Frequently Asked Questions on Homeschool Education Practicum

What are the everyday nuts and bolts? How do you do it?

When faced with the success of homeschools and the profound privilege to educate one's own child, some parents become interested in the possibility of home education. But what are the everyday nuts and bolts? How do you do it? Here are the answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions regarding home schooling.

NASHVILLE, TN (Catholic Online) - When faced with the success of homeschools and the profound privilege to educate one's own child, some parents become interested in the possibility of home education. But what are the everyday nuts and bolts? How do you do it? Here are the answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions regarding home schooling.

What about socialization? Since it is always the first question "inquiring minds" want to know, this is surely the most important function of institutional school. Homeschoolers are rarely asked how they will teach kids to read, solve equations, or use the scientific method, so presumably they can be trusted to convey these important skills. The comprehensive answer to "socialization," however, can be found here.  Why do you homeschool? Most do it because it is proven to be the most effective form of educating children.

Isn't the education level of homeschooling inferior? Two decades of empirical evidence show that the exact opposite is true. Homeschool student achievement test scores are consistently well above those of institutional school counterparts, public and private. One-on-one instruction is the most effective form of teaching. No matter how capable a government school teacher is, he cannot provide daily one-on-one instruction.

Isn't the claim that homeschooling is better pretty elitist? If the assertion that spinach is nutritionally superior to a Big Mac is elitist. It doesn't mean one can't enjoy a Big Mac, it just means one doesn't want to make it his primary dietary staple. Is it legal? Although laws and regulations differ from state to state, homeschooling is legal in all 50 states.

How do homeschool kids play sports? Many homeschoolers are part of umbrella schools that coordinate standardized testing, keep track of records, and provide a variety of competitive sports teams. In addition, Catholic schools often seek homeschoolers for their teams, especially those affiliated with parishes. 

Can homeschoolers get into college? Many excellent universities court homeschoolers and develop admissions requirements specifically for them. SAT or ACT test scores and transcripts of completed work are usually required; beginning early in 9th grade, parents should take detailed notes and begin researching the application requirements for the schools their student is considering. Most universities accept any student with 12 community college credits.

How do you teach the higher maths and sciences? Among the resources available are: purchased curriculum with teaching videos, correspondence courses, co-ops or cottage schools with other homeschool parents in the area, local community college, tutors or tutorials, and online classes.

How do you afford all the different homeschool materials? On average, most homeschool families spend between $300 - 600 per year. Between Amazon.com used books, the local library, public school resource centers, eBay, and Craigslist, many never spend more than $200 for an entire year of curriculum. This is far less than the special fees, supplies, uniforms, tuition and other costs of institutional schools. Each year, plan to buy one expensive item such as a good quality microscope. Consider your most important needs and buy those first, remembering that multi-level curricula often saves you money over the years.

How do you know how they're doing? How do you know if your child is healthy on a daily basis? Homeschool parents are intimately involved with their children every day, and are aware of the weaknesses and strengths of each individual student. When children struggle with a concept or technique, parents are available to offer concentrated, specialized help until they have mastered it. Standardized tests are (arguably) a good barometer of basic achievement levels.

What if my child's current school or teacher discourages homeschooling? Homeschooling can be off-putting for professional educators, some of whom have only ever seen failed or negative home school examples that do a dreadful disservice to children and thankfully return to the public arena. But it can also offend those who were educated under the current institutional system; one necessarily feels some loyalty to any endeavor he spends the first half or more of his life pursuing. One should not take it personally.

Doesn't removing homeschool kids damage government schools? Parents are regularly told that reducing class sizes increases the effectiveness of instruction; removing children from the government schools reduces class. Private schools also remove students from the public system, but are not criticized. Finally, legalized abortion removes more children from institutional education than either. Doesn't homeschooling children drain funding from government schools? Homeschoolers pay taxes, yet do not use the public system. Therefore they add to the funding pool without using the services.

What if I'm not a teacher? A significant proportion of homeschool parents are, in fact, teachers or former teachers, but studies show that children with conscientious parents who have never obtained a teaching certificate actually do better on standardized tests than those of parents who have. Many teachers report that the environment and philosophy of the homeschool is so vastly different that they regard their training as more of an impediment than a benefit. How do homeschoolers get the special opportunities that public school children get? Home education offers children an education uniquely tailored to ability, skill, interests and need. The enrichment possibilities are literally infinite, and the flexibility inherent in home education provides abundant time to concentrate on special needs or prodigious abilities or interests.

Won't I be tied to my home? One of the greatest perks of home education is its flexibility. A broken leg is no obstacle to education in a home school. Accidents or handicaps, inattentiveness or hyperactivity, physical, mental, or emotional challenges are all easily and effectively addressed on a daily, hourly basis, whether during formal instruction time or unstructured learning. Although structure is almost always necessary for home school effectiveness, field trips, doctor's appointments, vacations, grading and planning are all done at the family's convenience rather than an institution's. How do you to teach multiple children at once? While one student works on math, another works on handwriting. Children learn to work independently and save questions until the parent is free to attend to them. Some subjects are easily taught to the whole group, even when they are at different levels - science and history, for instance. Preschoolers love listening in, and clamor to "do school" when they see older siblings working.

What if I don't have the patience? For Christian parents, children and family are the path to sanctity. One does not always have enough patience. Parents often find that they are learning this important social skill along with their children, and that they have about same level of patience with school work that they typically have with children, or house or yard work. Love teaches patience. Doesn't it take a lot of time? What about planning and time management? It does take time. But no more than the 40-hour school week, hour or two of nightly homework, and extra-curricular activities and sports that students and parents of institutional schools already spend. The first year is usually the most time-intensive as the parent develops instruction and organizational plans and routines. It might be necessary for everyone to drop unnecessary outside activities until the routine is easy and comfortable. Like everything else, housework and dinner should be a family affair so that everyone has free time, and early bedtimes or rising times contribute to parents' mental health. A tidy house and family dinner can be the rule, not the exception, although visitors may be so astounded by the number of books one owns that they never notice the dust on the piano. For students, buy a student planner for each child and write his assignments in for the week.

How do you make kids do their school work? The same way you "make" them take a bath or feed the dog. One who creates an interesting homeschool curriculum full of living books and resources has absolutely no difficulty motivating students to work. It is part of the education mandate to make learners rather than information consumers. When the work is dull, keep assignments short or subjects blocked. A child is created with the desire to learn and improve himself for his good. Homeschooling emphasizes and nurtures this bent while teaching the child to accept and practice discipline as a way of life. How do you homeschool with young children? Homeschool while holding the baby on the lap. Take advantage of nap times. Give young children their own school box and fill it with things they are only allowed to play with during school time. When the toddler needs attention, attend to the toddler. That's what family is about. Older children work independently most of the time. If there is a serious problem, cancel school for the day and revise the week's schoolwork schedule.

How do you know WHAT to teach? Research or buy grade-level scope and sequences online.

Can both parents work and still homeschool? Parents forced into the workplace find free daycare in the public school, it is true. But many working homeschool parents alternate work schedules and share teaching responsibilities. Some have work-at-home arrangements, find flexible part-time employment, or run their own businesses. With organization and serious commitment, both parents can work, although two full-time jobs make it very difficult. Usually for one parent, though, the job and the "stuff" can wait; children can't. It is definitely a sacrifice, but worth every second.

Don't you ever just get too tired to homeschool? Of course. Sometimes it is the parent, sometimes the student, but when one truly needs a break, one should simply take a break. February and March are consistently the times when everyone in education, whether public, private or home school, is sick of school. How do I know which curriculum is best for my family? There is a saying in the homeschool community, "You won't ruin them in one year." Much of home education is an experiment the first year or two. Curriculum manuals abound and can be helpful, but word of mouth is often the very best way to gauge the tone and feel of a course or curriculum. First curriculum choices are often made based on what parents remember from their own education and the strengths and weaknesses they discern in their students. If a curriculum is not working, sell it on eBay or Amazon.com and try another.

What do I do when my student doesn't "get it"? If a student is not ready for a concept, for whatever reason, he is simply not ready. First, research learning styles and different ways of presenting the concept online, then re-present the material. If he is still not "getting it" move on to something else and come back to it later. Often frustration arises when one attempts to force an issue or loses his temper. Remember that home education allows great flexibility to go at the student's pace. It is sometimes the parent who rushes the child in an effort to accelerate him and appear an exceptional teacher and parent.

How do you cover everything? Homeschooling covers an unbelievable amount of work in very little time, but ultimately one can never cover everything there is to learn or that is important. Education is about inspiring children to a lifetime of learning and teaching them to think independently. One covers what is important, and anticipates a lifetime of opportunities to learn more.

Don't they get bored staying home all the time? Children need time for extravagant outdoor exploration. Some parents deliberately remove media simply to create "boredom" and force the creativity that automatically ensues.

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Sonja Corbitt is a Catholic speaker, Scripture teacher and study author, and a contributing writer for Catholic Online. She is available to speak on the New Feminism, current events and your preferred theme. Visit her at www.pursuingthesummit.com for information and sample videos.

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