Home Schooling: Why We Should Care

Educators must accept home schooling as a powerful tool in the American arsenal for developing young minds.

By Jean C. Halle

Early in the fall, classroom teachers across the country are busy assessing their students' academic levels, learning styles, and individual needs. No matter how extensive the testing, however, they will face difficulty meeting the singular needs of every student during the course of the year. That's because successful classroom instruction requires that teaching be directed to the average student; focusing too much time on the few accelerated or underperforming students takes important time away from the majority.

Home schooling can bridge this learning gap. But first, educators must develop an appreciation for its appeal and its strengths. With increased understanding, they might more readily accept home schooling as an important part of the continuum of educational alternatives, a powerful tool in the American arsenal for developing young minds.

Many unfamiliar with home schooling question its academic rigor. They are equally concerned about possible gaps in instruction, the need for socialization, and the potential lack of parent-educators' qualifications. But moving beyond perceptions, home schooling is a growing educational success story. Colleges and universities are courting home schoolers. They are "the epitome of Brown students," says Joyce Reed, a Brown University associate dean, in a recent alumni magazine article on home schooling. "They've learned to be self-directed, they take risks, they face challenges with total fervor, and...