Home schooling, also called private education or home schooling, is the schooling of school-age children in a private or domestic setting other than the traditional school. Private or home school education varies from allowing parents to teach at their own discretion to an instructor-based system that provides standardized tests as well as state-administered curriculum. In recent years, many public schools have adopted a similar program. Home schooling is an education program that has grown in popularity over the past decade and is now offered by some states in the U.S.A. as a choice for students.
Homeschooling differs from public schooling in several ways, with the primary difference being the amount of time and cost involvement. Public schools require daily attendance, and many also require uniforms and state-mandated activities. Parents who choose homeschooling have to dedicate a large amount of time to both the schooling of their child and the care of household chores. In addition to these responsibilities, homeschooling parents may also be required to contribute towards their child’s educational costs. In many cases, public schools are unable to offer financial assistance to families who opt for homeschooling.
A number of factors are involved in homeschooling. One of the most important contributing factors is the type of educational program that is undertaken. Homeschooling differs significantly from traditional public schooling, in terms of curriculum and teaching methods. Some common characteristics of the curriculum used in homeschooling include Christian, English, Math, Science, History, and Home School Standards.
In most instances, formal schooling is not required for a child to receive a diploma from a homeschool program. A clear understanding of the Learning Consistency Model is necessary for homeschoolers, in order to know when a child has received adequate academic instruction in a particular subject area. A clear understanding of the framework within which these standards are applied is required for homeschoolers to correctly judge their child’s progress in completing courses.
The most effective way for homeschoolers to learn is through the use of a combination of traditional, unschooling methods and natural learning. Natural learning involves the interaction of children with the environment in which they live. In this manner, children learn through observation, imitation, trial and error, and interactive learning experiences. An important factor that encourages self-directed learning is providing children with an environment that fosters a feeling of autonomy, independent thought, and responsibility.
Parents interested in homeschooling their children may choose from a wide variety of curricula offered by various institutions, including: John Holt Homeschool, Crest Parent Education Center, and International Learning Institute. The National Association of School Psychologists offers an accredited National Standards for Kindergarten. The National Standards for Grading Independent Behavior is an alternative to the traditional National Common Standards for Mathematics and Science. These are two of the most recognized and used curricula that have helped make homeschooling popular among parents.