Facts About Home Schooling

Information for Those Considering Teaching Their Children at Home

Dec 11, 2008

The research on home school students shows results that are promising and perhaps surprising to some who are critical of the idea.

The numbers of families that have chosen to home school has increased dramatically since the 1980s. In fact, there are an estimated 2-2.5 million children who are home educated in the United States, saving the public school system approximately $16 billion [Brian D. Ray, Ph.D, July 2, 2008]. Looking at the quality of a home school education, the support available to them and the social involvement of home school students, it is easy to see why so many families are choosing this educational alternative.

Quality of a Home School Education

Many people question the quality of home schooling. They argue that social involvement is minimized, and that actual learning may not take place. The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) states that “many studies over the years have established the academic excellence of home schooled children”. In fact, home school students score higher on average on standardized achievement exams than do public school students. These studies by the HSLDA show, in part, the effectiveness of home schooling in the academic realm.

Home schooling is growing at a rate of 5-12% per year, according to the National Home Education Research Institute. Parents are not lone rangers in the education field as people may envision; they are often part of home school support groups found in all 50 states as well as US territories and even in South Africa. In addition, families can join many umbrella groups that give them the support of other home schooling families without them having to report directly to the government.

Social Involvement for the Home Schooled Child

Home school students participate in social events in many areas of life. These social engagements include ballet, volunteer work, sports, music classes and more. Out of the approximately 2 million home-schooled students, 98% are involved in at least two or more activities. The average number of activities per student is 5.2 according to the data provided by the HSLDA.

More and more families are deciding to home school their children each year. These parents are both religious and atheist, conservative and liberal, low income and high income, well educated and those without even a high school degree. Their reasons are varied and include academic reasons, religious or moral reasons, family relationships as well as social involvement. Home schooling does not pull families and their children out of the community, rather it gives them the opportunity to integrate more into the community and have a broader impact upon the society.

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