Marie-Claire Moreau

Author, Speaker, Teacher, Mom

As families flock to homeschooling, how does this impact you?

FPEA Keynote (Credit: Moreau)

You read the papers. I know you have friends and neighbors whose children take the bus.

I don’t have to tell you how public school parents are worried about stuff going down in their kids’ schools. Some are angry. Others are downright scared.

Honestly, if I read one more story about testing, restrooms, bullying, vaxxing, race discrimination, teachers behaving badly, sex education curricula, school bus violence, religious intolerance…well, the list goes on and on. In my opinion, election campaigning has  introduced even more confusion into the minds of many youngsters this year, too.

It’s a hot mess.

Other families are now just discovering the benefits of homeschooling. Upon realizing there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to learning, they’re looking at ways to better meet the needs of unique children, or how to live a life of learning outside the four walls.

Over the weekend, I had the honor of once again attending the largest homeschooling convention in the country. As I met with families in the exhibit area and encountered parents throughout the convention center, I once again got a glimpse of the enormity of our growing community, with fresh eyes as I compared it to last year. This weekend’s event brought in some 20,000 people, the largest attendance ever I’m told. Understand I’m only talking about one event. These kinds of conferences happen all year long, throughout the country.

In Orlando, as in other areas I travel, I met families of all kinds, all coming together to share a common journey. But, over the last few years, I’ve been sensing a more diverse audience than ever before. Research hasn’t caught up to this emerging new demographic, but it’s blaringly obvious the new face of homeschooling is more and more a reflection of concerns arising over government schooling.

Makes sense. Parents are looking for options. They’ve already changed schools and they’ve already tried the private and charter alternatives. They’ve looked into virtual programs and smaller academies. In the end, lots of them are abandoning schools altogether. They’re leaving what they view as a failing system, often leaving behind beloved teachers and favorite Principals they trusted for years. Yet, they don’t trust the overall experience any more. So, they’re packing it in. They’re suddenly homeschooling.

Does this influx of families impact those of us already homeschooling?

I think it does.

Depending on your perspective, the growing number of homeschoolers could be a good thing or a bad thing. The rise of homeschooling could be viewed as a necessary evolution, a reflection of modern society as it were, increasing opportunities and avenues for connection and collaboration and information for us all. It could (will) continue to validate what we’re doing, providing even more evidence of the logic and success of our choices as more homeschoolers enter the adult world and show off what they’ve got.

On the flip side, the influx of modern families could send you into hiding, as homeschooling evolves into something other than what you originally signed up for. No longer an elite club for the righteous, the celebrities, the non-conformists and the free thinkers, homeschooling might not appeal to you so much now that everybody’s doing it. I can’t read your mind, but I’ve heard at least a few parents saying it doesn’t feel so special any more.

There are certainly some distinct areas being impacted, that I observe in my work and that I hear from other homeschool leaders. Because these areas may impact you directly, I want to share what you might expect as homeschooling continues to explode:

For starters, you can probably expect more questions and requests for information than ever before. Perhaps you’re already finding this true in your daily life. As more people begin coming to you for help, you might choose to offer more assistance. Or not. Be aware that having experience homeschooling in an area is a valuable asset. Others will probably want to learn what you know.

Increasing numbers of homeschoolers will probably mean an increased need for support in your area. Given that at least some of the new families haven’t had a whole lot of time to prepare, you might notice a growing lack of understanding and an even greater need for basic help than ever before. Local support groups could experience an increase in memberships and online support systems even more join requests than previous years. You can recommend this book if you like.

Whereas orientation for new homeschoolers is traditionally offered at the beginning or end of a “school year”, you might begin seeing more events in your area throughout the year. Online events are already occurring throughout the year, providing information and encouragement for those just dropping in. Prepare to see even more information sessions and online conferences for newcomers in years to come.

Given that many new families come from school environments, you might begin to notice a demand for more structured activities in your community. People who are used to classes and bell ringing will be looking for similar activities in your area. Should you feel led to direct new families, you might respond by pointing them to structured activities that already exist where you live. Or, you may feel called to help create structured activities (like classes, fairs and co-ops) if they don’t already exist.

On the other hand, it’s logical to assume that not everybody is happy about the changing culture and the newer flavors of support and activities. Certainly perspectives will differ, but this could become a time for you to reassess your involvement in activities that lose their intimacy or other qualities you presently enjoy. Larger homeschool programs can sometimes begin to resemble the very school programs some homeschoolers avoid. Fractioning of groups and activities tend to occur during these times, as well, as breakout groups form in response to the needs of families feeling lost in the larger sphere. Systems that no longer function will be reinvented.

Similarly, an increase in homeschoolers usually also means an increase in the search for social activities. I see this emerging in my area, and I’ll bet you notice it in yours, too. Alongside this need, I am finding many long-time homeschoolers are starting to reassess the kinds of socialization they desire for their own kids. Depending on your view, the rise of homeschooling could be a time to reflect upon your specific reasons for homeschooling, and whether to expand your children’s opportunities to include different kinds of socialization — or not.

Finally, if you haven’t already noticed, the rising number of homeschoolers has become a way for opportunists to cash in. The marketplace is fast becoming a free-for-all, as publishers and other companies are targeting homeschoolers, often creating new products specifically for our market.  New products hold the potential to change your way of thinking, as manufacturers sometimes fabricate standards and needs that do not even exist. As parents, it’s important we pay attention to the changing homeschool marketplace. Though many of these products are exceptional, others have little to do with a quality homeschool education. And while you may welcome, as I do, the myriad of new product choices for use in the homeschool, I also advise even greater discernment when previewing products from companies that don’t have your best interests in mind — just your wallet.

What effects are you noticing in your area as the result of the increasing homeschool population? Are you welcoming these changes or are you feeling compromised in ways you do not enjoy?

I would love to hear what is happening in your community as homeschooling expands across the country. Please leave a COMMENT in the space below.

To your success,

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago.  A homeschooling pioneer and the founder of many groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast.  Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the public school system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame, with no teaching background whatsoever.  A liaison for regional school-to-home organizations, a homeschool leader, and a women’s life coach, Marie-Claire mentors in a variety of areas that impact health, education and lifestyle. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Home Education Council of America, The Luminous Mind, Vintage Homeschool Moms, iHomeschool Network, and many other events. Her articles have appeared in and on Holistic Parenting, CONNECT, Homefires, Homemaking Cottage, Kiwi, Circle of Moms, and hundreds of sites and blogs nationwide.  Marie-Claire can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.

Does homeschooling prepare kids for college?

{This post is one in a series called, “Top 10 Fears”, in which I speak to the most common fears parents express about homeschooling the high school years.  To see all the topics, or to start at the beginning, click HERE.}

10fears

Fear #5

Homeschooling won’t prepare your kid for college

 

I love my job, I really do.

One of the reasons is because I get to use phrases like, “hog wash” and say stuff like, “preposterous” more than most people.

This is one of those times.  That’s because the fear of homeschoolers not getting into college couldn’t be any more false than it already is.  And yet it is.  It’s actually more than false, negative-false, and false to the highest degree.

You see, homeschoolers get into colleges in very high numbers.  I’m talking about all kinds of homeschooled kids, with all kids of homeschool backgrounds, into all kinds of colleges nationwide and overseas.

Want proof?  All you have to do is start reading.

There are lots and lots of testimonials of homeschoolers succeeding in college, and lots and lots of research confirming exactly what you want to know — that homeschoolers rock college.  Easily, too.

Did you know that homeschoolers are sought after by many colleges?

Did you realize that homeschoolers can actually get in more easily, may graduate sooner, might earn more financial aid, frequently enter with more early credit, and can even have a higher graduation rate than other students?

Do you get how well-prepared and attractive to colleges homeschoolers are, as compared to their same-age peers who’ve all had the same exact set of courses in high school?

Have you even thought about how [much more] amazing your kid is going to be after spending the next four years following a completely customized curriculum designed to turn him/her into a top college prospect?

Rest easy, parents.  Your homeschooler will get in just fine.  But if you’d like to read more, check out the links I’ve included for you below.  You can also chat with me to make sure you’re doing all the right stuff to maximize your chances.  I’d be honored to play a role on your successful team.

Other links of interest:

5 Days of College Prep High Schooling (a series of articles)

How do homeschoolers get into college?

Homeschoolers Pay for College

Bibliographies Worth Reviewing:

Homeschooling: A Comprehensive Survey of the Research (courtesy of Gifted Homeschoolers Forum)

Homeschoolers on to college (ERIC file)

Marie-Claire Moreau, Quick Start Homeschool

 

 

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Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago.  The founder of many homeschool groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast.  Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame, or with no educational background whatsoever.  A liaison for regional school-to-home organizations and a homeschool leader in Florida, Marie-Claire also mentors homeschool families nationwide. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Home Education Council of America, and many other events.  She currently writes for audiences at Quick Start Homeschool, which she founded in 2010, and as a guest writer on other sites as often as she can.  Her articles have appeared in CONNECT magazine, on Homefires, atCircle of Moms, and she has contributed to hundreds of other blogs nationwide.  Dr. Moreau can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.

Homeschool socialization illustrated

With all the chatter about socialization and homeschool isolation, I thought this might be a good day to post a little graphic for you all.

I regularly read the stats, so your takeaway may be different from mine, but what stood out for me on this one was the illustrated portion attacking homeschool isolation myths.  In light of recent events on television and social media (like celebrities throwing their .02 into the pot), I found it a particularly good depiction of just WHERE and HOW homeschoolers actually learn.

Scroll down.  Read carefully.  And don’t forget to check out the bar graphs about homeschool success, too!

Help spread the good word by SHARING this entire link with your friends, will you?  Leave a COMMENT below with your impressions, too!

Enjoy.

Homeschooling
Source: BestMastersinEducation.com

SHARE IT:

Where’s the proof?

Homeschooling is centuries-old, and has been widely practiced in modern society for several decades.  It is no longer new, lending credibility to the process and allowing years of research to accumulate and substantiate its successes.  With decades of graduates under their belts, successful homeschool parents have proudly shared their stories.  Their graduates, now in the workforce in the U.S. and all around the globe, have had time to prove themselves as well, demonstrating the wisdom and logic of their parents’ decisions so many years ago.

What have these tales told and numbers shown?  The stories are consistent. They tell that homeschoolers come out ahead.  Not just holistically, as in some overall happiness factor (which is reported anecdotally, too), but in quantifiable measures, like test scores and money awarded for college.

Looking at test scores, for instance, homeschooled students consistently rank at the top of the nation’s standardized test takers. One study completed by the National Home Education Research Institute and published in the Academic Achievement Journal concluded that homeschoolers taking the Iowa or California Achievement Test scored in the 84-89th percentile when measured against public schoolers averaging in 50th percentile. In another study at a Minnesota college, homeschooled graduates attending the college earned higher GPAs than the other students there.  These are superior, measurable results — similar to other numbers found in many other studies as well.

Completion rates are another area where homeschoolers top statistics.  Graduates from homeschool don’t just enter college with more early credits than other graduates, but they boast a higher graduation rate, too.  Though the causes are not exactly known, superior study habits, a solid work ethic, an ongoing support system plus mastering how to learn are more than likely major factors in contributing to homeschool success.

It is beyond the scope of this post to summarize all of the research to date; however, a report on this topic is available from this author (click sidebar).  Those wishing to learn more  should also consult organizations like the National Home Education Research Institute and publishers of national educational data, such as the U.S. Department of Education and the United States Bureau of the Census.

“What if I break the kids?”

I have lost count of the number of parents who have asked me this question…or one just like it:

“I’m worried I’ll do it wrong.”

“How do I know it will work?”

“I’m afraid I might mess them up.”

“What if I forget something?”

“How do I know I can do this?”

“I just wish I could be sure I won’t break the kids.”

If this describes you, allow me to to hold your hand for just a moment. Let me reassure you that you’re not alone.  Listen as I tell you that it’s normal for parents to wonder if they can really do this thing.

I have met many new and prospective homeschool parents over the years.  I have counseled probably hundreds of parents thinking of quitting before they even got started.  One of  the #1 concerns I hear is about messing things up.  Worrying about wrecking the kids.  Fear that things may go very badly wrong and it’ll be all their fault.

You may find it hard to believe that almost every homeschool parent has had this thought in one form or another.  Either privately or right out loud.  Some don’t admit it.  But many do.  Some wonder only little bit.  But others freak out entirely. I admit to worrying about certain things when I first started, too.

Parents must understand that this fear comes from their lack of experience.  It is fueled by a lack of confidence because they have never done it before, so they haven’t had the opportunity to see positive results yet — results that just might mean things are actually working.

Homeschooling for the first time is a lot like doing anything new.  Except it’s a little more complicated because it affects other people, too — little people — people who depend on their parents to make the right choices.  Choices that might affect them for the rest of their lives.

Fears like this can be tough to combat.  But the only way to see if it works is to give it a try.  Forge ahead. Trust in the process.  Trust in those who have done it before.  Trust in those cheering for you.  Because even though you think you can’t, they know you can.  Trust in yourself that you know your children best and you know what’s good for them.  Trust in the research that proves that other people’s kids haven’t been messed up, so yours probably won’t get messed up either.

I know it’s confusing.  I know you’re afraid.  But try to remember the last time you tried something new.  And how after a while you looked back on it and realized you wasted way too much time worrying about it.

COMMENT below if you have specific fears and concerns.  I’ll respond to them.  And I’ll wish you well.  Because we’ve all done it.  And everybody knows you can, too!

 

[Image: Flickr]

 

 

 

Magazine subscriptions for homeschoolers

Homeschoolers have many choices when it comes to subscription publications that arrive by mail.  Although parents may also access homeschool information online, there is still something to be said for leafing through a magazine over a cup of tea, toting one to the beach, or keeping a copy in the car to read in between appointments.

Every homeschool publication has a little something different to offer.  Some are very eclectic, others have a Christian orientation, and still others may appeal a bit more to relaxed schoolers.  But no matter which one you choose, a monthly dose of information, encouragement, and a whole new crop of ideas every month is fun to look forward to.  Plus, it’s an excellent way to keep on top of new materials and engage in a little bit of ‘professional development’ all at the same time!

Take a look at some of the magazines that are available by subscription.  A more comprehensive list can be found in my book.

Home Education Magazine

The Old Schoolhouse (or, use our Affiliate link, found HERE)

Practical Homeschooling

Life Learning Magazine (available in PDF files for download)

Home School Enrichment

Homeschooling Today

[Image: Free Digital]

Homeschooling myths bebunked

Despite the tremendous growth and popularity of homeschooling, myths about it continue swirling across the nation.   And though myths often arise out of confusion or a lack of access to accurate information, despite any amount of well-researched, national homeschool demographics and performance studies that have been published over the last decade, many of these myths persist even today.

Though there are many things that factor into a family’s decision to homeschool, widespread homeschooling myths continue to dissuade some would-be homeschoolers from looking deeper into this most successful and fulfilling way of life. Sharing homeschooling truths with uninformed or skeptical acquaintances is but one way to begin setting the record straight.  Being an informed homeschooler and a confident voice in one’s community is another.

Below, you’ll find some of the most common homeschooling myths debunked.  Sharing this list with others should help re-frame the way that some people still look at homeschooling today.  The list will also prepare readers for the kinds of claims and opposition they may potentially encounter as homeschoolers themselves. Look for additional myths debunked in future posts, as well.

Parents are unqualified to teach their children

As a child’s first teacher, parents have no difficulty teaching children beginning at birth and for the next several years.  That is why it is preposterous to assume that parents suddenly cease to be qualified the moment their child turns 4, 5 or 6 years old.  National studies confirm that homeschooled kids are able to succeed no matter how educated their parents are, negating concerns that parents need to understand every subject themselves.  Studies have also proven that teacher certification has no bearing on student success in public school classrooms, making it safe to assume that teaching experience and/or credentials is not needed to produce successful homeschooled students either.

All homeschoolers are religious and/or most homeschoolers are fanatically religious

Although some parents choose homeschooling for religious reasons, for many others, religion has nothing  to do with the decision at all.  American homeschoolers come from all imaginable backgrounds and represent every known political and religious point of view.  Families that homeschool may do it to impart a set of religious beliefs or to avoid contrary beliefs taught in traditional public school classrooms.   But most families say that they homeschool for a combination of reasons, including raising academic standards for their children,  keeping children safe from school violence and bullying, providing a customized experience for children with learning styles not being met in classrooms, and avoiding the unwanted influence of drugs, alcohol or teen sexuality.  Homeschooling products, too, span the entire continuum from biblically-inspired to entirely secular in nature.  Despite what some think, homeschooling isn’t all about religion.

Homeschooled kids are unsocialized, odd or just do not ‘fit in’

To those only familiar with the public education model and the way that institutionally schooled children may look or act, homeschoolers could in fact seem different.  Sadly, these differences are often labeled a bad thing when in fact homeschooler behavior has been shown to be much closer to what real-world socialization is really about.  Claims that homeschooled youngsters are somehow strange or that these children exhibit a lack of proper socialization couldn’t be further from the truth.  In fact, a great deal of research has concluded that homeschooled graduates do very well in the real world — even that they do not suffer the ill-effects experienced by children crammed into artificially created classroom environments where interactions are limited, highly-controlled, and integration only occurs within same-age peer groups. Even the popular radio personality, Dr. Laura, has objected to the “Stepford Child” model of education, where children are treated the same despite their differences, and has concluded that homeschooling is a very healthy educational alternative.

Homeschoolers take money away from and/or diminish the quality of local schools

Many people believe that homeschoolers receive compensation for agreeing to teach their children at home.  Myths range from thinking that homeschoolers receive all of the curriculum they need free from local schools to believing that homeschoolers receive state or federal monies in the form of rebates or incentives when parents do the teaching at home.  In fact, homeschoolers purchase, rent, create, borrow or otherwise secure all of the teaching materials that they use entirely on their own.  And with the exception of products that are actually free (some virtual classes or free e-books, for instance) homeschoolers pay for these expenses themselves.  If anything, rather than costing schools money, homeschoolers actually contribute by paying taxes to support a system that they do not use.  As for claims that homeschoolers harm local schools by removing the very brightest children thus preventing the highest-scoring tier from contributing to a school’s overall performance, these hardly merit explanation; though a reminder of the deluge of responses in opposition to Robin West’s Harms of Homeschooling may be in order.  (A simple search should yield hundreds of results.)

More homeschooling myths will be debunked in future posts.  In the meanwhile, follow these links for more research and articles about this topic:

National Center for Education Statistics

Educational Resources Information Center — ERIC

A to Z Home’s Cool

National Home Education Research Institute — NHERI

Homeschool Legal Defense — HSLDA

Why do people homeschool?

Two decades ago, it was easy to assume that parents chose homeschooling for religious reasons or because they didn’t believe in turning their children over to schools.

Today, there are many new reasons to homeschool than in the past.  In fact, many families and their children choose homeschooling for more than one reason.

Quoting directly from The National Home Education Research Institute, the most common reasons given for homeschooling today include:

  • “customize or individualize the curriculum and learning environment for each child,
  • accomplish more academically than in schools,
  • use pedagogical approaches other than those typical in -institutional schools,
  • enhance family relationships between children and parents and among siblings,
  • provide guided and reasoned social interactions with youthful peers and adults,
  • provide a safer environment for children and youth, because of physical violence, drugs and alcohol, psychological abuse, and improper and unhealthy sexuality associated with institutional schools, and
  • teach and impart a particular set of values, beliefs, and worldview to children and youth.”

Parents who are thinking about homeschooling can feel good in knowing that they are not alone.  The millions of students currently being homeschooled in the US demonstrates that other families share the same concerns and have chosen home education for the very same reasons.

Can homeschoolers get into college?

Of all of the questions that prospective homeschoolers ask, this is probably one of the most common.  For moms and dads who know very little about homeschooling, it is only natural to wonder if, down the road, some 12 or 15 years from now, homeschooling will actually pay off.

The pay off meaning success.  Fulfillment, happiness, the ability to learn, the satisfaction of doing what they love, of course.  But, ultimately, for many families, success is all about college acceptance.

The answer is a resounding yes.  Fact is, homeschoolers actually have a leg up when it comes to college acceptance.  Not only do homeschoolers get accepted into college, but they get accepted into the “good” ones, too. 

If that isn’t enough, homeschoolers tend to perform exceedingly well in college.  This alone is the primary reason that colleges and universities actively recruit homeschooled grads to attend.  And offer scholarships. And make the admissions process as transparent and natural as possible, so that homeschoolers can apply just like any other high school graduates.  Not that homeschoolers need to look like other high school grads on applications, because they don’t.  And that’s fine, too. 

The statistics about homeschooled graduates are indisputable and reassuring.  The National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI), for example, studies homeschoolers that go on to college.   In the book, Home Educated and Now Adults, NHERI researcher and author Brian Ray reports an astonishing number of homeschooled graduates who enter college (almost 75%), which is almost double the number of the rest of the population of 18-24 year olds.  Further, homeschooled grads tend to score higher on college entrance exams (SAT and ACT) and ultimately succeed in college at least as well, if not more, than their counterparts once they get there.

Much has been written about homeschooler success in college.  Myths that these students are different and therefore denied college and/or scholarships are fiction and could not be farther from the truth.  

Visit these links to read more facts about homeschooler successes in college:

NHERI Research Facts on Homeschooling

Home School Legal Defense Association Research Page

Home Education Foundation Statistics and Research

Research Shows Benefit of Homeschooling

Homeschooling perks include easy college acceptance

Studies confirm what parents already know

Sometimes a study comes out that shocks and surprises people who know little about the topic.  But those on the inside understand it completely, even smirk at how obvious the results really are. 

That happened yesterday when NHERI released the results of a new nationwide homeschooling study.  Though the nation may have been surprised, homeschoolers may view it as a “So what?” moment.

The importance of this study was so great, that I thought I’d post it here with an explanation as well, even though it originally appeared HERE. You are more than welcome to add your comments to it, below.

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The results of a brand-new homeschooling study conducted by the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) counters what some have alleged were stagnating homeschooling numbers over the last years.

In fact, the study, released by NHERI yesterday, shows no leveling off, but a continual increase over the last three years instead.  In some states alone, numbers rose as much as 18% since 2007.

Numbers could be even higher, explains Dr. Brian D. Ray about the research, because the number of families who homeschool “underground” cannot easily be counted.  The differences in the mandatory school age in each of the different states adds another layer of blurriness. 

While the numbers are impressive, the real significance of the study is in refuting claims that homeschooling is,  “now a passing fad.” 

Not only does the study show homeschooling continually on the rise, but Dr. Ray asserts that these numbers will increase even more dramatically in the next 5-10 years, as homeschooled graduates begin practicing homeschooling in their own families, as well.

The report may be viewed and downloaded online, free, by visiting NHERI on the web.