What are the pros and cons of home schooling?

The only con I've seen is that it is a lot of work for whomever is leading the children, but a supportive family makes that easier. Pro's for our family include, more time together, going at our pace, better socialization, better vacations, more appropriate lessons (ie authentic lessons that match the real world), happier kids. qualifications depend on where you live, although nearly every state has a way around those too. Some states require college degrees, although if you do annual testing you don't have to worry about that, others have absolutely no qualifications required at all. Kind of like private schools, often don't require teachers to have a teaching certificate because they know that love of a subject is often a better predictor of a good teacher than a teach degree itself.

The parent should have the time, the will and the aptitude to homeschool. The minimum should be a high school diploma. Pros: no bullies, no swearing, no peer pressure, no "no child left behind", no wasted time, no lost homework, lots of individuality, attention and input. Academically superior, no crowd mentality. Peace and quiet, no violence, freedom of choice in curricula. NO dresscode! Library of your choice. Meals at leisure. No shirt, no shoes, no problem. No censorship! Read the books you want, regardless of "acclaim" or "level". Family and community involvement. Cross-age contacts. Cons: not yet properly recognized and appreciated! Can't guage yourself except thru standardized tests. People make fun of the homeschooled...like you are some religious whacko...or social retard. (not true at all)

Pros: 1. You get to keep your children safe from all the garbage in public schools. 2. You control the curriculum. 3. You set the schedule (subject to state requirements). 4. There are absolutely TONS of organized activities for homeschoolers. "Socialization" is not even an issue. Many homeschoolers have trouble choosing b/t activities. 5. HSers almost always score higher than their p.s. peers on SAT/ACT, et al. 6. Your children get LOTS MORE 1-to-1 attn. 7. No ridiculous "0 tolerance" policies where they arrest teens for carrying Midol or charge 5 y/os w/ sexual harrassment. 8. It is much cheaper than a private school. 9. Many colleges now actively recruit homeschoolers. Cons 1. It can be hard to get started if your child has been in p.s. for a long time. 2. Some states have arduous requirements (testing, number of days 'in school', licensing, blah, blah, blah). 3. You still have to pay taxes to support the lousy p.s. district. 4. Whining from family/acquaintances who do not HS & think you shouldn't either &/or don't know the law. My best advice for this is to say: "We are doing what is right for our family right now." You cannot convince people to support you except by doing it well over a long period. Requirements to homeschool vary WILDLY from state to state. HSLDA has the best summaries of each state's laws. We are in Texas where we are FREE (Yippee!)

You do not need any qualifications to teach. I went through a distance education course for the last two years of high school (for this specific school, the teachers had to have experience in a teaching environment for several years first). When you homeschool, you can help your children to see that just because everyone else is doing it, it doesn't mean you have to. They have plenty of opportunity to communicate with other people (there are plenty of co-ops that provide friends and activities). And homeschooled children rank much better on tests than public schooled children (and these are not tests that parents grade). Just a few things.

As a public school teacher, I have had several students in my classes that have stopped homeschooling and have started public education. After seeing the incredible struggle these students had trying to adjust to a structured, planned, social learning environment, I would not suggest homeschooling to anyone. One year, I had a 10 year old boy, who could only read a few words at a mid-kindergarten level due to the lack to instruction that was supposed to take place at home. This poor boy could not sit in a chair for more than a ten minute span, did not know how to walk down the hallway in a line, did not raise his hand in class and truly struggled socially because he was so ackward due to the severe lack of socialization. I am sure that there are some parents out there who do do a decent job educating their children, but I personally, after 25 years in education have not seen evidence of this. A child who has only the experience of learning at his/her kitchen table a couple hours a day will suffer greatly when he/she does need to learn to socialize and work with others either in a college setting or in an employment setting.

I really don't know the ins and outs of home education or the requirements needed. I feel that social interraction would be a huge problem for me if I kept my children strictly at home, unless you include activities to get out with other children. The children might be ostracized by their peers if they are not part of the group. I think it could really only work if you have the discipline to carry this out, maintain a productive schedule and a suitable learning environment. If someone is that worried about the public school system and I would urge parents (if possible) to spend the money and send them to an excellent private school. There the curriculum and level of achievement is much higher than in public schools. Most important, there they can meet and make friends. I believe that is so very important.

Pro- Go at own pace, control what to learn Con- No socializing, may not learn what is important, only one point of view for everything

I wanted to hire a pro to teach my children, but she wanted 250 dollars an hour. When I tried to hire a con, I was told that the parole officer had to come with him. From my experience as a teacher, home schooled students do very well academically. A friend of mine kept his children home until the eighth grade. They excelled academically. His wife was a certified teacher who had taught in a private school. However, he did admit that they were somewhat behind socially. This could be the only negative. I think children do benefit being around those who they might never associate with. It is a mixed bag, but there are plenty of opportunites to mix with others, and it is hard to compete with such a great teacher to student ratio. Beyond, a certain level, though, it does become difficult for the parent. Learning becomes more and more specialized as the child gets older.

My only problem with home schooling(my son's wife home school's there kids), is social interaction. I worry my grandkids are not getting enough social time. They get some at their church,but I feel they are a little sheltered.. My daughter in law has some college,but no degree.. I guess you have to get the program from the state in which you live in. ps.. the kids are extremely bright. .Started reading at a very young age..