| Home schooling used to have a bad image. When | | | | generally less peer pressure, andparents can keep |
| we thinkof home schooling, we often picture with | | | | an eye on their children better than if theywere |
| fundamental rightwingers, antisocial weirdos, or | | | | off at school. |
| people too scared to let theirchildren attend public | | | | Much of the improvement in the image of |
| school. This image has beenimproving over the | | | | homeschooling canbe attributed to the Internet. |
| last several years. New curricula forhome | | | | Online homeschooling optionsprovide more than |
| schooling has come out, each provides a clearer | | | | learning or teaching aids for homeschooling |
| pathfor learning. There have been many success | | | | families. Internet-based curriculum helps |
| stories ofstudents that have come from home | | | | parentsimprove the general state of the |
| schooling environments. | | | | education they areproviding, as it can help the |
| On the other side of the fence, the quality of | | | | parents in areas where they maybe weaker as |
| public schooling | | | | teachers. |
| (in America at least) has been on a dramatic | | | | The Internet also helps overcome one of the |
| decline the lastseveral years. Standardized test | | | | maindrawbacks to home schooling, and that is the |
| scores are down, gangviolence is up, and that's | | | | lack ofsocialization. Many online home schooling |
| not even considering the schoolshootings. This all | | | | programs offergroup meetings or seminars where |
| contributes to an increasing lack ofconfidence in | | | | home school students canmeet and work |
| the public education system. | | | | together on projects. |
| Many parents are finding they can better teach | | | | If it's so great, why don't more parents home |
| their childrenat home. Using personalized home | | | | school theirchildren? There are a number of |
| schooling curriculum,parents are able to give their | | | | reasons. Many parentsjust don't have time to |
| children a better education rightin their own home. | | | | teach their children, and some don'tfeel qualified. |
| Many of the children who are schooledat home | | | | Many families need both parents asbreadwinners |
| are getting excellent scores on standardized | | | | just to make ends meet. |
| tests,with many achieving perfect scores. The | | | | While home schooling is shedding its iconoclastic |
| quality of educationis only one reason many | | | | image,whether or not to home school your |
| parents are going towardshomeschooling. | | | | children is a familydecision. You will still need to hire |
| Parents have also found that home schooling is a | | | | teachers in such areas asdriver education to be in |
| cheaperalternative to expensive private schools. | | | | compliance with state law, but mostparents who |
| There is a studentteacher ratio they can't be beat | | | | are fairly intelligent and literate can use the |
| in public or private school. | | | | helpsfound on the Internet, in books, or in home |
| Overall, many parents say they like them relaxed | | | | schoolingsupport groups to provide an excellent |
| learningatmosphere, and the ability to better | | | | education for theirchildren. |
| control their studentsworkload. There is also | | | | |