Homeschooling V.S. Public Education

There are many pros and cons to homeschooling and public education. Just as public education may not be suitable and the best learning environment for every child, homeschooling may not be the best option for your child or family. Finding the right choice for your child(ren) and your family is the first step in deciding which route to take your family.

Each child leans differently and it is important to cater to each child's needs. The best learning environment is one that a child can learn naturally.

More and more families are choosing to home school their children. However it is important to choose the right education for your children and not the right education based on your beliefs or values.

There are many pros to homeschooling and the cons are not necessarily cons for everyone. Many believe that home schooled children have a harder time with social interaction. That is not entirely true. Social interaction falls upon the parents and requires them to allow their children to join activities in the neighborhood as well as forcing their children to play outside and get to know the neighbors.

Pros:

Free to choose curriculum and schedule

One on one learning with "teacher" and student

Family oriented learning, where parents are more involved in the child's education

Better and more opportunities for field trips and hands on learning

Pace is set to child's learning style and abilities

Community involvement through sports, clubs, and volunteering

Students are scoring higher on standardized and state testing

Cons:

Ususally more expensive than public schooling

Parents not always qualified to teach all subjects; educating can be hard work

Parents base whole curriculum around religious or other personal beliefs and do not provide well rounded education on topics they do not believe in or approve of

Harder to provide social interaction

Colleges may have stricter admission policies

Many parents need a break from their children and put them in school not just for the education but the much needed time apart. Parents believe that these teachers are well educated and will give their children the rounded education they are looking for. The many pros and cons listed below will hopefully help make your education decision easier.

Pros:

Learn within a group setting with more curriculum options

Diverse social education and interaction

Extra-curricular activities available

Band, choir, and arts in schools that have not cut them out

Child can attend with friends

State certified teachers

Accountability of school to higher authority, students will be taught what they need to learn

Cons:

Little school choice; most have to attend the school in their zone

High student teacher ratio; child is just a number

Peers based on location instead of choice

Less independence; school choose curriculum and pace

Gifted and struggling students lost in the shuffle

Too much emphasis on standardized testing

Negative social interaction; bullying

Budget cuts

Depending on what your family is looking for will ultimately depend on what education you decide for your children. However it is always important to remember that it is the child's best interest in what education you should provide for them. Just because you want to home school your child does not mean that you should.

Children learning in a homeschooling environment that is sheltered by a belief system or other bias can grow up worse off than if they would have been in public education. Not teaching your child about the ins and outs of the things you don't believe in can be harmful to the child. Children need to learn to make their own decisions and beliefs. Ensuring a well rounded child requires a well rounded education whether you believe in everything you teach or not.

My fiance and I plan on homeschooling our children, we may not know everything, however we are well rounded individuals. We can teach them what they need to know together and create for them a well rounded education as well as teach them about the beliefs and values we want to instill in them.