Why do parents choose to homeschool? And what are some traditional and nontraditional approaches to the practice?

To homeschool or not to homeschool, that is a colossal question. Ask ten homeschool parents why they made the decision and you will likely get ten different responses. And just as varied as the reasons for homeschooling are the approaches, curriculum, and classroom settings.

Further, a growing number of families have tackled this question. According to the NHERI (National Homeschool Education Research Institute) some 2.5 million students or 3% to 4% of school age children were homeschooled in 2019, before the pandemic sent most every student scurrying back to the safety of their home to learn virtually.

But as education as a whole and students in particular begin to emerge from the pandemic, it is fair to ask what a post-pandemic idyllic education setting might look like. Some students thrived, learning virtually without the structure or need for a physical school or rigid school schedule. However, most other students flailed miserably without face-to-face learning and a live teacher in the room to guide lessons and thoughtfully tackle nuanced learning styles. Those students with a learning difference suffered the most.

One can safely predict that families opting to homeschool will increase, even once all schools return to in-person instruction. According to the Federation for Children, a national survey conducted in 2020 revealed that over 40% of parents would consider some version of homeschooling once the pandemic ends.

Benefits and Drawbacks to Homeschooling

To repeat, there are many reasons a parent may choose to homeschool. Running the calculus of benefits to drawbacks can help decide.

Benefits

• Customize or individualize the curriculum and learning environment for each child
• Accomplish more academically than in schools
• Use pedagogical approaches other than those typical in institutional schools
• Enhance family relationships between children and parents and among siblings
• Provide guided and reasoned social interactions with youthful peers and adults

Drawbacks

Middle School Net does a nice job of listing some disadvantages that parents should consider.

Time

When parents take the responsibility of educating their children at home, they may need to set aside time to make it work.

Cost

In comparison to public schools, where education is free, homeschooling can be costly. Purchasing the newest curriculum and teaching tools can be expensive.

Socialization

Homeschooled children may not have as many opportunities to interact with other children in comparison to children who attend regular schools.

Patience

One of the reasons why homeschooling can be bad is the fact that parents may lose patience when they are trying to educate their children.

Deciding to homeschool is a difficult decision. Gathering information can help parents make the correct choice for their individual family.

Curriculum Choices

If you have decided that homeschooling is a possibility for your family, then you are going to need curriculum. Think about your child’s/children’s age(s), strengths, interests, and areas of need. Studies show that all students benefit from a combination of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic approaches to learning, as well as direct instruction in new concepts. Perhaps you will choose to combine pre-written curricula for skills instruction with project-based opportunities for real-world application. The beauty of homeschooling is that these decisions can be tailored to your child’s needs, strengths, and interests. 

Who is going to be teaching? You the parent or someone else? What is your/their preferred teaching style?

What is your budget? Homeschool curriculums can be expensive! There are physical books and online options.

How to Homeschool has an extensive list of curriculum options, which we recommend you check out.

Hybrid Homeschool Options

Of course not all homeschooled students study exclusively in their homes. Some parents take of advantage of local hybrid programs. One such option in the Central Florida area is the North Park Learning Group run by Engage the Brain. Here students join learning specialists who lead a variety of enrichment classes spanning language arts, math, science, and art. Hannah Hartman, who is the program director, said: “A hybrid homeschool program provides elements of both home education and a traditional school setting.  Students and parents benefit from the knowledge and expertise of an experienced teacher who can help guide each individual student’s progress.”

An added benefit of attending a hybrid program is parental help with student assessment. Hartman added: “Their hybrid teacher can provide progress monitoring, help parents with curriculum, keep grades, and give general feedback about student progress.” She went on to say that “at home” days can be spent focusing on work, taking field trips, or participating in extracurricular activities.

Conclusion

The connotation of homeschooling has changed. The pandemic has accelerated the notion that “school” does not need to be a brick and mortar location. Technologies like Zoom and learning management systems such as Canvas have provided parents and students with different options for school. Add in hybrid programs that combine the best of both home and school and parents have a veritable smorgasbord of educational settings to pick from.

If you are considering homeschooling and have questions or would like to discuss curriculum options, please contact Jennifer Disch at Engage the Brain.