HOMESCHOOL.net

Motivations

Individual motivations to home-educate, home education methods, and academic and social results of home education are varied, and are the source of vibrant debate. Proponents of this educational alternative invoke parental responsibility and the classical liberal arguments for personal freedom from government intrusion. Some proponents advocate that home education should be the dominant educational policy.

Most home education advocates are wary of the established educational institutions for various reasons. Some feel that they can more effectively tailor a curriculum to suit an individual student's academic strengths and weaknesses, especially children who are gifted or have learning disabilities. Others are religious conservatives who see non-religious education as contrary to their moral or religious systems. Still others feel that the negative social pressures of schools, such as bullying, drugs, school violence, and other school-related problems, are detrimental to a child's development. Many parents simply like the idea of teaching their own children rather than letting someone else do so.

In the United States, reasons for homeschooling vary; religious concerns are an important, though not overwhelming, factor. According to a 2003 U.S. Census survey, the parents of 33% of homeschooled children cited religion as a factor in their choice, 30% felt the regular school had a poor learning environment, 14% objected to what the school teaches, 11% felt their children weren't being challenged at school, and 9% cited morality [7]. In 2003, the reasons most frequently reported by parents for homeschooling were: concerns about the school environment (85%); a desire to provide religious or moral instruction (72%); and dissatisfaction with academic instruction (68%)[8].

Options which make home education attractive to some families also include:

• Allowing a longer exploratory play-oriented childhood, encouraging the development of rich imagination and pre-academic skills which can foster later academic success

• Allowing each student to work at his or her own pace, enjoy family vacations, and integrate outside activities or current events into subjects they are studying

• Incorporating religion, ethics, and character topics not included in most school curricula

• Including non-traditional curricula and unusual subjects such as Latin and Greek

• Giving extra weight to subjects of particular family interest such as art, music, or business

• Adapting educational practices for children with learning disabilities or illnesses

• Providing a legal option for families who wish to abstain from mandatory immunizations.

• Providing consistency in education for families that travel or move frequently.