Salacious tidbits from “Revisiting the common myths about homeschooling”

Read an interesting article for my S-005 research project on motivation behind home-based education.  Below are the parts that personally interested me.  You can go look up the article if you’d like.

Myth #1: “Homeschooling produces social misfits”

Reality:  Given that socialization is defined as a “process whereby people acquire the rules of behavior and systems of beliefs and attitudes that equip a person to function effectively as a member of a particular society” (Durkin, 1995), homeschoolers on the average (1) are involved in 5.2 activities outside the home with 98% engaged in 2+ a day, (2) are exposed to a wider variety of people and situations, (3) have self-concepts that are comparable and usually stronger than that of children from conventional schools, and (4) are found to be significantly better socialized and more mature than public school counterparts.

Favorite takeaway quote: “Homeschooled [adolescent] girls did not typically lose confidence in themselves when their ideas and opinions were not embraced by their peers” (Romanowski, 2006, p. 126).

Myth #2: Homeschooling fails to prepare good citizens.

Reality: From survey of 7,300 homeschool grads (5000+ homeschooled 7+ years)

• 71% of homeschool grads (HG) participate in ongoing community service activity compared to 37% US adults of similar ages.
• 88% of HG are members of an organization compared to 50% US adults.
• HG more likely to contribute money to a political party or work for a political party or cause.
• 76% of HG between 18-24 years of age voted in a national or state election within the past 5 years compared to 29% of relevant US population.
• HG more likely to have participated in a protest or boycott, attended a public meeting, written or telephoned a public official, or signed a petition.
• 0% unemployed or on welfare
• 2/3 of surveyed population are self-employed

Bottom Line: Homeschool grads are actively involved in the political process and are more engaged as citizens compared to the general US population.

Myth #3: Students who are homeschooled have difficulty entering college

Reality: Homeschoolers generally score at or above the national average on standardized tests.  Universities and colleges recognize that they are prepared for the academic rigor of college life.  Additionally, leadership skills are substantially higher than their counterparts from private/public high schools.  Finally, they exhibit a strong work ethics and high moral values.

Myth #4: Most people homeschool only for religious reasons.

Reality:
Homeschool movement began in the 70s as a liberal alternative to public education.  There are usually 2 categories of homeschoolers: idealogues and pedagogues.

“Public schools do not, cannot, and probably should not be expected to meet the needs of every child in the community.  Instead, parents, schools, and the community need to work together to educate all children, no matter what form of education parents choose” (Romanowski, 2006, p.129).