Why Homeschool A Special Presentation Produced by Chef of Lafayette January 2007

Why Homeschool

A Special Presentation

Produced by

Chef of Lafayette

January 2007

Why HomeschoolThere are many questions today about homeschooling.

Here are two key ones:

• First: How do homeschool students score on standardized tests– Compared to Public School students of similar socio-

economic background

• Second: What about Socialization

• Also, some Homeschool Tips

How do Home School Students Score?

• One of the first questions Prospective Home School Parents ask is:

• How do Home School Students Score on Nationally Standardized Tests?

• Studies over the past 15 years have found answers to these questions.

• Let’s compare home school student scores with those of Public School Students

How do Home School Students Score?

• We’ll compare standardized test score results of Public School Students with similar test results for Home School Students

• We’ll look at K-12 results for Reading, Language, Math, Science and Social Studies

• And see if we can make any conclusions• We’ll start with Reading

How do Home School Students Score? Reading

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87

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Reading

Public SchoolK-12 NationalAverage

Home SchoolK-12 NationalAverage

How do Home School Students Score? Reading & Writing

50 50

8780

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Reading Language

Public SchoolK-12NationalAverage

Home SchoolK-12NationalAverage

How do Home School Students Score? Reading, Writing, Arithmetic

50 50 50

8780 82

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Reading Language Math

Public SchoolK-12NationalAverage

Home SchoolK-12NationalAverage

How do Home School Students Score? 3 Rs Plus Science

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8780 82 84

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Reading Language Math Science

PublicSchoolK-12National

HomeSchoolK-12National

How do Home School Students Score? 3 Rs plus Science & Social Studies

50 50 50 50 50

8780 82 84 85

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100

Reading Language Math Science SocialStudies

PublicSchool K-12NationalAverage

HomeSchool K-12NationalAverage

Home School Students Score 80-87 Percentile in all subjects: Very High Scores with

Minimal subject variation

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Reading Language Math Science Social Studies

Home School K-12 National Average

Series2

How do Home School Students Score? 3 Rs plus Science & Social Studies

• The overall results are remarkable

• Home school students score at the 80th percentile level or above on standardized tests nationwide

• Far above the national average

• But you might say that homeschool parents are possibly above average in academic training, or contain mostly smarter family units.

• So, let’s compare home school students in families of similar academic background

How do Home School Students Score: What about the Parents

• Studies on Public School Students show that the Education Level of the parents of such public School Students is very important

• Generally, the higher the education level of the parents, the better the performance of the student, in Public Schools.

• Remember, this is for Public School Students and their parents.

How do Public School Students Score: What about the Parents

• We will first examine the results of Public School students whose parents have four different levels of education:

• Parents who have some High School

• Parents who are High School grads

• Parents who have some College

• Parents who are college grads.

How do Public School Students Score: What about the Parents-Public School

34

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Less Than High SchoolParent's Education Level

Wri

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Avg

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k

Public SchoolAchievement-Writing Test


3443

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50

Less Than High School High School GraduateParent's Education Level

PublicSchoolAchievement-Writing


Less Than High School

High School Graduate

Some Ed. After HS

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Less Than High School High School Graduate Some Ed. After HS

Parent's Education Level

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Some Ed. After HS

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Some Ed. After HS

College Grad

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Less Than High School High School Graduate Some Ed. After HS College Grad


Avg

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% R

ank



34

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28

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5463

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Less ThanHigh School

High SchoolGraduate

Some Ed. AfterHS

College Grad


Avg

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% R

ank

Public SchoolAchievement-Math Test


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Parent's Educational Level

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Public School Student Scores and Parent’s Education Level

• A few Key conclusions• For Public School Students, the education

level of the parents is a relatively accurate predictor of the results of the average public school student

• The greater the level of education of the parents, the higher the average level of academic result of the public school student

Compare: Student Results by Parental Education Level-Public vs. Home School

• Next, we will compare the results of Public School Students at each educational level

• With Home School Students who had parents at the same educational level

• Then make a few conclusions


31

83

0

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Public School Avg Home School AvgParent's Education Level

Avg

. Nat

ion

al %

Ran

k

LessThanHighSchool


31

41.5

83 80

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Less Than High School High School GraduateParent's Education Level

Avg

. N

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nal

% R

ank

PublicSchoolAvg

HomeSchoolAvg


31

41.5

55

83 80 84

0

10

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Less Than HighSchool

High SchoolGraduate

Some Ed. After HS


Avg

. N

atio

nal

% R

ank

PublicSchoolAvg

HomeSchoolAvg


3141.5

5562

83 80 84 88

0

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High SchoolGraduate

Some Ed.After HS

College Grad


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ank

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HomeSchoolAvg


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High SchoolGraduate

Some Ed. AfterHS

College Grad


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PublicSchoolAvg

HomeSchoolAvg


• Key conclusions

• For the Average Public School Student, the parent’s education level is a relatively accurate predictor of academic results.

• The Higher the level of the parent’s level of education, the higher the average scores for public school students


• Key conclusions

• For the average home educated student, the parent’s level of education is not an accurate predictor of the student’s results

• The average home school student scores at or near the 83.5 percentile, regardless of the level of education of the parents.

What about Socialization, Special Interests and Enrichment Activities?• Research has found that most homeschool

students – are involved in a wide variety of outside

activities, – interact with a broad spectrum of people, and– make positive contributions to their

communities.

What about Socialization, Special Interests and Enrichment Activities?• What about Socialization in our present

public schools?

• “We’ve got a whole lot of falsehoods associated with schooling,” says Gary Knowles, a University of Toronto researcher. … We have … weird rites of passage that are quite dysfunctional”

What about Socialization, Special Interests and Enrichment Activities?The report continues:

• “Knowles has found home schoolers to be more self-reliant and focused. ‘They’re able to move into adulthood with a much better sense of self and have a very good sense of what they want to do,’ he said.”

What about Socialization, Special Interests and Enrichment Activities?The report continues:

“Where did we ever get the idea that 2,000 13-year olds were the ideal people with which to socialize other 13-year olds?”

What about Socialization, Special Interests and Enrichment Activities?• This is a question I would pose to all here:

• What is the best social group for Junior High Students?

• Is it other Junior High Students?

What about Socialization, Special Interests and Enrichment Activities?• Brown Alumni Magazine, “Homeschooling

comes of Age,” January/February 2002:– “Homeschoolers are the epitome of Brown

students,” says Dean Joyce Reed. “They are self-directed, they take risks, and they don’t back off.”

What about Socialization, Special Interests and Enrichment Activities?• “My parents decided to homeschool me

because I had speech problems, and they didn’t want to expose me to the teasing of school children. They taught me from kindergarten through 12th grade. I loved my “school” experience, and I don’t believe I ever wanted to attend a traditional school, public or private. It gave me the opportunity to truly grow up with my 3 siblings.

What about Socialization, Special Interests and Enrichment Activities?• “And I was involved in many activities,

including 4-H, Awana, Bible club, and volunteering at a local hospital. Today as a 2002 college graduate … I already have a job as a full time accountant. Looking back on my schooling experience, I was definitely prepared for college—emotionally, spiritually, and mentally.– Carrie Ireland

What about Socialization, Special Interests and Enrichment Activities?• How do you measure the success of

“socialization”?– By Academic success?– By civic involvement?– By lifestyle choices?– Or by just plain happiness?

– Let’s look at all 4.

Socialization and Academics

• One result of successful socialization should be academic success.

• A well-adjusted child should tend to have more academic success than otherwise.

• Note that when we set forth a “tendency”, this does not always mean the correlation exists in every instance, simply that there is a tendency.

• This should be indicated in overall statistics, but not necessarily in every individual.


• We have already reviewed the remarkable academic results of home schoolers in high school, but what about college?

• Recent results of nationwide surveys provide interesting insights.


4.1

8.7

0

1

2

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8

9

10

General Population Home EducatedEducation Background

Per

cen

t AssociateDegree


7.6

11.8

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

General Population Home EducatedEducation Level

Per

cen

t

Bachelor's


0.3

0.8

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

General Population Home EducatedEducation Type

Per

cen

t

Master's


0.05

0.2

0

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

General Population Home EducatedEducation Type

Per

cen

t Professional

Socialization

• To the extent that socialization is related to Academics, it would be fair to say that Home School students are well-adjusted

• What about other areas of “socialization”– Civic Involvement– Lifestyle choices– Overall Happiness

Socialization and Civic Involvement

37%

71%

50%

88%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

U.S. Adults Home Educated

OngoingCommunityservice

Member of anorganization


35.00%

4%

0.00%

5.00%

10.00%

15.00%

20.00%

25.00%

30.00%

35.00%

40.00%

U.S. Adults Home EducatedEducation Type

Per

cen

t

Politics toohard tounderstand


Contributed Money to a candidate/political party/political cause

3%

11%

18%

10%

23%

37%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

18-24 25-39 40-54

Ages

per

cen

t

GeneralU.S.

HomeEducated


Worked for candidate/political party/political cause

1%

5%6%

14%13%

15%

0%

2%

4%

6%

8%

10%

12%

14%

16%

18-24 25-39 40-54Ages

Pe

rce

nt

GeneralU.S.

HomeEducated


Voted in National/state election in U.S. in last 5 years

2940

53

7695 96

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

18-24 25-39 40-54Ages

Per

cen

t

General U.S.

HomeEducated


• This is a small glimpse into the extraordinary amount of Community and Civic involvement by home school students (and their parents).

• We could go on and on, but we must yet deal with two other areas:– Lifestyle choices, and– General happiness

Socialization and Daily Life

• There are many possible aspects of Daily life we could review, however data are only available for three basic subjects:– Reading habits– Sources for current events and news– Religious and Spiritual habits

Socialization and Daily Life

Reading & News Habits

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

Read any Booksin last 6 months

Used a publiclibrary in last 6

months

Reads anewspaper at

least once a week

Watches nationalnews on TV or

listens to nationalnews radio almost

every day.

Knows how to usethe internet

GeneralU.S.

HomeEducated

Socialization and Daily LifeReligious habits

41%

93%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

General U.S. Home Educated

AttendsReligiousServices once amonth or more

Socialization and Happiness Very happy, Pretty happy, not too happy

28%

59%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%


Happiness quotient: "Taken all together, howwould you say things are these days:

Veryhappy

Socialization and HappinessVery happy, Pretty happy, not too happy

9%

2%

0%

1%

2%

3%

4%

5%

6%

7%

8%

9%

10%


Happiness quotient: "Taken all together, how wouldyou say things are these days:

Not toohappy

Socialization and HappinessExciting, Routine, or Dull

47%

73%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%


Perspective on life: "In general, do you find life exciting,pretty routine, or dull

Exciting

Socialization and HappinessExciting, Routine, or Dull

4%

1%

0%

1%

1%

2%

2%

3%

3%

4%

4%

5%


Perspective on life: "In general, do you find life exciting, prettyroutine, or dull

Dull

Socialization and HappinessJob Satisfaction

40%

61%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%


Job Satisfaction: "On the whole, how satisfied are you withthe work you do"

VerySatisfied

Socialization and Happiness

Job Satisfaction

3%

1%

0%

1%

1%

2%

2%

3%

3%

4%


Job Satisfaction: "On the whole, how satisfied are youwith the work you do"

VeryDissatisfied

Socialization and HappinessOutlook on Life

Most Important Factor for Success

68.2%

85.3%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

90.0%


Most important factors for success: "Some people say that people get aheadby their own hard work; others say that lucky breaks or help from people are

more important. Which do you think is more important?"

Hard Work


Most Important Factor for Success9.7%

0.5%0.0%

2.0%

4.0%

6.0%

8.0%

10.0%

12.0%


Most important factors for success: "Some people say that people getahead by their own hard work; others say that lucky breaks or help from

people are more important. Which do you think is more important?"

Luck or help


35%

4%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%


Own family has no say inwhat federal governmentdoes

Socialization• By every measure, home school graduates appear to

be well-adjusted, contributing members of society and good citizens.

• The homeschool student starts with an excellent academic background,

• Nurtured by the one institution that cares for the student more than any other: the family.

• The student they takes that excellent academic background with confidence to college

• Then, understanding that hard work is a key element to success, they get to work.

Socialization• Then, they join organizations in their community

and volunteer on an ongoing basis.

• Unlike their peers, they regularly attend church services.

• Understanding that their obligations as good citizens, they vote

• Even more, they volunteer and contribute to political candidates

Socialization• As I read the literature on this subject, I have a bit

more hope for the future.

• Because the home school movement is growing and bringing with it a new breed of citizen, which is not new at all.

• These young citizens bring the same principled understanding to the marketplace that our founding fathers did when they came to these shores.

• If you know of anyone considering homeschooling, encourage them.

Socialization

Homeschool Tips

• Tip # 1: Get Plugged in

• There are two large groups and several smaller homeschool groups right here in Acadiana– Catholic: Holy Family– Protestant: Christian Home Educators Fellowship –

Chef of Lafayette

Several Smaller Groups– Local Church Groups– Local “Unschool” groups

Homeschool Tips

• Tip # 2: Select a type of curriculum and method of homeschooling

• A few of the general categories:– Traditional– Classical– Unit Studies– Unschooling/Child Directed/Delight Directed

Homeschool Tips

• Tip # 3: Attend a convention or curriculum fair.

• Tip # 4: Tap into the used curriculum market

• Tip # 5: Choose a place to do school

• Tip # 6: Be creative with field trips

Documents

Why Homeschool A Special Presentation Produced by Chef of Lafayette January 2007