In a world where challenges in our education system go unanswered and education resources are widely available online, homeschooling is no longer getting the societal side-eye. Think homeschooling is just for ‘fringe’ families? Think again. More parents are weighing the viability of homeschooling. There is no better time to explore homeschooling myths and facts.
Black parents and caregivers are increasingly turning to homeschooling
The lure of homeschooling is not lost on me. I can understand why, even before the pandemic reshaped our educational landscape, Black parents increasingly turned to homeschooling.
Some parents seek refuge from systemic issues in public education, aiming to shield their children from anti-Black racism. They might hope to spare their child from experiencing the well-documented disproportionate punishments, bias and lower outcomes. Homeschooling allows Black parents and caregivers to create a more robust, inclusive, and less Eurocentric educational experience.
There is also the very real issue of overcrowded classrooms. Parents of children with exceptionalities or who need extra guidance are frustrated by the lack of one-on-one support available. Many educators struggle to meet the various and complex learning needs in classrooms that are larger than ever.
Moreover, Fraser Institute research suggests that homeschooled students tend to score, on average, better than public-school-educated counterparts. Several Canadian research studies suggest that when homeschooling caregivers follow a structured approach and keep an eye on academic achievement, students fare better than those in public education.
Exploring Homeschooling Myths and Facts
A more well-rounded education and outcomes that outpace those seen in traditional schooling make homeschooling an attractive option. As we navigate the changing landscape of education, it makes sense to consider the realities of homeschooling. It may not just be an alternative; it may be a viable, adaptable, and empowering choice for parents and caregivers.
However, myths about homeschooling persist, hindering some parents from considering it as a viable alternative. Exploring homeschooling myths and facts is one way to empower parents as they work to make decisions.
Myth #1: Homeschooling is Not Real School and Kids Can’t Earn a High School Diploma
Even parents who consider homeschooling during their child’s elementary years may question its suitability for high school. Some believe homeschooling cannot provide a sufficient high school-level education, and homeschooled students won’t qualify for higher education or degrees. It’s important to understand this concern if you are exploring homeschooling myths and facts.
There is some truth to this. In Canada, homeschoolers cannot receive government-issued high school diplomas. Unlike other countries, we have a fairly well-regulated school system. In Ontario to earn an OSSD (Ontario Secondary School Diploma) students must complete a high school program approved by the Ministry of Education.
However, in the new age of online coursework, there are more ministry-approved programs and online courses than ever. These courses make it possible to obtain a high school diploma without attending a formal, in-person traditional school. Ontario is home to several online high schools that offer accredited online courses approved by the Ministry of Education and recognized by Canadian colleges and universities. While parents may need to pay a fee for their child to take these distance learning courses, most, if not all courses required to obtain an OSSD are available. Importantly, these accredited institutions are able to grant OSSDs that are recognized by Canadian colleges and universities.
Online learning and the availability of accredited courses may mean that homeschooling doesn’t have to hinder post-secondary educational pursuits. Attaining a high school diploma and the academic-level courses needed to apply for post-secondary degrees is an attainable and accessible goal for those being home-schooled.
Exploring Homeschooling Myths and Facts
Myth #2: Only Experts and Stay-at-Home Parents Can Homeschool
Many working parents struggle with the idea that it is possible to homeschool while maintaining a full-time job.
If you’re anything like me, you may have found the struggle was real trying to juggle our work while managing to see our children through the short-lived pandemic-era remote learning. It is easy to believe that homeschooling is best suited to experts, educators or stay-at-home parents.
Balancing a parent’s work responsibilities and homeschooling seem daunting, but some suggest that flexibility is key. Unlike remote learning, homeschooling allows parents to redefine the traditional school day. This means that neither parent nor student is bound by rigid hours. Families are free to tailor a schedule to fit their lifestyle and work commitments.
What is true is that working parents would need to make a commitment to prioritize defined instructional time. It is unwise to attempt to multitask. So parents should not try to teach a child at the same time as managing their work duties. By most standards, this means preparing to have approximately 10-15 hours per week set aside to focus on instruction.
With access to supportive programs, being a working parent shouldn’t automatically disqualify you from homeschooling.
Realistically, parents would also need to invest time in finding resources to support their child, reinforce learning and simply have some fun. Many online resources exist, such as Brownie Points Teaching, that provide invaluable support for both elementary teachers and homeschooling parents. Additionally, local homeschooling groups, camps, and drop-in centres offer a rich curriculum. Most cities have organizations that offer regular programming in everything from science to the arts, music and language lessons. Organizations like Toronto-based Sage & Savant offer opportunities for in-person instruction and socialization through special drop-in programs dedicated to supporting homeschooling families.
Homeschooling parents I spoke with also felt that despite working, they had time to ensure their child actually understood lessons. Rather than racing along they slowed down to invest in things that truly sparked their child’s interest or love of learning. Parents could ensure their lessons, examples and field trips were tailored to peak that child’s interest and support their understanding.
Tthere is no doubt that working would add complexity to navigating homeschooling. On the other hand, with access to supportive programs, being a working parent shouldn’t automatically disqualify you from homeschooling.
Exploring Homeschooling Myths and Facts
Myth #3: Homeschooled Kids Lack Socialization
I am pretty sure the idea that homeschooled kids lack socialization is one of the biggest concerns most people face when weighing homeschooling myths and facts.
Proponents suggest that parents who choose homeschooling often go above and beyond to ensure their children have social opportunities. They organize field trips, join homeschooling pods, and engage in various activities. However, concerns persist about whether these experiences provide adequate social skills.
The pandemic taught us the value of social engagement in children’s lives. Mental and physical health suffered when opportunities for social and physical activity declined. And when it comes to homeschooling, it is not just traditional socialization that might be of concern. Homeschooling may not lend itself to giving children natural opportunities to collaborate, brainstorm, and engage with diverse perspectives.
Addressing these concerns requires planning for inclusive teamwork opportunities through camps, daily activities, or other means. Parents who homeschool may need to create opportunities for their child to collaborate and work with others on a team. That said, I’ve seen my kids work in plenty of “teams” at school. It doesn’t seem they have learned much except that every group has one member who doesn’t do a thing! Either way, parents can purposefully ensure their homeschooled child has the chance to engage in teamwork. If purposefully done this can allow kids to work with students with different worldviews, leadership styles or approaches.
There is no one-size-fits-all all in education – it’s worth exploring homeschooling myths and facts
I am not over here telling anyone to pull their kids out of the “traditional” education system. Nor am I telling you to put your homeschooled kids back into public education. There are many considerations – from time commitment to parent and child temperament and also the very real challenge of homeschooling multiple children.
However, while homeschooling may not be the right choice for everyone, it’s evident that it’s no longer confined to the fringes of education. When we question old myths we can create our own narratives, and carve out the best learning journey for our unique children. In the end, it’s not about fitting into the system; it’s about creating a system that fits our children. Exploring homeschooling myths and facts will help to truthfully identify things that might work for your family. This should be a huge part of making the decision.
Homeschooling has evolved to accommodate diverse needs, from cultural relevance to physical and mental health considerations. In terms of student outcomes, homeschooled children seem to fair better on tests and admission requirements than those students enrolled in traditional education programs.
While we may not be ready to reimagine the role of homeschooling for our own children, we can support those who choose it as a legitimate and adaptable educational option.
Exploring homeschooling myths and facts is a worthwhile endeavour. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or student it is important to open our minds to the possibilities that homeschooling offers in our ever-changing educational landscape.
