boon you’ve been craving.

Positive experiences like fun field trips , a-ha moments in learning, and “recess” at the park can all build closer parent-child and sibling-to-sibling relationships .

In some cases, homeschooling’s flexible schedule can even allow for more time with both parents—if work schedules usually limit time together on weekends or holidays.

A Lot of Work

In addition to the domestic responsibilities of your role as a parent, you’re now a teacher, tutor, curriculum researcher, and principal.

It’s quite possibly the humdinger of all reasons not to homeschool: Teaching your kids at home is simply a lot of work.

Creating, teaching, and grading a day’s or week’s worth of learning on multiple subjects takes serious time and effort. (However, many prepared curriculum packages do exist.) Plus, as delightful as it can be to tailor education to each child’s learning style, this can add to your workload, too.

And if you have younger children at home who aren’t school age, you may also struggle to keep them occupied while you sit down to teach older kids.

Less Time for Yourself

Not surprisingly, the workload of homeschooling—and kids home all day—is likely to leave you with less time for yourself. Some homeschooling parents say they don’t have time to shower, let alone exercise or take care of their own needs.

For parents who are used to a quiet, kid-free environment during the day, this aspect of homeschooling can be a major adjustment.

Inability to Work

All the work of homeschooling is guaranteed to take up hours of your day. Therefore, as a homeschooling parent, you may not be able to work outside the home, or you may have to cut your hours significantly. For some households, this may be a financial deal-breaker.

Too Much Togetherness

While many families find that homeschooling boosts good vibes between siblings and parents, there is such a thing as too much togetherness.

You may find that spending all day, every day, with your kiddos (and they with each other) leads to feelings of frustration or confinement . You may also go through an adjustment period as your kids learn how to view (and respect) you as their teacher.

It’s important to work in breaks, both for yourself and your kids. Or, depending on the resources in your area, you might try a homeschooling co-op or enrichment program one day a week to provide your kids socialization with others outside the family.

Missing Out on Certain Opportunities

Despite the enormous flexibility of homeschooling, in some ways, it can limit opportunities for your child. For high schoolers, for example, a homeschool curriculum may not be able to provide the same variety of electives as a large public school. (After all, most of us don’t have a metal shop in the backyard.)

If your child wants to pursue subjects you can’t easily teach at home, you’ll have to be diligent about seeking alternatives.

The same holds for social opportunities. As a homeschooler, it’s up to you to provide social interaction your child won’t get from school dances, assemblies, and everyday classroom partner work.

Facing Judgments and Biases

Let's be honest: Homeschooling doesn’t necessarily have a reputation for being cool and modern. Unfortunately, plenty of biases and stereotypes exist around homeschooling and the folks who choose it.

If you decide to educate at home, you might get some flak from family members (or even strangers) who think you’re going full Little House on the Prairie mode or that your kids won’t actually learn anything. You may need to develop a thick skin toward other people’s judgments of your decision to educate at home.

A Word From Verywell

When more and more parents are exploring the wide world of homeschooling, it’s wise to look at the many advantages and disadvantages of this type of education.

Do some soul searching and have a serious discussion with your partner about whether this could be the right choice for your child's and family's needs. And don’t forget to find out how your kids feel about the subject! With everyone’s thoughts and feelings on the table, you can determine if homeschooling is best for you and your family.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ACIP Immunization Schedule Vote .

By Sarah Garone Sarah Garone, NDTR, is a freelance health and wellness writer who runs a food blog.

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Research Facts on Homeschooling

Research facts on homeschooling, homeschooling: the research.

Research Facts on Homeschooling, Homeschool Fast Facts

This article gives key research facts on homeschooling

General facts, statistics, and trends.

There were about 3.1 million homeschool students in 2021-2022 in grades K-12 in the United States (roughly 6% of school-age children). There were about 2.5 million homeschool students in spring 2019 (or 3% to 4% of school-age children) [note 1]. The homeschool population had been growing at an estimated 2% to 8% per annum over the past several years, but it grew drastically from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021.

Homeschooling – that is, parent-led home-based education; home education – is an age-old traditional educational practice that a decade ago appeared to be cutting-edge and “alternative” but is now bordering on “mainstream” in the United States. It may be the fastest-growing form of education in the United States. Home-based education has also been growing around the world in many other nations (e.g., Australia, Canada, France, Hungary, Japan, Kenya, Russia, Mexico, South Korea, Thailand, and the United Kingdom).
A demographically wide variety of people homeschool – these are atheists, Christians, and Mormons; conservatives, libertarians, and liberals; low-, middle-, and high-income families; black, Hispanic, and white; parents with Ph.D.s, GEDs, and no high-school diplomas. One nationwide study shows that 41% of homeschool students are Black, Asian, Hispanic, and others (i.e., not White/non-Hispanic) (U.S. Department of Education, 2019).
Taxpayers spend an average of $16,446 per pupil annually in public schools, plus capital expenditures (National Education Association, 2023). The roughly 3.1 million homeschool students of 2021-22 represented a savings of over $51 billion for taxpayers. This is $51 billion that American taxpayers did not have to spend.
Taxpayers spend nothing on the vast majority of homeschool students, while homeschool families spend an average of $600 per student annually for their education. Families engaged in home-based education are not dependent on public, tax-funded resources for their children’s education.
Homeschooling is quickly growing in popularity among minorities. About 41% of homeschool families are non-white/non-Hispanic (i.e., not white/Anglo).
It is estimated that over 9 million Americans had experienced being homeschooled as of February of 2020.

Reasons and Motivations for Home Educating

Most parents and youth decide to homeschool for more than one reason. The most common reasons given for homeschooling are the following:

customize or individualize the curriculum and learning environment for each child,
accomplish more academically than in schools,
use pedagogical approaches other than those typical in institutional schools,
enhance family relationships between children and parents and among siblings,
provide guided and reasoned social interactions with youthful peers and adults,
provide a safer environment for children and youth, because of physical violence, drugs and alcohol, psychological abuse, racism, and improper and unhealthy sexuality associated with institutional schools, and
as an alternative education approach when public or private institutional schools are closed due to acute health situations such as related to disease (e.g., Covid-19, Coronavirus)
protect minority children from racism in public schools or lower expectations of children of color (e.g., black) (e.g., Fields-Smith, 2020; Mazama & Lundy, 2012).
teach and impart a particular set of values, beliefs, and worldview to children and youth.

Academic Performance

The home-educated typically score 15 to 25 percentile points above public-school students on standardized academic achievement tests (Ray, 2010, 2015, 2017; Ray & Hoelzle, 2024). (The public school average is roughly the 50 th percentile; scores range from 1 to 99.) A 2015 study found Black homeschool students to be scoring 23 to 42 percentile points above Black public school students (Ray, 2015).
78% of peer-reviewed studies on academic achievement show homeschool students perform statistically significantly better than those in institutional schools ( Ray, 2017 ).
Homeschool students score above average on achievement tests regardless of their parents’ level of formal education or their family’s household income.
Whether homeschool parents were ever certified teachers is not notably related to their children’s academic achievement.
Degree of state control and regulation of homeschooling is not related to academic achievement.
Home-educated students typically score above average on the SAT and ACT tests that colleges consider for admissions.
Homeschool students are increasingly being actively recruited by colleges.

Social, Emotional, and Psychological Development (Socialization)

Research facts on homeschooling show that the home-educated are doing well, typically above average, on measures of social, emotional, and psychological development. Research measures include peer interaction, self-concept, leadership skills, family cohesion, participation in community service, and self-esteem.
87% of peer-reviewed studies on social, emotional, and psychological development show homeschool students perform statistically significantly better than those in conventional schools ( Ray, 2017 ).
Homeschool students are regularly engaged in social and educational activities outside their homes and with people other than their nuclear-family members. They are commonly involved in activities such as field trips, scouting, 4-H, political drives, church ministry, sports teams, and community volunteer work.
The balance of research to date suggests that homeschool students may suffer less harm (e.g., abuse, neglect, fatalities) than conventional school students.
Adults who were home educated are more politically tolerant than the public schooled in the limited research done so far.

Gender Differences in Children and Youth Respected?

One researcher finds that homeschooling gives young people an unusual chance to ask questions such as, “Who am I?” and “What do I really want?,” and through the process of such asking and gradually answering the questions home-educated girls develop the strengths and the resistance abilities that give them an unusually strong sense of self.
Some think that boys’ energetic natures and tendency to physical expression can more easily be accommodated in home-based education. Many are concerned that a highly disproportionate number of public school special-education students are boys and that boys are 2.5 times as likely as girls in public schools to be diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Success in the “Real World” of Adulthood

The research base on adults who were home educated is growing; thus far it indicates that:

69% of peer-reviewed studies on success into adulthood (including college) show adults who were home educated succeed and perform statistically significantly better than those who attended institutional schools ( Ray, 2017 ).
they participate in local community service more frequently than does the general population (e.g., Seiver & Pope, 2022 ),
these adults vote and attend public meetings more frequently than the general population
they go to and succeed at college at an equal or higher rate than the general population
by adulthood, they internalize the values and beliefs of their parents at a high rate

General Interpretation of Research on Homeschool Success or Failure

It is possible that homeschooling causes the positive traits reported above. However, the research designs to date do not conclusively “prove” or substantiate that homeschooling causes these things. One hypothesis is that the positive findings might be due to the demographics of the homeschool students and families in the studies. The “sources” (articles) below explain limitations and caveats regarding the studies. More methodologically stronger research needs to be done to find whether homeschooling is what leads to or causes better outcomes. At the same time, there is no empirical evidence that homeschooling overall causes negative things compared to institutional schooling. Future research may better answer the question of causation.

1. For more detail, see How Many Homeschool Students Are There in the United States? The March of 2021 estimate is based on data from state governments (e.g., Delaware, Florida, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, and Virginia), the U.S. Census Bureau (2021), and the U.S. Department of Education (2019). See McDonald (2020). The spring 2019 estimate was based on an estimate of about 2.5% per annum growth from estimates of 2 million home-educated children during the spring of 2010 and 2.3 million spring of 2016 in the United States (Ray, 2011). The estimate of 2.3 million in 2016 was calculated by Brian D. Ray, the author of this fact sheet, on April 7, 2016. He based it on publicly available research findings.

The above findings are extensively documented in one or more of the following sources, and most are available from www.nheri.org:

Cheng, Albert. (2014). Does homeschooling or private schooling promote political intolerance? Evidence from a Christian university. Journal of School Choice: International Research and Reform , 8(1), 49-68 [a peer-reviewed journal].
Fields-Smith, Cheryl. (2020). Exploring single black mothers’ resistance through homeschooling . Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan Cham.
Mazama, Ama; & Lundy, Garvey. (2012, August 26). African American homeschooling as racial protectionism. Journal of Black Studies, 43 (7) 723–748.
McDonald, Kerry. (2020). Homeschooling more than doubles during the pandemic: State-level data show just how dramatic the surge in homeschooling has been. Retrieved December 29, 2020 from https://fee.org/articles/homeschooling-more-than-doubles-during-the-pandemic/
Mead, Sara. (2006). The truth about boys and girls.
Medlin, Richard G. (2013). Homeschooling and the question of socialization revisited. Peabody Journal of Education, 88 (3), 284-297 [a peer-reviewed journal].
Murphy, Joseph. (2012). Homeschooling in America: Capturing and assessing the movement . Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin, a Sage Company.
National Education Association. (2023). Rankings of the States 2022 and Estimates of School Statistics 2023, https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/2023-04/2023-rankings-and-estimates-report.pdf
Ray, Brian D. (2004). Home educated and now adults: Their community and civic involvement, views about homeschooling, and other traits. Salem, Oregon: NHERI.
Ray, Brian D. (2004). Homeschoolers on to college: What research shows us. Ray, Journal of College Admission , No. 185, 5-11 [a peer-reviewed journal].
Ray, Brian D. (2010). Academic achievement and demographic traits of homeschool students: A nationwide study. Academic Leadership Journal, 8, www.academicleadership.org [a peer-reviewed journal]. For a free copy, contact us .
Ray, Brian D. (2013). Homeschooling associated with beneficial learner and societal outcomes but educators do not promote it. Peabody Journal of Education, 88 (3), 324-341 [a peer-reviewed journal].
Ray, Brian D. (2015). African American homeschool parents’ motivations for homeschooling and their Black children’s academic achievement. Journal of School Choice, 9 :71–96 [a peer-reviewed journal]. For a free copy, contact us .
Ray, Brian D. (2017). A systematic review of the empirical research on selected aspects of homeschooling as a school choice. Journal of School Choice , 11 (4), 604-621 [a peer-reviewed journal]
Ray, Brian D.; & Hoelzle, Braden R. (2024). Reasons for homeschooling and the correlates of home-educated students’ academic achievement: A new U.S. nationwide study. Presented at International School Choice and Reform Conference, Madrid, Spain, January 6, 2024.
Ray, Brian D.; & Shakeel, M. Danish. (2022). Demographics are predictive of child abuse and neglect but homeschool versus conventional school is a nonissue: Evidence from a nationally representative survey. Journal of School Choice, https://doi.org/10.1080/15582159.2022.2108879 [a peer-reviewed journal]
Seiver, Jillene Grove; & Pope, Elisa A. (2022). The kids are alright II: social engagement in young adulthood as a function of k-12 schooling type, personality traits, and parental education level. Home School Researcher , 37 (2), 1-9.
Sheffer, Susannah. (1995). A sense of self: Listening to homeschooled adolescent girls .
United States Department of Education. (2019) Homeschooling in the United States: Results from the 2012 and 2016 Parent and Family Involvement Survey (PFINHES: 2012 and 2016). Retrieved November 3, 2020 from https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2020/2020001.pdf

About the Author

Brian D. Ray, Ph.D. is an internationally known researcher (see Google Scholar Profile for many of his publications), educator, speaker, and expert witness, and serves as president of the nonprofit National Home Education Research Institute. He is a former certified teacher in public and private schools and served as a professor in the fields of science, research methods, and education at the graduate and undergraduate levels. He holds a Ph.D. in science education from Oregon State University, a M.S. in zoology from Ohio University, and a B.S. in biology from the University of Puget Sound. Dr. Ray has been studying the homeschool movement since about 1984.

For more homeschool research and more in-depth interpretation of research, media, journalists, and others please contact:

National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI)

PO Box 13939 Salem OR 97309 USA

tel. (503) 364‑1490 [email protected] www.nheri.org

Copyright © 2024 by National Home Education Research Institute

About nheri.

NHERI conducts homeschooling research, is a clearinghouse of research for the public, researchers, homeschoolers, the media, and policy makers, and educates the public concerning the findings of all related research. NHERI executes, evaluates, and disseminates studies and information (e.g., statistics, facts, data) on homeschooling (i.e., home schooling, home-based education, home education, home school, home-schooling, unschooling, deschooling, a form of alternative education), publishes reports and the peer-reviewed scholarly journal Home School Researcher, and serves in consulting, academic achievement tests, and expert witness (in courts and legislatures).

PO Box 13939 Salem, OR 97309 503-364-1490 503-364-3837 fax contact NHERI

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The research on homeschooling, the academic, social, and long-term outcomes for children in home schools..

Posted September 1, 2021 | Reviewed by Gary Drevitch

About 4 to 5 million children in the United States (or approximately 8 to 9% of school-age children) were homeschooled in March 2021. This statistic increased dramatically during the pandemic: Only 2.5 million (or 3 to 4% of school-age children) were homeschooled in spring 2019.

The most common reason cited for homeschooling (before the pandemic) was concern about the local school environment, including safety and negative peer pressure . Many parents also choose to homeschool due to dissatisfaction with the educational quality of local schools, or for religious reasons.

However, many parents and caregivers considering homeschooling may be especially concerned about how homeschooling might impact their child’s academic progress and social development. Does the research find any differences between children who were homeschooled versus children in conventional school?

Academic Performance

Homeschooled students tend to score higher on tests of academic skills when compared to children in public schools across most studies. However, it is difficult to draw any conclusions from these studies since most do not control for important family demographic factors and compare self-selected homeschooling families’ test scores (from tests proctored by parents) to national averages. Interestingly, children in a “structured” homeschool program — that is, a homeschool program with organized lesson plans — tend to score higher on academic tests than children from conventional schools, while children in “unstructured” homeschool environments without organized lesson plans tend to score lower than children in conventional schools.

Social Skills

The findings on social skills seem to be more mixed. Some studies have found no difference in social skills between children in homeschool environments versus conventional schools, some studies have found that homeschooled children score higher on measures of social ability, and some have found that homeschooled children score lower on overall social skills. Not surprisingly, homeschooled students who have had more opportunities for peer interactions tend to show improved social skills.

Long-Term Success

Most studies find that homeschooled children tend to have higher college GPAs than children from conventional schools. In addition, most studies have found no difference between homeschooled and conventional students in college graduation rates. However, most homeschooled students do not attend competitive four-year colleges and one study found that homeschooled students may have lower math GPAs in college than children from conventional schools. Children who are homeschooled may also be more likely to work in a lower-paying job.

Limitations of this Research

It is important to note that this research is difficult to interpret because families that choose to homeschool are different from families who do not in many other ways — for example, they may have parents with higher income or educational levels — and these factors likely contribute to the results as well. For instance, we cannot conclude that homeschooling will improve your child’s test scores since homeschooled children may have more educated mothers and it may be the mother’s educational level that drives the higher test scores, not homeschooling itself.

Almasoud, S., & Fowler, S. R. (2016). The difference in the academic achievements of homeschooled and non-homeschooled students. Home School Researcher, 32(1), 1-4.

Cogan, M. F. (2010). Exploring academic outcomes of homeschooled students. Journal of College Admission, 208, 18-25.

Coleman, R. E. (2014). The homeschool math gap: The data. Coalition for Responsible Home Education.

Drenovsky, C. K., & Cohen, I. (2012). The impact of homeschooling on the adjustment of college students. International Social Science Review, 87(1/2), 19-34.

Kunzman, R., & Gaither, M. (2020). Homeschooling: An updated comprehensive survey of the research. Other Education, 9(1), 253-336.

Martin-Chang, S., Gould, O. N., & Meuse, R. E. (2011). The impact of schooling on academic achievement: Evidence from homeschooled and traditionally schooled students. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science/Revue Canadienne Des Sciences du Comportement, 43(3), 195.

McKinley, M. J., Asaro, J. N., Bergin, J., D'Auria, N., & Gagnon, K. E. (2007). Social Skills and Satisfaction with Social Relationships in Home-Schooled, Private-Schooled, and Public-Schooled Children. Online Submission, 17(3), 1-6.

Medlin, R. G. (2006). Homeschooled Children's Social Skills. Online Submission, 17(1), 1-8.

Montes, G. (2006). Do Parental Reasons to Homeschool Vary by Grade? Evidence from the National Household Education Survey, 2001. Online Submission, 16(4), 11-17.

Montes, G. (2015). The social and emotional health of homeschooled students in the United States: A population-based comparison with publicly schooled students based on the national survey of children’s health, 2007. Home School Researcher, 31(1), 1-9.

Pearlman-Avnion, S., & Grayevsky, M. (2019). Homeschooling, civics, and socialization: The case of Israel. Education and Urban Society, 51(7), 970-988.

Ray, B. D. (2017). A systematic review of the empirical research on selected aspects of homeschooling as a school choice. Journal of School Choice, 11(4), 604-621.

Redford, J., Battle, D., & Bielick, S. (2017, April). Homeschooling in the United States: 2012. Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved August 1, 2017, from. (NCES 2016-096.REV) https://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2016096rev

Sikkink, D., & Skiles, S. (2015). Homeschooling and young adult outcomes: Evidence from the 2011 and 2014 Cardus Education Survey. The Cardus Religious Schools Initiative.

Cara Goodwin, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in translating scientific research into information that is useful, accurate, and relevant for parents.

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93 Homeschooling Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best homeschooling topic ideas & essay examples, ⭐ good research topics about homeschooling, 📝 simple & easy homeschooling essay titles, ❓ homeschooling research questions.

Home School Versus Public School These two types of schools are also similar in that most of the subjects taught in public schools and home schools are the same.
Homeschooling is a Viable Alternative to Public School General information: In public discourse, homeschooling can be seen as inferior to mainstream education and criticized as unregulated and ineffective from the standpoint of socialization.
Is Homeschooling Better? The points forwarded by the proponents of homeschooling like flexibility, excellent performance and individualized learning should be disregarded since it is not in conformity with government’s policy on education.
Home Schooling From the Nursing Perspective Much to the credit of both sides, one must admit that the proponents of homeschooling and the supporters of the traditional teaching approach act on behalf of the child and in the latter’s interests.
Sociology: Home School Environment Homeschooling may also cause stress in a child because when the contents get tough, the child may have no peer to talk to, and the guardian is not suitable for such talks.
Homeschooling Is Changing in America Such a publication seems to be relevant for the ongoing study because it sheds light on the diversity of homeschooling in the United States to a great extent.
The Success of Homeschooling and How the Program Can Be Increased One of the first steps to undertake is to develop a proper assessment framework in order to identify the strengths and weaknesses of current homeschooling methods.
Homeschooling Growth in the United States and Its Legalization In a recent study in America, it was found that eighty-five percent of parents enrolled their children in home schools because of fear about the environment of other schools.
Selection of Literature on Homeschooling The main achievement is the explanation of the very essence of the term homeschooling. The current culture is fighting for the fulfilment of the educational standards.
Home Schooling and Children’s Social Development Going back in time, the victory of the 13-years old Rebecca Sealfon in the contest Scripps National Spelling Bee in 1997, brought the attention of the country to the phenomenon that is called homeschooling.
Homeschooled Kids in the U.S. The increase in the amount of interest is due to the increased number of homeschoolers in America. This paper aims to understand this growing trend in the US and the reason behind the increasing popularity […]
Advantages Arguments of Homeschooling According to the Education Resource Centre, Home schooling is providing education to children based at home as opposed to public and private schools.
Home Schooling and Public Schooling Comparison Before the introduction of compulsory education laws in the 19th century, education of children was conducted mainly in their homes and families.
After-School Program and Homeschooling: Comparison Visits to cultural sites and memorials to encourage the knowledge of history and the education of spirituality an hour and a half.
Public School Access for Homeschoolers First of all, there should be enough space for homeschool students in the class, and a teacher should be able to provide them all with the necessary materials.
Homeschooling, Its Advantages and Disadvantages Nowadays, education is extremely important because it provides the representatives of the general public to receive the knowledge needed to live an independent life to the fullest.
Homeschooling as a Valid Alternative to Formal Education One of the main questions that should be examined is the academic performance of children who were educated in this way.
The Significance of Home Schooling This article examines the concept of home schooling. 4, 2002, p.197.
The Arguments and Debates of the Home Schooling System The learner and the facilitator are able to twist or manipulate the learning times in a way that satisfies their comfort and schedule.
Positive Development: Home School vs. Public School The decision on whether to home school or take a child to a public school is vital to the future of the child.
Homeschooling Factors in America A number of people fathom that the only way to restore the value of education in reference to the requirements of Christianity is when people home school their children.
Homeschooling as an Option for Formal Education This is because of some of the disadvantages that come with homeschooling. This is because of the challenges that come with it.
Homeschooling and Depriving Children of Social Development
Homeschooling vs. Public School: Which Is More Beneficial
High School Kids and Homeschooling: Stereotypes and Perks
Social Factors That Affect Homeschooling
The Misconception About Homeschooling and the Benefits of Learning at Home
Preference for Homeschooling Over Traditional Schooling
Homeschooling: Alternative Education and Independent Study
Compelling Reasons for Homeschooling
Homeschooling: Left Behind, Jumping Ahead
The Benefits of Homeschooling – Education and Public College
Homeschooling: Academics, Socialization and College
Homeschooling: Education and Supervision
Ethical Questions Regarding Homeschooling
Homeschooling Versus Public Schooling
Reasons Why Parents Are Choosing Homeschooling
Differences Between Homeschooling and Public Education
Homeschooling Prepares Students for College
Homeschooling and the Community
Homeschooling and Family Education
Technology Business Opportunity for Homeschooling
Homeschooling and Saving Children From Destruction
Homeschooling and Its Effect on Children
The Benefits and Factors of Homeschooling
The Legitimacy and Advantages of Homeschooling
Good Homeschooling and Public School in the United States
Homeschooling and Childhood Socialization
Should Homeschooling Replace Regular Schooling
Homeschooling: Are Parents Really Helping Their Children
Homeschooling and Traditional Education: Advantages and Disadvantages
Public Education and Homeschooling: The Best Known Techniques
Homeschooling Advantages and Disadvantages
Public Schools Should Take Ideas From Homeschooling
Homeschooling Laws What You Should Know
Tips for Successful Homeschooling
What Homeschooling Can Do for Public Schooling
Homeschooling Pros and Cons
Positive and Negative Aspects of Homeschooling
Homeschooling: Solution for Educating Girls in Afghanistan
The Homeschooling: Mom Needs to Socialise Too
Homeschooling – Not the Better Choice
Does Homeschooling Deprive Children of Social Development?
How Can Homeschooling Get You Into a Lot of Trouble?
What Does Homeschooling Mean to Me?
Homeschooling: Yes, No, Maybe So?
What Are the Pros and Cons of Being Homeschooled?
What Are the Disadvantages of Homeschooling?
Is It a Good Idea to Be Homeschooled?
What Is Homeschooling, and How Does It Work?
Is Homeschool Expensive?
Is Homeschooling Free?
Why Shouldn’t You Homeschool Your Child?
What Do Psychologists Say About Homeschooling?
Are Homeschoolers Socially Awkward?
Are Homeschooled Kids More Confident?
Is Homeschooling Better for Mental Health?
Are Homeschoolers Happier?
Are Homeschoolers More Successful?
Is It Too Late to Start Homeschooling?
Is Homeschooling Difficult?
What Are the Five Benefits of Homeschooling?
Is Homeschool Better Than Public School?
What Is the Biggest Challenge of Homeschooling?
Are Homeschoolers Brighter Than Public Schoolers?
Can You Go to Harvard if You Were Homeschooled?
Do Colleges Prefer Homeschooled Students?
Is Homeschooling Good for Anxiety?
Why Is Homeschooling a Controversial Issue?
Are Homeschoolers More Likely to Be Abused?
Why Does Germany Not Allow Homeschooling?
Why Do Parents Choose to Homeschool?
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Essay Samples on Homeschooling

How traditional schooling is better than homeschooling.

The debate between traditional schooling and homeschooling has long been a topic of contention in the field of education. While both approaches have their merits, this essay argues in favor of traditional schooling, highlighting the social, academic, and personal development benefits it offers to students....

Homeschooling

Influence Of Homeschooling And Public Schooling On Children

This paper will explain on how homeschool can affect kids. It can change the way a kid lives because they don’t socialize. It stops students from meeting new people. It can also stop students from learning to communicate with people they don’t know. A lot...

Public School

Standardized Testing For Homeschool Students: Pros And Cons

The Stanford Achievement Test is one of the most familiar exams in the education system and is one of the determining factors in whether a student moves to the next grade or not. It is also used to determine whether the school is meeting state...

Standardized Testing

Homeschool For The Win: Its Benefits Over Public Schools

Throughout the years, many people’s perspectives on homeschooling have changed dramatically. Students don’t necessarily have to be homeschooled. As long as kids receive a proper education, they can be successful in many ways. However, homeschooling can be very beneficial. Although it isn’t very common now,...

Homeschooling: Making It Possible to Study at Home

Surely you've known someone that has home schooled their children. You've probably thought about it, but you may have figured that you couldn't do it. You've got the wrong idea about homeschooling if that's your frame of mind. You can provide your children with the...

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Necessary Homeschooling Guidelines for Success

For many pupils, the timeless traditions of attending university in the school room merely isn't ample to interact with and instruct them. Other people have specific needs that can not be fulfilled in public places universities. When personal colleges aren't an alternative, lots of people...

Success in Education

Discovering Musical Traits of the Musically Gifted Child Through Homeschooling

After my daughter, Justine, finished kindergarten, my husband and I contemplated about homeschooling her. We were considering it for so many reasons, and we had a long discussion about it. Not only did we believe that we would be the best teachers for her, but...

Analysis of the Advantages of Public Schools over Homeschooling

Education plays a crucial and profound role in our contemporary society. Many parents are encouraged to commence educating their offspring from a very tender age. However, the question still lingers as to which mode of learning is more progressively advantageous: homeschooling or public schools? Both...

Changing Public Opinion About Homeschooling

Homeschooling is an ongoing controversial subject in this century as a society has always had a natural perception towards homeschooled children, terms such as ‘anti-social’ and ‘religious’ are usually affiliated with homeschooling. In spite of the controversy surrounding homeschooling, it remains an alternative route to...

Homeschooling: Benefits and Drawbacks of Unique School System

Homeschooling has been around for 25 years. It is has been exceptionally gaining popularity in the past few years as more students are choosing to become homeschooled. It is indeed extraordinary to be able to learn what is being taught at a classroom without having...

The Importance Of Sports And Extracurricular Activities For Home-Schooled Students

I have many opinions on traditional vs. non-traditional schooling, as a former; virtual, home, independent study, and traditional public-school student. While the learning aspect of school is similar across the board, the social aspect is totally different for students taught outside of traditional methods. They...

Extracurricular Activities

Trapped At Home: The Consequences Of Homeschooling

Throughout the years there have been many controversies whether homeschooling has a beneficial effect on children across the country. Studies show that depriving a child of social experiences they would receive in a traditional school has numerous side effects. More parents are choosing to homeschool...

Best topics on Homeschooling

1. How Traditional Schooling Is Better Than Homeschooling

2. Influence Of Homeschooling And Public Schooling On Children

3. Standardized Testing For Homeschool Students: Pros And Cons

4. Homeschool For The Win: Its Benefits Over Public Schools

5. Homeschooling: Making It Possible to Study at Home

6. Necessary Homeschooling Guidelines for Success

7. Discovering Musical Traits of the Musically Gifted Child Through Homeschooling

8. Analysis of the Advantages of Public Schools over Homeschooling

9. Changing Public Opinion About Homeschooling

10. Homeschooling: Benefits and Drawbacks of Unique School System

11. The Importance Of Sports And Extracurricular Activities For Home-Schooled Students

12. Trapped At Home: The Consequences Of Homeschooling

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The Five-Paragraph Essay: What, Why, and How for Homeschoolers

Overview: The five-paragraph essay is a helpful tool — here are ideas for teaching it! Note: Contains referral links.

In one of my articles about high school writing, I shared the story of when my eldest daughter took the ACT and got a poor score on the writing portion. I was flabbergasted at the time. I read the essay myself, and it didn't seem so horrible to me. She had great grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure — what was their problem?

I have since come to realize that the ACT (and SAT, for that matter) writing scorers are looking for a very particular type of essay — the five-paragraph essay. And no matter how well your child writes, if they don't craft their ACT/SAT essay as a five-paragraph essay, then they are going to get a low score, too. So it's a good idea to get your teen familiar with it before they need to take those tests.

Trying to teach the five-paragraph essay in your homeschool? Here's what we do! Your teen will need to know this skill for the ACT and SAT writing tests.

WHAT is a five-paragraph essay?

It is a composition that is written with — you guessed it — five paragraphs: an introduction which states a thesis, then three supporting paragraphs, then a conclusion. So a five-paragraph essay is a persuasive essay, because the writer states an opinion about something and then proceeds to back it up. It follows the standard formula that we've all heard many times: tell 'em what you're gonna tell 'em (introduction), then tell 'em (body), then tell 'em what you told 'em (conclusion).

WHY teach your kids to write a five-paragraph essay?

1) I've alluded to one answer to this question already — your kids will need to know how to craft a five-paragraph essay in order to score well on the writing portions of the ACT and SAT . Do I agree that it seems silly that the scorers can't judge any other type of writing? You bet. Do I understand the myriad problems with relying on test scores for deciding a student's adequacy for college entrance? Totally. I am not here to debate all that stuff today but just to face reality. It is what it is, y'all. Most colleges still require these tests, and if you want scholarship money for your genius, you will want him or her to do well on them.

2) I also have come to believe that the five-paragraph essay is a very valuable tool for teaching writing in general. It is short and doable, so the student feels less intimidated and more motivated. It is also possible to fit a LOT of solid writing education into the formation of a five-paragraph essay — or into several/many of them over time.

Because while it sounds simple, it is actually a little more complicated (ouch! it hurt to use that word! Because you know that I am “too lazy for complicated!”) than just throwing together five paragraphs. Within the essay the student must learn how to execute each paragraph with specific elements and literary techniques. This means that in learning how to create a five-paragraph essay, they can learn how to write WELL. They can then use that skill in all types of writing, whether it be research papers, fictional writing, lab reports, etc. etc.

Having said all this, I think I can predict your next question:

HOW do I teach my kid to write a five-paragraph essay?

In my posts Homeschool High School Writing Help and Homeschool ACT and SAT Practice, I detail what we did to help my second and third high schoolers get a better score on the writing portion of their college entrance exams than their older sister. And they both did — and they will not let her forget it, lol. Check those articles out to see the resources we used for them.

But since starting in Classical Conversations this fall, I have found out that there is another, BETTER way to tame this five-paragraph essay beast, and that is to start earlier than high school . My 12-year-old in Challenge A is learning step-by-step how to write a persuasive essay in the five-paragraph format by using the writing curriculum called The Lost Tools of Writing . And I have to say that I am very impressed with how they do this.

First, LTW uses quality, engaging literature as the basis for the content of the essays the students will write. Students find an issue in the book they are reading and form an opinion about it. This becomes their thesis statement; and events, characters, or themes in the book become their supporting arguments. Can you say “teach them literary analysis without them even realizing it?” :-)

Second, LTW assigns several essays over the course of the year, with each one being more complex than the last. The first essay is nothing more than a skeleton essay. By the third essay they have learned how to construct a thesis and find supporting arguments. Currently (in October) the students are working on finding attention-grabbing opening sentences. They will also gradually add other various literary devices such as parallelism and alliteration, among others.

While LTW is not the easiest curriculum to use (and you know I prefer that they require little prep or effort to understand — can't claim that about this one), I have to say that so far it seems to be a very effective means to teach the five-paragraph essay. Which means that by the time #5 has reached the age to take those nasty tests, she'll have been writing these essays for several years. Which further means that she'll totally blow her sisters' scores out of the water! Muahahaha…

UPDATE: LTW is great for older teens, too

Since writing this, I have seen LTW used successfully with upper high schoolers, as well. It may seem a bit basic at first, but the older students progress faster through the program and are more inventive with how they use the various elements in their essays. I think this curriculum is a great way to get ANY kid in grades 7-12 to feel better about writing.

Another solid option for older teens is WriteShop . This one won't seem like it's talking down to them like LTW might. Both WriteShop I and WriteShop II are amazing for high school writing, but I believe it is WriteShop II that teaches the five-paragraph essay. See my complete review of WriteShop here (includes two videos): WriteShop I & II for High School Writing .

ANOTHER UPDATE:

It's been five years since this article was originally written. The daughter who used LTW in 7th and 8th grade was preparing to take her ACT Written portion for the first time this past spring, and guess what she did? She pulled out her LTW notes! She reviewed the essay structures and the different techniques, and then she took the test.

And my prediction was correct! Her score was a 9, y'all. That's the score that is recommended to aim for in order to get accepted to Ivy Leagues. Yup! She is not going to an Ivy League, but that's how well the Lost Tools of Writing prepared her for that test! Woot!

So even after this many years, I'm still a fan!

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13 thoughts on “The Five-Paragraph Essay: What, Why, and How for Homeschoolers”

The 5 Paragraph Essay is about the only writing method I remember from my (public) school years =) I remember starting it in middle school. That’s interesting that the ACT/SAT folks are only looking for that kind of essay. Clearly there are other types of writing, but I guess they know that the typical public school student is learning that kind of writing.

WriteWell sounds like a neat program. Thanks for sharing about it!

I don’t remember learning it as an actual format when I was in school — but I don’t even remember them having writing on standardized tests then, anyway… I know I’m dating myself with that statement! LOL. But these days that’s definitely what they expect! Thanks for stopping by, Amy! :-)

Thank you for writing this. I like being prepared and if our children want to go to college, then essays are something I must prepare them for. Really informative post. ?

Writing is such a tricky subject to teach, and these resources have really helped me a lot. Thanks for the comment, Erin! :-)

Please do not teach only this format to students who plan to attend college. It is not appropriate for college-level work. It is a rudimentary format, one that I UN-teach in my freshman composition courses.

What is it the next level up, above the 5 paragraph essay, that would be important to teach in preparation for a college level paper Nathan?

The research paper is probably the next step up. But I’ll confess, my eldest kids never did one of those, either. I have always been very scared of the process of teaching writing, lol. My youngest is doing one in Classical Conversations as part of her 9th grade curriculum, and I am glad about that.

I believe you, Nathan. But you need to preach that to the ACT and SAT people. Until they change their standards, we kinda have to teach this to our kids. I personally think it’s a good first step towards writing longer and more researched papers. But then, yes, it is best to move on from there, and let our kids know that this was only a stepping stone.

As a parent I would love to see any writing corrected instead of just a grade at the top of the paper. If 5 paragraphs is all a busy teacher can handle well with a teaching overload of students, I would rather 5 paragraphs really scrutinzed than no real editing/suggestions at all.

Good point!

Great article. I don’t remember doing much writing at all in high school (40 years ago), but learned enough to score well on the SAT. It wasn’t until I was in college that I even learned the 5 paragraph essay. Once I learned how to write that way, may grades soared in college English classes. May daughter hates writing for school but happily writes fan fiction and publishing it on the web. I suppose I should at least try to teach her to write this kind of essay.

Would you recommend using both WriteShop and LTW over different years? If you picked one or the other, which one would you pick?

I start teaching the 5 paragraph essay in Kindergarten based on The Four Square Writing Method by Judith Gould. It actually just starts with a paragraph in K, but evolves into a 5PE by Grade 2. We share write paragraphs in their journal all year. In 1st grade they definitely have the hang of it and can start writing independently. By the end of 2nd grade, they evolve to 5 paragraphs independently. It’s awesome! Check out her books, they’re great!

Home Schooling Essays

by czary Jacek (Poland)

School versus Homeschooling

Some people believe that teaching children at home is best for a child's development while others think that it is important for children to go to school. Discuss the advantages of both methods and give your own opinion. Many people are in debate about whether children should be home-schooled or traditionally-schooled, and which of the two methods would be better for the child's development. While studying privately means the child will be getting a more focused and tailored education, traditional schools provide children with social and physical advantages that home-schooling does not. In this essay, I will discuss the benefits of both preferences and explain why I believe that children should be made to go into school rather than being restricted to text-book education. Parents who choose to get private tutors for their children tend to believe that they will be getting a better education and will be smarter than publicly educated children. This is because the one to one ratio means that the child is getting all of the teacher's attention, in comparison with public school where the teacher has to divide his/her attention between twenty or thirty different children. For instance, if a tutor see's that their pupil is struggling with algebra, it would be much easier to identify and address it. Whereas, in public schools the teacher might not know unless it is raised by the student or parent. Even then, it would be difficult to find the time and energy to help the individual student. In this aspect home-schooling might be more advantageous than public schooling. Nevertheless, the other components of child education and development should still be explored. Being taught with other children has numerous advantages that are often overlooked by supporters of home-schooling. One very obvious benefit is social interaction and its importance in dealing with strangers, learning social etiquette, building relationships and much more. Children who are given the opportunity to interact with other children and adults, will be far more socially advanced than those who are secluded to their homes. Furthermore, children who are publicly educated are able to explore and develop more interests than their privately tutored peers. For example, most school goers will play team games with their class at some point during their school years; through this they might find a new interest or hobby, they will be able to learn new skills, interact and experience competition but most importantly enjoy themselves. Through these interactions they also create relationships that extend beyond the school grounds. These are opportunities that can rarely be described for homeschooled children. The social components and fully experiencing childhood is fundamental to healthy development and must not be overlooked when choosing from the two options. In my opinion, the social advantages gained from public school surpass the academic advantages of home-schooling. This is because while the child will learn better if his/her classes are tailored to his or her need, they may never encounter the social experiences from which they can extract skills or enjoy the atmosphere of being with similar aged children. The aim of school is to prepare children for adult life and equip them with the skills they may need at that time, irregardless of whether they progress into academic disciplines or not. Education gaps can be corrected by parents at home or after school tutoring where necessary, meanwhile there is no substitute for the social benefits of school. In conclusion, parents choose which style of teaching best fits their expectations for their children. While some go with home tutoring, others go with traditional schooling; they both come with varying advantages. This essay discussed the main advantage of traditional schooling versus homeschooling in relation to the child’s development. It highlighted the academic benefits of private learning, as well as the social and personal gains of public school education, and explained why I think that traditional methods of schooling are far more advantageous than homeschooling.

Teaching Children at Home Essay

by Marius M

Some people believe that teaching children at home is best for a child's development while others think that it is important for children to go to school. Discuss the advantages of both methods and give your own opinion. This topic is a point of contention amongst parents and teachers in today's ever changing world I think there are many advantages for home schooling one of the most important being a more flexible approach to training a child. A parent is easily able to adjust the difficulty of lessons to cater to the child's learning capacity and level. Home schooling could also involving self-training methods and many success stories in the world today are based on this especially in the world of tech and computer. A good example being silicon valley company founders such as Mark Zuckerberg, Steve Jobs amongst others. The advantage being that sometimes the school curriculum is not quick enough to meet the speed at which areas in tech are moving with. Inspite of the strong points made by parents and tutors as to the importance of home schooling, as with most things, there is a myriad of reasons supporting a child's development from teaching in school. Principal of this being the fact that home schooling is an artificial representation of the real world and hinders children from developing useful skills required to deal with life when they grow. The reality is life does not wait for any one and if kids are made to believe that classes and therefore life will be tailored to their capacities only, then there would struggle to adapt to the real world when they become adults. An example of this can be seen when the children of celebrities who were home-schooled as kids but who struggle as adults and keep away from the outside world. I am of the opinion that schooling for kids is a delicate issue and should be handled with balance. I believe that it would be helpful for kids to attend school during term time, while during vacation period home schooling should come into effect to catch up with any gaps the child has versus school curriculum or advance their learning further. When deemed together, the success stories of home-schooling and the merits of going to school means it serves a better purpose combining the two.

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Argumentation For and Against Homeschooling: Essay Example

Homeschooling: essay introduction, why homeschooling is bad: essay body paragraph, why homeschooling is good: body paragraph, home schooling: essay conclusion, works cited.

The popularity of homeschooling seems to increase, although some people are convinced that homeschoolers are not going to amount to anything valuable in the long run. In this speech, I am going to outline the strong points and drawbacks of homeschooling.

It is believed that homeschooled children lack social skills, and their parents bear huge expenses and have no time for themselves; on the other hand, homeschooling perfectly fits the child’s needs, is valued no less than public schooling, and creates closer family bonds; additionally, in contrast to public schools, homeschooling de-stresses children rather than distresses them.

As their strongest argument, skeptics generally maintain that homeschooled children do not receive the social interaction they need. At earlier stages of development, it is critical for children to socialize and advance their communication skills.

Children studying at home do not get this opportunity and are likely to have problems socializing and making friends later in life. An unsociable child is also prone to have troubles with peer acceptance – not least because homeschooling is still regarded as an oddity and deviation.

Another argument is concerned with the cost of home education. At that, it does not matter if the parents choose to educate the child themselves or hire a tutor –in both instances, their budget is likely to be shattered.

A serious point to consider is that, on average, a tutor’s services will cost $30-40 per hour (“The Tutor Guide” par. 1). A parent tutor will probably have to quit their job to get all the time they need. One way or the other, homeschooling is a costly affair.

Apart from the money it takes to homeschool children, parents are likely to devote most of their time to it. Eventually, they might find themselves spending 24 hours a day with their children with not a moment of solitude and privacy left. Although such parental participation does not seem alarming short term, it can be stressful in the long run – which is the reason some parents find they are not quite ready to homeschool.

These arguments are logical and true to life – but let us look on the brighter side.

Those who stand for homeschooling insist that it provides tailor-fit education. The child has a chance to learn at their own pace, which can be slower or faster than that of public school students. It is true that every child is special, and every child’s needs matter.

Still, in cases when children cannot cope with the public school environment, homeschooling can be the only way out (Kirk et al. 2). The parents (or tutor) can fit the education process to their child’s needs – presumably, for the children’s own good.

To counter the parental stress argument, it does not make much logical reasoning to admit homeschoolers are likely to have better relationships with their families. Provided that the parents are not overly authoritative when it comes to educational activities, familial bonds are formed and preserved lifelong.

By educating their children and tracking their progress, parents have a chance to know their children better, which is the cornerstone of good parenting. Additionally, parental involvement can prevent aggressive and destructive behaviors in teens and pre-teens, which is another solid point to consider.

Speaking about aggression, one cannot deny that bullying issues are pressing as ever. Despite public schools’ best efforts, peer pressure is persistent. Homeschoolers, in their turn, are free from the agony and negativity bullying brings.

Consider a harassed school student trying to concentrate – and failing at that. Now consider education in a comfortable homely atmosphere where a child feels loved and valued. In this respect, a homeschooler not only has a chance to focus but also develops an emotionally stable personality.

Finally – and this is good news – there is an extensive list of colleges that accept homeschoolers (Bunday n.pag.). Each year homeschooled students are admitted to study in selected colleges and universities across the U.S. Such institutions like Harvard College, Yale University, University of Chicago, Trinity University, and many others are known to have admitted homeschooled students – that is, without high school diplomas. Many institutions believe homeschoolers are more fit for the scholarly atmosphere. Based on some general tests, portfolios, and application essays, homeschoolers have equal admission chances.

To conclude, it would be wrong to say homeschooling does not have its weak points. Still, the strong points can seem more relevant for some and, eventually, determine their choice of educating children. Whether you think that the strengths of homeschooling outweigh the weaknesses or not, you have to admit the practice is viable and is quite likely to bring positive results.

Bunday, Karl M. “ Colleges That Admit Homeschoolers .” Learn in Freedom. Learn in Freedom, 2013.

Kirk, Samuel, James J. Gallagher, Mary Ruth Coleman, and Nicholas J. Anastasiow.

Educating Exceptional Children. 13th ed. Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning, 2011. Print.

“ The Tutor Guide: Tutoring Fees .” Care.com . Care.com, 2016.

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Homeschooling vs Traditional Schooling: pros and cons

As a vast majority of the world went remote in early 2020 at the dawn of the COVID-19 pandemic, students had to quickly adapt to remote learning from home. Due to this, many parents began to consider homeschooling for their child rather than return children to their traditional schooling methods. But what are the pros and cons of homeschooling versus traditional schooling?

Homeschooling: the pros

No commute: Very often, students can only attend certain public schools if they reside in the right district. Alternatively, if they attend a private school further from home, the commute can be long during peak school run hours. As such, homeschooling saves time which can be spent doing further coursework, exploring personal interests, or spending more time with friends and family.
Tailor-made Curriculum: Although certain states/countries may have specific requirements on what it takes to graduate from high school if homeschooled, the option does give students and their parents the luxury of exploring personal interests, going at their own pace, and taking advanced courses where the student is able to.
Custom Schedule: The typical 8am-3pm does not have to hold true with homeschooling! While some legal requirements for a minimum number of hours may be present, students are able to have flexibility to pursue other goals such as competitive gymnastics, travel the world with their families, etc.
Higher performance: According to ThinkImpact, public school students received an average score of 21 out of 36 on the ACT, whereas homeschooled students received an average of 22.8. As for the SATs, homeschoolers scored a nationwide average of 72 points more than their traditional schooled counterparts in the United States in 2020.
Safety: The risks of COVID-19, school shootings, and other unfortunate situations are minimized at home. The extent of safety will also vary upon the neighborhood the school and home are located in.

Homeschooling: the cons

Social life restrictions: Students who are homeschooled do not have classmates with them daily. As such, they can be lonely unless a solid effort is made to interact with peers their age through other activities such as attending a church or place of worship, sports teams, community events, etc.
Pressure on parent’s time: Working a job and raising a child is already a huge time commitment for most adults. As such, being the child’s teacher is an additional burden on parents which not all are able to undertake. Furthermore, a parent will have to ensure that healthy boundaries are set between the parent and child now that the “teacher and student” dynamic is also present.
Cost: The cost of a homeschool curriculum can be a few thousand dollars, whereas public school is free. However, it should be noted that homeschool can be cheaper than private school, so it is up to a family to decide how to best use their educational budget here.

Traditional Schooling: the pros

Social life and development: At school, teens get to spend dozens of hours each week with peers their age, thus giving them a platform to develop their social skills.
Professional instruction: Teachers at schools are qualified, trained professionals who have mastered their craft and in the later grades specialize in their area of instruction.
Structure: Many children thrive on having a set routine and structure in their daily schedules, and schools are the greatest source of structure in a youngster’s life.
Extracurriculars: Schools, especially those with a larger student population, tend to offer extracurriculars which a student is not able to acquire at home. Be it being a part of the chess club, trying out for the football team, or running for student government, certain activities cannot be done in a home setting.
School spirit: Being a member of a school helps develop a youngster’s identity, and students are able to obtain a sense of belonging (provided the school is a good fit for them, of course!).
Fostering independence: From keeping track of their own timetable (deadlines, bus schedules, etc), purchasing/bringing their lunch, and finding their way from classes, traditional schooling helps build valuable life skills which shall help students once they graduate.

Traditional Schooling: the cons

More traditional curriculum: Instead of exploring their own interests, students are forced to study subjects at the same pace as their classmates and course selection is more limited.
Peer pressure: Be it wearing the latest Nike shoes, fitting in with the cool crowd, or dealing with bullies, peer pressure plays a big part of a teenager’s life and is more present in traditional schooling environments.
Overwhelmed teachers: Many teachers have dozens of students on their roster and getting each student’s individual needs met is not often accomplished.
Fitting in: Perhaps the school is simply not a good fit for who your child is – be it the type of curriculum offered, the crowd present, or the overall management of the school.

While these are just a few of the pros and cons seen in traditional schooling vs homeschooling, I would like to remind you that there is no direct answer as to which option is better. A family needs to consider their own needs to make this decision, including their time, teaching capabilities, educational budget, location, future goals, and resources. Here at Crimson we are always happy to discuss these options and also work together to advise a hybrid model if necessary – where students may take some courses outside of school in addition to the courses in their regular schooling. The pandemic has made more families consider homeschooling after seeing how their child has been handling remote learning – but before you jump the gun, make sure to consider all the pros and cons thoroughly!

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A woman assists two young children with schoolwork at a table inside their home.

Homeschooling is the fastest-growing education setting in the United States. More than 3 million students were educated at home in the 2021-22 school year, up from 2.5 million in the spring of 2019. Current estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau indicate that there are 3.62 million students homeschooled in the United States . That’s a meteoric increase from about 1 million in 1997.

Some experts, including Harvard law professor Elizabeth Bartholet , find the increase a cause to call for greater regulation . University of Washington education policy professor David Knight agrees, citing a lack of accountability and measures of student progress. Knight also worries about an absence of certain disciplines such as social studies that public schools are required to teach.

For those of us who have researched the homeschool movement and studied its past, these are not new concerns. So what do we know about homeschooling and preparedness for college?

Data shows homeschooled students fare well

In 2020, we reviewed the evidence about how well homeschooling prepares people for college, career and life and published what we learned in a book chapter titled: “ Life after Homeschool .”

We found evidence that homeschooled students are just as prepared academically for higher education as traditionally schooled peers. In one study, researchers drew a sample of 825,672 students – including 732 students who had been homeschooled – and found the homeschooled group scored higher on several measures of college preparedness, including the SAT and first-year GPA in college.

Ave Maria University education professor Marc Snyder came to similar results in a 2013 study. Snyder compared homeschooled and traditional students at his Catholic university in Florida to find the average ACT scores for homeschooled students was 26. Public school students averaged 24.22, and students who attended Catholic schools averaged 24.53.

Snyder’s study reinforces data from the ACT itself. The testing outlet reported that from 2001-2019, the average ACT scores for homeschooled students trended up , while public school students’ scores declined slightly. In 2023, the national average on the ACT was 19.9 ; the average for homeschoolers was 22.8.

Areas of concern abound as homeschool growth accelerates

Still, calls for regulation persist because of a host of challenges homeschooled students present. The Coalition for Responsible Home Education wants states to require minimal qualifications of a high school diploma or GED for the parent providing primary instruction, instruction for students in the same subjects as in public schools, and annual standardized assessments. In some states, they note, parents don’t even have to tell their local school district of their intent to homeschool.

The pro-regulation side points to studies showing homeschooled students feel less prepared for college and are four times less likely to go to college after high school. Homeschool students also take an average of one fewer math and science course than traditional peers.

Homeschooled students also often lack resources and guidance provided in traditional high schools for college prep. And social challenges abound when these students transition; a study of seven homeschooled graduates in Pennsylvania found students struggling to maintain their existing moral beliefs related to drinking, drug use and sexual norms, with the majority admitting they changed some beliefs and practices.

There’s also data that shows homeschooled students find the more structured academic environment on university campuses to be difficult to adjust to after a more lax experience learning at home.

Still, efforts to regulate homeschooling face opposition from parents as well as advocacy groups such as the Home School Legal Defense Association . In March 2024, for example, these forces defeated an attempt in New Hampshire to require homeschool students to take a statewide exam.

3 ways to improve homeschooling

To help homeschooled students transition to college, we recommend parents take three steps to better prepare their kids.

Prioritize math and science to help address the math and science gap. Parents can use online courses offered through virtual high schools or employ tutors.

Enroll in dual-credit or community college courses to provide a taste of the structure of college life and to interact with peers from diverse backgrounds.

Talk to children about the diversity of perspectives they will encounter at college. This can help prepare them for how to negotiate and respect the opinions of others.

Homeschooled students can successfully transition to college and compete with their peers. The challenges they face are entirely foreseeable, which means they can be addressed easily.

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Homeschooling Vs Traditional Schooling

This essay will provide a comparative analysis of homeschooling and traditional schooling. It will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each educational approach, covering aspects such as academic outcomes, socialization, curriculum flexibility, and parental involvement. The piece will explore the growing trend of homeschooling, its legal and practical considerations, and how it compares to the traditional school experience in terms of preparing students for higher education and the workforce. You can also find more related free essay samples at PapersOwl about Family.

How it works

Education is of vital essence in our world today, with most focus directed to making sure all individuals get access to education. Many parents are putting a lot of effort in getting the best education for their kids, as long as they can afford so that they can be successful. One of the most controversial topics in education today is whether traditional schooling or homeschooling is better and if both are equals. Many people have argued against homeschooling because of variety of reasons.

For most parents, traditional schooling is the norm for the society, although some have different views and prefer homeschooling. They are the best way for the future as it provides student centered education, that is adaptive to the needs of the students. This paper seeks to discuss on traditional and homeschooling, and while both have a main goal of producing the best performances, they quite differ in terms of meeting the child’s needs, the learning environment, physical activities, and the aspect of socializing.

Traditional schooling is the oldest educational system that has preferences to homeschooling by some people. The traditional schooling is also termed as public schooling, and the cost for learning here are much less compared to homeschooling. This is because the government pays most of the tuition fees, and the parents are left with little responsibilities like buying uniform’s and maintaining their kids. This kind of education system favor’s all the children from humble and rich backgrounds. Besides that, in public schooling, the level of student socialization is high. The children meet with many kids from diverse background from all parts of the region. From this, they get to know and interact with each other, although their cultural and languages differ. In addition, public schooling sponsors most of extra-curricular activities like sporting, club, and participating in bands, that widens the experience of the kid, making them grow healthy and with enough confidence.

Every child learns, listens and watches different concepts differently (Lips, 2008). Not all of them learn at the same pace. Considering this, homeschooling can be the best as it has many benefits. One of the benefits is; there is a child-based curriculum, tailored to specific needs of the child. This curriculum captures the interest of the child, like for instance, if the child is interested in farming or engineering, they would only be thought specific subjects. In farming, mathematic subject can be thought since there are some calculations like determining the area of land and how much crop can be planted. Traditional schooling on the other hand has one curriculum per class, and the ratio of students to teachers can vary greatly. Some of the students in this curriculum can lose focus easily as they are not drawn to the system. Which if the students could have the curriculum designed specifically to them, they might have a better enjoyment and focus to their education leading to more academic achievements.

Another main factor in learning is the type of environment. The environmental settings can have a great influence to the education of the child and their academic achievements. In comparing the two educational systems, it is evident that pubic schooling could have much more distractions compared to homeschooling. For instance, social peers and popularity contests can bring many distractions to the full potential of the child. For this reason, there is a rise in homeschooling as the parents have increased concerns of their children’s welfare, like peer pressure, academic quality, and violence. Children in homeschooling on the other hand have a very comfortable environment that could lead the students to have a better concentration in academics. Evidence from research suggests the same, and looking at a study by Dr. Lawrence Rudner from Maryland University, the percentage of students achieving well in academics are high in homeschooling, and are about 70th to 80th percentile. (Snyder, 2011). From this study, it is evident that there is immense difference between traditional schooling and homeschooling. The environmental factors have their own benefits, but considering the children produced in homeschooling, they are brilliant and later on successful. Seemingly, not having social distractions like those in public schools’ benefits children who are homeschooling, and they have better odds of academic achievements.

Do the students achieve this much with just pen and paper? Of course not, as there has been a rise in technology that have played a bigger role in the education of the children. Currently, technology is advancing in our world, and homeschooling have become more popular approach in education. Although we cannot question the effectiveness of traditional education, as some are still effective, homeschooling has become the best approach in this case. (Andrade, 2008). It shows best results and its curriculum caters for the needs of the child. In technological advancement, this system can allow the children to access computers used for streaming important information and downloading study software. In some, the students can participate in virtual classrooms, where they meet at scheduled time to discuss ideas and concepts and in the process improving education. Although technological advancements are making approach to traditional schools, they are doing it slow and homeschooling has its claws in technology. It has been documented that it is effective and has shown great strides. With any problem, there can always be improvements and upgrades. We would still be patient to see the improvement of technology in our public schools.

Traditional schooling has many challenges, both to the teachers and to the parents. The parents would constantly worry about the safety of their children, while on the other hand, the teachers have a big work load as they are involved with a higher ratio of children. The high number of children makes it hard to ascertain if they effectively learn. The parents have no accountability to the actions of their kids. Some of the kids might get into fights or get an injury, but the only concern put by the parents are the whereabouts of the teacher. This is not that much effective compared to homeschooling where there is a great deal of advantages. In this setting, the parents have total dedication to their children’s activities. They would be committed in following the kid’s academic progress. Compared to traditional schooling, the performances and grades of the children would always be much ahead. This is because they give much attention to their subjects and they have immediate access to their ‘teachers.’

In meeting the child’s needs, public schools are no better than homeschooling. Most of the child’s necessities and needs can be comfortably met at a home setting compared to public school. Besides, there is family togetherness, where every child grows practicing family values and cultures, and in the process getting rooted to these practices of maintaining discipline, respect and many positive values in the society. In the family, most chores are done together, where one helps the other to achieve a purpose. This in essence is an essential part in the child’s learning. The child is given the opportunity to show his best roles and worth to the family, and in the process making the child feel part and parcel of the family.

Over the years, most of the parents have adopted homeschooling for their kids. There have been rise in controversial topics concerning the same, regarding the effectiveness of the approach to education. In evaluating the effectiveness, we find that that homeschooling is the way for the future. It offers student centered education adaptive to the needs of the individual. It allows the curriculum to be developed according to specific needs of the child and the parents, as well as providing the best environment for best academic achievements. The evolvement of technology has even made it easier as it is easy to track academic work of the child. (Andrade, 2008). Though both traditional schooling and homeschooling posses a lot of similarities and dissimilarities, their differences exceed their similarities. Looking at all the factors surrounding education, currently homeschooling might seem to be the best option for its results. (Isenberg, 2007). In the other hand, traditional schooling is still adored by the majority of the society, as some lack the resources and time to offer homeschooling. I think that when it comes to making the decision, it would be the individual choice to decides on what’s necessary, not forgetting the benefits and delimits of each choice. But as time unfolds, the question still remains, what’s best for our students?

In summing up the quality of education is essential for the country and for the type of developments the county would have. Therefore, much focus should be made towards attaining quality education, whether in traditional schools or home schools. Funds and resources should be directed towards attaining this. The quality off education homeschooling brags with makes it more advantageous to public schools. This implies that this educational system should be much preferred and adopted wherever possible. The greatest investment a parent can make is educating his child. Education comes with more returns and rewards than we can ever imagine. The aim is to produce competent and knowledgeable professionals who would provide solutions to most challenges in the society.

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Essay on Education

Homeschooling Essay Argument

Type of paper: Argumentative Essay

Topic: Education , Parents , Canada , Children , Teaching , Religion , Students , Family

Words: 1800

Published: 12/24/2019

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Home-schooling

Parents often consider education as their greatest legacy for their children, whether they may have means to pay for it or not. For some who could pay for it, they take education lightly and often find themselves to be dropping out from school because of their failing grades. For those who cannot afford education, they try their best to find means to pay for schooling and excel to help their parents and family rise from poverty and hardship. However, for those with exceptional conditions due to health problems or security concerns, education comes to them through teachers or educators. Home-schooling then became an offering by some schools for students who cannot go to school by normal means. Its effectiveness in providing quality education has constantly been questioned as home-schooled students become deprived of certain services and privileges. Nevertheless, home-schooling is an excellent medium for students who strive hard to gain education despite their incapacities and shortcomings.

The idea of home-schooling was not a recent idea as it predates to the time of the first colonies in the US. Colonies had to understand their new home and brought their own methods of education to ensure that the youth would continue to understand their heritage. According to Martin (2010), colonies focus more on religious education as many of the frontiers had opted to move to the New World in full hopes to practice their religion freely without the government stopping their movements. Before the creation of a state-run educational system in the European region, it was only through the Catholic Church that people could learn basic reading and writing skills. Unknown to many, some of the known figures in American history were also home schooled like Abraham Lincoln, George Washington and Thomas Edison. However, there were people who found homeschooling to be a deviant norm, causing others to dismiss the benefits homeschooling offers .

Like in the United States, Canada also had some of its children homeschooled due to the influence of the colonies from Virginia. However, according to Priesnitz, like in the US, the Canadian homeschooling movements became prominent in the 1970s. Unlike the United States history on homeschooling, the topic itself is undocumented in Canada. Nevertheless, pursuance to the support in homeschooling in Canada was not openly supported by the public. Several alternative education movements slowly developed through countercultural activism in the 1960s throughout North America, calling for the change in “Free schools” and the public school system. Eventually, the 1970s welcomed alternative schools in around North America and Canada, immediately getting the jurisdiction of the education department over the idea . According to Statistics Canada (1997) Canada has accepted homeschooling positively like in the United States. According to the Charter of Rights and Freedom of 1982, each child has the right to be educated and parents have the right to pick which education their children would have. All provinces of Canada recognize this parental right in education. In both Alberta and British Columbia, they recognize homeschooling as an alternative to either private or public school attendance. There were also judicial interpretations that supported parents in selecting their child’s education. One such example is the Jones v. The Queen Supreme Court Decision in 1987 which stresses that the judge honours that parents have the right to teach their children based by their religious conviction. Canada also hosts several support groups to ensure home-schooling families around the provinces and territories are guided. One known group is the Home School Legal Defence Association of Canada or the HSLDA, who monitors each province and ensures they are in compliance with the Education Act of the country or region. The HSLDA also offers legal support for home-schooling families .

While home-schooling could be considered a third choice for parents for the education of their children, sides have divided the sentiments of many regarding the effectiveness of home-schooling. Supporters of the homeschooling argue that homeschooling allows conservative parents to select the lessons their teachers discuss, emphasizing on the parent’s ideal political and religious alignment. According to Lyman (1998), parents who often select homeschooling are the ideologues and the pedagogues. Ideologues could easily be classified as the religious conservatives, who prefer power over their children’s lessons and ensure that they can still adhere to their religious background. Children often learn fundamentalist doctrines and a conservative stance through homeschooling, establishing that the family is the key building block to any civilization. Pedagogues, on the other hand, are those parents who do not like professionalization or the bureaucratization of present education. Pedagogues would find education for their children through themselves who are under the field of education or through their friends and relatives who are educators of their own right .

Another notable argument of the supporters of homeschooling is the declining quality of private schools. According to Isenberg (2007) there are evidences that some schools in the United States reflect a poor rate of students passing their respective tests. In his 2003 study, Isenberg used test score graphs to determine the school quality in Wisconsin. The study indicated that in some towns, in Wisconsin, had the decrease in mathematics test scores per district. The decrease in math test scores reflects the possibility that these small towns incorporate homeschooling. Isenberg notes that the increase in homeschooling may also be due to the availability of schools for students to enter. Price is also a factor especially if the available schools in the vicinity do not sustain the qualities parents would want for their children. He also noted that since mothers often have disposable time in their hands each day, homeschooling would be prudent to save time and money . Nappen (2005) noted that there is even a privacy advantage when it comes to homeschooling. He noted that student liberties in public schools slowly diminish as schools do not only collect and distribute personal information of their student; they also assimilate them into organizations without permission. Nappen noted that homeschooling would allow parents and students retain a sense of privacy from the government or peers. Students can learn in the silent confines of their own homes, without distraction from their fellow students .

However, some experts and parents also see that there are downsides to homeschooling children, whether they may be normal or children with special cases. West (2009) noted that homeschooling presents dangers as it unregulated by the government or educational institutions. According to some studies, children who are home schooled are most likely victims of unreported physical abuse by their parents. Isolation from the public would enable some parents to shield their activities with their children, especially hide the evidences that would reflect the abuse done to their children. There is also a risk on how many facts and theories students could learn while being home schooled. With the lack of resources such as library books, visual aids, and access to seminars or symposiums, students would have to rely to internet access to gain information. However, the dangers with internet access often lead to incomplete and incorrect information that may cause confusion .

Reich (2005) also noted that unregulated homeschooling would bring risks to the children as they are supported only by a few skills taught by their home teachers. He noted that regulation of home schooling would enable parents to receive syllabus or programmes, to ensure that children would still be educated with the right skills that would be crucial once they leave the confines of their own homes. Unregulated home schooling may also restrict students with the curriculum provided to them as it may only concentrate in one position, restricting them to understand the other sides of the argument. This is mostly prominent in communities wherein religion plays more importance than political or sociological arguments and theories. With regards to child abuse and truancy, regulation would enable the public to determine which are truants and which are home schooled . Lee (2005) also pointed out that income would also be crucial in homeschooling children. He cites that most families with two parents would have to rely on a joint income that could sustain two people. Since one parent would need to stay behind to educate their child, the loss of income would be visible in their budget. There would also be a problem motivating the child to learn as they are learning in a place where other forms of distractions are located – toys, television, and the internet. Health risks would also be a disadvantage for homeschooled children as they would have to pay for the vaccines which are normally offered for free in regular schools across the country .

Education is a right of everyone, not just for children but also for those who wishes to understand how the world works and how one could help it transform. Homeschooling is an excellent alternative for children or adults who wish to study despite their incapacity. Although it is deprived with certain elements that would complete the whole learning experience, it is still a medium for people who cannot go to normal schools for learning. Nevertheless, the shortcomings of home-schooling should also be considered in improving the progress of children as they develop through the program. Parents must be given proper alternatives to compensate the shortcomings of home-schooling, and develop homeschooling for those who benefit from it. Homeschooling has the potential to develop much like normal schooling, and with the changing technological world; it is only but a matter of time that homeschooling and be considered one of the best alternatives for learning.

Isenberg, E. (2007). What have we Learned about Homeschooling? Peabody Journal of Education, 82(2-3), 387-409. Jeynes, W., & Robinson, D. (2012). International Handbook of Protestant Education. New York: Springer. Lee, S. W. (2005). Encyclopedia of School Psychology. London: SAGE Publications. Lyman, I. (1998). Homeschooling: Back to the Future. Washington, DC: CATO Institution. Martin, A. (2010). Homeschooling in Germany and the United States. Arizona Journal of International and Comparative Law, 27(1), 225-282. Nappen, L. (2005). The Privacy Advantages of Homeschooling. Chapman Law Review, 9, 73-109. Priesnitz, W. (n.d.). A History of the Modern Canadian Homeschooling/Unschooling Movement. Retrieved July 15, 2012, from Life Learning Canadian Home-Based Learning Resources: http://www.lifelearning.ca/articles/history_of_Canadian_homeschooling_movement.htm Reich, R. (2005). Why Homeschooling Should be Regulated? In B. Cooper, Homeschooling in Full View: A Reader (pp. 109-120). Greenwich: Information Age Publishing. Statistics Canada. (1997). Education Quarterly Review. Ottawa: Centre for Education Statistics Canada. Van Galen, J. (1991). Ideologues and Pedagogues: Parents who Teach their Children at Home. In J. Van Galen, & M. A. Pittman, Homeschooling: Political, Historical, and Pedagogical Perspectives (p. 67). Norwood: Ablex Publishing. West, R. (2009). The Harms of Homeschooling. Philosophy and Public Policy Quarterly, 29(3-4), 7-11.

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May 14, 2024

Children Deserve Uniform Standards in Homeschooling

With few states tracking who is being homeschooled and what they are learning, an untold number of U.S. children are at risk of a poor education or even abuse

By The Editors

Illustration of the shadow of a child reaching up to grab a book on a bookshelf shaped like a house

Thomas Fuchs

The number of children being educated at home has been growing for the past few decades. No one knows by how much, and that is part of the problem. Homeschooling is barely tracked or regulated in the U.S. But children deserve a safe and robust education, whether they attend a traditional school or are educated at home.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reported that by last count, in 2019, nearly 3 percent of U.S. children—1.5 million—were being homeschooled. This number, calculated from a nationwide survey, is surely an undercount because the homeschooling population is notoriously hard to survey, and more children have been homeschooled since the COVID pandemic began. Eleven states do not require parents to inform anyone that they are homeschooling a child, and in most of the country, once a child has exited the traditional schoolroom environment, no one checks to ensure they are receiving an education at all.

Homeschooled students have won the National Spelling Bee ; one was the most prolific mathematician in history . Many are well-rounded and well-adjusted children who go on to thrive as adults. But others do not receive a meaningful education—and too many have suffered horrific abuse. The federal government must develop basic standards for safety and quality of education in homeschooling across the country.

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When a traditional classroom setting cannot meet the educational, social or emotional needs of a child, homeschooling can allow parents to take over. For children facing bullying or gun violence or who need more challenging or more advanced schoolwork, a homeschooling environment may be best.

But many parents are attracted to homeschooling because they want to have more say in what their child learns and what they do not. Nearly 60 percent of homeschool parents who responded to the 2019 NCES survey said that religious instruction was a motivation in their decision to educate at home. Some Christian homeschooling curricula teach Young Earth Creationism instead of evolution. Other curricula describe slavery as “B lack immigration ” or extol the virtues of Nazism .

Some children may not be receiving any instruction at all. Most states don’t require homeschooled kids to be assessed on specific topics the way their classroom-based peers are. This practice enables educational neglect that can have long-lasting consequences for a child’s development.

In the worst cases, homeschooling hides abuse. In 2020 an 11-year-old boy in Michigan was found dead after his stepmother used homeschooling to conceal years of torture. A small study of children who had been seriously abused found that eight of 17 school-age victims were ostensibly being homeschooled. In these cases, homeschooling was a farce—a hole in children’s social safety net for abusers to exploit.

Although it’s impossible to say how commonly homeschooling conceals abuse, data from Connecticut paint a concerning picture. Following the abuse and 2017 death of an autistic teenager whose mother had removed him from school, Connecticut’s Office of the Child Advocate found that 36 percent of children withdrawn from six nearby districts to be homeschooled lived in homes that had been subject to at least one report of suspected abuse or neglect. Not one state checks with Child Protective Services to determine whether the parents of children being homeschooled have a history of abuse or neglect.

Homeschooling advocacy organizations promote studies that claim to show equal or higher levels of academic achievement among homeschooled students. But these studies often are conducted by homeschooling advocates and are methodologically flawed. It’s difficult for social scientists to recruit representative samples for more rigorous research because of lax reporting requirements and the underground nature of homeschooling, making the kind of sweeping comparison between homeschooling and nonhomeschooling students that some groups report impossible. Still, studies of different homeschooled populations have shown that children’s success depends heavily on their parents’ education background . Despite this, in 40 states parents do not need to have even a high school–level education to educate their children at home.

The federal government usually leaves issues of education for states to decide, and homeschooling is no exception. A dizzying maze of laws and legal precedents governs parents’ ability to homeschool, and the rules differ in each state and sometimes even differ between school districts. Whenever a piece of state legislation is suggested or introduced to regulate some aspect of homeschooling, advocacy organizations such as the Homeschool Legal Defense Association fight back. This year Michigan’s Education Department proposed a registry of homeschooled students in the state and was met with fierce pushback. In 2023 Ohio removed all assessment requirements for homeschooled students. South Dakota , Vermont and New Hampshire have also removed some oversight requirements in the past few years.

It is clear that homeschooling will continue to lack accountability for outcomes or even basic safety in most states. But federal mandates for reporting and assessment to protect children don’t need to be onerous. For example, homeschool parents could be required to pass an initial background check, as every state requires for all K–12 teachers. Homeschool instructors could be required to submit documents every year to their local school district or to a state agency to show that their children are learning.

Education is a basic human right. We need to make sure kids have chances to investigate what makes them curious, study history and science and reading, and ask questions and learn from others. We want them to reach adulthood ready to take on the world.

Bridging Perspectives | A Rogerian Exploration of Homeschooling

Thesis Statement: “In exploring homeschooling through a Rogerian lens, this essay outlines a balanced conversation that recognizes the merits and concerns of both advocates and critics. By emphasizing shared educational goals and the importance of individualized learning, the study seeks to bridge perspectives, offering insights into fostering understanding and cooperation for the benefit of students and the broader educational landscape.”

Introduction

Homeschooling has gained widespread popularity as a prominent alternative to traditional education with people debating about the merits and demerits. The ones in favor advocate about the ability to provide one on one personalized education while fostering family ties and making them stronger. People who are against it have expressed skeptic concerns about becoming anti-social and not having any academic accountability.

An essential aspect of finding common ground involves establishing guidelines and regulations that ensure the quality of homeschooling education. Collaboration between homeschooling advocates and educational authorities can lead to the development of standardized curricula and assessment methods. This regulatory framework would address concerns about academic accountability while preserving the flexibility that homeschooling provides.

This Rogerian argument essay example seeks to bridge the gap between homeschooling advocates and skeptics, fostering understanding and exploring common ground.

The Positive Outlook – Facilitating Parental Involvement

Homeschooling is an old concept but with a new approach to deliver education and learning. It has evolved with changing behavior and is now attuned to match the changing needs of the students. . This tailored approach addresses specific learning needs that inculcate a deep understanding of the subjects.

Furthermore, homeschooling offers a flexible schedule where the curriculum can be designed in such a manner that it allows families to create a learning environment that is convenient and according to their family dynamics. Learning in a home based setup can strengthen family bonds as learning is not restricted to the student, but is considered as a shared experience. The advocates are of the view that homeschooling prevents unnecessary exposure that has negative social influences, something that is very common in a typical school setup. They believe that homeschooling takes place in a more controlled setup.

Moreover, the advocates argue that the parents are more involved when it comes to homeschooling their child. This direct engagement allows parents to change the curriculum according to their child’s interests and learning style. Typically, one-on-one education inculcates a deeper connection between parents and children that creates a conducive learning environment and is not limited to textbooks only.

The Skeptical Perspective – Concerns About The Social Life

The critics on the other hand are concerned about the social life of children who are homeschooled. They believe that limited exposure to peers will probably affect how crucial social skills are developed. Additionally, skeptics question the effectiveness of homeschooling in meeting academic standards. The lack of a standardized assessment framework is a potential drawback, where one cannot weigh the performance.

This leads to a broader understanding of the challenges homeschooling might present. Skeptics also worry about the potential isolation of homeschooled children from diverse perspectives, hindering their ability to navigate a culturally rich and varied society.

Critics often point to the potential lack of collaborative learning experiences in homeschooling. Traditional schools provide an environment where children learn to work together, share ideas, and develop crucial teamwork skills. Advocates, however, argue that homeschooling communities can replicate these collaborative experiences through organized group activities, cooperative projects, and community service initiatives.

Bridging Perspectives – Emphasizing Lifelong Learning

To bridge the gap between homeschooling advocates and skeptics, it is essential to diversify educational preferences. Learners have evolved and so have the learning styles. Families who want an individualized approach may opt for homeschooling.

Concerns that are related to socialization and academic accountability are essential. In order to facilitate social interaction for homeschooled children, extracurricular activities and community events can help curb issues related to limited peer exposure.

One overarching theme that both advocates and skeptics can agree on is the emphasis on lifelong learning. Homeschooling is an opportunity to nurture learning beyond traditional classroom boundaries. Supporters contend that cultivating a love for learning, encouraging critical thinking, and inculcating curiosity prepares students for a lifelong journey that leads to intellectual development.

Fostering Inclusivity and Nurturing Individual Talents

Recognizing homeschooling as a legitimate educational choice requires fostering inclusivity in public discourse. Debates should shift from pitting homeschooling against traditional education to understanding the diverse needs of students and families. Public awareness campaigns can play a role in dispelling myths surrounding homeschooling, emphasizing its potential benefits and addressing misconceptions.

This personalized approach can lead to the discovery and development of talents that might otherwise remain dormant. Skeptics, however, may argue that specialized subjects and extracurriculars are not exclusive to homeschooling and can be integrated into traditional schooling systems. In response, advocates can emphasize the depth of personalization that homeschooling offers, allowing for a more profound exploration of individual interests.

Adapting to Learning Styles

Recognizing and adapting to diverse learning styles can be challenging in traditional classrooms with larger student populations. Homeschooling, however, allows for a personalized and adaptable approach, catering to visual, auditory, kinesthetic, or other learning preferences. To address concerns about the potential limitations in exposure to different teaching methods, homeschooling communities can collaborate with educational experts to develop diverse and adaptable teaching resources.

To conclude this example of a rogerian argument essay regarding homeschooling, it emphasizes the importance of finding common ground through deep understanding and collaboration that has a broad perspective.

By understanding the diversity that the homeschooling educational landscape offers, addresses concerns through collaborative solutions, and promotes inclusivity in public discourse. We can establish an educational environment that honors and adapts to various learning approaches. This strategy shifts away from arguments and towards a collective aim of delivering high-quality education for everyone, regardless of the method through which they attain it.

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In conclusion, homeschooling has various effects on students' academic, social, and emotional development. While it provides personalized education and flexibility, addressing potential concerns such as standardized testing and socialization is essential. By actively participating in homeschooling communities, utilizing online resources, and ...
RESEARCH FACTS ON HOMESCHOOLING
General Facts, Statistics, and Trends. There were about 3.1 million homeschool students in 2021-2022 in grades K-12 in the United States (roughly 6% of school-age children). There were about 2.5 million homeschool students in spring 2019 (or 3% to 4% of school-age children) [note 1]. The homeschool population had been growing at an estimated 2% ...
The Research on Homeschooling
Posted September 1, 2021|Reviewed by Gary Drevitch. About 4 to 5 million children in the United States (or approximately 8 to 9% of school-age children) were homeschooled in March 2021. This ...
Homeschooling: What do we know and what do we need to learn?
Homeschooling became increasingly popular during COVID-19, but even before the pandemic, approximately 2 million children were homeschooled in the United States (Ray, 2020).The growth of homeschooling and controversial calls to ban it provide an opportunity to consider what we know, and what we do not know, about this form of education (Bartholet, 2019).
93 Homeschooling Essay Topic Ideas & Examples
This article examines the concept of home schooling. 4, 2002, p.197. The learner and the facilitator are able to twist or manipulate the learning times in a way that satisfies their comfort and schedule. The decision on whether to home school or take a child to a public school is vital to the future of the child.
Homeschooling Essays: Samples & Topics
Essay Samples on Homeschooling. Essay Examples. Essay Topics. How Traditional Schooling Is Better Than Homeschooling. The debate between traditional schooling and homeschooling has long been a topic of contention in the field of education. While both approaches have their merits, this essay argues in favor of traditional schooling, highlighting ...
Homeschooling Free Essay Examples And Topic Ideas
A well-crafted essay on homeschooling will not only demonstrate your understanding of the topic but also your ability to engage with complex educational issues. Free essay examples about Homeschooling ️ Proficient writing team ️ High-quality of every essay ️ Largest database of free samples on PapersOwl.
The Five-Paragraph Essay: What, Why, and How for Homeschoolers
Overview: The five-paragraph essay is a helpful tool -- here are ideas for teaching it! Note: Contains referral links. In one of my articles about high school writing, I shared the story of when my eldest daughter took the ACT and got a poor score on the writing portion. I was flabbergasted at the time. I read the essay myself, and it didn't seem so horrible to me.
Home Schooling Essays
Home Schooling Essay by: Mariam Education is a vital element of children's development. Nowadays parents are allowed to choose either teach a child at home or sent him/her to public school. Both choices have pros and cons, but in my opinion, attending public school is a better choice for a student then a homeschoolling.
Argumentation For and Against Homeschooling: Essay Example
Powered by CiteChimp - the best easy citation generator. This paper, "Argumentation For and Against Homeschooling: Essay Example", was written and voluntary submitted to our free essay database by a straight-A student. Please ensure you properly reference the paper if you're using it to write your assignment. Before publication, the ...
Homeschooling vs Traditional Schooling: pros and cons
Higher performance: According to ThinkImpact, public school students received an average score of 21 out of 36 on the ACT, whereas homeschooled students received an average of 22.8. As for the SATs, homeschoolers scored a nationwide average of 72 points more than their traditional schooled counterparts in the United States in 2020. Safety: The ...
How to Write a Compelling College Application Essay as a Homeschooler
Homeschooling As a Topic. By now, you probably know why homeschooling, in general, isn't a great topic. It's mentioned in the application already - in the School Profile, the Course Descriptions, the Counselor Recommendation letter. Maybe you've also mentioned homeschooling in a supplemental essay or "additional information" box.
A Review of research on Homeschooling and what might educators learn?
Brian Ray (i) (i) National Home Education Research Institute, Salem, Oregon, United States. [email protected]. Abstract: This article reviews research on homeschool learner outcomes and then. focuses ...
Homeschooled kids face unique college challenges − here are 3 ways they
Homeschooling is the fastest-growing education setting in the United States. More than 3 million students were educated at home in the 2021-22 school year, up from 2.5 million in the spring of 2019.
The Unhomely of Homeschooling
It draws upon Freud's 1919 essay Das Unheimliche ('The unhomely'), to suggest his interest in 'the qualities of our feelings' ( Freud, 2003: 123) adds to educational and sociological insights. It provides a useful means of unpacking the types of discomfort surrounding homeschooling, which often appear inflated.
Argumentative Essay on Homeschooling
Argumentative Essay on Homeschooling. This essay sample was donated by a student to help the academic community. Papers provided by EduBirdie writers usually outdo students' samples. Terrible schooling will cripple your children's alternatives. They simply may result in lousy work or surviving in your basements.
Homeschooling vs Traditional Schooling
This essay will provide a comparative analysis of homeschooling and traditional schooling. It will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each educational approach, covering aspects such as academic outcomes, socialization, curriculum flexibility, and parental involvement.
Homeschooling Argumentative Essay
Supporters of the homeschooling argue that homeschooling allows conservative parents to select the lessons their teachers discuss, emphasizing on the parent's ideal political and religious alignment. According to Lyman (1998), parents who often select homeschooling are the ideologues and the pedagogues.
Children Deserve Uniform Standards in Homeschooling
Homeschooling is barely tracked or regulated in the U.S. But children deserve a safe and robust education, whether they attend a traditional school or are educated at home. The National Center ...
Bridging Perspectives
Thesis Statement: "In exploring homeschooling through a Rogerian lens, this essay outlines a balanced conversation that recognizes the merits and concerns of both advocates and critics. By emphasizing shared educational goals and the importance of individualized learning, the study seeks to bridge perspectives, offering insights into fostering understanding and cooperation for the benefit of ...
The Hidden Benefits of Homeschool (From a Homeschool Graduate)
Homeschooling, however, allows students to pursue their niche interests as well— sometimes to great depths. For me, my adult life has been shaped by having the above-mentioned skills of time management and creating a flexible schedule. But also, by allowing me to pursue niche interests, homeschooling helped me learn how to self-teach.

Essays on Homeschooling

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Argumentative About Homeschooling

Home Schooling: Today’s Need

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Essay on Home Schooling in 150, 250 and 400 words

Essay on Home Schooling in 150 words

Essay on Home Schooling in 250 words

Essay on Home Schooling in 400 words

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An Introduction to Homeschooling

Read more about homeschooling:

Stay Informed

The Pros and Cons of Homeschooling

UPDATE: November 2022

Flexibility

Individualized Education

Strong Relationships

A Lot of Work

Less Time for Yourself

Inability to Work

Too Much Togetherness

Missing Out on Certain Opportunities

Facing Judgments and Biases

A Word From Verywell

Research Facts on Homeschooling

This article gives key research facts on homeschooling

Reasons and Motivations for Home Educating

Academic Performance

Social, Emotional, and Psychological Development (Socialization)

Gender Differences in Children and Youth Respected?

Success in the “Real World” of Adulthood

General Interpretation of Research on Homeschool Success or Failure

About the Author

Copyright © 2024 by National Home Education Research Institute

About Homeschooling

Environment

Academic Performance

Social Skills

Long-Term Success

Limitations of this Research

93 Homeschooling Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Essay Samples on Homeschooling

Influence Of Homeschooling And Public Schooling On Children

Standardized Testing For Homeschool Students: Pros And Cons

Homeschool For The Win: Its Benefits Over Public Schools

Homeschooling: Making It Possible to Study at Home

Necessary Homeschooling Guidelines for Success

Discovering Musical Traits of the Musically Gifted Child Through Homeschooling

Analysis of the Advantages of Public Schools over Homeschooling

Changing Public Opinion About Homeschooling

Homeschooling: Benefits and Drawbacks of Unique School System

The Importance Of Sports And Extracurricular Activities For Home-Schooled Students

Trapped At Home: The Consequences Of Homeschooling

The Five-Paragraph Essay: What, Why, and How for Homeschoolers

WHAT is a five-paragraph essay?

WHY teach your kids to write a five-paragraph essay?

HOW do I teach my kid to write a five-paragraph essay?

UPDATE: LTW is great for older teens, too

ANOTHER UPDATE: