What is a home school child? A home school child is one that has his or her parents educating them in the comfort of their own home. There are many reasons that parents cite for starting to home school. Primarily, home schooling is chosen for religious reasons, ease of educating a disabled child and finally because a parent feels that they can offer the same, if not better, public education at home.
Religious Freedom
Christians are finding that certain values are no longer present in any shape or form in the public school system. Prayer is not allowed unless the participants do it silently and without discussion. Many parents would like to include prayer in their schooling without fear of reprisals from other religious groups or a public school board. Thus, choosing to educate their children at home is a popular solution to this problem.
Detractors to this rationale believe that children are better off in the public school system, or even a parochial school. The downside to educating a child in a parochial school is that they are normally Catholic, and tend to have expensive tuition costs.
Disabled Children
Parents who have disabled children, no matter how pronounced the disability, may opt for a home school education. A home school child who is disabled can benefit from many local and state programs, and depending upon the degree of disability, federal assistance. If a parent is able to home school their disabled child, both parties may be much more comfortable, especially if modifications are made to the child's environment. Wheelchairs, changing tables, harnesses, various medical apparatus' may be better managed at home, as opposed to having the child assigned an assistant in the public school system.
Detractors to this rationale often site that the child deserves to be mainstreamed with other normal children; after all, a parent can't protect a child all of their life. However, what many of these people don't know is how to live in someone else's shoes. Ridicule, harassment and the ineptness of some school boards or building conditions can have a detrimental affects on a child's ability to learn as well as their psyche. Any parent will agree, protecting his or her child is always the most important thing, no matter what anyone else says.
Public School vs Home School
The home school child usually has several advantages over their public school counterparts. Several of these advantages include:
1.
Field trips whenever and wherever the parent and child chooses- no need to wait for school funding, volunteer chaperones or securing transportation for a large group of children
2.A curriculum that can be modified to the child's learning level at any time- if the child easily grasps concepts, things can move quickly, and vice-versa if a child is struggling with a concept
3.Private tutors can be engaged for any subject that the parent doesn't feel confident in teaching (such as Calculus, Statistics or any other advanced class for college prep)
4.Private lessons any time of the day for dance, art and music. This can be a real boon for children who are dedicated to an art form. In this day and age when dance, art and music are disappearing from our public schools, home school children are at an obvious advantage.
Conclusion
Public school can be a comfortable place for many children to receive an education. If parents have to work, sending them to a public or parochial school may be necessary. However, if you are ready, willing and able, home schooling can be a rewarding alternative to a traditional classroom education.
