Homeschooling on the Rise: Why and How

Homeschooling is the fastest growing education form in the U.S. that is now bordering on mainstream.

Homeschooling statistics suggest that parent-led home-based education can be superior to public education if done right.

Highlights of Homeschooling Statistics in 2023 (Latest U.S. Data) 
From article by Laurel Davidson, Parenting Mode, 10-2-23

1.  There are 3.7 million homeschool students in the U.S.
2.  The top reason for homeschooling is a concern about school environment.
3.  Homeschool students outperform institutional school students academically.
4.  48% of homeschooling households have three or more children.
5.  The average cost of homeschooling is $700-$1,800 per student annually.

Homeschooling surged during the pandemic. As schools reopen, many parents continue to educate their children.
From article by Carolyn Thompson and The Associated Press, 4-14-22

The coronavirus pandemic ushered in what may be the most rapid rise in homeschooling the U.S. has ever seen. Two years later, even after schools reopened and vaccines became widely available, many parents have chosen to continue directing their children’s educations themselves.

Families that may have turned to homeschooling as an alternative to hastily assembled remote learning plans have stuck with it—reasons include health concerns, disagreement with school policies and a desire to keep what has worked for their children.

MORE ABOUT HOMESCHOOLING & RESOURCES

Gino and I homeschooled our youngest daughter from 5th grade to graduation.  She attended our local Santa Barbara City College, made her selection of classes and chose not to strive for a college degree but preferred to take the entrepreneurial path.  She is now enjoying the benefits of taking her own path, developing her expertise in her niche of wellness, and frankly being paid very well for what she enjoys.  She is now married and they are raising their son with a lot of quality time due to their self-employment and flexible schedules.

During her homeschooling we were able to take educational trips together as a family and enjoy vacation during non-peek times because we had that flexibility to choose when and where we could be while continuing her schooling.

The experience was priceless, and memorable!  We have photos and videos to look back on and custom books published to further protect our treasured memories.

Our youngest daughter's dominant personality style, according to the D.I.S.C. model of human behavior, is I/S. She is reserved yet social. A relationship builder through a calm and steady mode of operation. 

Homeschooling is not necessarily best for all, and that's ok too!

Our eldest daughter attended our local Santa Barbara City College for two years, then went on and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Communication at Wheaton College in Illinois.  She is a musician, songwriter, and some even refer to her as a "comedian" because she's so "entertaining" lol.  She is also a co-host for a community radio station in Nashville, TN.

Our eldest daughter's dominant personality style, according to the D.I.S.C. model of human behavior, is D/I.  She is outgoing, fast paced, and very social.  She is also a relationship builder, yet through avenues that are more public and higher volume of interactive activity.  

Gino and I also hosted many international students at our home, predominantly young college women of the ages 17 years to 28 years old.  We have hosted over 80 students from various countries and cultures. They came to learn conversational English, and through our private conversations we have learned much not only about them personally, but we have identified the common denominators for self-confidence, inspiration, and success.  As their "American family" we have enjoyed following their social and vocational development.

From these experiences, Gino and I are excited to encourage others to homeschool and create your own homeschool community for a healthy, safe, and fulfilling experience for your child/children.  And if homeschooling is not what you choose at this time, we encourage you to strive for enriching their schooling with programs that will build their soft skills for success: communication skills, relationship building skills, time management, financial management, real life survival skills.  These are the skills that will sustain them through life. 

Consider the craziness we face today in our world: the rise in youth suicides, the rise in depression, the rise in violence and crime.  Yet we have a hope that surpasses fear, and this hope will not disappoint us, because we trust in God who loves you and your children beyond our comprehension - and He has a plan and purpose for your child.  Turn to Him for guidance and direction, and for help.  Help will come in different forms, so be open to recognize help.  It can be through resources, through other people, a change in environment, a relief in circumstances, an undercover angel?

It is vital that our children are set with as firm foundation as possible to withstand the current pressures they are facing.  Pressures include social pressures and influences that seem to seek to destroy individuals and the family unit, or separate them from their support systems.  Parents must stand firm and fight for their children.  You are designed to provide and protect your child, and YES! you have all you need to start homeschooling or enrich the current schooling he/she is receiving now. 

We are continuing to develop more to serve and your feedback is much appreciated.  Testimonials are awesome.

Here are some resources that we have available for you:

• FREE TIP SHEET to START HOMESCHOOLING in Santa Barbara.
  It does include national resources as well.  Click Here  to get this free resource.

• FAMILY DISC Package  (D.I.S.C. assessments for all family members)
  Click Here to learn more.

• 1-on-1 Strategy Session for MOMs  ($297)   coupon: Mom1 (50% one time)
  Click Here to learn more.
  

• Communicate to Connect for Parenting Excellence
  with High Performance Coach, Gordon MacFarlane, and Sandy Goe
  Sign Up for exclusive Pilot Program on Saturday Dec 9 2023 10AM-12PM PST

More resources via Focus on the Family

Home school is difficult to define because it takes on so many different forms. Some home school families literally create their own curriculum and find nontraditional means to educate their children that range from creative to out-and-out strange. Other home school families purchase and use services or packaged curriculums that are highly regimented and structured. Still others use blends of various techniques including the ones already mentioned.

Above all other education methods, home schooling requires the most from parents. Their involvement is key to success and is often intense and challenging. Commitment level, available time, and teaching skills are significant factors to be considered before parents begin home schooling. Today’s marketplace provides unprecedented support for home schoolers, making this option more feasible than ever.

One of the major objections to home schooling is a supposed lack of socialization of children. This objection is based on the observation that children who spend most of their time at home do not have daily interaction with their peers like their institutional counterparts. Supporters of home school point out that there are many relational alternatives to six-hour days at school and they have taken action to intentionally provide their students with activities that include most, if not all, of the options available to students in more traditional schools.

Today, home schooled children participate in athletic teams, academic competition, band, and the like. They also enjoy freedom to learn through experience and real-life interaction such as travel, field trips, and internships. Progressive home school practices have all but debunked the socialization objection.

Generally, in academics home schooled students compare favorably to their public- and private-schooled peers. But the variance between students can be great. The key is a skilled parent-teacher who is up to the task and who utilizes available resources to maximize the opportunities.

In the past, home school families were on their own and had to create or discover curriculum and material for instruction. Many families still opt for a homegrown approach, but there are many excellent home school organizations that provide curriculum, teacher training, parent and student support, and even cooperative learning programs. Some you can research include Alpha Omega Publishers, Sonlight Curriculum, K-12, A Beka, and Bob Jones Home School for curriculum, and for local home school associations for direct connection and support.

Home school families have complete latitude to provide religious instructions without limitation. Successful families have a good plan, good support, and a passion for their work. The keys are intentionality and sufficient knowledge to lead a long-term education process.

Trends in home school include the following options:

1.  Home school/public-school blends. Many public schools allow students to enroll in selected classes. Typically, these are math and science classes that require higher skilled teachers or special facilities.

1.  Home school/private-school blends. Many private schools offer similar services as public schools. These services may include offering home school families with a la carte classes that require more teacher expertise, a group environment, or perhaps lab facilities.Other private schools utilize a home school blend in order to expand student population without adding facilities. An emerging program called University Model Schools, for example, is an intentional home school/private school blend that specifically assigns education curriculum to both the home and classroom. This approach is intended to create a college-like setting that uses both self-study and classroom instruction.

1.  Home school associations. These are best described as cooperatives in which parents collaborate to provide education collectively to their children. The variations in associations include parents teaching a particular discipline to a group of students and pooling their time and talents to organize field trips, sports leagues, music programs, and other group events. Essentially, they strive to provide the services normally found in an institutional school.Often these home school associations use church facilities. For example, on most Thursday mornings if you walk into New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado, you’ll find yourself in the middle of a throng of elementary-age children. They will be working on art projects, writing stories, participating in plays, moving from classroom to classroom, and engaging in multiple learning activities. You are not walking into a private school; you have arrived on the day when the local home school association meets. It is a chance for collaboration and fun and learning on a major scale. Think of it as an educational swap meet.

1.  Virtual Schools. Many children are being taught at home via computer and with curriculum that is controlled out of a central facility. They have instructors, assignments, and other activities much like a classroom setting, but their classroom is in their home. Parent involvement in such programs is significant, but not as much as other home school methods. Virtual schools can be private schools or even charter schools providing services into the home. The common denominators that define virtual schools are the central importance of the computer as the learning and interaction tool, and the centralized control of assignments by the virtual school operator.

1.  Home school curriculum providers. There was a time when homes choolers were left on their own to create a curriculum. Some still opt to do it themselves, but it’s no longer necessary. There is a variety of for-profit and not-for-profit companies that develop curriculum for use by home schooling families. The approaches are wide-ranging. Typically, these programs provide all of the material and instructions a family needs to create a robust home education program.

Pros of Home Schooling

• Flexibility with curriculum. It can be tailored exactly to what your child needs.
• Increased “face time” with your children.
• Daily opportunities to incorporate spiritual/biblical material.
• Flexibility with sports, arts, music, etc.
• Have better control over peer influence.

Cons of Home Schooling

• Usually there is a greater demand on the parent’s time.
• Increased expense if you’re not using the state-provided curriculum.
• Special activities may require more effort to pursue.
• Students may not be exposed to “expert” teachers.
• Home schooling may require that a portion of your house be devoted to a school room.

Adapted from Handbook on Choosing Your Child’s Education, a Focus on the Family book published by Tyndale House Publishers. Copyright © 2007, Focus on the Family. All rights reserved. International copyright secured. Used by permission.

Focus on the Family is an excellent resource for every season a family may face.  We highly recommend subscribing to their newsletters and age-specific email deliveries.  Their website:  https://www.focusonthefamily.com/

We hope that you have been encouraged through the information and resources shared in this blog.  Please please let us know your thoughts, input, questions, biggest concerns for your children/teens/young adult.  We are here to support you!  ~ Sandy & Gino Goe

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