There are many interesting things about homeschooling in the USA. Did you know that it is now legal in all 50 states? It’s a good choice for many families. It’s less expensive than traditional schooling, and it helps kids mature. However, it is important to remember that homeschooling is different from traditional schooling.
Homeschooling is legal in all fifty states
It is possible to homeschool your child in all fifty states, but the laws for homeschooling vary from state to state. Some states have very strict laws that restrict homeschooling, while others have few or no requirements at all. Most states fall somewhere in between. For example, in New York, you have to give notice to the state of your intention to homeschool your child and report on progress every three months.
It took a few decades for homeschooling to become legal in all fifty states. By the early 1980s, around 200,000 families were homeschooling. As the movement gained momentum, most states passed or discussed laws to make homeschooling legal. The work of several organizations helped create this enabling environment. For example, NHERI, a nonprofit organization dedicated to studying homeschooling, provides statistical data and scholarly articles about homeschooling.
It is popular among minorities
Many minorities are experimenting with homeschooling. For example, Tanya Sotelo, a Latina from eastern Los Angeles, is homeschooling her son. She says she’s worried about how his education will be shaped by school administrators as he grows up. Her fears are rooted in data. According to her research, Black and Latino children are overrepresented in-school arrests.
Homeschooling has many benefits for children of all races and ethnicities. Children from black families, for example, show greater gains in academic achievement than their white peers. A study in 2015 found that black homeschooled students scored anywhere from fifteen to thirty percent higher on tests than those in public schools. This could be because of a variety of factors, from racism to the school environment itself.
It is less expensive than traditional schooling
While homeschooling may be less expensive than traditional schooling, some costs are not immediately apparent. For example, some families choose to purchase their homeschool curriculum, which can easily run a thousand dollars or more. Especially if you have more than one child and have different grade levels, this can quickly add up to a big bill.
Homeschooling programs can vary greatly from state to state. In most cases, homeschooling involves parent-taught instruction. The size of the class depends on the number of school-age children living in the home. In some states, such as Texas, statutes may require a certain number of school days per week. A homeschooling program also allows parents to work outside of the home. By contrast, traditional schooling requires a child to attend school at least twenty hours a week.