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Homeschool vs Public or Private School: The Results

One of the first questions parents ask about homeschooling is: Does it work? They know the public schools have problems, but they wonder if they can do any better. Maybe, they say, we should try a little harder to afford private school. With something as important as their child's education at stake, they're understandably cautious.

But there are numerous, quality studies that show that homeschooling on average produces superior students. Part of that effect might be explained away by noting that parents have an effect on education no matter what route they take. A parent genuinely interested in the education of his or her child helps motivate the student, producing better results.

But there are enough cases, in a great enough variety to account for even that variable. And the bottom line remains: homeschooling is best.

According to one study sponsored by the U.S. Dept of Education, homeschool student test scores were 'exceptionally high'. The median scores for every grade were much higher than those of public and even Catholic or private school students. The average homeschooled student in grades one through four were a grade level above their peers. By the time they reached the equivalent of 8th grade, they were four years ahead of those who attended public school.

Part of those results are the consequence of the public schools doing a very poor job, not just that homeschooling does better. But homeschooled students typically surpassed even private schools.

And costs were lower, too. Government schools spent on average $6,500 per student per year, private schools only $3,500. Homeschoolers spent just shy of $550 per student per year. Naturally, that last number doesn't factor in the hours a parent spends for free that a teacher would be paid for.

The public school system evolved in the second half of the 19th century as state after state made attendance compulsory. If they had a superior value to offer, one wonders why they had to force parents to put their child in a public school.

One could argue that it was the ignorance of rural parents who didn't see the value of education. Yet, illiteracy rates in 1840 Massachusetts were a low 2% of adults. By 1995, the figure was 19%, despite enormous advances in the technology of delivering materials. Libraries in 1840 were very rare, now they are everywhere. Books are inexpensive and easy to trade.

Over a million children are homeschooled in America every year. Thousands have attended colleges and universities, in many cases the most prestigious and difficult at which to be accepted. In homeschooling there is an absence of the peer pressure that mocks those who display an eagerness to learn. Instead, there is an interested parent or tutor who encourages the best within the student.

The results are in. Homeschooling works, superlatively.