Homeschooling is on the rise within this country. Despite the personal sacrifice and time commitment it requires, many families are looking into this alternative option. In fact, over one million children are currently being homeschooled within the United States. The families who choose to educate their children at home do not make the decision lightly and often have many reasons for doing so. This has been an extensively researched topic by sociologists, and it has been found that the motives for homeschooling are numerous, yet there were five that stood out.

Better Education

Many families that homeschool their children are dissatisfied with the quality and performance of government-run schools. Many parents believe that children are not getting a quality education and that many important skills are left out in public school. Parents choose to provide their child with a well-rounded education that covers a far larger curriculum than is covered in public schools.

Specials Needs

Parents who have children with disabilities often find a lack of appropriate resources for them within schools. Children with certain special needs, such as ADD, ADHD or autism spectrum disorders, respond better with one-on-one education. Other special needs children had severe medical conditions and are either hospital-bound or they cannot attend public schools for health reasons. Homeschooling allows special needs children to receive the care and educational attention they need to thrive.

Flexibility

Public schools have a rigid schedule with strict attendance requirements. Parents who travel extensively or move often due to their careers prefer homeschooling. It allows them to spend more time with their children and be more involved in their education. Other families simply enjoy the flexibility to take educational trips or vacations.

Values

Many families who homeschool feel that public school systems are not accurately modeling the types of values and beliefs they wish to be instilled in their children. These families wish to integrate their value systems into the education of their children and regulate the experiences that their children are exposed to. Many families see homeschooling as a wonderful chance to shape the morals and beliefs of their children, which is something that is not done in a public school.

Gifted Children

The mainstreamed educational curriculum holds back accelerated students. These talented students are bored in the classroom. Parents choose to homeschool in order to nurture the talents of their children.

Homeschooling is becoming more common as parents raise concern over large class sizes, a decrease in educational funding, and the declining quality of education. The concern that many parents had over their ability to effectively teach their children has been quenched as homeschooled children continue to score better than the national average on standardized tests. While each parent has unique reasons for homeschooling, many parents are finding it as a valid and attainable alternative to public education.