Homeschool Programs

Homeschool can be an alternative for institutional school for many reasons. It’s good to research thoroughly the effects it has on other students.

There have been 2 government statistic reports done on homeschooling. One of those was in 1999 and the other in 2003. The information I will provide from that report will be the 2003 report. Other information will be from Homeschool studies done.

First of all, the greatest lure to homeschool children is better education. The Scholastic Achievement and Demographic Characteristics of Home School Students in 1998showed that homeschooled children scored a lot more than children taught in public and catholic private schools (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b2/Homeschool_academic_scores.jpg )

The GPA of homeschooled children are generally above the national average. In 1998 the Education Policies Analysis agency (http://epaa.asu.edu/epaa/v7n8/ ) ran a survey and tested homeschool children against public schooled children. The analysis showed that the homeschooled children were almost a grade ahead of children their own age. They tested the children against the TAP (Test of Achievement and proficiency) and ITBS (Iowa Test of Basic Skills) and received the previously stated results.

Back in 1999 when the initial testing was done, the national average of homeschooled children was 850,000 students. In 2003 the number soared to 1.5 million students in the USA.

The National Home Education Research Institute surveyed homeschooled students and found that 71% actively participate in community service as to the 37% of traditional taught students. The study showed that 76% are more likely to be involved in civic affairs such as voting. The number for traditional students was 36%. When the survey asked how happy they were with life. 58.9% report that they are "very happy" with life, compared with 27.6% that made up the general population. 73.2% find life "exciting", compared with 47.3% of the general population.

Overall the statistics show most homeschooled kids get a better quality education. That is not reliant on them being homeschooled, but the parents who take the time out and teach them. Homeschool is only successful if all parties devote the time needed for a proper and quality education.