| "Home Schooling - Look Before You Leap" | | | | intensity based on individual circumstances, but |
| Are you considering home schooling your children? | | | | can be overcome through local support groups |
| While you may have focused on the advantages | | | | and educational resources. |
| of this form of education, take a moment to | | | | Expertise in each subject area and the art of |
| think about possible disadvantages of home | | | | teaching are among the biggest disadvantages in |
| schooling. Consider the demands of home | | | | home schooling. Certified public school teachers |
| education before you take the plunge. | | | | take several courses on teaching methods, |
| Answer the following questions with "yes" or "no" | | | | strategies, and learning disabilities. Heavy content |
| to see where you stand on readiness to home | | | | area specific classes are taken as well. |
| school your children. | | | | In addition they must pass the Praxis examination |
| 1.) I am available to stay home and commit many | | | | and adhere to state standards before they can |
| hours to not only instructing my child, but | | | | teach in the public school system. As a home |
| researching subject material, curriculums, and | | | | school parent, you are not required to go through |
| assessments. | | | | these rigorous courses and examinations. |
| 2.) I have effective teaching skills and know how | | | | Therefore, you must be honest with your self |
| to guide my child through the learning process. | | | | and accurately assess your abilities. |
| 3.) I convey accurate subject material. | | | | Time is another factor. Although home schooling |
| 4.) I understand the academic needs and abilities | | | | schedules are flexible, the academic work must |
| of my child. | | | | be accomplished one way or another. It is up to |
| 5.) I can provide activities for my child to | | | | you as the parent to keep the learning train |
| participate in that work on their socialization skills. | | | | running and productive. |
| 6.) I fully believe in home education and hold | | | | Lastly, you will need to deal with people that view |
| responsibility for my child's education. | | | | home schooling as a lesser form of education. |
| If you answered "yes" to all these questions then | | | | You will need to stick by your choice and feel |
| you have tackled the major disadvantages of | | | | confident that you are doing what is best for |
| home schooling. These disadvantages vary in | | | | your child. |