In the aftermath of COVID-19 and the shutdown of in-person classes, there has been a rising number of children being homeschooled. What is contributing to that? For one, some parents are dissatisfied with the quality of public schools and the perceived quality of that education. Second, many parents are concerned about their children’s exposure to school-related problems, such as bullying, peer pressures, access to drugs, etc.
The research comparing traditional in-class education with homeschooling is mixed and there is no clear evidence that one is better than the other. Part of the problem is methodological because of who chooses homeschooling (for you research methods junkies, children are not randomly assigned to homeschool vs. traditional, so comparisons are difficult).
Let’s look first at the advantages and disadvantages of homeschooling versus traditional education, and then provide well-supported guidelines for parents considering homeschooling.
Advantages of Homeschooling
- Reduced exposure to school-related problems (bullying, peer pressures, etc.).
- Individualized instruction can meet a child’s particular needs that may not be addressed in school.
- Flexibility of scheduling and accommodations for family issues, such as finances.
- Family members get more involved in instruction. This is an important factor that has been shown to lead to better student academic achievement (regardless of whether the child is homeschooled or in traditional schooling).
Disadvantages of Homeschooling
- Socialization with peers and development of social skills could be a problem (unless compensated for through outside activities with peers).
- Parents have to cover a lot of subjects, so there may be unfamiliarity with some.
- Parents could miss educational deficiencies that professional teachers and counselors would notice.
Critical Considerations If You Choose to Homeschool Your Child
Choosing to homeschool a child is a difficult decision to make. It has major implications for the child’s intellectual and social development and can have lifelong consequences. Parents should consider many things in making this important decision, but here are three research-based concerns for parents who choose to provide homeschool education.
These are the 3 “T’s”:
Time. Parents need to seriously consider if they have the time to devote to homeschooling. This includes time to research and prepare educational materials as well as the time for lessons and follow-up. This can be very difficult for working parents, who need to set aside enough time to do a thorough job of education, in addition to their other duties and obligations.
Temperament. Parents need to do a self-assessment to determine whether they have the appropriate temperament to be the child’s primary teacher (as well as a parent). Do you have the patience required? Will you be authoritative—enforcing rules but also supporting the student’s learning? Do you have the persistence to keep at it, despite fatigue and distractions? In the same way that not every individual has the temperament to be a teacher, not every parent will be able to adequately substitute for one.
Training. In addition to the proper temperament, homeschooling parents need to set aside the time to engage in ongoing training. Not every parent is going to be well-versed in all of the academic subjects your child needs to learn, so parents must be prepared to study and develop their own teaching skills. There is a lot to learn about effective homeschooling so parents must quickly become experts. It is important to note that homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, but that requirements, which include registration, subjects taught, testing, and documentation, vary by state. Do the necessary research and keep the required records.
