Myth Busters
MYTH
Homeschooling requires unyielding daylong devotion.
Homeschooling requires unyielding daylong devotion.
REALITY
While homeschooling requires time and devotion, the education can be safe, sincere, nurturing and highly effective without requiring an unyielding burden on the parents or child. The “One House on the Prairie” perception, although still possible and effective, doesn't reflect today's reality. Busy single parents, in fact, are homeschooling their children, as are fathers. Also, struggling learners and children who learn differently are succeeding academically, often better than their counterparts in public schools.
While homeschooling requires time and devotion, the education can be safe, sincere, nurturing and highly effective without requiring an unyielding burden on the parents or child. The “One House on the Prairie” perception, although still possible and effective, doesn't reflect today's reality. Busy single parents, in fact, are homeschooling their children, as are fathers. Also, struggling learners and children who learn differently are succeeding academically, often better than their counterparts in public schools.
MYTH
Homeschooling only occurs at home.
Homeschooling only occurs at home.
REALITY
Home is, indeed, the foundation for learning, where the student begins to receive the necessary rock-solid confidence to excel. Yet, homeschooling is far from confined to the home. There are classes and education co-ops available to attend, along with clubs and sports to join, plus a host of other activities that promote interaction and synergy among homeschool students and families.
Home is, indeed, the foundation for learning, where the student begins to receive the necessary rock-solid confidence to excel. Yet, homeschooling is far from confined to the home. There are classes and education co-ops available to attend, along with clubs and sports to join, plus a host of other activities that promote interaction and synergy among homeschool students and families.
MYTH
Homeschool students lack social skills.
Homeschool students lack social skills.
REALITY
Quite the opposite is true. Widespread national studies find that homeschool children are better socialized than students from public and private schools. Having children at home, where the family can be their major influence rather than peers, socialization becomes overwhelmingly positive. Add the fact that there are plenty of opportunities for homeschool children to interact with one another and the myth of poor socialization is easily dispelled.
Quite the opposite is true. Widespread national studies find that homeschool children are better socialized than students from public and private schools. Having children at home, where the family can be their major influence rather than peers, socialization becomes overwhelmingly positive. Add the fact that there are plenty of opportunities for homeschool children to interact with one another and the myth of poor socialization is easily dispelled.
MYTH
Parents without a strong academic background cannot teach their children.
Parents without a strong academic background cannot teach their children.
REALITY
Parents and students effectively learn together. Parents need only an enthusiasm for learning along with a commitment to make the effort. Statistics show that a parent's level of education has no influence on how well their children do in home education. By virtue of grade-specific online resources, DVDs, the Florida Parent Educators Association, local support groups, certified teachers, homeschool classes/co-ops, plus county school boards and virtual education programs, ample assistance is available.
Parents and students effectively learn together. Parents need only an enthusiasm for learning along with a commitment to make the effort. Statistics show that a parent's level of education has no influence on how well their children do in home education. By virtue of grade-specific online resources, DVDs, the Florida Parent Educators Association, local support groups, certified teachers, homeschool classes/co-ops, plus county school boards and virtual education programs, ample assistance is available.
MYTH
Homeschooling doesn't involve the county public school board.
Homeschooling doesn't involve the county public school board.
REALITY
Every county school board has a homeschool liaison and resources to answer questions. Also, the FPEA has relationships with each school board statewide. The school boards are responsible for monitoring homeschool progress and offer a virtual education program and actual classes. Students can take up to three such classes, essentially going to school part time, and still be considered homeschooled.
Every county school board has a homeschool liaison and resources to answer questions. Also, the FPEA has relationships with each school board statewide. The school boards are responsible for monitoring homeschool progress and offer a virtual education program and actual classes. Students can take up to three such classes, essentially going to school part time, and still be considered homeschooled.
MYTH
Children never ask to be homeschooled.
Children never ask to be homeschooled.
REALITY
Some don't ask — they beg. Children will make the request for several reasons, including because their friends are being successfully homeschooled, they want more personal attention and the freedom to pursue their true academic passions, and they feel safer in a nonpublic environment. Public schools and traditional private schools aren't for everybody. Especially as they get older, many children realize that fact and seek out an alternative.
Some don't ask — they beg. Children will make the request for several reasons, including because their friends are being successfully homeschooled, they want more personal attention and the freedom to pursue their true academic passions, and they feel safer in a nonpublic environment. Public schools and traditional private schools aren't for everybody. Especially as they get older, many children realize that fact and seek out an alternative.
MYTH
Homeschooling is not the place for struggling learners or children who have difficulty learning?
Homeschooling is not the place for struggling learners or children who have difficulty learning?
REALITY
Children who learn differently make up a steadily increasing segment of the homeschool population, as is the case with special needs' children. While traditional schools are set up to service the needs of the general public, or the masses, home education can be tailored to personalize the learning process. Simply, compare a class of five struggling learners to a homeschool class of one that also has the benefit of focused dedication and numerous support resources.
Children who learn differently make up a steadily increasing segment of the homeschool population, as is the case with special needs' children. While traditional schools are set up to service the needs of the general public, or the masses, home education can be tailored to personalize the learning process. Simply, compare a class of five struggling learners to a homeschool class of one that also has the benefit of focused dedication and numerous support resources.
MYTH
Homeschoolers can't play on public-school sports team.
Homeschoolers can't play on public-school sports team.
REALITY
Homeschoolers can play on those teams. Florida passed the Craig Dickinson Act in 1997, which allows homeschoolers to participate in sports programs for public and private schools. (This provision is the same that gave Tim Tebow the opportunity to play high school sports before playing for the University of Florida.) However, before planning for your child to try out for a public school team, it's wise to meet with the school's athletic administrators to clarify any possible misunderstandings.
Homeschoolers can play on those teams. Florida passed the Craig Dickinson Act in 1997, which allows homeschoolers to participate in sports programs for public and private schools. (This provision is the same that gave Tim Tebow the opportunity to play high school sports before playing for the University of Florida.) However, before planning for your child to try out for a public school team, it's wise to meet with the school's athletic administrators to clarify any possible misunderstandings.
MYTH
Homeschool doesn't prepare students for college.
Homeschool doesn't prepare students for college.
REALITY
Yes, it does. And quite effectively. Major universities now actually reserve a certain percentage of their enrollment solely for homeschoolers, because they know those students know how to study and are typically more self disciplined and well rounded than their counter parts in public school. On the college-entrance Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT), homeschoolers score 67 points above the national average, and homeschoolers outperform all other students on the ACT (American College Testing). Further, 68 percent of U.S. universities now accept parent-prepared transcripts.
Yes, it does. And quite effectively. Major universities now actually reserve a certain percentage of their enrollment solely for homeschoolers, because they know those students know how to study and are typically more self disciplined and well rounded than their counter parts in public school. On the college-entrance Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT), homeschoolers score 67 points above the national average, and homeschoolers outperform all other students on the ACT (American College Testing). Further, 68 percent of U.S. universities now accept parent-prepared transcripts.
MYTH
Religion drives homeschooling.
Religion drives homeschooling.
REALITY
Although many homeschoolers do educate their children at home because of their religious beliefs, most manage to also give their children a well-balanced education. Along with the religious instruction, their children learn about other subjects and explore other ideology.
Although many homeschoolers do educate their children at home because of their religious beliefs, most manage to also give their children a well-balanced education. Along with the religious instruction, their children learn about other subjects and explore other ideology.
MYTH
Homeschooling isn't “normal.”
Homeschooling isn't “normal.”
REALITY
The truth is that homeschooling families are as average and mainstream as public school families. Just like most families, they love one another, respect society's laws and traditions, and enjoy socializing with their neighbors. In fact, homeschoolers come from all over the country and from a wide range of political, religious, philosophical and socio-economic groups. The two common threads among homeschool parents are a lack of trust in the public school system and a desire to spend more quality time with their children. More than 2 million children are homeschooled across the United States, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and government statistics show the number of new homeschooling families is rising approximately 20 percent each year.
The truth is that homeschooling families are as average and mainstream as public school families. Just like most families, they love one another, respect society's laws and traditions, and enjoy socializing with their neighbors. In fact, homeschoolers come from all over the country and from a wide range of political, religious, philosophical and socio-economic groups. The two common threads among homeschool parents are a lack of trust in the public school system and a desire to spend more quality time with their children. More than 2 million children are homeschooled across the United States, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and government statistics show the number of new homeschooling families is rising approximately 20 percent each year.
MYTH
Homeschooling harms public schools.
Homeschooling harms public schools.
REALITY
While schools are allocated money from the government based on their enrollment figures, the difference lost from the non-attending homeschooling students is offset by the school not having to spend money on those students. Also, homeschooling families pay taxes that support the school system, even though they aren't utilizing the school's resources. Additionally, an argument can be made that the homeschoolers are helping the school by reducing the number of children attending that school and, thus, lowering the classroom-to-teacher ratio.
While schools are allocated money from the government based on their enrollment figures, the difference lost from the non-attending homeschooling students is offset by the school not having to spend money on those students. Also, homeschooling families pay taxes that support the school system, even though they aren't utilizing the school's resources. Additionally, an argument can be made that the homeschoolers are helping the school by reducing the number of children attending that school and, thus, lowering the classroom-to-teacher ratio.
MYTH
Homeschooling parents think their children are too good for public school.
Homeschooling parents think their children are too good for public school.
REALITY
This criticism often arises from a feeling of defensiveness on the part of public school parents. Many of those same people would like to homeschool their children, but find it impossible to do so because of economics, social stigmas, low confidence in their own ability to teach their children, and lack of free time. Actually, there is partial truth to this myth. Although homeschooling parents don't think their children are better than their public school peers, they do believe the educational benefits are worth the sacrifice, monetary and otherwise, to give their children what they perceive as a better education.
This criticism often arises from a feeling of defensiveness on the part of public school parents. Many of those same people would like to homeschool their children, but find it impossible to do so because of economics, social stigmas, low confidence in their own ability to teach their children, and lack of free time. Actually, there is partial truth to this myth. Although homeschooling parents don't think their children are better than their public school peers, they do believe the educational benefits are worth the sacrifice, monetary and otherwise, to give their children what they perceive as a better education.
MYTH
My kids will just sit at home all day.
My kids will just sit at home all day.
REALITY
Homeschooling empowers families to embrace experiential learning and extracurricular activities. This provides the flexibility to take a field trip when it’s convenient or move the classroom to another setting that is relaxing and inspiring. Daily schedules can be created that enable your child to learn at a time and a pace that make the most sense given the realities of your life. By enabling you to determine the months and days your student will receive instruction, homeschooling allows you to create a truly customized school year.
Homeschooling empowers families to embrace experiential learning and extracurricular activities. This provides the flexibility to take a field trip when it’s convenient or move the classroom to another setting that is relaxing and inspiring. Daily schedules can be created that enable your child to learn at a time and a pace that make the most sense given the realities of your life. By enabling you to determine the months and days your student will receive instruction, homeschooling allows you to create a truly customized school year.
MYTH
My child won’t learn the right things.
My child won’t learn the right things.
REALITY
One of the primary reasons parents decide to homeschool is because they don't believe the public school system is teaching the right lessons and instilling the proper values. With homeschooling, parents have more control over both curriculum and specific courses. Plus, plenty of guidance is available to help with those choices.
One of the primary reasons parents decide to homeschool is because they don't believe the public school system is teaching the right lessons and instilling the proper values. With homeschooling, parents have more control over both curriculum and specific courses. Plus, plenty of guidance is available to help with those choices.
Michelle Ellis
“We gain great satisfaction from all the family time we get because of homeschooling"
“We gain great satisfaction from all the family time we get because of homeschooling"
Coming Soon. A spotlight on an FPEA-recognized group is in the works
