Discussion Post_Homeschooling
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Liberty University *
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EDUC 701
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Arts Humanities
Date
Dec 6, 2023
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Uploaded by SargentElectron12819
The Impact of Homeschooling on Academic Success
Homeschooling has occurred for thousands of years according to Ray (2021). It was a
common form of education and became less popular in the 1970s due to institutionalized
schooling (Ray, 2021). In the United States, homeschooling became legal in all 50 states by the
2000s (Bennet et al., 2019). However, regulations and laws concerning homeschooling varied
from state to state.
During the spring of 2020, homeschooling increased dramatically due to the COVID-19
pandemic (Bubb & Jones, 2020). Lockdowns and abrupt school closures left many parents and
those in academia concerned about students falling behind in academics (Bubb & Jones, 2020).
In the fall of 2020, 11.1% of U.S. households reported homeschooling (Madar & BenDavid-
Hadar, 2022). This was a 5.6% increase from the spring of 2020 according to Madar and
BenDavid-Hadar (2022). Despite the increase in homeschooling, Bennet et al. (2019) noted that
there is a lack of evidence concerning academic outcomes in homeschooling.
Reasons for Topic Selection
In March 2020, my eldest son was enrolled in kindergarten at a public elementary school
in Texas. He was having trouble with the school structure because he had previously attended a
private preschool in Minnesota. Since our family had to move from Minnesota to Texas for work,
my son was uprooted from his previous school and placed in a brand-new environment. He liked
school a lot, especially art and recess! However, in March 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic caused
the unexpected shutdown of his elementary school. All instruction moved online and many
teachers at his school were not prepared for the challenges of virtual learning. Likewise, his
schoolwork and school day dramatically decreased from seven hours to one hour.
In August 2020, the principal of the school ensured parents that learning would continue
onsite. However, after 2-3 weeks of in-person instruction, the school decided to conduct fully
virtual classes. Although I was fine with the decision, many parents were not. Suddenly, school
meetings turned from parents working together peacefully to parents yelling at administrators
and administrators defending decisions made by the school board. The straw that broke the
camel’s back for me was when a mother yelled “She didn’t have some cushy stay-at-home mom
position and had to work!” It was at that moment I decided with my “cushy stay-at-home mom
position” to just homeschool my son.
At first, homeschooling was difficult, and finding as well as developing a curriculum was
a greater challenge. However, with the help of some great friends and lots of prayers, I now
homeschool both my sons full-time. Despite the benefits of homeschooling, I have noticed that
there are few formal ways to determine academic achievement for homeschoolers. In my
opinion, this is especially true for parents who rely solely on themselves to develop their
children’s curriculum. As a result, the impact of homeschooling on academic success became my
topic of choice. According to Madar and BenDavid (2022), research into the success of
homeschooled students is important because homeschooling may become a more dominant form
of education in the future. Likewise, Bennett et al. (2019) stated that critics of homeschooling
state that a lack of evidence concerning academic achievements is a reason for more
governmental regulations.
Biblical Worldview
The Bible states, “Train a boy in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not
swerve from it” (
New American Bible: Catholic Version,
1970, Proverbs 21:6). The gift of being
able to teach a child, especially your child, something that will remain with him into his senior
years is a great responsibility. This verse encompasses the importance of education and its lasting
effects on a person’s life. The Book of Sirach also known as Ecclesiasticus was written between
200 and 175 B.C. (
New American Bible: Catholic Version
, 200-175 B.C./1970). The author,
Jesus, son of Eleazar, son of Sirach, emphasizes the importance of instruction stating, “Come
aside to me, you untutored, and take up lodging in the house of instruction” (
New American
Bible: Catholic Version
, 1970, Sirach 51:23). Not only is it advised to gain instruction but also to
take up lodging or dwell in the house of learning. Homeschooling allows for the learner to dwell
in the house of instruction because homeschooling instruction takes place in the home. It is a joy
that God in His infinite wisdom has given Scripture that highlights the importance of learning,
even in the home.
References
Bennett, D. L., Edwards, E., & Ngai, C. (2019). Homeschool background, time use and academic
performance at a private religious college.
Educational Studies, 45
(3), 305-325.
https://doi.org/10.1080/03055698.2018.1446332
Bubb, S. & Jones, M. A. (2020). Learning from the COVID-19 home-schooling experience:
Listening to pupils, parents/carers and teachers.
Improving Schools, 23
(3), 209-222.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1365480220958797
Madar, M. U. & BenDavid-Hadar, I. (2022). Does home schooling improve creative thinking
and social competencies among children? Home schooling in Israel.
Journal of School
Choice, 16
(1), 136-163.
https://doi.org/10.1080/15582159.2021.1977584
New American Bible: Catholic Version
. (1970). Catholic Book Publishing Corp.
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New American Bible: Catholic Version
. (with Jesus, son of Eleazar). (1970). Catholic Book
Publishing Corp. (Original work published between 200 and 175 B.C.)
Ray, B. (2021). Should educators promote homeschooling? Worldwide growth and learner
outcomes.
Journal of Pedagogy, 12
(1), 55-76.
https://doi.org/10.2478/jped-2021-0003