Benefits of Homeschooling versus Public Education

This guide covers the benefits and negatives of homeschooling versus public education. Lately I’ve been feeling kind of nostalgic about air travel as it used to be before the 90’s. I remember that flying was a grand event. My grandmother used to wear her best suits, her finest jewelry and even hats. Dressed up as if I was going to church, I would prance through the airport with excitement. I was always given a set of wings to pin on my dress and meals during the flight. The food was good, and the snacks weren’t bad either.

There was no such thing as nickel and diming passengers for every single little thing. I can’t remember seeing people in athletic gear or tennis shoes back in those days either.

Being a flight attendant was a highly regarded career, and being a pilot was very prestigious. Air travel was a pleasure for average people and for the rich. I’m not certain about what happened to the airline industry, but as far as I can see, it has deteriorated steadily. In this article, we will discuss and cover homeschooling versus public education and its benefits.

Public Education Versus Homeschooling

I feel the same way about public education—it has been deteriorating steadily. I might be wrong, but I think public education was better in the past. I’m not an expert with initials behind my name. But as a parent I saw what a few years of school did to my kids—the opposite of what I expected

I expected them to get a well-rounded education, to have lots of friends and to become more self-confident with time

I really hoped that they would enjoy attending school and develop a love for learning. None of that happened though. In fact, quite the opposite did. My kids didn’t learn much about anything at school except how to memorize fragmented information, in order to regurgitate it later during a test. For the amount of time, resources and energy invested in school, the return was lousy. What happened to grammar, cursive, geography and giving kids time to understand math and science?

Education Today for Our Children

Education today is like a runaway train and its miles wide but less than an inch deep. There used to be a time where I respected education and higher education. However, today, crazy liberal democrats are controlling our educational system. I never imagined that it could take anyone 2 or 3 hours per day to do 3rd-grade level homework. Dino Hasapis, who believes in homeschooling says the following:

Why is it not a good idea to have kids memorize multiplication facts anymore?  How does segregating kids by age make them more mature and smarter?

Can teachers really teach 16 or 18 children of different levels all at the same time and at the same pace?  These were some of the nagging questions that bothered me for years, and of course, they are my personal observations and opinions.

Is Homeschooling Better Than Public Education?

It was tough for me to face the obvious because until recently, I used to think that the education provided by schools was the cornerstone of the American Dream. Nonetheless, after years of being involved in the public school system, I just got tired of seeing my kids stressing over grades and standardized tests

I got tired of witnessing them struggle with information that was being fed to them too fast for them to absorb or before they were mature enough to understand it.

I got tired of seeing how teachers work so hard to do their best but have their hands tied with the curriculum, the lack of resources and demands that are practically impossible to meet.

Due Diligence Prior To Homeschooling

I had had enough of it. I finally worked up the courage to do some research and when I did– my deepest fears were confirmed. People whom I had never met before, had dealt with the same issues that my children and I were facing. Issues that I had hoped were only in my imagination. The common thread in the dozens of articles and books that I read was that homeschooling was a better option for many reasons. Dale Elenteny, a senior loan officer and an associate contributing editor at Great Content Authority Forums says the following:

I really doubted my ability to take on such an important task. My source of encouragement was having the opportunity to meet kids and adults who have been or were homeschooled.

I realized that my prejudices against homeschooling were unfounded. Even though the learning curb is steep and can be overwhelming, I am in good company. Now I am confident enough to know that I am fully capable of helping my kids obtain a high-quality, customized education. This is because after all, I was their first teacher and the one who loves them the most.

Homeschooling vs. Public Education: A Comprehensive Analysis

Regarding education, parents have two common but distinct approaches concerning their kids: parenting and homeschooling. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages. Still, it often comes down to what the family needs, their values, and the circumstances that they find themselves in.

Advantages of Homeschooling

Custom Learning Experience

Tailored Content:

• The curriculum and the syllabus can be adjusted according to a child’s skills and interests.

Room for Exploration:

• Students can explore certain topics more in-depth, which may be more difficult to grasp.

Personalized Attention:

• Each child is provided one-on-one assistance, making it easier for them to solve problems as they can get the attention they need.

A Comfortable Learning Space

Less Aggressive Environment:

• Children are safeguarded from bullying and the negative effects of peer pressure that may often arise during school hours.

Customized Schooling Hours:

• Families have complete freedom in formulating their school’s timing based on their requirements, allowing for a more productive environment.

Improved Family Relations

Greater Togetherness:

• Homeschooling allows parents and children to spend more time together and build stronger relationships.

Closer Self-Image:

• Children have a greater sense of care as there is a strong connection between them and their parents, knowing their parents deeply care about their education.

Controlled Socializing Opportunities

Limited Sociability:

• Homeschoolers get to select the co-ops and extracurricular events.
• Or community programs that they wish to attend, which helps them interact with other people.

Diverse Social Networking

One key benefit of homeschooling is that communication often happens with groups of different ages, making socialization easier.

Academic Advantages

Comparison between Public Schools and Homeschools:

• Public School students are known to excel in fields other than academics.
• However, research suggests that homeschooled students have a better chance of receiving higher scores than them.
• They have a better chance of success if they focus solely on academics.

In-Depth Specialization:

• Homeschooling encourages children to delve deep into their interests at an earlier age, such as the Arts, STEM, and Athletics.

Negatives of Homeschooling

Fewer Social Interactions:

• Homeschoolers do not have the opportunity to interact with a diverse set of peers regularly, which leads to a lack of friendships and bonds that could be formed.

School Activities:

• Enrolling in extracurricular activities is also not an option due to being homeschooled, further narrowing down potential friendships one could form.

Having to Be Responsible for Their Children

Being Time Deprived:

• When one becomes a parent, they face many responsibilities, including teaching their child new topics and planning lessons.
• Reviewing their performance.
• These tasks are very time-consuming and require consistent attention.

Being a Teaching Expert

Stereotypically, mothers are always seen to play the role of kindergarten teachers and are expected to have teaching expertise. However, realistically, not every parent can seamlessly teach their child.

Cost

Educational Resources:

• Reserves must be managed effectively with a budget to afford books, course material, and valuable resources.

Being Unable to Keep a Job:

• Often, one of the parents is required to stay at home, and the family income has the potential to deteriorate.

Limited Access to Resources

Advanced Courses

• Public school students have better access to resources such as a science lab or advanced placement courses.
• Still, these resources are difficult to obtain for a homeschooled student.

Special Education Programs:

• Learning disabilities such as ADHD and autism require additional attention.
• Public schools provide facilities and resources that assist children in need.
• However, that is not available for parents who choose to homeschool their children.

Deficient Planning: 

• Without complete planning, homeschooled children could miss out on various subjects and life skills that are not even planned as part of the curriculum.

Accountability:

• Less laws in the homeschooling process can make some units unable to meet certain criteria, making their quality inconsistent.
• Other than this, there are certain merits to Public Education.

Scheduling

Timetable:

• Unlike homeschooling, children attend public schools regularly, giving them a structured daily schedule.
• Standards per Program of Grading Level.
• Unlike homeschooling children, such kids receive a particular program that provides guidelines designed to fulfill certain criteria set by the state and the council, of which education is the main goal.

Diverse Encounters

Building Blocks: 

• During this time, children meet other children their age and practice working together and making friends.

Exposure to Different Cultures: 

• Interaction with kids from various cultures fosters understanding and acceptance.

Facilities

Co-curricular or Extracurricular Activities:

• Through public education, children can join sports teams, clubs, art programs, and many more.

Other Services: 

• Programs for gifted kids, children facing special difficulties, and counselors.
• Many such services are easily accessible.

Equipment: 

• A wider range of technology enables primary schools to offer children access to libraries, laboratories, sports fields, and many more advanced resources.

Expenses and Affordability

Public Schools Do Not Require Payment:

• Public schools are financed through tax, so families can send their children there without paying.

Democratic Setup

Teachers Are Licensed:

• The teachers employed in public schools have undergone training, which consists of two or three years of teaching experience.
• Public schools benefit children by teaching them how to deal with other children with different attitudes.

Harsh Realities of Public Education

Uniformity of Approach:

• It does not cater to Diversity.

One Curriculum For All:

• This is a general rule.
• However, it may not always be true.

Pace of Learning:

• Students who learn at a rate slower or faster than the average level tend to disengage with the content.

Social Difficulties

Bullying and Peer Pressure:

• Inappropriate social activities can be detrimental to the mental health of students.

Overcrowded Classrooms:

• Large class sizes inhibit the amount of personal attention teachers give.

Limited Parent Participation

Less Control:

• Parents cannot readily influence what is taught or what their children should be subjected to.

Rigid Schedules:

• Families have to be restrained within the hours allocated by the school.

Funds Limitations

Funding Issues:

• Budget constraints limit public education, resulting in old materials and a lower teacher-to-student ratio.

Unequal Opportunities:

• Due to differences in the local funding systems within regions, certain students obtain a better quality of education.

Strain and Anxiety

Stress Test:

• Standardized pupil testing places More stress on students and teachers.

Competitive Environment:

Students may be engulfed by performance in various academic and extracurricular activities.

Conclusion on Selections

Think about Homeschooling When:

• Your child requires an individualized way of teaching.
• You vouch for their education and can put in the time and money necessary.

You would like them to experience more supervision concerning their education and social life.

Think about Public Education When:

• Your child does best in trim and varied social settings.
• You and your child would like extra activities and resources for specialization.

You should not pay for an administratively competent and effective system.

Homeschooling and public education also have their respective pros and cons. Each family must assess its resources, needs, and goals to determine the best choice for its child. However, the problem is approached, great parental involvement and support towards education is crucial in nurturing a child.

About The Author

Alex Carlucci is a senior loan officer and contributing associate editor and writer at Gustan Cho Associates Mortgage And Real Estate Information Center. Gustan Cho Associates has a national five-star reputation of its no lender overlays on government and conventional loans.

• Alex Carlucci is an expert in real estate investments, real estate, financing, business development, training, motivating professionals, and is a professional writer and guest speaker to mortgage and real estate professionals
• Alex is also an associate marketing consultant for Gustan Cho Associates and an inspiration to thousands of professionals nationwide

We are honored to have Alex Carlucci as part of our team at Gustan Cho Associates Mortgage Group.