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Public School or Homeschool: Who’s Right?

An article was published today in Canadian Newspaper, The Intelligencer, which claims school systems beat out homeschooling. It mentioned the same weak socialization accusations as always and did not have a single statistic to back up the article. Meanwhile, a conservative newspaper ran a story that says we should “Do Away with Public Schools”. So, who’s wrong and who’s right.

There are absolutely no statistics that proves public schooling gets better results than homeschooling. If there were, the teachers unions would have used it to crush homeschoolers years ago. I don’t even know, if it is even possible to compare homeschooling and public schooling point for point, because such pains have been made to keep homeschooling and public school separate. This divide has been made by the school systems as well as homeschoolers.

On the other hand, public schools are not all bad, and should not be eliminated. Public schools serve millions of families who have no other way to educate their children. Public schools give children in difficult situations a relatively safe place to spend the bulk of their time. Public school teaches those who are able to learn in the way that the government deems are correct. There are children who thrive in public schools.

Homeschooling is not best for every child. Public school is not best for every child. I believe that without both public schools and homeschools being in existence, both would suffer tremendously. Originally, public school did many kids a lot of good by pulling them out of slave labor situations. Public school is definitely better than the alternative that was present when it started. Likewise, if there were not some serious problems with public school, homeschooling would have never come to pass. For those situations where homeschooling does not work, isn’t it wonderful that public school exists for parents to fall back on?

Yes, I am a homeschooler, and my job and passion is to advocate for homeschooling. It is also my responsibility as a person entrenched into the subject of education to be responsible and fair when criticizing public education, and to be honest and realistic when defending homeschooling.

So who’s wrong, and who’s right? That depends on you and your individual child. Those who can and should homeschool will. Likewise, those who must go to public school, and even thrive in it should. Meanwhile, both public schooled children, and homeschooled children can feel comfortable knowing there is always another alternative. By the way, as long as each form of education exists as a safety net for the other, each option will try it’s darndest to do its best.

*Have a question about homeschooling? Just ask.

*Want to know more about homeschooling? Start with the 2006 homeschool blog in review!

* Have you seen the homeschooling curriculum glossary?