The Rise of Homeschooling: The Confessions of an Educator
A Personal Perspective: Why I chose to homeschool.
Psychology Today | April 18, 2024
Source: Gustavo Fring / Pexels
Education is the cornerstone of a great society. This belief propelled me to become an educator. Reflecting on my own grade school education and that of many of my students, I've been confronted with the shortcomings of our current system. Juggling a full-time career as a college professor and concerns about my children missing out on the social interactions associated with traditional schooling, I remained committed to finding solutions within the existing framework.
This commitment was short-lived, and I have now joined the millions who have turned to homeschooling to educate their children. According to the Washington Post, homeschooling is now the fastest-growing form of education among school-aged children in the U.S. While I continue to educate in the classroom, there are five main reasons why homeschooling became the right choice for my family:
1. Educational Inadequacy
As a professor, I noticed that most of my students are not prepared to manage the demands of a university-level education. Students often struggle to communicate ideas effectively, demonstrate critical thought, and respond to the scheduling demands of college. I noticed that homeschooled and international students were excelling more consistently. While I was intrigued, I was not convinced that this experience was widespread until I consulted the latest research.
Since teachers must undergo formal education and certification, I expected school-educated students to overall outperform home-educated students whose parents are not required to be similarly trained. Research by Ray (2024) reveals compelling evidence that homeschooled students have higher standardized test scores, are more likely to excel in college, demonstrate greater social skills, and achieve higher GPAs. The education crisis has been a constant topic of debate politically and socially, and without change, it seems many more parents will choose to educate their children at home.
2. Overexposure and Safety
In modern times, parents must take an active role in monitoring what children are exposed to. Concerns about safety, bullying, exposure to drug culture, and pressures toward early sexual debut push many parents to homeschooling. With these concerns in mind, we chose private school. I enjoyed the curriculum, but incidents of bullying, the increase in school shootings, and peer pressure made even that environment feel like a risk.
It was not until the COVID-19 pandemic that I felt forced to try homeschooling and I was shocked to find that I gained clarity about how to best educate my children. I now get to decide who and what my children are exposed to. This has allowed them to maintain their carefree worldview longer and for me to finally feel empowered.
Source: August de Richelieu / Pesels
3. Family Connection
One of the greatest goals of parenting should be to develop a lasting connection with our children. Homeschooling right from the beginning unexpectedly unveiled a profound transformation in our familial dynamic. My children became more responsive to my guidance in all areas. For the first time, I felt that we were able to do life together. The relentless grind of lengthy school days, early morning rushes, homework, sports commitments, and dinner preparations scarcely left room for meaningful interactions. Homeschooling has provided us with this unique opportunity to build a strong family connection.
4. Love of Learning
When there is a love for learning, life becomes more fulfilling and easier to manage. By the time many of my students make it to my classroom, they often present a disinterest in the learning experience altogether. Many are well-versed in partying and hanging out with friends but struggle to engage in their education enthusiastically. I wanted my children to keep their love for learning. Children often start out enjoying learning and demonstrate a seemingly natural desire to know more. In a traditional classroom, it becomes difficult to maintain the freedom and exploration that many students respond to due to pressure toward testing, overfilled classrooms, and constant disruptions. As homeschoolers, we can tailor education to the needs of our children and maintain the spontaneous and creative component that students enjoy. Learning becomes a part of life that is not limited to our home classroom.
5. Time Freedom
Schools are five days each week for six to eight hours a day. Homeschooling is not replicating institutional learning at home. With homeschooling, I found that my children were learning concepts faster and were more willing to engage with the material when they could help decide when subjects were addressed. I realized that the long days and many hours was not how children learn best. Colleges are set up totally differently, and I decided to adopt a college model: Instruction is only a few hours a day for only four days a week with Fridays off for tests and homework. My children now have more time to develop academically and athletically. My now-competitive gymnast does not have to miss school and feel behind when she has competitions during the day; my track runner can work on her training without being overly exhausted. I can invest more time in them overall as we are now on our own schedule, and it is very liberating.
Homeschooling Is Not for Everyone
One of the most important decisions a parent can make is how to educate their children. Everyone cannot and should not make the same decision; parents should be thoughtful and decisive in this important choice. Be engaged in your child’s education, know what the curriculum is, meet the teachers, listen to your child(ren), and get to know their friends. You do have power, and it should never be relinquished. You have more options than you think; make sure to explore them—the only cost is time.
References
Chris Weller. There’s a new path to Harvard and it’s not in a classroom. Business Insider. September 3, 2015.
Brian D. Ray. Research facts on homeschooling. National Home Education Research Institute. February 9, 2024.
How many kids are homeschooled in the U.S.? Growth by school district. Washington Post. 2023.