Has homeschooling been proven to be better than public schools?

Question

Has homeschooling been proven to be better than public schools?

Answer 1

Yes, and no....

It just depends....

I agree totally with the first answer....

I dislike it very much....

=)

Answer 2

It has shown to be better for some students. I don't think it is universally better for every family in every situation. It has certainly worked out better for my child.

Answer 3

Well, homeschoolers kick schooler *** when it comes to standardized testing.

Homeschooled kids have a higher self-concept than school kids and have fewer behavior problems. Can't be bothered to source that, because I'm not going to do all your research for you.

So yeah, it has been.

Not surprising since our current model was intended to create obedient factory workers. Later racism came in to play; people didn't want their kids mixing with those Germans and Irish who were coming in, so they sent the masses to public schools while those at the top stayed out.

The schools that people went to in the 18th and early 19th centuries were nothing like the schools we have today. When they became compulsory and state-regulated, they started sucking. Big surprise there.

Answer 4

These people are smoking crack.  As a university admissions specialist I can tell you, most home schooled children are FAR behind their peers.  There are always the exceptions, but in general, if the parents are not educated, or are evangelical Christians, the only school the child will get  into is Oral Roberts.  Now, try to get a job with a BA from ORU.  sorry to be brutal, truth hurts.

Answer 5

It is better in our situation.  Our son did not learn in school. He learns at home.   He found excuses at school but there are no excuses at home.   He missed out on what the class was doing when the teachers pulled him out for tutoring.  He doesn't miss out on anything at home.   We create the curriculum based on his potential and his goals.   The teaching is at his pace and we can stay on problem subjects as long as necessary...years even.   We can speed through subjects that he grasps.

He was in public school until the 8th grade.  The teachers said he was performing at his potential.  They were wrong.

Answer 6

I personally think that homeschooling harms a childs ability to socialize.  Essentially, not being able to interact with children their own age restricts developing social skills.

Also, most homeschooled children experience a sheltered life and it's quite a shock to enter the real world at any age after being sheltered like that.  I expect the real world is somewhat harder to adjust to

Answer 7

According to statistics homeschoolers do better academically, socially, and later as adults report greater satisfaction with life in general.  So yes, statistically homeschooling has been proven better.

However, statistics only tell part of the story, not EVERY homeschool will be better than EVERY Public School, but MOST homeschools will be better than MOST Public schools.

I noticed that K S didn't give any sources except his own biased opinions, I did provide some support for my statements.

Answer 8

Many times, in many different areas.

That said, homeschooling is not for every child; those who are not motivated enough to hold themselves accountable, or those whose parents are not willing to commit the time and effort to seeing it through, probably shouldn't be homeschooled.  

However, yes, the average homeschooler has been proven, time and again, to surpass most public school students on standardized tests, in academic contests, and in college admissions.  Those who stick with it tend to be very motivated, responsible for their education, and (usually) at least 1-2 years ahead of grade level.

Edit - as far as college admissions, I don't know what university K S does admissions for or what quality of students they get apps from, but (at least in my area) homeschoolers are far more advanced than many public school students.  Our district has a 20% dropout rate...and the "intermediate" (9th-10th grade) high is actually used a forum to weed out that 20%!

Meanwhile, many homeschool kids in our area are already taking college classes by the time they're 16, and doing well at them.  There may be areas of the country where there just aren't as many opportunities, but in our area, many of the top students are homeschooled.

(And as far as ORU goes...I live in Tulsa, have friends and relatives that work at ORU, and know first hand that ORU grads work at several of the top companies in the country in many fields and get into grad school just fine.  I personally know successful doctors, attorneys, producers, journalists, artists, and people who work in various areas of politics that graduated there.  Not sure where that's coming from...)

Answer 9

Repeatedly.

And as far as the socialization myth is concerned, the word "myth" says it all.

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/...

For statistics go to

http://www.nheri.org/