How do schools stack up? Home school vs. public and private school
By Michelle Bruns
You have always wanted the best for your bundle of joy, and his education is no exception. With so many choices, from homeschool to public and private schools galore, how are you supposed to know which one is the best for your little Einstein?
According to the most recent National Center for Education Statistics, the number of homeschool students is up 29 percent from 1999, totaling approximately 1.1 million in 2003. While a fraction compared to the 48,540,000 children who attended public school and 6,099,000 students who attended private schools the same year, the trend toward homeschooling seems to be growing.
There are both positives and negatives no matter which option you choose. Here are a few of the common concerns for many parents:
Socialization
Both public and private have peer pressure, which is drastically cut down on in a homeschool situation. But, with homeschooling, the student may miss out on learned social behavior, such as interacting with others their own age. Public and private schools have dances, sports teams, and clubs, but homeschool students do have opportunities to attend community dances, private sports teams, and community clubs.
Types of Students
In public schools, the types of students that attend the school are based on the neighborhood in which the school resides. Not keen on the neighborhood kids? Private schools are much more selective in their enrollment, and homeschooling allows control over to whom their child is exposed. In relation, public and private school students are more likely to be exposed to violence in schools, while homeschool students are sheltered from this growing problem.
Curriculum
The teaching curriculum at public schools is determined and tested by the State. For private schools, the curriculum is set by the school, which commonly includes religion. Parents who homeschool their children set their child’s curriculum based on each individual child, what moral values they hold, and at the level and style that suits their child best.
Learning Environment
Although public class sizes are growing, students in these settings learn to work together with other students and problem-solve, which gives them a chance to experience and learn from these interactions. Parents who prefer smaller class sizes opt to send their little intellectuals to private schools, although the lowest student-to-teacher ratio is the one-on-one learning homeschooled students can receive.
Teacher Credentials
Teachers in public school must gain their degrees or credentials based on government standards, such as a bachelors degree. Private school teachers, on the other hand, are hired based on knowledge or degree in the subject in which they are teaching. Requirements vary from state to state for parents who homeschool their children, but a recent ruling in California requires parents to possess teaching credentials in order to homeschool their children. This recent ruling will no doubt affect the numbers of students who are homeschooled.
Cost
In a self-sponsored study by the Unites States Department of Education for fiscal year 2004, the average cost was $6,500 per public school student each year and $3,500 per private school student annually, in which both cases include the cost of teacher salaries. The study also showed that the cost per homeschooled student was about $550 per student each year, which does not include the time parents spend homeschooling their children. These numbers do not include the parents’ cost of lunches, transportation, and for some, after school care.
Family Time
For some families, the decision to choose the public school, private school, or homeschool route boils down to family time. For some families, time in the evenings and on weekends is enough, in which cases public and private schooling is the best option. While others feel that being together all day is the best scenario for them, in which homeschooling is the option.
Ultimately, the decision should be based on the individual child. Only you, as the parent, know your youngster best, and the style, environment, and place of learning should be based on the child’s individual needs. The goal is to get your tiny scholar to his cap and gown; how he gets there is a decision only you can make.
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