Homeschooling- Kristen Schiers Taylor

Homeschooling

The choice to home school a child is just that: a choice. School choice affords parents the option to home school their children as opposed to the child attending a public or private school. The latest estimate from the U. S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences estimated the number of children in America who are home schooled as approximately 1.1 million children as of 2003. However, parents do not have to report to a school district that they are homeschooling a child and therefore the numbers most likely underestimate the number of children actually homeschooled in the United States. For parents, the reasons to home school children vary. The majority of parents cite concerns about the environment of schools while others wish to provide religious and or moral instruction. Additionally, families report dissatisfaction with academic instruction at other schools, the child has special needs, or a physical or mental health problem. Whatever the reason, the number of students being homeschooled in the United States is rising.
In New Jersey, homeschooling is becoming a more prevalent educational option. The state’s legislation indicates that under the compulsory education law (N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25) has permitted children to receive “equivalent instruction elsewhere than at school,” including the home. A parent or guardian, under New Jersey legislation, is not required to notify a school of the intent to educate a child at home. However, it is strongly encouraged that parents or guardians notify a school district of a child being homeschooled for record keeping purposes.
Certain disadvantages are expressed regarding homeschooling. To being, many parents underestimate the actual amount of time home instruction requires. Many deal with time management issues and issues of motivation and effective usage of time. Also, many believe homeschooling is inexpensive. However, many find that the materials for lessons, curriculum and projects are costly. The amount of time spent with one’s children is also underestimated. Many feel they spend the entire day with one’s child and at times report the relationship strained due to the lack of time apart. Additionally, unless a large network of friends and social events has been established, homeschooled children miss out on the social interactions that come with public education and participating in school sports and clubs. Also, establishing a curriculum that is competitive can prove to be difficult and may place a child at a disadvantage if one should desire higher education. Finally, parents face the ridicule and pressure from those around them who believe homeschooling to be wrong or against the norm. Parents may feel alone throughout the process.



References
http://www.nj.gov/education/genfo/overview/faq_homeschool.htm
http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2006/homeschool/estimated.asp