Home schooling versus public schools, which is better and for whom?
The question to be dealt with is, home schooling versus public schools - which is better? Studies show that home schooled children have significantly less behavioral problems than their public schooled peers do. Though there is no one definite, answer that is suitable for all concerned it is important to compare the two methods of education and reach a conclusion, which is best for those concerned.
To begin with, home schooling does have an advantage in shielding the child from the adverse effects of peer pressure and its resulting problems. From kindergarten to high school children are faced with choices that they are forced to make to be part of a group. From seemingly insignificant choices like preferring a cartoon character over another to obviously serious ones involving drugs and alcohol, physical intimacy with the opposite sex and even neglecting studies, effect a child’s thinking pattern and personality. While public schooled children are exposed to these pressures on a daily basis, a student who is homeschooled can be provided with a strong foundation where the child is made aware of the consequences of these choices before being exposed to them. In short, home schooled children are more likely to develop a strong sense of self as opposed to their public schooled counterparts.
Additionally, the student teacher ratio in a public school can never match a home school environment for the sheer economical failure of the aspect. Most public schools have a single teacher to care for a class of many students, which results in lack of attention given to each child. On the hand in a home schooled environment a child gets the undivided attention of the parent/teacher and thus is able to overcome and comprehend academic issues at a deeper level as well as a faster pace.
The high student - teacher ratio provided in a home school environment looks beyond the average style of teaching and allows the student to re-do certain aspects of the study or race through others, which are easily understood by the child. A specific child oriented pace of study is an option available only by home schooling. Children do not feel humiliated if they find a concept difficult and are thus able to have their problems solved and move on more confidently.
Similarly, a child who is capable of grasping at a faster rate is not taxed by being forced to follow an average speed of study. Therefore, for both the fast-paced student as well as those that have a slower learning style, home schooling is definitely a much better and effective method of teaching as opposed to public schools.
The answer to home schooling versus public schools, which is better, is definitely not a universal one, yet for a certain section of students, it is obvious that they will thrive better in a home schooled environment. For example, The Grace Academy , listed at eLearningYellowPages.com directory of accredited homeschool curriculum and home schooling programs, says that its target consumer is the child with special needs. As stated before the child who is clearly, not an average student benefits greatly by following a home schooling program. Due to the various teaching aids as well as self decided pace of study the home schooling method is highly recommended for the child with special needs.
Another example are those students who have dedicated their time to pursuing a particular sport at a professional level, or work as actors or entertainers, find that home schooling caters to their need of academic education while at the same time allowing them the liberty to invest a large chunk of their time into practicing their sport, or working as an actor or entertainer. Since home schooling does not require a physical attendance at a scheduled time, it is easy for these students to schedule their study hours at a time suitable for them. Being able to study as well as practice their game or art is a convenience allowed by home schooling for those students who find it impossible to do so while being enrolled in a public school.
Home schooling versus public schools, which is better for whom is the question. The student with special needs of course benefits from these programs but the parents also stand to gain. Not only are these programs available at affordable prices but since they are interactive and provide tutors on various subjects parents find then easy to follow. They are able to monitor their child’s education and stay abreast of the student’s everyday growth rate. Since the parent is the teacher it is easy to identify the areas where the child excels in as well as those where a push is required. Having made this identification it is easy for the parent to guide the student to perform better academically. Apart from brushing up ones own knowledge database, the satisfaction of having invested well in the child’s growth is a thing of pride for the parent.
Though the debate of home schooling versus public schools will continue forever, it is clear that for certain groups of students home schooling is the only answer while for others too the scales seem to tip in favor of home schooling. Today various accredited institutes like Alpha Omega Publications , MorningStar Academy , and many more providers of high quality accredited homeschool curriculum and home schooling programs, offer academic education for the distance learner. These programs are specially designed for the home scholar and thus adopt effective methods of online interactive education. A complete comparison can be made between the various institutes offering home schooling by visiting the free web directory of accredited online programs at eLearningYellowPages.com.
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