It seems to me that it depends a lot on the child. Some children like to go to school, and they ought to go. Some hate to go to school, and home schooling might be best for them--provided that there is somebody at home who really wants to take on the job of doing the teaching. I'm afraid a lot of kids who are supposedly getting schooled at home are just watching television or goofing off. A conscientious parent who was competent to teach academic subjects and willing to devote several hours a day to the child could be extremely effective. It seems like a matter of simple arithmetic. If a teacher in a classroom has thirty pupils, that teacher can only give each child personal attention for five or ten minutes in a day, whereas a parent, caregiver, or tutor could give the child several hours of personal attention in that same day. Children who stay at home may be in some danger of not learning to socialize with others, but that can be compensated for by having the child participate in extracurricular activities such as clubs, sports, etc.

It seems to me that the child's own preference ought to be given serious consideration. Some kids like school and want to go to school--so why not send them to school? Others hate school and might do a lot better if they were allowed to stay home and study, provided that there is someone at home who can provide adequate supervision and instruction. As far as socialization is concerned, there are plenty of ways for children to socialize besides doing it at school. Answer 14 lists many of these ways.

I think homeschooling is fine, as long as the parent doing it has a good quality, broad education and is open minded. I agree with #7 also; it's a hard job when done properly. Everyone needs to remember that there's a reason teachers have to take all those classes and do all that work in order to become certified. Becoming a parent in no way qualifies you as an educator. Passing third grade does not mean you are qualified to teach it.

As a teacher, I would like to see ALL parents taking some responsibility in the education of their children, however. More and more I am finding that parents are not teaching even the most basic daily living skills to their children, and then those same parents complain that the schools aren't preparing their children for the real world. Parents should be teaching the basics: Punctuality, common courtesy, and general life skills like hygiene and how to handle money. It's impossible for a teacher to teach anything to a student who has not been taught the value of an education, and that has to come from the home.

I have no problem with homeschooling as a concept.  I know some people who were very good at it, mostly because they had the time and financial means to really do it justice.  I tend to disagree with homeschooling simply to get a child out of public schools, without adequate preparation and effort to provide them something better at home.  I've had some very competent homeschooled students in my high school classes, and others who were lacking in one or two critical areas (writing, science), but the most noticeable difference they often seem to be more socially immature.

I have to agree that when homeschooling is done well, it is easily one of the best ways to educate a child.  Today, there are entire groups of homeschooled students whose parents work together to create a "program" for their children (and others).  There are online forums for discussion, city-sponsored homeschooling programs, and ample other opportunities for socialization.  I have to disagree that socialization in homeschooling is difficult.  Today, it is easier than ever.

Another fabulous benefit to homeschooling is that students can work at their own pace, and curriculum can be targetted to interests.  Public schools often lack the time and the resources to integrate subjects, but the homeschooling parent can teach history in conjunction with literature and even incorporate field trips which tie lessons together in more meaningful ways.

In every way, I support those parents who are willing to homeschool.  I believe homeschooled students, on the whole, are better prepared for college, more likely to succeed in higher education, and generally more independent thinkers and learners than the average public school student.

I heartily agree with herappleness. Although there are benefits for some children in special circumstances, more often than not, children are home schooled for all the wrong reasons. Many parents who choose to home school refuse to accept the fact that it is the child, not the teacher, who is not performing up to expectations. At other times, the parent does not wish to expose the child to the demography of the community. Too often children who are homeschooled not only are denied the opportunity to develop social skills, they often develop a false sense of superiority because the parent--who generally is not an educator-- has instilled in the child how "special" he/she is. More often than not, home schooling is a tragic mistake which ultimately will negatively impact the child's emotional and intellectual development.

I am going to tell you who I am against: I am against every lazy and neglectful parent who blame the current school system for their own lack of consistency in raising their children and then say that they would "rather home-school their kids." Really?, says I.

Homeschooling - properly done- is one of the most effective educational programs. It has produced scientists, philosophers, and teachers with amazing stories to tell the world. However, homeschooling is all about organization, detail, consistency, and ongoing data collection. This is not for typical lazy and whiny parent that us teachers encounter at least twice every year of our career. This is work cut for a champ. I basically completed my doctorate in education and there is no way I would home-school my child.

Why? Because I canNOT do it However, if I were organized, patient, and less critical of my own kid I would definitely do it. 100% for sure

To piggyback on what #5 is saying, I could see homeschooling increase dramatically in the coming years due to on-line schools and systems of learning and support.  Middle and High schools could become what many on-line university courses and degree plans are becoming.

Some school systems are so derelict in providing students true educations that parents are often forced to homeschool.  Fortunately, there are ways for their children to network with other students and engage in activities and sports.  But, if there is a school for students to attend that can meet their needs, going in and out of an institution every day is pratical experience for the real world that has Catch-22's and various and sundry sorts of situations and people. A public school in a town is a microcosm of society, so the exposure one receives is beneficial toward the student's learning of life skills. 

I am neither for it nor against it.  I have chosen not to homeschool my children because I think they (especially the older) need to socialize in a way that would be hard to provide in a home school setting.  In that sense, then, I am against it.  However, I do think that there is a place for homeschooling for some people and some situations.

I am a public school teacher, so obviously I believe in the benefits of the public school system and am a strong supporter of it.  With that being said, I support the rights of parents to educate their children in the way they see fit.  I have known home schooled children who excelled socially, but they were involved in church groups and club sports which helped them with socialization.  I have also known home schooled students who were practically shut off from the rest of the world, and they have struggled mightily to adapt to the real world.

I am generally against home schooling unless the circumstances are exceptional.  One reason is that it makes socialization very difficult, something that we can all benefit from.  Another reason is that students do not have any exposure to all the diversity in race, culture, religion, and ethnicity that they would be exposed to in school.  Finally, students have little exposure to differing points of view, which tends to narrow their thinking.  There is far more to school than academic achievement, and home schooling does not provide these additional benefits.