Home-schooling in the modern world: Success of home-schooled children

Seattle Times ^ | November 29, 2005 | Shaunti Feldhahn

[Lorianne]

Like many critics, I used to feel vaguely sorry for home-schooled kids. What a shame, I thought, that they might be deprived of the well-rounded education and social skills to become integrated, productive members of society. I never thought to question why cafeteria food fights or the predatory pack habits of teenage girls would be better for molding productive members of society.

This uninformed, critical opinion lasted precisely until I met my first home-schooled children several years ago. Within one month I met five home-schooling families, and their 13 children were among the most polite, well-adjusted, socially adept and academically advanced kids I'd ever seen. Being home-educated seemed to have given them a confidence and maturity — and yes, social skill — far beyond their years. They had many friends, but didn't seem dependent on their peers for approval — a far cry from what I remember as a kid.

I've since learned that these kids were not the home-schooling exception but the rule, which makes me wonder how anyone could look at the data and say it deprives kids of anything. In a landmark study by Dr. Brian Ray of the National Home Education Research Institute, among 7,000 young adults who had been home-schooled, 74 percent had attained some college courses, compared with just 46 percent of other young adults — and 82 percent said they would home-school their own kids. On the social front, almost twice as many home-schooled adults as those in the general population were active in their community (71 percent to 37 percent) and "very happy" with life (59 percent to 28 percent).

In 1998, a Home School Legal Defense Association's study of 20,760 home-school students found that: "In every subject and at every grade level (on standardized tests), home-school students scored significantly higher than their public and private school counterparts." Younger home-schoolers performed one grade level higher than their public and private school counterparts, and by eighth grade, "the average home-school student performs four grade levels above the national average."

Obviously, home education doesn't fit every family. But the evidence makes me think it's the kids who aren't home-schooled who may be missing out, not the other way around.

[RFEngineer]

"The home school kids far outperformed the others on a standardized test of social maturity"

How many frat parties did you have to go to to complete this research?

[shekkian]

That 9th Circus Court ruling concerning that sex survey for grade schoolers was enough to convince me that home schooling is the way to go.

[RFEngineer]

"Your comment makes absolutely no sense. I'll just ignore it."

Then please get outside help when it comes time to teach your kids statistics - you're going to need it.

[Aquinasfan]

I never thought to question why cafeteria food fights or the predatory pack habits of teenage girls would be better for molding productive members of society.

At least she had the integrity to face the truth.

Homeschooling for six years, and I don't care if my kids ever go to school or college.

[Aquinasfan]

Keep your children well socialized and in extracurricular activities such as music or (might I suggest) JUDO (for self-defence and discipline) for example

8-) My kids are in the church choir, and we've just begun teaching ourselves judo/karate, although I'm getting too old for body slams...

[Balding_Eagle]

Drivers of BMW have less fatal accidents than drivers of Beetles. With a BMW you drive less aggressive!?

That's a nonsense conclusion.

The obvious conclusion is that driving in a BMW is a safer than driving in a Beetle.

You could benefit from some homeschooling.

[ImaGraftedBranch]

My home-schooled 17 year-old just received a FULL-RIDE Scholarship. He will be on a fast-track program to get his Masters in Mathematics in 4 years from a prestigious university internationally renowned for their math program.

I have had it with the anti-homeschooling movement. They don't care about the children.

[TomSmedley]

"The home school kids far outperformed the others on a standardized test of social maturity"

How many frat parties did you have to go to to complete this research?

Zero. I garnered my subjects at AWANA meetings and home school roller skating parties.

[wintertime]

Three of my four children were completely homeschooled:

All 3 entered college at the ages of 13, 12, and 13. All had completed all levels of college Calculus by the age of 15.

Two graduated from university with degrees in mathematics by the age of 18. One, now 20, finished a masters degree in mathematics. The oldest of the three was a mere 13 courses short of a degree in accounting, at the age of 19, before taking a 2 year church assignment in Europe. He returned home recently and in now fluent in Russian. We can forgive him for being slightly behind his siblings. He is an internationally and nationally ranked athlete.

All three are accomplished ballroom dancers. Two of the three had actively participated in politics. All are active in their church. All are volunteers in some charitable activity. All sang in their church and college choirs, and continue to sing in church today. All play a musical instrument.

They have many wholesome friends.

Hey,,,,and my kids are normal homeschoolers. None of them won a spelling or geography bee, or published a New York Times best-seller.

[MHalblaub]

MHalblaub
"Drivers of BMW have less fatal accidents than drivers of Beetles. With a BMW you drive less aggressive!?"

Balding_Eagle
"That's a nonsense conclusion.

The obvious conclusion is that driving in a BMW is a safer than driving in a Beetle.

You could benefit from some homeschooling."

Your obvious conclusion is wrong.
Home-schooled?
You need to know the total number of both cars or better mileage to decide which car is safer. If you got 5 times more accidents with Beetles but there are 10 times more Beetles than BMW the Beetle is safer in some kind.

I was well aware the conclusion out of the Beetle -BMW comparison was nonsense. Just like the deduction out of the statistics about homeschooling.

[traviskicks]

ping

[John O]

Where around in central IN. I've got a 5 year old daughter who will be going to kindergarten next year. Love to homeschool but am now a single dad so I've either got to work and public/private school or homeschool and starve.

[Okies love Dubya 2]

In Southern Indiana I've clashed with 3 different school systems and found all lacking. The first -when our daughter was in the second grade wasn't too bad, but the other two were horrific.

---

Could you tell me what school systems? We might move back that way in the next few years (my in-laws live in the south central part of the state, about 30 miles from Louisville)

You can use FReepmail if you don't want to publish the names on here.

[SiGeek]

You obviously have every right to be critical of the statistics. However, if I were you I would at least make a cursory effort to be informed first so as not to appear ignorant. The data you seek is readily available. One of many sources is the 1997 study by Dr. Brian Ray of NHERI. This study shows that the superior test scores of home-schooled children were virtually independent of the level of education of either parent (incredible!), independent of parental certification (what does that say about the "trained professionals"?), independent of state regulation (suprise, suprise), and independent of minority status. There was a difference based on gender, however. The reading scores of males were lower than those of females, but by a smaller margin than public schools.

[arizonarachel]

we can say with full confidence that we will never regret our choice to educate our children this way.

If my husband and I have children, we have already decided to home school them, and I know that we would also not regret it. I think it's a great way to raise your children, if you are able to.

[kimmie7]

Happy Homeschooler BTTT

[bearsgirl90]

Thanks for the "bump". What a great article!

[Tired of Taxes]

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