If you are considering the homeschool lifestyle, you are not alone.
Data from the National Educational Research Institute (NHERI) shows that the number of children aged 5-17 years who were taught at home rose from 1.7% in 2016 to about 3.1% in the fall of 2022.
This surge in homeschool enrollment can be traced to concerns about COVID-19 and the subsequent school closures in an effort to ‘stop the spread’. Issues with distance learning- both real and anticipated, led many families to explore homeschooling as a viable alternative. Fast forward to this year and we find that, though school buildings are once again open for learning, the homeschool community continues to grow.
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HOMESCHOOL AS A CALLING
HOMESCHOOL BASICS
A BOOK FOR KIDS ABOUT HOMESCHOOL
Why this interest in home educating, what exactly is its appeal?
I recently read a social media post which posed the question “Why did you decide to homeschool?” Here are some of the responses:
1. Flexibility
There is no doubt that homeschooling offers flexibility in subjects, topics, books read, timing, dealing with family issues, illness, and more.
2. Scheduling
Closely related to flexibility, homeschooling allows one the freedom to travel, school year round, etc.
3. Bullying
One of the top reasons to withdraw one’s child from school is (sadly) peer bullying.
4. Religion
Once the number one reason parents chose home education, many families opt to teach from a specific (typically Christian) worldview.
5. Cost
Unfortunately, there are no discounts or tax breaks afforded to families who choose to homeschool. That being said, families who cannot afford private (often parochial) schools use homeschool curriculum to teach from a biblical worldview at home.
In addition, some families (but definitely not all- in fact some families spend more money homeschooling) report less money spent on clothing, school lunches, field trips, book fairs, etc.
6. Peace of Mind
Parents know their children are in a safe, loving environment – away from potential bullies or school shooters.
7. Individualized Learning
Tailoring a child’s education to their interests, future goals. You can spend time on subjects which interest each child.
8. To Spend More Time with Family
- one on one (parent/child) time together
- to strengthen sibling bonds
- to enjoy childhood
- family involvement, a multi-generational approach where skills and trades are passed down
9. Medical Issues
For some this means the difference between medicating or not medicating their child, for others multiple medical appointments and therapies make traditional schooling difficult.
10. Real-World Learning
Home educating offers the time and opportunity to prepare kids for life rather than written tests.
11. To Protect Children from Indoctrination by the State
To avoid educators (and peers) putting ideas in kids heads or exposing them to controversial ideas at an impressionable age, before they are ready to question what they hear. (I realize some of you may disagree strongly and think it is the parent who is doing the indoctrination, my own sister has voiced these concerns. I believe it is our job as parents to be gatekeepers, especially as this society’s morals rapidly decline. There is right and wrong, and truth is defined by God, not feelings).
12. To Pace Learning Appropriately
Take extra time to hone a skill or concept they have difficulty grasping, and avoid boredom by soaring past information they already know. This is very difficult to do in a large classroom setting filled with kids who have varying life experiences, interests, and abilities.
13. To Connect with Your Child on an Entirely Different Level
There is no substitute for being present when your child grasps a difficult concept!
14. Less Pressure on Kids
Some kids don’t perform well with standardized tests, are unable to sit still all day, or feel anxious being in large groups. Being in a calm, loving environment allows them to concentrate on learning without these other distractions.
15. It is fun! (difficult at times yes, but highly rewarding)
Each family has their own reasons for homeschooling, and it is important that you know yours.
Knowing the reasons you chose to educate your kids at home will help keep you focused, especially during challenging days when you feel like throwing in the towel. You will also have a ready response when faced with opposing views or pushback from well-intentioned (or maybe not?) outsiders.
I addressed this briefly in a post I wrote last year titled, A Beginner’s Guide to Homeschool. If you are new to homeschooling, this post may answer some of your questions and provide the information you need to get started.
What are your reasons for homeschooling? Please share in the comments below.
If you are interested in researching this further, here are some links:
Homeschooling Facts (data table)
- National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) – President Brian D. Ray, Ph.D: https://www.nheri.org/research-facts-on-homeschooling/
National Center for Educational Statistics
- NCES Home Page: https://nces.ed.gov/
- Reasons to Homeschool: https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d21/tables/dt21_206.15.asp?current=yes
Revenue Data (published May 2022, data from FY 2020)
- Educational Expenses by State: https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2022/2022301.pdf
