Isn’t it fun to put on a mask?! This time of year especially! At our house you just might run into Captain America, a kitty cat, or Obi Wan Kenobi! Of course, anyone who knows my kids will have no problem figuring out who is under the mask.
But it isn’t always so easy to know what’s behind a mask. And it always isn’t easy to know the truth behind a myth either. Take for example homeschooling. There are many ideas about homeschooling that seem reasonable but under closer examination prove to be merely a realistic looking mask – or myth. Here are several for your consideration:
“Homeschooled kids are socially awkward because they do not have regular exposure to children their own age.” Let’s take a look under that mask, shall we? Studies show that homeschooled kids are doing just fine socially. Dr. Brian Ray, in his research summary for the National Home Education Research Institute says, “The home-educated are doing well, typically above average, on measures of social, emotional, and psychological development. Research measures include peer interaction, self-concept, leadership skills, family cohesion, participation in community service, and self-esteem.” How can that be?! Well, Dr. Ray goes on to note that “Homeschool students are regularly engaged in social and educational activities outside their homes and with people other than their nuclear-family members. They are commonly involved in activities such as field trips, scouting, 4-H, political drives, church ministry, sports teams, and community volunteer work.”
In exploring the homeschool option for my eldest, the socialization question was admittedly one of my biggest concerns. I expressing this to a homeschooling mom and she said, “Think of it this way: Do you really want your son ‘socialized’ by a room of 20 other 5 year olds?” That’s a powerful perspective! There is a lot of “school socialization” that parents do not want for their kids. Homeschooling provides for very intentional socialization. Parents can ensure that manners and kind behavior are taught, modeled, and expected. They can facilitate interactions that foster proper socialization.
“Homeschooling shelters kids from real-life experiences.” That mask seems so realistic but taking a good look beneath the surface reveals quite the opposite. Homeschooling in many ways is more “real life” than traditional school. After all, how “real life” is it to work in an environment with 20 other people exactly your age and development? “Real life” involves many different ages and stages of people in many different types of settings and situations. This describes the homeschool experience for most students who have multiple siblings at home and many opportunities in the community.
“Homeschooled kids can’t participate in sports and other extra-curricular activities.” Besides that fact that many schools now allow homeschoolers to participate in their sports and music programs, the truth is homeschooling potentially provides more time for extras. Because kids are not in school all day followed by a regimen of homework, there is more time for activities like music lessons, library programs, community learning and service opportunities.
“What college is going to accept a student who has been homeschooled?!” Studies show that colleges are not only accepting homeschoolers but seeking them out! Jon Reider, a Stanford University admissions officer quoted in “Homeschoolers at Harvard” said, “Homeschoolers bring certain skills – motivation, curiosity, the capacity to be responsible for their education – that high schools don’t induce very well.”
Also, homeschoolers often have taken college credit courses while in high school. This gives them a taste of college so they enter better prepared, not to mention with a few credits already under their belts!
“Homeschoolers have it easy academically. After all, how many parents can really teach trigonometry?!” Let’s unmask that one, shall we? First, homeschoolers achieve 15 to 30 percentile points higher than their public school peers on standard academic achievement tests. That statistic speaks for itself! But add to that the tour de force of online education. Homeschool students can potentially access any course of study, any elective simply by having an internet connection. One resource in this regard is Global Student Network. At www.globalstudentnetwork.com, students can find 5 of the best web-based curriculum as well as hundreds of electives. The truth is homeschoolers are strong academically and online education plays a big part.
So when you see Jabba the Hutt walking down main street, you know there is a young Star Wars buff under that green, plump mask. And when you hear or read a disparaging generalization about homeschooling, you can bet there is something quite different underneath.
Sources Cited:
http://www.nheri.org/research/research-facts-on-homeschooling.html
http://www.families.com/blog/homeschoolers-at-harvard-colleges-seek-homeschoolers
Copyright © 2013 J. Hoffman / GSN
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Email: JHoffman@GlobalStudentNetwork.com