Southwest Tribune

Many parents have lost confidence in the public and private education system. In addition to the reality of overcrowded classrooms, unqualified teachers, outdated textbooks and learning materials, parents are worried about the safety of their children. Drugs, poor educational outcomes, and school violence each contribute to the rationale behind home schooling.

Furthermore, schools, while created for all the right reasons, inexorably have become places where children become introduced to the adult world of thinking before their biological time. Children can come into contact with other students who may be negative influences. In turn, this association can lead to educational and social downfall.

To combat some of these negative associations with public schools, many parents enrolled their children in private schools. After similar outcomes the options were slim and now, parents have begun to embrace the option of home schooling their children at a higher rate than ever before.

There are many advantages to home schooling. The first is obviously piece of mind. Instead of wondering what unwanted influences are being pressed against your child all day, you know and have control over the learning environment. Besides, the option of blaming the educational system for its shortcomings is eliminated and your child's academic progress is in your hands.

In addition, the home environment is usually, believe it or not, more adequate than learning in a school. Schools are overcrowded, noisy, frequently poorly run, and aggressive or disruptive students are oftentimes, allowed to get away with terrible behavior due to lax laws designed to "protect" the rights of students.

Furthermore, as a parent, you can choose the teachers you want. If you want to provide instruction yourself, that is your choice. If you wish to contract an educational service that operates via the Internet or closed-circuit television that is also your choice.

If your child suffers from some sort of cognitive or physical disability it gives you the chance to move quickly through hours of academic study that comes easy to your child, while focusing on the subjects that are much more difficult.

If you wish for your child to have a religious education yet you do not want him or her to attend a private school, you have the option of tailoring an educational program to encompass your theological beliefs. Public schools have been mandated to leave religion out of the classroom and, as stated earlier, the environment provided by private schools has not proven to be a panacea.

Home schooling has many advantages. When you make your decision on the subject you should have a plan for success.

Home schooling is not something you should rush into - it is a commitment that has to be followed through.