Public school vs homeschool, what are the pros and cons of
each. How does one decide which option is the best for his or her child(ren).
In this public school vs homeschool post we will look at some of the pros and
cons of each as well as some questions to ask and things to consider when
making the decision about where your children with gain the best education.
Obviously there is not one right answer and the decision will have to be made
on an individual basis. One child may thrive in the public school environment;
the interaction, competition and insight that comes from learning in a group of
peers is exactly what some people need. For others this type of environment is
intimidating, scary, and very stressful.
Public School vs Homeschool
We are not going to give you some big generic list of what
is better about public school vs homeschool or vice versa, simply because there
is no list that would be true for everyone and because every public school and
homeschool differs based on resources, staffing,
funding, etc. Deciding the
pros of public school vs homeschool for your child will depend on a number of
factors. How does your child do in a group of peers, how does your child
respond to instructions from adults, does your child do well following
instructions and completing a task on his/her own or does he need constant
attention and help to complete a task? For a child that does very well
following directions, interacting with peers, and has some motivation for self
learning, a public school may very well be a good fit. He will have many
opportunities to interact with many other children, will be able to learn
things from each of these interactions, and may even be spurred on in his
learning by the competition of doing as well as the child sitting next to him. Another
advantage of public school is that a child often has the opportunity to help
other children. He learns to recognize situations in which he can help and he
learns to be a leader and teacher by helping classmates,
teachers, or other
students attending the same school.
For the child that is very timid and does not do well in a
group setting, the pros of a homeschoolsituation may outweigh those of a public
school. Sometimes shy children get lost in the shuffle of a public school
setting. He or she may be too scared to ask for help or clarification if he
does not understand an assignment or lack of communication between parents and
teachers may not make it clear that he is struggling in a particular area. Some
children are very intimidated by other children and will not make an effort to
try something they are interested in because they are worried about what others
will think. For these children being in the comfort of their own home with one
on one instruction and no comparison to other children can make a world of
difference in how well he learns.
Some other pros of public school, which vary from school to
school based on the area, funding, and staff that works at the school, may
include having trained professionals that are directly involved in your child's
education. Teachers are often trained to look for and recognize learning
disabilities or even gifted students early on and the school may have special
programs to help accommodate these special needs, whereas a child that is being
homeschooled may have a disability that is overlooked and/or may not have
access to the knowledge, resources, or equipment needed to help the child with
his special needs. Another pro of public schools compared to homeschool is that
they have professional resources like counseling, free meals, and special
educational trips, for those that qualify, that a child being homeschooled may
not have access to.
Assessing the needs of your child, to the extent possible,
will help you decide what the possible pros of public school vs homeschool is
for your child(ren). Meeting the teachers, talking to some of the parents in
your neighborhood, and learning about the technology and educational programs
at the local public school will all play an important role in your decision.
When considering homeschool be realistic about your expectations. How much
time, money, and dedication do you have to helping your child succeed?
Homeschooling can be a very positive and rewarding experience but it takes a
lot of time and dedication. Be sure to take into consideration your child's
social needs, college plans, and personality to make sure that the pros of
homeschooling are in the child's best interest both now and long term. For a
long time homeschooling was seen in a negative light because too many parents
were keeping the kids home to help with chores, younger children, or for other
reasons and were not providing the child with the education he/she needed.
These students were then at a huge disadvantage in regards to jobs, higher
education, and social skills.
There is no one right answer that fits every child or even
one family. You may have one child that excels in a public school setting and
one that does not. Or you may have a child that does very well in a homeschool
situation when he is young but then desires the interaction of others as he
grows and matures. Be flexible in your education choices. Reevaluate the needs,
progress, and skills of each child regularly and do what is in the best
interest of the child. Don't do something just to make a point. If one
situation is not right for your child, work to find one that is better.
No comments:
Post a Comment