On the benefits, they do so much better academically that that's no longer subject to debate. Instead, the public school system whines that home-schoolers take the best students out of the system. There are also social benefits because they don't become peer dependent. And they learn to think instead of getting politically-correct, that is, thought-controlled liberalism, shovelled uncritically into their undeveloped minds. In addition, some children need more sleep than school allows--my youngest, brightest, tallest and most ambitious son needed 11 hours of sleep at night and when he started getting it his personality blossomed and his academic ability skyrocketed. He was the best student in his college class and married the best student in HER college class, who was also home-schooled.

There are a great many benefits, most of which have been outlined by Roger Kovaciny. However, there are definite disadvantages as well -- while some students grow up fine and with great social skills, many homeschooled students do not develop good peer relations. All that needs to be done is to make sure that the student receives adequate socialization, but it is definitely something to consider. Also, the teacher makes a big difference -- teaching is not something that just anybody can do, and some people are not able to do so effectively. In addition, some children may have special needs that are best addressed with the professionals at a school.

I think that there are far more disadvantages than advantages. Students need social interaction with others their age. They need to be surrounded by a productive learning environment where all their learning needs are catered for. School provide extra curricular activities that are sometimes hard to provide in the home eg: School camps where they meet friends and get involved in team building activities, out door education is fundamental in a students development as well as social interaction and stepping out of their comfort zone. Students need to experience bullying, peer pressure boys/girls and all those scary and hard things that come with being involved in the real world. Schools are a microcosm of our communities and provide vital skills and learning opportunities for students. We want our kids to be functioning members of society, so as well as teaching them academic skills they also need social skills. Schools are now also implementing more and more mediums for meeting students educational needs, because we all know that we don't all learn the same or are interested in the same things. Schools provide extensive ICT and technological based learning also, as well as trade based learning and on the job work experience. Teachers are arming themselves with more and more skills to cater for students ever growing needs and the professional development that teachers attend are provided by schools to ensure that they are providing the best teaching environment possible. I haven't spoken much on the advantages ummmmmm longer play time? More time with their parents?

Some pros to homeschooling: You are able to teach your child the information you want him to learn, not necessarily what the teacher picks out. You can go 1 on 1 with each child (if there are more than one) and they can develop their brains faster and you can cater to that. In a class full of students they all get fed the same information, in the same way, at the same time- and we all know people learn differently and at different speeds. You can re-learn things you have probably forgotten by now. Your child could possibly get way ahead of the standards of the other children in schools, as they're getting more 1 on 1 attention. Cons: If you are only homeschooling one or two children they may lack in social skills, necessary for "real life". It can be frustrating trying to get children to pay attention, and behave for long stretches. Especially in groups. Your child may not be up to standards if they aren't following the same curriculum as the students in schools.

There's a bug in the AB program that keeps me from responding to the comments to my post, so here it is: If you believe that "politically correct" speech is actually correct--in other words, that it's the normal, centrist stuff--you have made my point. Political correctness is leftist thought control, and politically correct positions are the positions of the extreme left. That men and women are basically the same; that we must take extreme action to prevent global warming; that America and Israel are the cause of most of the problems in the world; that those we are fighting in Iraq are not evil; that government is the solution, not the problem; that men should be able to marry men; that it's perfectly fine that "Heather has two mommies"--these are positions of the extreme, radical left. And I haven't noticed that students coming out of public schools are very capable of thinking critically about these positions. All they can do is feel and emote.

I am a homeschooler, so I speak from personal experience. (I did attend public school from kidnergarten through middle school, however.) I feel that the pros outweigh the cons. Before I get into that, I will just quickly say that there are many different types of homeschooling out there nowadays. I'm in a school that is like public school, but it's all online. I have teachers that I talk to regularly, fellow students to interact with, etc. It's free. (It's a program available in many different states - if you're interested go to http://www.k12.com)The most common type of homeschooling is a correspondence program, in which the student is sent books, which he reads. He completes tests and submits them either online or through the mail. It's self paced, but not a lot of variety. I'll talk about correspondence, since "virtual schools" (like the one I'm in) aren't very common yet. Pros -You're self paced. If you learn at a quicker rate than most students, you aren't bound by the system's schedule and can move ahead. If you take longer to grasp concepts, you aren't rushed through the courses. You may have improvements in your grades because you don't have too many things thrown at you at once. -You have a free schedule. This is a great thing for students who are of working age especially. You can school when it fits your schedule. -You get a lot more done. You can generally spend 2-4 hours schooling and get the same information - or more - as a students who spends 6-8 hours in school. (That doesn't count homework time.) -You can graduate earlier. This will free you up to go on to higher education, getting a full-time job, etc. -You are away from the negative influences at public schools. Nearly every day, we read about shootings in school. Even if that never happens, you're still exposed to drugs, sex, foul language, and a general bad attitude that kids display today. (I got asked in the 6th grade if I was still a virgin. School has a way of erasing innocence.) You don't pick up any of that if you're homeschooled. I can only think of a single con. That is social interaction. Some homeschoolers recieve zero interaction with people outside their family. This is completely unhealthy. I know some of my fellow students who are on the weird side because of this. However, a simple way to combat social retardation is to get your student involved with the community. Are there sports programs in your area? Clubs? Reading groups? Do anything that gets them out of the house and into the world of real people. Quite honestly, a student can be in public school and still be socially awkward. Or, they can pick up all the wrong social skills and be even worse off. It basically comes down to what's in the home: if good social skills are encouraged there, it's likely that the student will be just fine. I love homeschooling; I would never want to go back to public school. It's really a matter of finding a program that works for you.

Benefits: You can fine the best way for your child to learn. As a parent you know what they are being taught. If focused all the school work can be completed with in hours (for myself shortest time was 2hrs in one day). More targeted education for what they enjoy. While still in High School grades they could be attending community colleges getting more experiance socially and educationally. - Disadvantages: Can put a strain on the parents or child some times to have a teacher/student relationship. Social skills will need to be learned somewhere if not at school (some ideas are sports, music, dance/plays etc..). Cost for the books and other things try it for one year and see if the money is to much. - Hope this helps a little, I was home schooled halfway through 3rd grade until I finished high school. My Junior/Senior years I was mainly doing classes at the community college.

A decent answer to this question would probably be so long that nobody wouldn't read it. Instead, let me suggest a good website: http://guiltfreehomeschooling.org/blog/

First off, I was homeschooled. I was pulled out of public school after I finished the fourth grade. I am not socially awkward. Quiet maybe, but I was that way in public school too. That is just who I am. There are ways to not be socially awkward while getting homeschooled. I volunteered at the local Senior Center. I still had friends. And there was church. And now, my little homeschooled sister even has the option of co-op where there are classes for all area homeschoolers once every two weeks. As an adult, I will say that in my observations of the kids I know now, public schoolers and homeschoolers, the homeschoolers have a lot more common sense. Don't really know why, they just do. The only disadvantage I can see is if you want to go to college. Then you have to prove that you learned something and possibly do a lot of testing. There is not really a reason to "fight" over which option is right here. This is just yet another decision that parents have to make. I personally will homeschool my children so that I know that they are learning what they need to in order to make it in life. Also so they are able to follow their dreams without being directed by teachers who may only see them as a number. I, after being detoxed from public school ways, loved being homeschooled.

I am a homeschool mother. I just started in Sept. and I am loving it as well as my children. I teach both my children 4th & 6th grade. I plan to teach my oldest but need to find out how with his disabilities? I also wanted to add that just because we parents choose to homeschool, our kids go to outings and groups with other homeschoolers. We don't have to worry for our childrens safety or public school being on ( Lock Down ) like what are they going to school or is it a prison ? Or see another school shooting etc... So Disadvantages What? I don't have any!

well i believe that this article sums up what i would say http://www.newswithviews.com/Turtel/joel7.htm whatever you choose, I wish for you the best!

I live in the Maryland area and have been home schooling my kids for the past 3 years and find it rewarding. Some of the benefits are that I have control over what and how my kids are learning. Staring out at first was a little difficult, but I used Confident Student (http://www.confidentstudent.com) to help get me moving. They showed me different techniques and strategies to use while Home schooling my children. I suggest home schooling to anyone who is thinking about it!

With the lack of education and technique for this kind of structure, I am amazed that it works so well so often. I know very little about the subject but I am seeing some excellent results as a result of home schooling. I am amazed.