Do you think that those who are home-schooled have significant unfair disadvantages than those who aren't?

Question

I have nothing against homeschooling, but I just wanted to ask some questions out of curiosity...

Do you think that people who are home-schooled are placed in an unfair disadvantage in the job-application processes?

Some (or most) countries don't recognize / acknowledge homeschooling and therefore cannot merit credits equivalent to the nation's "academic standards" -- do you believe that this puts those who are homeschooled, but would like to apply for a semi-professional job (i.e. teacher, secretary, etc.) in a disadvantage?

If you were homeschooled and wanted to apply for such jobs but discover that you don't meet the "academic merits" what would you think / do?

Bearing in mind, that some have slim to no choice of attending a (state / national) school due to various problems (i.e. they reside in a very rural area, financial situations, etc.). Some choose to be homeschooled, but what if your parents desires for you to be homeschooled against your will?

Answer 1

Homeschool graduates increasingly have an advantage over students who graduate from traditional public and private schools. Employers have found that homeschool graduates are more polite and curteous, adapt better to sudden changes, are more organized, have better writing skills, and more ability to work with people from a variety of backgrounds than do traditional high school graduates.

In some countries, homeschool students are put at a disadvantage in regards to college and post high school training programs. Those students often attend Universities in the UK or the United States as international students, because degrees from the UK and the US are accepted as equal to a degree earned within the country. This is not a problem in the U.S. Here, colleges and Universities actively seek out home school graduates.

It is ultimately the parent's responsibility to see that their child recieves a good education and while they may consider their child's opinion on the matter, it is the parents who must make the final decision.

Answer 2

Depends on where you are.  In the US you can take the GED test and get a GED whichs holds the weight of a diploma.

In California if you are over 18 you can go to Junior College and if you take one semester you can rightfully circle grade 13 on the job application or say SOME COLLEGE.

Some homeschool programs give accredited diplomas.

Answer 3

Homeschooled children may enjoy certain advantages although I wouldn't call them "unfair" and they may or may not be "significant".  Homeschooled children often have more time and opportunity to explore areas of interest.  They get more time and attention from their teachers.  They typically complete their schoolwork in less time than the standard school day.  If they are struggling with a subject, the teacher (mom or dad) is less likely to just pass them  on to the next level without addressing the learning issues.

I don't believe they are placed in an unfair disadvantage in the job application process.  Homeschooling is far more common than it once was so fewer people view it as a questionable practice (and lots of studies support that it is a very effective approach to education).    

Most countries DO RECOGNIZE homeschooling and it is legal in most of the advanced nations (except for Germany where it is still illegal under a law signed by Adolph Hitler).  If there is a need to prove certain academic achievement for a job or to go to college, homeschoolers can get a GED or take the same standardized tests available to all high school students planning to pursue an advanced education.  It's not a big deal.

Many employers and colleges have developed alternate paths for homeschoolers to demonstrate their "academic merits".  

If a parent desires to homeschool a student but the student doesn't want to be homeschooled, they have a family conflict that needs to be resolved.  Ultimately, the decision is up to the parents.  If a child is older (say, greater than 15) perhaps the parents should listen to the child's desires but ultimately, it is the role of the parents to make educational decisions for their child.

Answer 4

As a teacher in the American public school system let me just say that I like the idea of home-schooling my children. I have many friends who have completed a home-schooling curriculum and succeeded in life. In states where it is allowed, the students are allowed access to the public schools electives. While I was in high school I knew of a few home-schoolers who were attending art classes at my school.

Later in life, I also had a friend who was home-schooling her children. They still needed to take the state standarized tests. If it is proved that the children are academically below where their peers are, then the state would step in. These children are being well educated through the curriculum that their mother has found. They are succeeding in life and are well rounded individuals.

For those children who have fallen through the cracks and don't meet up the the "academic merits", I do not believe it is the child's fault. They had no choice how they would be schooled, only how they took advantage of the situation. If they are old enough to be out of school, maybe they could go back and take the G.E.D.. This is equivilant to a high school diploma and most colleges will accept them.

Answer 5

None of the points in your question really apply, or are an issue with home schooling in the US.

Home schooling is not done because their are "problems".

Parents have the right to direct the upbringing, and education of their minor children, (age 18).

Home schooling is a legal alternative educational choice for those who do not want to outsource the education of their children.

Home schooled students are often times ahead of their conventionally schooled peers, in academics, and work experience.

Many, including our own children take college classes, or go to work at least a year or two ahead of their schooled peers.

Colleges are actively recruiting them, and so are employers because most home schooled students are independent, and self starters.

For further information, and answers to some of your questions please visit the web site of the National Home Education Research Institute.

http://www.nheri.org/

Answer 6

No, I don't think a person who was taught at home would be discriminated against when applying for a job. Many students who learn at home have more time for jobs while schooling and have experience before graduating.  

I don't understand the question concerning most countries not recognizing homeschooling.   You have given me an idea for a question. (smile)

The next question about what would I do if a potential employer said that I didn't meet academic merits after being homeschooled, I would say 'Thank you very much' and continue the process.  

You see, I  work in a public high school.  I know many graduates who do not meet 'academic standards' and are qualified only for menial, low paying jobs.  Many work their way up in those jobs to better jobs.  Many decide to go to  get degrees online or take classes at community colleges.  Most do not realize the value of an education until they are out in the world.  

Taught at home or taught in a public school classroom, graduation does not mean that your education if complete.

What if your parents desire to homeschool against your will?  I feel sorry for the parents and sorry for the student.  You cannot force anyone to learn.  The teacher/ parent can make it as attractive and painless as possible, but until a student wants to learn, it is wasted effort on the part of the teacher.

Answer 7

We are in the southeastern United States, and I would say that homeschoolers have the advantage here.  

Most homeschoolers receive a much better education than children in the run-down public education system.  Homeschoolers consistently score higher on standardized testing, and since homeschoolers can earn high school credit and a diploma, they have no problem getting into the college of their choice.  Some colleges even admit to seeking out homeschoolers because they are better disciplined in their studies, and scholarships are open to homeschooled students who qualify... and believe me, most qualify unless the parents have raised lazy homeschoolers.  

So from a U.S. standpoint, I guess you could say homeschoolers have the unfair advantage!

Answer 8

Well, in California one of the options for homeschooling is to set up your own private school.  So, all anyone reviewing a transcript or job application will know is that the person attended and graduated from XYZ Academy.  There's no way to differentiate between a homeschool and any other private school this way.

Also, most jobs that take into account "academic merits", would require college, not high school, courses.  Homeschoolers can pretty much get into any college and ones that require accredited courses, will accept a transfer from Jr. College.

As for being forced to homeschool, ultimately, it's your parents responsibility to decide what kind of education you get and you'll have to make the best of it.  Maybe take college classes on-line or on campus when you're 16 or 17.   I wanted to go to a private school in our area and my parents didn't choose that for me.  I got over it.

Answer 9

No, I do not think that those who are homeschooled have a significant unfair disadvantages.

I have not known an employer who was biased against homeschoolers. I know several homeschooled teens who work and employers tend to enjoy the flexible schedule these teens have, in addition to their work ethic. A local restaurant actually had one of their homeschooled workers let word out that they would like to have more homeschoolers apply for jobs.

I know only a few adults who were homeschooled and none had it be against them in getting jobs. In stats collected, previously homeschooled adults were well-employed and tended to be happier with their jobs than the national average.

Most people don't plan on moving to other countries, so I'm not sure I understand the point of the question. Experience and classes taken after high school are what semi-professionals need. Most teachers require college-level degrees and you can get into college regardless of where you were schooled.

Your imagined situation really isn't very clear so it's hard to relate. High school doesn't get you very far in terms of job options; you need something after high school to be able to open up job options. Even most secretaries here have to have some sort of software training or other. I've yet to see a secretarial position require a high school diploma or some specific high school courses (I sought out secretarial jobs for a while in the past). When people find a career line they want to follow, they can find out the courses they need to be in that career. Let me repeat: high school does not meet any specific career requirements. At least, not in Canada and the US, where most homeschoolers are.

If the parent wants to homeschool against the student's will... There are kids who come in here every day asking how they can convince their parents to LET THEM homeschool. How is that any different? I've personally only met one girl who was homeschooled against her will. She was 13 and had just finished her first year of homeschooling and just what little I saw of her character, her mother was, imho, doing the right thing by homeschooling her. The girl was so focused on superficial things, on what people thought of her; she was lost when it came to *real* life. I hope her mom keeps homeschooling her and manages to make some changes. It's only a shame she didn't homeschool earlier to prevent her daughter from being so peer-dependent.

Answer 10

I graduated high school with a 4.0 GPA. I also had a very successful military career. I also graduated from a local tech school after such military career. After numerous cover letters, resumes, and applications, no one will still hire me.

You may want to rethink your question.

I home school our children because of the crappy experiences they encounter with the school system. Threats, favoritism, bullies, theft, rushing children through the educational process.

I tell our children the truth about life. And that is "No matter how hard you try, where you graduate from, you are not going to get a successful career outside of the military unless you really know someone at the top or are having an affair with someone. People are no d**n good. Teachers and professors alike lie constantly. They tell you that you can get nowhere without a decent education. What a load of c**p." I have a fantastic personality during interviews. Except after college, I was never asked to do one. All that paperwork I did for employment was for nothing. I have wasted my life on education. Perhaps it will be different with our children. Unlikely though.

Public schooling is seriously overrated.

Answer 11

Well, I agree that homeschool students actually have many advantages over publicschool students due to the custom education they receive, so my answer is no to that aspect.

Now on to the rest. In addtion to homeschooling, I work from home in the employment verifications field and the only people I have seen that may be at a disadvantage are those that lie about their education. Most companies verify you have a degree or diploma or GED but they do not make judgments on the quality of said documents (that is not opinion, that is first hand experience)

Now, I'm positive the teachers out there would not appreciate you calling their jobs "semi-professional"

To work in a public school as a teacher in this country you must be certified, which means you went to college and passed certification tests and receive continuing education. Homeschool students go to college, so they are not at a disadvantage there. If a person was applying for a teaching position, the employer would want to know what degree they hold and what certification they have.

Ditto on a secretary. Although an employer will want to verify the applicant has the education they state they have, the important part is what type of training or experience they have.

Homeschooling is, with a few exceptions, accepted worldwide and that is increasing, not decreasing.

Answer 12

I dont think i have an unfair disadventage. i think i actually have the advantage. i got the job just because i was homeschooling. the general manager with the district manager thought it was really good that i was homeschooling, bc they could still have me dayshift while the students went back to school.

I wanted to be homeschooled, it was my personal choice. i didnt have any problems financially or anything like that. i really didnt like the school system i was going too.

oh and not only do the managers like me being homeschooled, i graduated like a year and half before i would if i was in public school.

yay homeschooling!