Student 1
Ima Student
Mrs. Reites
ENC 1101
30 Nov. 2011
There’s No Place Like Home
It’s nine o’clock on a Tuesday morning. Do you know where your child is? I think
it is safe to say that almost all parents would be able to answer that question without
giving much thought to the response. “My child is at school.” Some parents might be
more thorough, and able to tell which class their child is attending at that time of
morning. Due to the growing popularity of home schooling, more parents are able to
answer that question with even greater detail. “They are doing their history work, right
over here,” they answer, pointing to their child sitting next to them at a desk. The one on
one nature of home schooling allows parents to easily identify subjects that their child
excels in, as well as those that may need more focus. This ability to offer added help in
particular subjects, and more advanced courses in others, helps students become well
rounded. Because home schooling is able to provide a curriculum more specific to the
needs of the student, and better designed for their learning style, it has proven to be a
highly effective alternative way to educate.
Education is regarded as one of the greatest possessions in life. A Chinese proverb
expounds: “Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere” (quotes.net).
Several religions believe the sole reason humans exist is to learn and to experience life.
During the early years of life, the human mind is like a sponge, soaking up all
information placed before it. Fearing that the public schools are not delivering enough
Student 2
information, parents have decided to take the teaching into their own hands. In the state
of Florida home schooling has seen an incredible intensification of popularity. In 2010
the state had 62,567 student that were home schooled; an increase of nearly 10,000 from
just 5 years prior (Ames).
According to Patricia Lines, a former senior research analyst for the U.S.
Department of Education, up until the early 1960s, it was mainly conservative religious
groups in small communities that home schooled their children in order to teach their
children Christian principles that weren’t being taught in public and private schools.
Religious values continue to be a major reason parents choose to home school. In recent
years, however, more and more parents have chosen to home school not for religious
reasons, but for purely scholastic reasons. They believe that the public school system is
not providing the attention that each student requires in order to reach their full potential;
both students who may be struggling and excelling alike (12-21). Due to growing
interest, the process to enroll in home schooling has become very simple. In order to
begin, parents are required to fill out paperwork with their state department of education.
They then choose whether they want to create the curriculum themselves, or register with
one of the many home schooling organizations.
I myself was home schooled during the 7th and 8th grades. My parents decided to
take me out of public schools and enroll me in an online-based school because the classes
offered at our local middle school were not challenging me. The fact that I was already
somewhat socially awkward added to my parent’s fear that by me being home all day, I
would lack the opportunities for social development that are so crucial during teenage
years. To encourage me to interact with other children my age, arrangements were made
Student 3
with the middle school for me to attend the higher-level concert band class. In addition,
my younger sister and I would get together with a group of other local teens who were a
part of the same online home school program twice a week to socialize and learn. By
participating in band, along with other extra-curricular activities, I was able to easily
transition back into public schooling my freshman year of high school without any
complications.
Homeschooling, with a focus on the needs of one student rather than a class of
thirty, allows students to work at their most successful pace in lieu of being accelerated or
lagged by the pace of a group. Instead of sitting idly after their work is finished, or being
rushed by a bell prematurely, home-schooled students are able to set school aside and
perform other activities. Many high school students are able to work more hours at jobs,
which helps them to learn valuable social and problem solving skills. They may also
enroll in college at an earlier age, similar to dual enrollment programs practiced in public
high schools. Contrary to popular belief, home school students are widely accepted into
colleges and universities. The California Institute of Technology, which was recently
rated the number one university in the world by the publication Times Higher Education,
along with many other prestigious universities around the country, not only accept, but
encourage home schooled applicants. The university’s admissions website expresses that
they “find that in most cases, home schooled applicants are no more difficult to evaluate
than any other applicants to Caltech” (Caltech.edu). The process for admissions may
include some extra paperwork, but for the most part is equivalent to that of public and
private school students.
Student 4
The most cited deterrent to homeschooling is that parents take on tremendous
responsibility. Even with their children attending public schools, parenting is a full time
job. By home schooling, parents take upon themselves the role of teacher as well. While
most parents are using the time while their children are at school to tend to shopping,
cleaning and working, the free time for home schooling parents is drastically diminished.
High schools and middle schools hire teachers to teach certain subjects. Parents may be
exceptionally qualified to teach their children science or math, but may struggle with the
mechanics of English grammar. A parent’s lack of qualification in regards to teaching can
prove to be incredibly detrimental to the continued learning of the child.
The increase in popularity of home schooling has led to many parents wondering
how it can be further improved. Online programs, such as Florida Virtual School, take
care of many of common challenges of home schooling. The course material is
completely presented online, and teachers are available through email and online chat.
Parents may still be the first the first line of defense when combating a difficult math
equation, but when both parties are stumped, a certified math teacher is available to
assist. On a national level, the government has its own set of “benchmarks,” that students
must meet in order to advance to the next grade and ultimately graduate from high
school. To ensure that these expectations are met home school students still take state
standardized tests. Online schools also maintain an academic portfolio to prove that the
necessary course materials have been covered.
When I was home schooled, my sister and I would go to the home of another
family who also home schooled their children. They had an extra room that was
converted into a classroom in order to minimize the distractions of television and video
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games. Some students have a difficulty concentrating when there is such easy access to
other things they could be doing. Having another room helped me to differentiate in my
mind the difference between home, and home school. I knew that when I was in the
schoolroom, it was time for me to focus on my schoolwork. It was also beneficial to have
a second “teacher” there to help when my mom was unable to answer questions I had
about assignments.
Parents want what is best for their children. For some parents the best way for
their child to learn is in a classroom learning with other students their age. For others,
it’s home schooling and enabling the child to learn at his or her own pace. Home
schooling isn’t for everyone. It takes tremendous dedication not just from the parent, but
from the student as well. When done correctly, home schooling can provide an excellent
education and better prepare students for the challenges that lay before them in life. After
having been home schooled myself, I have contemplated whether or not it is something
that I will pursue with my future children. I have seen its advantages, and if years down
the road feel that it will be of the greatest benefit for my child, than I will definitely home
school.
Student 6
Work Cited
Ames, Ashley. "Home Schooling a Growing Option in Sunshine State." Tallahassee
Democrat 28 Jul 2011: N.p. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 31 Oct. 2011.
Chinese Proverb. Quotes.net. Stands4 LLC, 2011. Web. 20 Nov. 2011
http://www.quotes.net/quote/9092
Home Schooled Applicants. California Institute of Technology, 15 Nov. 2011. Web. 15
Oct. 2011.
Klicka, Christopher J. “Home Schooled Students Excel in College.” Home Schooling.
Mur, Cindy. San Diego: Greenhaven, 2003. 90-96. Print.