Home Schooling Overview

According to the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI), there were an estimated 1.7 to 2.1 million grade school and high school age children (K-12) in the United States that were home schooled during 2002 and 2003. That represents 3-4% of the school-age population. According to a study by Dr. Brian D. Ray of the NHERI, home schooled children score better, on average, than those in conventional public schools. In addition, more than 1,000 colleges and universities in the U.S. have admitted home schooled students (source: learninfreedom.org).

Families that home school their children are as diverse as the U.S. population at large, coming from all socio-economic backgrounds, ethnic backgrounds, and religious backgrounds. There are numerous reasons why parents decide to home school their children. Fundamental to their decision is the desire to provide a better, more diverse, education tailored to their children's specific needs. Another reason that parents decide to home school is their desire to have more control and impact over their children's socialization and value formation.

The decision to home school is a larger one than simply deciding to take on another activity. Home schooling is a lifestyle in which both the parent and the child have a greater involvement in the learning process, and a vested interest in the outcome. Home schooling can be difficult and challenging. There are many new things that a parent will need to learn about home schooling, including: learning styles, issues of socialization, home schooling methodologies, and curriculum. Throughout the process, parents will probably end up learning as much as their children. Home schooling is not all hard work, and it can be both fun and rewarding for all involved. That is probably why home schooling is growing at such a significant pace. According to USA Today, the number of home schooled children is growing by about 10% per year (Support for home-schoolers can pay off for all students, USA Today, September 3, 2003).

The series of articles provided here will help you to explore in more depth many important home schooling topics and provide essential home schooling information, including:

• Things to consider before you get started
• How to Get Started
• Home schooling methodologies
• Home schooling curriculum
• Socialization
• The importance of support groups