Homeschooling vs. Public School

I came across an interesting discussion on Amazon of all places regarding homeschooling versus public school. A person on there came across this topic on another forum and saw this statement:

“By the way I am a teacher ,I had to study years of child development and psyc ,as well as subject material ,how everyone now thinks they can home (aff) school is a joke.Even Judge Judy asks what university did you graduate from ?when someone says they home (aff) school.How do they feel so qualified!”

Now, Madison attends a private school, so this question doesn't quite apply to me. However, to each their own. Seriously. I'm not a fan of our public school whatsoever. I lucked out that I did find a private school that we do like that Madison is excelling in. I'd love to know your thoughts on this topic!

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Lisa Martin

In April 2006, Lisa began blogging to stay connected with distant relatives and friends. As she delved into blogging, she discovered the potential to assist others by sharing her experiences. Lisa has actively engaged in numerous exclusive media ventures. Notable among these are her participation in events such as the Sony Mommy Bloggers Event, the Pampers Mommy Bloggers Event, the Epson Event in Chicago, the Stouffers Event, a memorable yacht excursion with Lands End, collaborations with 1-800-Baskets, an exclusive tour for bloggers by Mrs. Prindable’s, partnerships with Hallmark, PopCap games, Chicago Cubs Mastercard Priceless Events, and Rug Doctor. In addition, she has collaborated with Nutrisystem on a weight loss initiative, teamed up with Buick and Chevy, and served as a brand ambassador for Sprint. Lisa's collaboration portfolio also extends to Disney, where she has participated in press trips for significant movies such as Frozen, Guardians of the Galaxy, McFarland USA, The Good Dinosaur, The BFG, and Cars 3. Notably, for projects like Frozen, The BFG, and Cars 3, she was granted the privilege of walking the red carpet and conducting interviews with celebrities. The impact of Lisa's blog has gained recognition, with The New York Times referencing her content. Moreover, she has been featured in interviews by respected publications such as the Southtown Star, The Chicago Sun Times, and inside.

This Post Has 22 Comments

  1. 9to5to9

    It's very tempting to pick apart the grammar and sentence structure of the person who's citing Judge Judy to attack home schoolers, but that would be mean of me!

    I've considered homeschooling – I'm aware of the problems with public schools but, on the other hand, I'm also deeply sympathetic with the teachers' plights. My youngest starts kindergarten in August, and he can read. We met a kid his age recently, though, who can't even hold a crayon. How the heck do you manage that classroom?

    Instead of homeschooling, though, I heavily supplement public school because I know deep down that I don't have the patience. Besides, my oldest in particular would kill me in my sleep if he had to stay home all day. He's a really social kid. And we've been lucky to live so far in districts with excellent schools. We'll see what the next base assignment brings, though.

    I fall into the "to each his own" category as well. I know home schooled children who do very, very well. A 4-year-old in my youngest son's karate class, for example, can count to 100 and do basic addition. That meets first grade standards in California. On the other hand, I know of at least two instances where there was very little "school" in home school. Neither was an unschooling situation, either. I suppose that, just like school in a building, there can be widely varying degrees of quality in home school as well.

    1. Lisa

      I know the feeling! I considered picking that apart too. 🙂

      I also think Madison and I have too much of the same personality to do any sort of schooling together. We would kill one another. 🙂

      I'm very happy with the private school we picked out for Madison. She is doing well there and I think it's better than our local public school.

  2. Rebecca

    That teacher's remark is a perfect example of why homeschooling is superior to public schooling. Apparently, the teacher does not take into account the millenia of homeschooling and education BEFORE the education industrial complex was crafted (in reference to the teacher's boasts about courses in child development and psyc, etc). So every human being educated before (and to be educated after) this tiny, narrow strip of time when teachers received indoctrinated training is not "properly" educated. That's a very narrow, uneducated, unhistorical opinion (as well as faulty).

    I suppose it may be useful, in such a situation, to inspect evidence and facts to see which form of education is best, homeschooling or public schooling. HANDS DOWN and historically factual, homeschooling provides brighter, more educated, more socially-mature students.

    I will say that public school employees have a vested interest in condemning homeschooling and elevating their public schooling methods– and that interest is monetary.

    I will also say that parents have a vested interest in condemning public education and promoting homeschooling– and that interest is their children.

    So you tell me what's better!

  3. Loretta

    I very seriously considered home schooling for some time, but then like you I decided that my kids and I would probably kill each other by the end of the day.

    I've had my share of problems with the public school system over the past 7 years and have seriously reconsidered homeschooling. However, my kids are at the point where they are way beyond anything I ever learned in school… (another problem with public schooling LOL)

    While I don't think that all homeschoolers need to have multiple degrees and a background in education, I do believe that it takes a certain kind of person with a lot of discipline.

    Home schooled kids is most cases exceed the education of public school educated kids, they go on to college sooner, graduate sooner, and often get higher paying jobs.

    I personally admire any parent that has successfully been able to work homeschooling into their lifestyle… and that's truly what it is, a lifestyle.

  4. Lori Grear

    As someone who has homeschooled my children, (my oldest straight into college in what would have been her junior year of high school), I would argue that a GOOD parent can educate their children far better than a GOOD teacher. There are BAD parents out there, and, I must say, BAD teachers.

    A good parent understands child development, grasps the different learning styles of their children and has a solid handle on child psychology (the "teacher" should have written psych if she was going to abbreviate, but that is another paragraph).

    My children are now 24, 19, 17, 16 and 8. The 3 youngest all attend public school now, (we moved to a more rural area where the school standards are much higher than where we lived originally), and in this place they are heads-and-shoulders above their classmates not only academically, but in terms of maturity.

    All of my children do volunteer work, all are involved in numerous athletics and extra-curricular activities. They are sought after by adults who are looking for dependable, hard-working, responsible helpers. Homeschooling by a good parent did that.

    In their classes now they are not pushed or challenged. Because they do well, they are simply allowed to sit and stagnate. Because they are not loud or 'in need' of attention, they get none, despite the fact that they all have GOOD teachers.

  5. Alaina

    I home school my three oldest kids and although I do have a degree, it has nothing to do with my ability to home school. I do think parents that set out to home school should ensure they are dedicated to the time and effort it requires and I do think that it is not for everyone. However, home school kids can accomplish so much more in less time than in a public school. They receive one on one attention and can go through a subject as fast or as slow as needed as compared to kids in public school that must stay with the "norm". My son is a couple grades ahead in reading, spelling, etc but a tad behind grade level in math. They all have strengths and weaknesses and home school allows parents to compensate for those differences. In a regular school he would be completely bored in some subjects while he may have struggled in others. You also have to remember that we are held accountable for what our kids learn. Most states require testing every other year or so, so these home school kids can not just sit around and not learn anything. The parents would be held accountable if the kids were falling behind grade level. The internet has many reports and research studies that have been done to show the benefits of home schooling.

  6. See, one main difference between homeschooling and public schooling is, homeschoolers aren't trying to mass produce future worker bees. So we are able to tailor our approach to best suit teacher and student. That is a luxury that public school teachers just don't have. As such, we are able to find resources that not only helps our children learn the subject materials, but often teaches us how to teach them. In my experience, homeschoolers spend a great deal more time researching and reading about methods and ways of teaching, then your average teacher in public school. JMHO, as a homeschooler, but in my reality it seems my college degree has little to do with my ability to teach my children. 😉

  7. ?????

    Great Post. Thanks for the share!

  8. 401k Advisor

    We began homeschooling about 4 years ago…best decision we ever made. Our children came alive.

    The first year was a little difficult for my wife, but now, she is in a groove and the children are too.

    In every area one could possibly measure, the children seem to be thriving.

    I will say this. When a homeschool parent is a good one, it can be the best thing in the world. If, however, the parent is not a good one, it could probably be the worst thing one could do to a child.

  9. Ash

    If a child is homeschooling, still he can grow great and can get success. Online education these days have made it so easier to study without the very need of teachers.

  10. Cindy

    I'd just ask why I should listen to someone who thinks Judge Judy is an authority on education.

    And do you really expect a school teacher to admit that it doesn't take a school-teacher to educate a child?

    1. Aaron

      I guess JJ is reasonably educated herself, but I find her unreasonable when she puts on imperious airs over people who show illiteracy in their speech and conduct. JJ really needs to start criticizing the education authorities for such failures.

      And that school teacher just high-lighted her own lack as a teacher in her self-righteous rant. She reminds me of the many arrogant teachers I've met and experienced; the "I'm obviously intelligent because I'm a teacher" types.

      Good luck, good people of America!

  11. Stacie

    I won't bash public school because some of them are pretty good. I have had several problems with our public school. They do great teaching academically as my son made great gains but they are not meeting his special needs the way they should and I as a parent feel they are ignoring my concerns. I am seriously thinking about homeschooling as my son is very highly stressed at the mention of school. He only attends gym as they wanted him to have good feelings well they added 15 minutes with the special ed teacher to his day and it sent him on a melt down so bad that he didn't go to school. How can a kid have good feelings if they aren't listening? Sorry guess I am letting out my frustrations too.

    1. Aaron

      Your case is a tricky one, and I don't have ready answers. Yours is a case in which it seems that a parent might be the best teacher. But that's where it might be tricky because the very act of sitting with him for a learning session might just be an underscoring of the lack he's already been made to feel.

      Maybe computer based tutorials might help, because there's no actual person present to suggest (whether verbally or non-verbally) that he's no good; that he'll never get it. The CBTs can be played and replayed without anyone getting impatient, and he can go at his own speed.

  12. Stella Evans

    It's quite interesting to talk about this topic because I really believe that everyone has their own skills for everything, which is also important to identify in each children and people who choose this option of study, what is good for one is not good for another.

    Difference like children who have no problems socializing and those who have trouble controlling the stress that can be generated in a conventional school … it all depends. But in regard to my view of the skills in homeschooling depends on how good your agent or professor is and the interest that wakes up in the student and for this there are good tools to guide them both (student and teacher).

  13. Emily

    I'd just ask why I should listen to someone who thinks Judge Judy is an authority on education.

    And do you really expect a school teacher to admit that it doesn't take a school-teacher to educate a child?

  14. Mike Lee

    Home vs. public debate is a never-ending one. We have 3 kids and they go to public school, yet, we spend about 5-6 hrs a week working on a supplemental materials that we select.

    Important thing with public schools is the social aspect. Kids have to learn and gain experience through interactions with other kids. Otherwise, one day, when they grow up, they may have issues with socializing and communicating.

  15. Eva

    As a homeschooling mom of 1 six year old who is very advanced by over a grade level and 1 three year old who can count to 100, recognizes and reads numbers, tells time, and reads on a first grade level, I can say homeschooling works. You have to be dedicated to education to make it work. I have a BA in English and I am in grad school as well; however parents who are not qualified can use a box curriculum. I have met many teachers who made poor grades in school. In addition, 1 on 1 or 1 on 2 or 3 learning surpasses 1 teacher to 30 students.

  16. Jeanette

    I am not a university trained teacher either, but I homeschool. I do use K12, an online curriculum, and the help of the school district's online program. I wanted a bit more, so I started a blog called Ancient History for Homeschool. I use it for my own children to add to their history studies. There are links in it to other sites, for further study and there are simple review questions that can be used as writing prompts as well. I would love for you to visit it and let me know what you think.

    As far as the naysayers go, there are always so many of them, no matter what we do, so for those who do want to homeschool – GO FOR IT!

  17. Anna

    I'm 16 years old and have been homeschooled my entire life. I will be the first to admit that it is not for everyone. Like someone said in one of the above comments, not everyone has the patience for it, and, honestly, if you want to homeschool productively, you need to have a gift for teaching. Not a degree mind you, but a gift for teaching. I know so many parents who just send their kids to a two-times a week co-op for all their classes and never bother teaching them anything themselves. This=bad homeschooling methods.

    People say that we aren't socialized. Really? i supposed that it is true for some families. The majority of us are quite normal and socialized and unlike most public school counterparts, can relate to kids AND adults in civilized conversation. How do you also explain this: I am out of the house five nights a week most semesters. I have youth group, bible study, 4H, dance twice a week, college courses, I attend a homeschool co-op once a week, I have a regular babysitting job as well as a part-time job at the library, I did Toastmasters, I'm a part of a honor society and I used to play soccer as well as basketball. I have 200 friends on facebook.

    1. Jeanette

      Anna is right, homeschooling isn't for everyone, but it can be a great thing for a lot of people. I homeschooled my son for 3 years and now he is in a small private school that is totally fabulous. My 12th grader is finishing up school this year, at home and is planning on being a chef. She has it all planned out. She left public HS to homeschool, in 10th grade. Within the first few weeks of homeschooling, she told us she hadn't learned anything at HS, she couldn't believe all the information she had missed and she has never looked back. 🙂

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