| Many homeschoolers or families contemplating | | | | choose it to match the child. Some people choose a |
| homeschool face a barrage of criticisms and scrutiny | | | | curriculum and stick with that curriculum and use that |
| for their inquiries and decisions. Homeschooling is | | | | for all their subjects. They can also try one for history |
| actually precess that can contribute to a solid family | | | | and try another for science, for example. |
| life and bonds. | | | | Many homeschoolers use a variety of curricula over |
| The biggest concerns in undertaking homeschooling | | | | the years. When choosing a curriculum, the family must |
| are loss of two parent income, choice of curriculum | | | | also factor in the cost. Home school materials are not |
| and socialization. | | | | cheap, but they probably won't break the bank, either. |
| From the perspective of committed homeschooling, | | | | As time passes, however, those costs potentially drop |
| here are answers to those concerns. | | | | because families are able to reuse some materials. |
| Homeschooling actually benefits families in innumerable | | | | 3. Socialization |
| ways. Teaching your kids at home is not as difficult as | | | | The National Education Association (NEA), the nation's |
| it might seem, either. Anyone can do it. Keep in mind | | | | largest teacher's union, said there is another hidden |
| this is different than thinking anyone should do it. | | | | cost to home education. Home-educated students |
| 1. One Paycheck | | | | miss out on opportunities to build socials skills by not |
| For many families choosing to homeschool, it means | | | | studying with their peers. |
| only one parent is earning a paycheck. | | | | In a Feb. 26, 2002 letter to the National Home |
| Sometimes its a choice that comes down to choosing | | | | Education Network, former NEA president Bob Chase |
| kids over cash. Besides the loss in income, there is the | | | | wrote his organization was concerned that |
| cost on home school curriculum each year. However, | | | | homeschooled students were not provided a |
| there are many ways homeschoolers can mitigate the | | | | comprehensive education experience because they |
| costs of homeschooling and even come out on the | | | | did not have an opportunity to interact with students of |
| positive income side of the equation. There is no peer | | | | different cultures, economic status or learning styles. |
| pressure to keep up or have the latest styles under | | | | They felt homeschooled students learned in a setting |
| thrat of being made fun of. | | | | primarily made up of family members and friends. |
| Many homeschoolers use a variety of curricula over | | | | Family and friends aren't the problem. They are the |
| the years. When choosing a curriculum, the family must | | | | solution. You don't want an 8-year-old teaching an |
| also factor in the cost. Home school materials are not | | | | 8-year-old how to behave. You want them to learn |
| cheap, but they probably won't break the bank, either. | | | | how to behave from someone who hopefully knows |
| As time passes, however, those costs potentially drop | | | | how and then practice it on the other 8-year-olds. |
| because families are able to reuse some materials. | | | | Forced socialization with misbehaving, misguided peers |
| Home school children may be spared schoolyard | | | | is something to be avoided, not embraced. |
| ridicule, but critics, including the National. Education | | | | Homeschoolers have heard this before and the notion |
| Association, say keeping kids at home also cheats | | | | that home schooling retards children's social growth is |
| them out of a chance to develop important social skills. | | | | ridiculous. They actually learn better socialization skills |
| 2. Curriculum | | | | because they're around people of all different ages all |
| When a family decides to home school, perhaps the | | | | the time. |
| biggest question that must be answered is, what to | | | | Public schools are not necessarily a real representation |
| teach. The possibilities are nearly endless. | | | | of what life is like. We don't all go around in little |
| First, parents are able to choose any curriculum and | | | | clusters with only people our own age. |