3 of 4

Write now Article Tools

Advocates of traditional education have many critiques of home schooling. Most of these objections are thoroughly unjustified and stem more from politics than from educational philosophy. Government support of home schooling reduces the resources allocated to public education, and hence many teachers and parents view home schooling as a threat to the quality of public schools. While I understand the concerns about public school funding, I can say from experience that home schooled students in general receive a quality education. Here I present a list of myths and facts about home schooling. When the misconceptions about home schooling are stripped away, it becomes clear that home schooled students are capable of enrolling and graduating from excellent colleges.

1. Myth: home-schooled children only learn about religion.

Fact: curricula for home schooling include all the topics vital to a well-rounded education. Furthermore, while many parents home school for religious reasons, others pursue home schooling simply because they feel they can give their children a superior education by doing so.

2. Myth: home schooled children are poorly socialized since they study at home all day and don't see anyone outside their family.

Fact: there are many ways for children to interact with others. Parents who home school for religious reasons usually have their children in Sunday school or other church-related activities. Dance classes, "pee-wee" sports, and organizations like the Girl Scouts or Campfire Kids provide additional opportunities for children to develop social skills. Becoming involved in these types of activities provides kids with an opportunity for social growth while limiting their exposure to bullying, rudeness, and peer pressure. Rude, unproductive children are usually removed from extracurricular activities, but they abound in the public school classrooms. Interacting with such negative individuals is not helpful to a child's development.

3. Myth: there is no way to know if a home schooled child got a good education.

Fact: standardized tests like the ACT, SAT, and AP exams can give a clear indication of student's academic progress. Colleges can easily identify excellent prospective students, regardless of how they received their education.

4. Myth: home schooled children only learn what their parents know.

Fact: as a community college instructor, I have had home schooled teens in my math classes. Their parents clearly recognized that these kids needed additional

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Can homeschooled children get into good colleges??
We want to hear your view. Write now!