| Numbers don't lie, and a variety of homeschool | | | | public school system and have decided to give |
| information show the positive impact that | | | | homeschooling a try. First, make sure you |
| teaching your kids at home can have. Let's | | | | understand your particular state's rules regarding |
| consider some of these numbers. | | | | homeschooling. It's important that you follow |
| First, you should know that in 2007 (that last year | | | | these rules to the letter, because there are a lot |
| we have for these numbers), approximately 1.5 | | | | of anti-homeschooling forces that would love to |
| million students were taught at their own homes. | | | | shut you down. Make sure you're following any |
| This was a 36 percent increase over the previous | | | | state-prescribed curriculum and if your state |
| numbers in 2003. We can estimate that today, | | | | requires any kind of certification, that you or your |
| that number is approaching 2 million students. | | | | tutor has it. |
| Why such a startling increase? Although there are | | | | And don't assume that because a friend in one |
| almost as many reasons as there are students, | | | | state told you something is required that the |
| the most common reasons can also be | | | | same holds true in your state. There are vast |
| determined by currently-available statistics. The | | | | differences from state to state. For instance, in |
| Department of Education reports that 36 percent | | | | Florida, parents can homeschool, but there is a |
| of students have parents who are concerned | | | | direct reporting requirement. This includes an |
| about giving their kids moral or religious instruction; | | | | annual evaluation of their children's progress, given |
| 21 percent are concerned about peer pressure or | | | | by the local school district. |
| drugs in public schools. About 17 percent said they | | | | In other states, such as California and Alaska, |
| were dissatisfied with the academic instruction | | | | there are even homeschool public schools and |
| available at public schools. And 7 percent of | | | | homeschool charter schools. These are |
| parents said they were interested in a | | | | homeschooling families who enroll their students in |
| nontraditional education method. | | | | state-approved classes, but they allow their |
| What's more, it's likely that the government is | | | | students to take these classes in a |
| actually underestimating the number of | | | | distance-learning context. |
| homeschooled children. This is because in many | | | | So the point is to educate yourself about your |
| states, there is no requirement for the parents to | | | | state's requirements before you try to educate |
| report on their children's progress. The official | | | | your kids at the kitchen table. |
| government numbers vary from year to year, | | | | There are many good reasons to consider |
| but regularly show something like 2 or 3 percent | | | | homeschooling your children. There are also a few |
| involved in homeschooling. In reality, though, this | | | | negative aspects. But if you ever find yourself |
| number could easily be as high as 5 or even 6 | | | | wavering, not knowing whether to take the |
| percent. If it is this high, this is a mind-blowing | | | | plunge or not, take a look at the recent |
| number! | | | | homeschooling information and statistics. They |
| So let's say you've gotten discouraged with the | | | | just might settle the matter for you. |