Home Schooling: Not For Everyone Essay -- Argumentative Persuasive Arg

Home Schooling: Not For Everyone Home schooling is when a child is instructed outside of the public school system in a place such as the home. In the year 2002, 850,000 students were home schooled in the United States out of about 50,200,000 that were attending school at that time (Home Schooling Statistics, 1). The numbers of students being home schooled are expected to grow even more in the future (1). Home schooling laws vary from state to state. In New Jersey the home schooling laws state that children between the ages of 6 and 16 can be home schooled (Home Schooling in the United States A Legal Analysis, 1). There is no requirement for the number of days a student must attend if they are home schooled, unlike the public schools who have to have 180 days of school each year (1). The few required subjects that must be taught are history of the United States, civics, physical education, health, geography, history of New Jersey, citizenship and safety (1). Any of these subjects can be omitted fro m the curriculum if they interfere with religious or moral beliefs of the family (1). Perhaps the most influential reason for why a parent would take their child out of public education is their fear for the quality of their childà °s education. Due to teacher unions and contracts after several years of teaching a teacher receives tenure. At that time it is hard for a teacher to be fired despite their teaching qualifications and abilities. Home schooling a child would assure the parents that their child is receiving a proper education up to their standards. By home schooling their children the parents can control the education by selecting subject courses that follow their own curriculum. The reso... ... any prior teaching certification or experience, which means they may not be able to provide their child with an adequate education. Although home schooling may benefit some students, it is clearly not right for every student. Home schooling has its advantages and disadvantages and its success is not always guaranteed. In some respects home schooling may be cost efficient, but is it really worth it especially since it hampers a child's socialization process. Sources Cited Home Schooling in the United States A Legal Analysis. (2003, August). Home School Legal Defense Association. Retrieved November 19, 2004 from http://www. hslda.org/laws/?State=NJ Home Schooling Statistics. #1 Home Schooling Information and Software. Retrieved November 17, 2004 from http://www.home-schooling-information-software.com/ Home-Schooling-Statistics.html