The Academic Transition away from Homeschool
Recognizing the Differences between Public School and Homeschool
Jan 8, 2009
The transition from homeschool to public school is difficult for many students, whether they are in elementary school or high school. Many changes, both social and academic, occur and students need to be prepared for these changes in order to transition successfully. These changes can seem overwhelming to many students and it is important that parents be conscious of the potential impact these changes can have. Students will notice many differences between the academic environment of the public school vs. homeschool.
Individual Attention in Homeschool Setting
While this observation may seem obvious, public school is very different from homeschool. In a homeschool setting, students receive constant individual attention. A child can frequently ask questions if he does not understand the material and he can complete assignments at his own pace. Homeschool is geared toward an individual child and his needs or a few children and their individual needs.
In many homeschool situations, the mother or father is the solitary teacher who teaches every subject. Though this teacher may not be well-educated in that particular area, he teaches it with the aid of curriculum and knowledge of the subject from when he was in school. The teacher and student hopefully maintain a good relationship and are able to communicate with one another effectively.
In this situation, the teacher knows the student very well and can use examples and techniques that the student will understand. In the homeschool, the learning environment is geared for the specific needs of a single student.
Teaching in a Classroom in the Public School
Public schools must accommodate a greater number of students with a greater number of needs. The difference in size alone causes many differences.
In a public school setting, students can ask only a limited number of questions and must learn at the pace of the class rather than their own pace. If a particular student has difficulty understanding a concept he may constantly ask questions so he can understand the material, but in the process he bogs down the entire class when he may be the only one who is confused.
Students sometimes refrain from asking questions, because they don't like to interrupt class. Though many teachers encourage questions, some students feel uncomfortable asking for help in front of other students.Children are competitive by nature and students often feel embarrassment for not learning as quickly as their classmates. This embarrassment frequently keeps students from receiving the academic assistance they need.
Despite the lack of individual attention, public school teachers usually have greater knowledge about their subject area than the parent teacher in the homeschool. The teachers are experts in the subject they teach and have been trained to teach students.
Though public school teachers are usually more knowledgeable in their specific subject than a homeschool parent can be, it is difficult for them to use teaching techniques that will work for every child in the classroom. Due to the number of students they teach, it is challenging to know each student on an intimate individual level.
This reality makes it more difficult, though not impossible, for public school teachers to teach directly to teach student's needs and use examples that will best explain a concept for a particular student. Despite this disadvantage, public school teachers can still usually provide students with more knowledge in their subject area than homeschool parent-teachers.
Lack of Attention May Cause Difficulties
Public school can be very beneficial for students, because it can sometimes provide them with more knowledge than can be provided in homeschool. It can also cause problems for the student, however, if the student is not prepared for the change.
If the student becomes unwilling to ask questions in class, even when he is confused, he may fall behind in the class and start to perform poorly. Though before and after school tutoring exists in most public schools, many teachers still do not have the time to help students on an individual level. This reality often forces children to seek help outside of the public school in the form of paid tutoring or other mediums.
The size of the classroom restricts teachers and makes it more difficult for students, especially those who have difficulty learning. For students who are exceptionally quick, the classroom setting holds them back, because they are forced to continue at the pace of other students rather than at their own pace.
Parents need to be aware of these potential situations so that they can prepare their student for the difference and assure him that he can always find academic help if he needs it. It is important that the student never feels like his class work is hopelessly too difficult or hopelessly too easy.
This difference in the learning environment can be difficult for students to adjust to. A child who is accustomed to working at his own pace and receiving individual attention when he is struggling, will likely have trouble adjusting to an atmosphere where he cannot always receive the help he needs or where he is sometimes bored with the pace of the class. The public school learning environment can be very beneficial for students, but it is different and it is very important that both parents and students realize that.
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