A Family Adventure in Learning

Home education is a way of life in which the home is the center of learning. Parents who homeschool are concerned for their children's spiritual and character development as well as their social and academic welfare. Homeschooling allows parents to limit the influences of bad temptations, false teachings, and negative peer pressure. Parents can be sure their children are getting a thorough instruction in the basics without having to worry about the latest educational fad.

Home educators have a wealth of resources available to them, including the support of local groups and national homeschool associations, online services, workshops, seminars, conventions and curriculum fairs. There are several major homeschool curriculum publishers and full-service home education correspondence courses. Homeschool how-to books and home education magazines offer information and advice. A wide variety of excellent educational computer software is easily obtainable, and the expansion of online educational services will continue to be a positive development for learning at home.

The individualized attention that homeschooled children receive has many advantages over the classroom where a teacher tries to meet the needs of many children at different learning levels. Since one-on-one tutoring is more efficient, it takes less time as well. There are more enrichment activities and time to do them available for home-taught students than for those in school all day. Unlimited possibilities exist for field trips, specialized classes, and private instruction in art, music, etc.

Homeschooled children develop social skills by interacting with siblings, neighbors, friends, and relatives. They learn how to cooperate with others in scouting troops, church groups, and other clubs. Numerous studies have found that home educated children are as well adjusted socially, perhaps even more than, students in conventional schools. In fact, overly extensive peer contact during childhood can cause undesirable peer dependency. Freedom from peer pressure allows children to better relate to people of all ages and encourages self-confidence and independent thinking.

Homeschooled students as a group exceed national norms on standardized achievement tests. Colleges and universities accept home educated students and some even actively recruit such graduates because of their maturity, creativity, disciplined study skills, and independent thinking skills.

Those families who are dedicated to the idea of homeschooling are certainly not alone. Homeschooling is legal in all fifty states. Nationwide, the number of homeschoolers has grown by 25% per year, and as of 1997 there were between 900,000 and 1.2 million homeschoolers, according to the Home School Legal Defense Association.

Arizona's homeschool growth rate for the same time period was 62%. This state has the most favorable homeschooling laws in the country. Today in Arizona there are at least 20 times more homeschooled students than there were just ten years ago. At this time there are approximately 15,000 homeschooled students in Arizona, and the homeschooling movement continues to grow by leaps and bounds.

Home education, as with any major decision, should not be entered into lightly. Homeschooling is an important responsibility that requires discipline, time management, household organization, and above all, absolute commitment. Home education is a challenging, yet richly rewarding experience. Best wishes for a successful homeschooling endeavor!

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