More New Zealanders are turning to homeschooling their children. Many do so because they feel their child doesn’t fit in at school or their needs aren’t being met by a typical school setting. Other parents are concerned about bullying. Others may live out-of-town or travel a lot and find homeschooling to be a good option.
Home-educated children score higher than state averages
In the New Zealand school system, NCEA is the standard qualification for all students. Many families assume their children should take it, and want to continue this education when home-schooling. While there is no clear way for home educators to navigate NCEA, it is an important topic to know about.
In New Zealand, 81% of adults have completed upper secondary education, with 82% of women and 80% of men finishing high school. In a recent PISA survey, the country’s average student scored 503 compared to OECD average of 488. Home-educated children outperformed state-educated children by as much as six points in the PISA exam, which measures student performance.
Although many academics are skeptical about homeschooling research, it is clear that children who are educated at home score higher than state-administered children. A study in Victoria in 2016 found that home-schooled children outscored state-schooled children in all NAPLAN categories.
They receive one-on-one attention
Homeschooling is a popular choice for Kiwi parents who want to give their children one-on-one attention. This way, they can tailor the programme to suit their child’s age and interests. It also helps to choose a curriculum that has strong literacy and numeracy components. A great place to start is the New Zealand curriculum, which includes English, mathematics, Te Reo Maori, health and physical education, social sciences, and arts.
The practice of home schooling in New Zealand is a growing trend that started in the 1970s and 1980s. Many parents started homeschooling because their child didn’t fit in at a traditional school or their child’s learning style wasn’t met in the classroom. Some also chose this option because of concerns about bullying in a conventional school setting. In addition, homeschooling is a great option for families who live far away from town or are often on the go.
Homeschooling in New Zealand is legal and is supported by a government allowance. As of 2021, there were 8306 homeschooled students in New Zealand, which is 1% of the total school population. Despite its small size, homeschooling has been a popular choice in New Zealand since the 1970s, and its popularity has remained steady. A recent outbreak of the Covid virus boosted the homeschooling movement, increasing its numbers dramatically.
They receive agency over their learning
In New Zealand, home schooling is a way to educate a child in a familiar, supportive environment. Often, families choose this approach because they believe it will give their child a better education. Others may have experience in preschool education, or simply have the confidence to educate their children on their own.
The government’s Education Review Office (ERO) reports on education for children who are exempted from compulsory schooling. However, the Education Review Office no longer visits homeschooled children, and only visits them if referred by other agencies. This article is designed to provide homeschoolers with relevant information.
The Ministry of Education divides the country into ten territorial authorities, each subdivided into smaller wards. These areas are grouped according to their ethnicity, which includes Maori, Pasifika, Asian, and European/Pakeha. Statistics New Zealand’s ENROL database contains information on student enrolments, as well as information on homeschooling.
They can socialise with others in the same situation
While homeschoolers may be reluctant to interact with others, they should not shy away from social situations. While they may not develop the same cliques as their public school peers, they can socialise with other like-minded children during field trips or co-ops. These experiences teach them to act authentically and they are unlikely to form the same negative social attitudes as their peers.
One of the biggest benefits of homeschooling is that you can spend a lot of time exposing your child to the real world. While public school students have more opportunities for socialising, homeschoolers are free to participate in co-ops, theater, forest groups, and other extra-curricular activities. You can also participate in community organizations, volunteer, and donate time to help others.
Homeschoolers can also participate in co-ops, field trips, and homeschool proms to build friendships with other homeschoolers. You can even schedule weekly dates with your children, or plan fun events together with your family. Try to focus on activities that your child enjoys or hobbies.