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The Effectiveness of Homeschooling as an Education Method

For a long time, homeschooling was considered an alternative method to traditional

schooling and was mainly done for religious or philosophical reasons. Homeschooling refers to

instructing a learner on an education program outside the traditional educational institutions.

However, with the rise in technology and the recent outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic,

homeschooling has been on a steady rise (Duvall). The main purpose of any educational

program, whether the formal institution's method or homeschooling is to effectively instruct the

learners in academic, emotional, vocational, and spiritual issues. Nevertheless, formal schools

are system-oriented with the main emphasis placed on discipline and academic excellence which

might cause the learner to feel depressed as the learning environment lacks fun and passion.

Therefore, more and more parents are embracing homeschooling as they can provide a

comfortable environment where the pupils can learn while having fun and love.
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As stated earlier, one of the main reasons why homeschooling is on the rise is the

advancement in technology which has facilitated easy and wide access to learning resources

hence improving the efficiency and effectiveness of homeschooling. The new technology offers

more professional support and learning channels that are designed for homeschool learners, for

example, Websites for Math and English modules like White Rose Math and IXL

(Wolstenholme). In the past home education had limited success since the parent or guardian

relied on their knowledge and available texts to teach which was challenging since it’s

impossible to be knowledgeable in all academic fields. On the other hand, new technology has

facilitated online learning for homeschooled learners where they can attend classes in the

comfort of their home. One of the main advantages of online learning is that it aids in entrance

into tertiary education institutions if the homeschooled learners wish to further their education.

Moreover, some traditional schools have developed online programs where homeschooled

students can enroll and learn in a form of hybrid setup. This enables the learner to have a virtual

experience of a class setting where they can interact with others virtually.

Bullying in formal institutions is also another factor why some parents consider

homeschooling a more effective and better education method. Bullying is a form of teenage or

childhood violence that is intentional, repeated, and involves aggressive behavior towards

another due to perceived or real power imbalance and can cause negative childhood experiences

and may lead to both short-term and long-term effects on those involved (Mercado et al.).

Bullying could be verbal (like teasing and name calling), social (for example, embarrassing other

students in public or alienation on purpose), and physical bullying which involves hurting other

students physically. Some categories of students are more susceptible to bullying as they may be

targeted due to their ethnic backgrounds or cultural identity. Some of the consequences of
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bullying include; anxiety, depression, cognitive disorganization, suicidal thoughts, and alcohol

dependence (Mercado et al.). Consequently, homeschooling is viewed as an ideal option to

prevent bullying, especially among vulnerable students.

Some parents opt for homeschooling after their children are bullied in formal schools.

The majority of bullying activities occur in classrooms, hallways, or sports fields away from the

parents and guardians hence it is difficult to control it entirely. On the other hand, in a

homeschooling environment, the parent or guardian can control what the child will encounter

during the entire day. Thus, homeschooling provides a safe and relaxed environment that is

conducive for bullying victims to recover from the trauma they experienced. For example, some

parents may take their children on expeditions to help them re-engage with learning even without

them noticing that they are studying (English et al.). The flexibility provided by homeschooling

is important for a child who has experienced bullying to recover academically and

psychologically.

Another key aspect of homeschooling is that it enables individualized learning. Under

home education, the parent or guardian can tailor the curriculum and teaching style to suit the

unique attributes and interests of their pupils. Learners in a homeschooling setup experience a

more intimate learning environment since they have a small student-to-teacher ratio (Eldeeb et

al.). Therefore, since the teacher spends more time interacting directly with the learner, they can

easily identify the strengths and weaknesses of the learner and embrace an effective method

suitable for the student. Also, the learner studies at their own pace and the guardian ensures that

they have mastered the desired concept before moving to the next chapter. The small student-to-

teacher ratio also improves feedback since the students can seek clarification freely if they don’t

understand a concept. One of the main advantages of individualized learning is that it allows for
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academic gaps to be dealt with immediately leading to a strong academic background. On the

other hand, in a formal education setup, it is impossible to develop an individualized learning

program for each student since several learners are taught in a single classroom. The higher

teacher-to-student ratio in formal institutions also reduces the rate of feedback from students,

especially shy students.

Under homeschooling, the learners are provided with a comfortable and controlled

environment with minimal distractions. Thus the students learn in a conducive environment

where they can achieve maximum concentration and spend maximum time studying.

Homeschooled students are less likely to experience disruptions as compared to their

counterparts in formal school set-up (Eldeeb et al.). For example, in a formal school set-up, not

all time is spent on learning or extra-curricular activities with a substantial amount of valuable

time spent on activities like lining up for lunch, listening to announcements, catching the bus,

and changing classrooms. Under homeschooling, the learner does not have to deal with the above

hence, they have more time to spend on studies in a fun-loving environment. Additionally, some

traditional schools might be overcrowded which not only stresses the child but also impacts their

academic foundation negatively.

Another factor that makes homeschooling an effective education method is parental

involvement. Unlike traditional education where the parent only offers a supportive role in their

Child's education, under homeschooling parents serve as the primary educators or decision

makers on their child’s education. In formal institutions, the teachers take both the

responsibilities of teaching and raising the children and in some instances, the parents may relax
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on their roles hence having little impact on their child’s education. However, homeschooling

increases the parent-child bond as they interact more, and the parents can influence and shape

their children’s education as they deem fit. Additionally, the parents should give proper

consideration to other aspects of their children’s development for example their emotional,

social, and psychological needs. Also, since the parent spends ample time with the child, they

can inculcate their values and cultural beliefs in their children through the learning process.

Homeschooling is also economically friendly as the learning process can be tailored to meet the

financial status of the parents. Costs such as transport fees, activity fees, and tuition fees are

significantly reduced or non-existent in homeschooling. The main costs associated with

homeschooling include extracurricular activities, parent time, and learning materials.

Nevertheless, despite all the above advantages of homeschooling, there are a few

shortcomings and criticisms of the education method. One of the major criticisms of

homeschooling is that it promotes anti-social behavior and that the learners find it hard to make

meaningful relationships in life (Wolstenholme). This criticism is based on the idea that

homeschooling removes the student away from society and only maintains a small circle of

people mainly parents. However, this is not always true as there are several extra-curricular

activities where children can hone their interactive skills apart from the formal school setup.

Having a selective group of friends for your child could protect them from behaviors gained

through peer pressure groups available in schools.

Another challenge associated with homeschooling is the lack of specialized resources like

advanced science and technology laboratories, sports facilities, certified teachers, and specialized

staff. Some science and sports equipment are too expensive or are not economically viable to be

purchased to teach one or a few students. Thus, students taught at home may lack exposure or
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hands-on experience during their learning process. Qualified teachers and specialized staff are

also crucial to the academic success of a child as they offer expertise, experience, and guidance.

In homeschooling, not all parents can afford to provide such kind of specialized instruction and

experience during the learning process.

Finally, before you decide to embrace homeschooling it is important to consider the local

or state regulations on how to go about it. Different states have different guidelines on how to

conduct homeschooling with reference to the subjects you will need to teach the student and

whether the study plan will have to be reviewed by the necessary authorities. Furthermore,

following the established regulations also helps avoid pitfalls in the future while furthering

education in tertiary institutions.

In conclusion, homeschooling is an effective and viable alternative to traditional learning

methods and its rapid rise around the globe is due to its several advantages. Some of the

advantages that have been identified include the comfortable and flexible environment where

learners can study while having fun. Other factors that have contributed to the efficiency and rise

of homeschooling include; advancements in technology, bullying, individualized learning,

economic flexibility, and parental involvement. However, before deciding whether to embrace

homeschooling or traditional institutions the parent or guardian should consider several factors

including but not limited to the student’s needs, the available resources, and parents'

involvement. The education method chosen must meet the best interests of both the parent and

child. Parents need to consider the method that conforms to their abilities and the child’s

character or special needs and psychological state. Both traditional and homeschooling methods

have both advantages and disadvantages but the preferred method should be selected with the

child’s future in mind.

Work’s Cited

Duvall, Steven. “A Research Note: Number of Adults Who Homeschool Children Growing Rapidly.”

Journal of School Choice, vol. 15, no. 2, Apr. 2021, pp. 1–10,

https://doi.org/10.1080/15582159.2021.1912563.

Eldeeb, Mena Khairy, et al. “Exploring Homeschooling: In-Depth Meta-Analysis of Its Impact on

Learning Motivation and Factors Influencing Family Choices.” International Journal of

Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, vol. 23, no. 4, Apr. 2024, pp. 432–61,

https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.23.4.23.

English, Rebecca, et al. “Deschooling and Unschooling after Experiences of Bullying: Five Parents Tell

Their Stories.” Journal of Unschooling and Alternative Learning, vol. 17, no. 23, 2023, p. 33,

jual.nipissingu.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2023/02/v14296.pdf. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.

Mercado, Melissa C., et al. “Parents’ Self-Reported Changes in Concern about Children’s Bullying—

Fall ConsumerStyles and Estilos Surveys, United States, 2020.” Journal of Interpersonal

Violence, Mar. 2022, p. 088626052210788, https://doi.org/10.1177/08862605221078810.

Wolstenholme, Neil. “Is the Rise and Rise of Homeschooling Explained by Advances in Tech?” FE

News, 14 Aug. 2023, www.fenews.co.uk/exclusive/is-the-rise-and-rise-of-homeschooling-

explained-by-advances-in-tech/.