It wasn't too long ago that the idea of homeschooling raised eyebrows as the stereo-typical homeschooling mom conjured up images of religious fanatics and conspiracy-theorist parents trying to prevent the government from brainwashing their children. In other words, parents that homeschooled were looked upon as "crazy" by many of the parents who trusted in the public school system.

In today's modern society, homeschooling is gaining traction with the mainstream. But even now, there are still a few "old school" thinkers that would go so far as to say that homeschooling is tantamount to child abuse and homeschooling parents should be punished.

The stigma of homeschooling still has a tight grip in some countries where it has actually been banned. In such countries, parents that choose to home school their children must do so in secret and run the risk of being imprisoned or having their children taken away from them.

America's Homeschooling Stigma

But even in America, where a parent's right to home school has been recognized since the nation's beginning, individual states are attempting to take control and force children into the system. Despite the evidence and studies that show homeschooled children perform, overall, significantly better than their public and private school counterparts, some states are trying to put a stop to it. For example, a California court recently ruled that parents do not have a constitutional right to home school, requiring all children age 6 to 18 to attend a full time public or private school.

Quoting a 1961 ruling on a similar matter, the judge in the case wrote that, "A primary purpose of the educational system is to train children in good citizenship, patriotism, and loyalty to ... the nation ..."

That was in March of 2008. With a statement like that, it leaves one wondering if those "crazy" parents who were trying to prevent the brainwashing of their children by the government might have been on to something. The state's largest teachers union was, naturally, pleased with the ruling to restrict parental rights.

The California ruling would still allow for homeschooling if children are instructed by a tutor holding teaching credentials for the student's grade level. It has become a case of class reversal where lower class families that can't afford a tutor are required to use the public school system while only the wealthy or well connected can enjoy the privilege and benefits of homeschooling.

History of Homeschooling in America

Throughout most of history the idea of using professionally trained teachers as educators was something that was reserved for a few elite that were wealthy enough to afford it. As such, most people received their education in the home if at all.

A public school system where every citizen could receive a formal education is a relatively recent development. It wasn't until the 19th century that formal schooling became the norm worldwide, even in supposedly otherwise developed countries.

In fact, Abraham Lincoln is just one of many famous Americans who, rather than receiving a formal education as a child, were completely home schooled. Other famous Americans who were homeschooled include President George Washington, Thomas Edison, President Woodrow Wilson, and Rosa Parks. Despite this, homeschooling today has a certain stigma attached to it. Much of this comes from an ignorant public who have misconceptions or preconceived notions of what things are like in a homeschooled family.

Students that attended public or private schools for their entire education don't have any experience with homeschooling, and therefore are generally only able to go on hearsay and rumors about what life is like for their homeschooled counterparts. Because rumors are often the result of limited experience or exposure and stories that get twisted as they are told and retold, the common picture of a homeschooling family can easily, and often does, result in a negative viewpoint.

Modern technology, however, has allowed homeschooling families to band together, discuss their situations, and even help to educate the public. Internet discussion groups for homeschoolers abound, providing support for homeschoolers and enlightenment to the general public.

Increasing education about the benefits of homeschooling has resulted in steady increases of homeschooled children year over year recently.

A Modern View of Homeschooling

Today, as more and more parents turn to homeschooling as an alternative to failing public schools, home schools have lost a lot of the stigma they once had only a few decades ago. However, in some parts of the country little has changed.

In extreme cases, some states have gone so far as to arrest parents who choose to home school.

But the popularity of homeschooling is unarguably on the rise. Even some public school teachers, who have a first-hand view of how well the system is doing, have chosen to home school. Even among the general public, confidence in public schooling is faltering.

The primary motivation for parents to home school seems to be a lack of confidence in the public school system's ability to provide children with the best education possible.

Homeschooling Statistics

There is no doubt that homeschooling is growing in popularity. Studies show a significant increase in the number of homeschooled children from about 850,000 in 1999 to 1.1 million in 2003. This number continues to rise despite continued persecution from government officials and sometimes even from ignorant neighbors.

Despite a common misperception that homeschooled kids are "too lazy" or "do nothing all day," surveys and statistics show something quite different. According to a study conducted by Dr. Lawrence Rudner:

• The average home schooled 8th grade student performs four grade levels above the national average.
• One in four home school students are enrolled in a grade level that is above their age level.
• In every grade and in every subject, homeschooled students outperform both public and private school students.

Other studies confirm these findings, showing that home schooled students have a much higher college entry rate, score higher on SAT's and ACT's, have a higher rate of college graduation, and earn higher incomes in the workforce.

These numbers come despite the fact that about 25% of parents in America who choose to home school either never attended college, or attended but never received a degree. An additional 7-10% have only an Associate degree.

Furthermore, states that have very strict regulations regarding home schools do not appear to have students that perform significantly better or worse than homeschooled students in states that are very lightly regulated.

Preparing Your Home as a School

If you choose to take on the task of homeschooling, then there are a few things that you'll want to be sure are in order. First and foremost, check the laws in your state. In most states, simply pulling your child out of public school will result in your student being considered truant which can result in fines, visits from social services, and even arrest in some cases.

Most often a letter of intent must be written up and the local school district needs to be notified.

Second, be sure that you are prepared with a qualified home school curriculum. While some states allow parents to write up their own curriculum, unless you have some sort of formal training in education, it might be a good idea to use the proven curriculum that has been written up by qualified personnel and has stood the test of time. With a proper curriculum in hand, you'll never be left wondering what needs to get done for the day.

Third, be sure you have the time to commit. If you aren't able to put forth the required time to teach your children, you might actually set them back. Keep in mind that the amount of time that will be required differs according to the child, so estimate time requirements conservatively.

A few other items to keep in mind:

• Don't automatically assume you're not qualified. Surveys show that about a quarter of parents that home school don't have a college degree while an additional 10 percent have only an Associate degree.
• Check your commitment level. You must be free to teach your children for the entire school year. If you're not absolutely sure that you'll be available for the full year, you might want to reconsider.
• Can you afford it? Public school is free; however, homeschooling incurs costs in materials and field trips.
• Look for local home school groups that you can meet with for support as well as to fill in for the missing social aspect that your child would normally miss out on.

Main Advantages of Homeschooling

As stated earlier, homeschooled children often outperform, from an academic standpoint, their public and private school counterparts. If you're on the fence about homeschooling, you may want to take a look at some of the major advantages that homeschooling affords which help to account for a homeschooled child's performance:

One on one attention - Whenever a child needs assistance, the parent is there to give him or her full attention, whereas in public schools a teacher must divide their attention between dozens of children.

Ability to focus more time where needed - If a student excels in math, but flounders in science, then a parent can very easily devote as much time as is needed to teaching science. Public schools are regimented, with each subject receiving equal time regardless as to the performance of the student.

Homeschooled students move at their own pace - If a student excels in math then they can advance much quicker than students in a public school, where all students are required to move at the same pace.

Diminished distractions - The parents control the environment, and there is no peer pressure from other students trying to talk a homeschooled student into doing things other than school work or study.