When homeschooling was still a marginal activity, parents were not interested. Now that it is acceptable and produces good results, they are willing to try it out. They have undoubtedly been influenced by the good press that homeschooling is receiving. Journalists have pumped out a steady stream of articles exploring this intriguing new educational phenomenon, noting the advantages of one-on-one instruction, mastery learning, and parental involvement.
When a home schooler won the Scripps-Howard National Spelling Bee in 1997, parents of children in traditional schools began to wonder if their children were really getting the best education possible. By the time home schoolers won first, second, and third place in the 2000 Spelling Bee, and the winner also took second place in the National Geographic Bee, the rush was on.
Now, parents come up with different reasons to homeschool their children. The most common reasons include the following:
• Public schools do not effectively educate children today.
• Negative peer pressure at school contributes to a hostile learning environment.
• Public schools use teaching materials that conflict with a family’s beliefs and values.
• One-on-one tutoring is a more effective teaching and learning method than large group learning.
• Homeschooling is God’s will for their family.
• Homeschooling is less expensive than private schooling.
Whatever their reasons, there are three attributes that sucessful homeschooling parents share:
• Desire to homeschool
• Ability to read
• Time to spend with their children