Every parent faces the conflicting choice between enrolling their child in a public school or homeschooling them. While there are other options, most parents struggle between these two because of financial reasons. Therefore, alternative schooling options will not be discussed in this piece.
Families dispute the differences between sending their children to a public institution or choosing to educate them independently. There are pros and cons related to either decision. Inevitably, the decision will influence the child’s development and impact the rest of his or her life.
How do parents know how to make a well-informed decision? The answer to that question to know the facts and ask the right questions. There are specific variables to workout before selecting the right fit.
Time is relative
For working parents, the public school system is appealing because of the consistent schedule. A school day can range from 5-8 hours, allowing a parent to work full or part-time on weekdays.
Homeschooling requires a lot of prep and execution time. Which is more manageable for a stay at home parent.
Attention and social interaction factors
Another important skill acquired during adolescence is social and cultural interactions with others.
Aside from the classroom, public schools offer a range of extracurricular activities. Examples include student political offices, clubs, sports and the performing arts.
There are programs designed to offer homeschoolers similar social outlets. Nonprofits, usually religiously affiliated, will offer summer camps and field trips. There are also social media groups created to assist homeschooling communities through networking.
Lifestyle is a factor
Families who travel or relocate often may be better suited for homeschooling. This will ensure that the child will not have any holes during the readjustment period.
Unfortunately, adjusting to a new learning environment can be disruptive to a child’s academic career. There is also the issue of if they’ll be behind or ahead of their other classmates. By the time they are acclimated to their new environment, it may be time to hit the road again.
Resources are incremental
Public schools do receive government funding. Parents are expected to provide a number of supplies for their children. However, the school is able to provide a range of other materials required for their classrooms.
Homeschooling has limited resources because the expenses, such as learning materials, reside on the family. Parents are held accountable for declaring their child (or children) as a independent learner.
Every State enforces different laws and standards for homeschooling within their jurisdiction. In Georgia, parents must keep the state and federal government informed of their child’s (children’s) progress by conducting standardized test and attendance sheets.
People vary from learning styles (verbal, visual, auditory, and kinesthetic). While people do use a combination of all learning styles subconsciously, people tend to favor one style over others. If a child favors a style that is not utilized properly in a public classroom, that child may struggle to stay on track with the rest of his or her peers. A lot of public schools will reach out to the parent (s) with solutions for addressing the obstacles.
Homeschooling does give parents the freedom to conduct the classroom at their own pace. If the lesson plan is well thought out, the parent could include elements that engage all of the senses. Research shows that learning is more effective when it’s stimulating.
Even after analyzing a few of the main concerns family are faced with, the answer still may seem unclear. That’s because education and knowledge is fluid. People have to prioritize what works best for their child’s well-being.
Personal testimonies
Another helpful way to decide is hearing from other parents on the topic. Kara Noel Lawson has a lot to say on in the matter in her article “Small Things Are Big Things.”
Lawson includes detailed descriptions of why she felt that homeschooling was right for her family. Lawson’s son, Eli, has a different learning style which requires more support and attention.
“My bright boy who can solve a Rubik’s cube couldn’t sound out the word “a-n-d.” He was defeated,” says Lawson. “I get it, a teacher with 28 kids in his/her class can’t cater to the learning style of one child. But I can.”
Her piece addresses the common stereotypes and misperceptions around the lifestyle. She continues by informing the reader of all of the factors that are not behind her decision. Lawson concludes her story by iterating that homeschooling is the “right” option.
Robert Niles has an opposing viewpoint on the matter. He discusses how beneficial the public school system is in his article “Why I Send My Children to Public Schools.”
Niles and his wife decided to enroll their two daughters in public schools. For the Niles family public is the “right” choice.
“Public schools have to serve every child in a community. They don’t get to cherry-pick only the brightest or wealthiest students. And that’s a large part of their appeal to me,” Says Niles.
“Attend a public school, and you’re getting to know people from every corner of your community, not just people of the same religion or social class. In public school, you’re part of the, well, public” says Niles.
The truth is that there is a wealth of knowledge available to parents who want to know the facts, statistics, studies, and test scores. There is an overwhelming amount of information accessible to those who search for it.
However, the debate continues over what is the “best” form of educating the next generation. The one element that all parents seem to agree on is being involved in their child’s academics.
See the following sites for more information:
Online homeschooling for grades k-12
Five reasons why you should send your child to public school
3 Reasons for Homeschoolers to Pursue Extracurricular Activities
U.S. Public Schools Are Not Failing. They’re Among The Best In The World
Katie Gray 
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