home schooling
TRANSCRIPT
HomeschoolingBy: Jennifer Calkins
Two million American childrenare schooled at home.
Why Parents Homeschool
Parents feel they can do a better job. Parents feel that time is wasted in school - not
enough learning occurs. Homeschooling removes the child from peer
pressure and bullying situations. Homeschooling allows the parent to determine
the best learning style for each child. Certain religious views encourage homeschooling.
Interview 1 My oldest sister has three children who she
homeschools. Preschool – 2nd Grade I interviewed her to determine her views on
homeschooling.
Interview 1
Pros:
1) Individualized for her children’s learning style
2) Individualized attention by instructor
3) Increased creativity compared to traditional school
4) Assured learning
Interview 1
Cons:
1) Reduced socialization with peers
2) Less diverse socialization with adults
3) Fewer opportunities compared with other students in traditional schools
Interview 1
Summary:
After concluding the interview, I have some preliminary thoughts. My sister loves homeschooling. She feels her children learn what they are supposed to learn at a faster pace and in more creative ways. She fears that her children might be missing the some of the social aspects of school. Her children have a difficult time listening to adults (besides their parents). She feels that is a result of homeschooling. Her oldest (the “serious” one in the photo) has some disciplinary issues. She feels that is possibly a result of homeschooling. Her two oldest children will be enrolled in traditional schools next year.
Interview 2
A colleague, Janet, has a daughter who is a Junior in high school. She started homeschooling when her daughter was a freshman. She uses an online program that her daughter completes during the day.
Her thoughts: She feels her daughter is getting a comprehensive
and adequate education. She feels her daughter is socially cognitive because
she socialized in traditional school and maintains a social circle from middle school.
Her daughter is also in extra curricular activities with other children her age.
Video:One student’s day of homeschooling.
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Of interest…
While researching homeschooling, I found out:
Any parent can teach their own child no matter what education they have had themselves.
A parent is not required to register a homeschool program with their home state.
http://www.isbe.state.il.us/HomeSchool/
Of interest…Homeschooling Registration Bill Hearing (Illinois)February 15th, 2011
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Effects of Homeschooling (Research findings)
Homeschooled children have an increased respect for teachers and parents.
Homeschooled children have higher levels of self respect than students in traditional school settings.
Effects of Homeschooling (Research)Critics say homeschooling may make children more dependant.
BUT…
This is false. Homeschooled children are more independent than the average child.
Effects of Homeschooling (Research)
Some critics of homeschooling feel homeschooled children may develop fewer social skills.
……………………
This does not seem to be accurate. Homeschool groups are common allowing homeschooled students to take advantage of sports, dance and other opportunities.
Effects of Home Schooling (Research)
Some feel children are rejected by peers because they are homeschooled.
………………......
Research has shown that although some homeschooled children may be targets of bullies, the threat is not any more than the average student at a public school. Experts say that homeschooled children interact well with homeschooled and traditionally schooled children.
Brown University Study
16 homeschooled (HS) children and 48 traditionally-schooled (TS) were asked the same questions on a socialization topic. Researchers found:
“On average, both groups of children had the same number of close friends.”
“Both groups have been exposed to equal levels of peer victimization, both as victims and bystanders.”
HS children report less distress when victimized because it does not threaten their social status the way it effects TS students’.
http://www.childresearch.net/RESOURCE/NEWS/2005/200509.HTM
Brown University Study
“Though both groups reported having friendships of similar quality, those relationships were more closely related to the psychological adjustment of HS children.”
“HS appear to be more vulnerable to psychological distress in the absence of a high quality friendship.”
No matter how the students are schooled, there is a need for peer acceptance.
http://www.childresearch.net/RESOURCE/NEWS/2005/200509.HTM
Academic Performance
A 1991 standardized test was given to 5,124 homeschooled students ranging from k-12th grade in math, reading and language arts. The test was from the makers of the Stanford Achievement Test (SAT).
Homeschooled children ranked 18-28% above public school averages
In 1997, homeschooled children performed better than their public school counterparts by 30-37%.
Academic Performance
According to the National Home Education Research Institute…
A study of adults who were homeschooled found that none were unemployed and none were on welfare.
94% of those adults said home education prepared them to be a independent person.
79% said it helped them interact with individuals from different levels of society.
http://www.omninerd.com/articles/The_Benefits_of_Homeschooling
Conclusion
Answer.com, a website that allows users to ask questions and post answers, posed the question: What are the long-term effects of homeschooling?
There are hundreds of responses and suggestions. Here are two that seem most appropriate to the topic:
1. Take each child's personality into consideration before making the decision to home school. Some children need more socialization than others.
2. Make sure the child gets involved in many activities as possible with other children their age.
Implementation
How can I use this information to make my classroom more effective?
1. I will try harder to inspire parent involvement. This will help the students due to more individualized time between students and adults.
2. Developing “centers” in my class will also ensure more time one on one with the teacher. One center can offer close teacher involvement that will reduce the amount of students the teacher works with at one time.
Resources
You can go to http://www.delicious.com/jenniecalkins to see the websites used.