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Home schooling grows in popularity

From The Bluegrass Institute

Many parents who are dissatisfied with the poor quality of public education have decided to take matters into their own homes. According to the U.S. Department of Education, the number of home-schooled students across the nation grew by 29 percent between 1999 and 2003.

Concerned parents have good reason to home school their kids. Home-schooled children score an average of 80 points higher on SAT results than kids in public schools and 70 points higher than children attending private schools.

During the 1980s, most home schooling families were white Christians. Now, parents of all different races, religions and socioeconomic backgrounds are taking advantage of this viable alternative to poorly performing public schools. In fact, blacks now comprise the fastest-growing segment of families who home-school their children.

There are many good reasons why the popularity of home schooling is at an all-time high and growing.

For one, home-schooled children are in demand by prestigious colleges and universities. College administrators know that children taught at home generally are high achievers and will be among the best students on their campuses.

An increasing number of Kentuckians also are now home schooling, which is one of the few alternatives to our state’s mediocre public-education system. Kentucky lacks school-choice legislation that allows for the creation of charter schools, open-enrollment policies or voucher options enjoyed by parents in most other states.

The popularity of home schooling in Kentucky – 12,075 children were home-schooled in our state during 2004 – indicates that a growing number of parents are losing confidence in our state’s public-school system.

Critics argue that children taught at home are not “normal” and have trouble adapting socially. The evidence says otherwise. Home-schooled kids have generally higher test scores and are at least as prepared for college and life in general as kids in the public-school system.

Sources:

“Laws govern home schooling” by Nancy Rodriguez, (Louisville) Courier-Journal

“School's in … the home” by Cheryl V. Jackson, Chicago Sun-Times

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