Homeschooling used to be considered a strange option a few decades ago to education, but has now become a prevalent and very viable alternative to public education. All states in the U.S. allow for this option, but the laws governing it are state by state, not federal. Now more than ever, many parents have taken the plunge into the homeschooling world and have not looked back. I have gleaned from others what the many benefits there are for homeschooling your children. This overview, I hope, will inspire and motivate you to consider this viable option for your children’s education.
One does not have to be a Christian parent to homeschool. In fact, issues of faith are not even the top reasons parents choose to homeschool. The premise of this article, however, is to promote homeschooling using Christian-based curriculum. Many Christian leaders, including The Gospel Coalition, espouse Christian spiritual formation and discipleship as an ongoing responsibility of parents toward their children, which includes their education. It is also apparent, that just because a child receives Christian education is not a guarantee of a life with no issues, problems, or sin challenges, which we all battle against. Forming a biblical worldview and discipleship is an ongoing endeavor throughout life, in which everyday occurrences have opportunities to impart spiritual truths. Homeschooling presents golden opportunities to do just that through family involvement together (The Gospel Coalition, n.d.).
ADDRESSING CONCERNS
The first major concern many parents have is their qualification to instruct their child. The questions that I may direct to you: Does anyone love your child more than you do? Does anyone know your child more than you do? No matter how great a teacher or school can be, they will never be a replacement for what a parent can teach or instill into the child. What is required is a love, perseverance, patience, and dedication to imparting a love for learning. In my state of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there are four options to choose from to qualify for home instruction as listed by the Home School Legal Defense Assn. (HSLDA):
- Possess a high school diploma or higher degree,
- Possess a current Virginia teacher’s license,
- Provide your child with a curriculum or program of study as part of your home instruction program, or
- Give evidence that you are able to provide your child an adequate education (Home School Legal Defense Assn, 2020, How to Homeschool in Virginia Section).
The second major concern parents have about homeschooling is the overwhelming fear of not succeeding in duplicating what is done in public schools. I have great news for you! Homeschooling is nothing like public education! In fact, many fail at homeschooling because they try to do exactly that. A whole new model of teaching occurs at home, and there is so much freedom in homeschooling that one can tailor it to both your child’s needs as well as your family’s needs. I recommend you peruse the book by Durenda Wilson Four Hour School Day, that demonstrates that much can be accomplished in four hours or less, using a more natural learning approach, especially for young children. This can allow time for a parent to work at their job. One-on-one instruction is a more efficient use of time, minus the distractions that exist in an all day public school schedule. The battle is to overcome the guilt that unless you are teaching all day, then you are failing (Wilson, 2021)
REASONS AND BENEFITS FOR HOMESCHOOLING
Some of the main reasons parents choose to remove their children from public schools in order to home educate are as follows:
- Safety – This can stem from fear of school shootings, bullying, or other forms of violence
- Student anxiety or depression that is so prevalent in our culture
- Negative peer pressure
- Concern about drugs
- Overall negative school environment
- Dissatisfaction with curriculum taught that is not agreed upon by parents
- Religious beliefs ignored or undermined
- Family values that are under attack
- Special learning needs of student: Learning disabilities, ADHD, Autism, which may not be addressed in current school
The overwhelming benefits of homeschooling your children:
- One-on-one instruction (tutorial)
- Individualized curriculum to the needs of both the student and parent/family
- Overcome learning gaps can be addressed by supplemental training or curriculum
- Fewer distractions than being in a classroom, especially important with some special needs children
- Homework is not necessary since they are doing work throughout the day at home.
- Learn at the child’s pace, less pressure and falling behind
- Concentration and focus is often sharper since it is one-one-one teaching
- Work at appropriate level versus entire class that treats a one size fits all
- Immediate feedback from the child whether they are grasping the material
- Accelerated academic progress often can occur because more material can be covered that in classroom as well as tutorial approach.
- Can do college level work in high school level which is not always offered at every public school
- Can develop unique gifts, talents and interests of the student by including or adapting material to the child.
- Can incorporate work, service and leadership opportunities as part of their education
- Imparting of family and Christian values as well as ethics which is crucial for Christian Education
- Positive opportunities for socialization with other homeschool co-ops or community involvement
- Flexibility in how you teach and order your day
- Develop independent learners that equip to succeed in college
- Stronger family relationships are developed
- Character development and Christian discipleship can be imparted
- Biblical foundation and worldview established
SUCCESS OF HOMESCHOOLING
Now that the reasons and benefits of homeschooling are stated, what about the measure of success? Where is the proof of success for homeschooling? For decades there has been frequent analysis conducted on homeschooling, and it’s success is well known by SAT and ACT scoring. Even beyond testing, the success is often measured in a different set of variables.
A study by Brian Ray:
…revealed that 11 of the 14 peer-reviewed studies on academic achievement found that homeschool students significantly outperformed conventionally schooled children. Both of the publicly available state-provided data sets showed higher-than- average test scores for homeschooled children.
(. …)-The clear majority of peer-reviewed studies show that homeschoolers often have better parent-child relationships and friendships than conventionally schooled children. Homeschoolers are happy, satisfied, and civically engaged.
(. …)-Compared to conventional students, homeschool graduates are more likely to:
- have higher college GPAs,
- be politically tolerant,
- be agreeable and conscientious,
- have a more positive college experience, and
- Be self-employed. (Ray& Valiente, 2020, May 13)
In conclusion, educating children at home can be one of the most powerful, life changing endeavor that a parent can undertake. Establishing a Christian foundation and a biblical worldview can not only transform a child’s live, but it can create a lasting legacy and strong family ties that is priceless. Realizing that not all situations will be a good fit for every family, it certainly warrants a closer examination as a very viable option to public education.
References
Goodwin, Cara (2021, September 1). The research on homeschooling. Psychology Today 2024 Sussex Publishers, LLC
The Gospel Coalition. (Accessed 13 Sept 2024). Should parents seek out Christian Education for their children? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0MIv-EvukM
Home School Legal Defense Assn (2020, August 22). How to homeschool in Virginia. https://hslda.org/post/how-to-comply-with-virginias-homeschool-laws
Homeschool Toolbox (Accessed 13 Sept 2024). 101 advantages of homeschooling in 2022. https://homeschooltoolbox.com/homeschooling-advantages/
Ray, Brian D. & Valiente, Carlos (2020, May 13). The academic and social benefits of homeschooling. The James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal. https://www.jamesgmartin.center/2020/05/the-academic-and-social-benefits-of-homeschooling/
Waddle, Jennifer (2023, October 27). The benefits of Christian homeschooling. Crosswalk.com. https://www.crosswalk.com/family/homeschool/the-benefits-of-christian-homeschooling.html
Wilson, Durenda. (2021). Four Hour School Day. Zondervan Trade Books.