Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Education: The Homeschooling Option

Parents work and homeschool, often with mom and dad trading off hours. Determined parents do amazing things.

I disagree with you on the money part. It does require an ability to live within your means, but in many ways, home education is cheaper to a family than “free” public school.

There are no participation fees for certain activities or classes, you don’t have to go shopping for back to school clothes and be part of the daily fashion show, there’s no additional cost for school lunches, no costs for extra field trips etc.

We homeschooled all four of ours. I don’t think we ever spent more than $1500 a year total in curriculum costs. The last 2-3 years were virtually free since we already had everything.

Then, we gave it all away to others who then had free curriculum.

All four are independent and making their own way. One is an artsy-craftsy type and knows how to get by on a small income. Another just got a great job at a publishing company. One is an astronautical engineer and the fourth will begin his truck driving career in a few weeks.

It does however take a great degree of dedication on the part of the parents. It’s truly a lifestyle, not just a choice.

These statistics must be taken with at least a grain of salt. I'd be willing to bet that the parents of home-schooled children are of above average intelligence; that as a result the children are themselves of above average intelligence; and the parents were more motivated than the average school teacher.

Before I met her, my wife home schooled her children by her late husband. They are all doing well, but neither she nor they are simply average.

These statistics must be taken with at least a grain of salt. I'd be willing to bet that the parents of home-schooled children are of above average intelligence; that as a result the children are themselves of above average intelligence; and the parents were more motivated than the average school teacher.

Before I met her, my wife home schooled her children by her late husband. They are all doing well, but neither she nor they are simply average.

These statistics must be taken with at least a grain of salt. I'd be willing to bet that the parents of home-schooled children are of above average intelligence; that as a result the children are themselves of above average intelligence; and the parents were more motivated than the average school teacher.

Before I met her, my wife home schooled her children by her late husband. They are all doing well, but neither she nor they are simply average.

I agree. I’m interested in seeing a study that includes factors like educational level of parents, income, religion etc. Homeschool students should be compared with public students who are in the same segments.

I would guess that it will still show that homeschool students come out ahead, although not as dramatically. And there will be certain segments that will be further behind because they are homeschooled.

Logic would tell you that homeschooling simply multiplies both the positive and negative characteristics parents bring to the table. In addition, research definitely shows that biological parental investment at all levels is the greatest indicator of adult thriving. Even bad birth parents tend to have an advantage over good adoptive parents.