mingya's Blog

One of the very first questions that most parents ask about home schooling is whether it actually works. They are only too well aware of the fact that the public schools have problems, but really wonder whether they can do any better. One natural response for some parents is to try a little harder to see if they can afford private schooling but, even if this were possible, are the private schools faring any better than the public schools?

The simple fact of the matter is that there are many, quality studies which show that, on average, home schooling produces superior students. To an extent of course this is understandable as parents clearly have an effect on education no matter which route they take. A parent who is genuinely interested in the education of his or her children will help to motivate them, producing better results.

But there is certainly more to it that this and there are many cases, in a great enough variety of situations, to take even this into account and still come to the conclusion that home schooling produces better results.

Even the Unites States Department of Education agrees. In one study which they sponsored themselves home schooled students produced exceptionally high test scores. The median scores in every grade were far higher than those of public schools and even higher than those of private school students. The average home schooled student in grades one through four was a grade level above that of public school peers and, by the time home schooled students reached the equivalent of the 8th grade, they were as much as four years ahead of students attending public school.

As if this were not enough, costs were also lower. On average, government schools spent $6,500 per student each year and private schools spent $3,500. By contrast, parents undertaking home schooling spent about $550 per student each year. This figure for home schooling does not of course take into account the time spent by parents on home schooling for which a public school teacher would be paid.

The public school system as we know it today evolved during the second half of the 19th century as one state after another made school attendance compulsory. Perhaps the most interesting question however, and one which rarely seems to be asked, is why, if public schooling offered such superior value, it was necessary for the states to make it compulsory and to force parents to put their children into the public school system.

It could be, and sometimes is, argue that this was due to the ignorance of rural parents who did not see the value of education. However, it is interesting to note that adult illiteracy rates in 1840 Massachusetts were a low 2% and that, by 1995, this figure had risen to 19%, in spite of apparently enormous advances in the intervening years. In 1840 libraries were rare and today they are everywhere as books are both relatively inexpensive and easy to trade.

Today over a million children are home schooled in the United States and thousands of home schooled students have attended colleges and universities, including many of the most prestigious and difficult to get into.

Whatever your own thoughts about home schooling vs public schooling there is no doubt that the results clearly show the advantage of home schooling.

Leading a disciplined life is not one of my strong suits. I am a creative type with bursts of energy, spontaneous ideas, and routines rather than schedules. In answering God's call to homeschool, I am learning the value of planning, organization, and follow through. Here are five ways to help make the most of your homeschool day.

1. Start out your day with quiet time in God's word. For me that isn't first thing when I wake up. It is after I get my middle child off to Christian school and my toddler fed and onto his morning play time. Then, I can sit down and spend a few minutes of time filling my tank. Washing my mind with God's word helps me to have the strength, energy, and motivation, not to mention the spirit, to tackle homeschool.

2. Take breaks. Homeschooling isn't the same as formal schooling. So, why not take full advantage of its perks. Hammering through a curriculum is not the approach you have to take. No school bells are going to ring saying its time to move on to the next thing. If you hit a snag, you or your child get frustrated, or the material is just not sinking in, take a break. Walk away for a few minutes, hours, or even the rest of the day. Hit the books again once you have prayed and taken time to get clarity on the matter.

3. Have fun. No matter what method of homeschooling you adhere to, there is always room for fun. You get to teach your child at home, why not enjoy it! Be creative. Make a point to laugh together. Plan lessons and activities your child enjoys.

4. Keep a record. This may be as simple as a handwritten journal. Many states require somewhat detailed record keeping. I belong to an ISP (Independent Study Program) that helps me with this aspect by providing simple worksheets to follow. Take the time to jot down a few notes about what you covered and areas your child has mastered or needs work in. If you're like me, I have trouble remembering details. It's best to chronicle as you go so when the time comes to present formal paperwork you are not left scrambling to validate the lessons your child has learned.

5. Love your child and appreciate this precious time you have together. Life is a vapor.