Posts tagged research/statistics
Does More Money Produce Better Academic Scores?
0If you’re like most Americans, you’ve bought into the idea that education must be complicated and expensive to be worthwhile. It must be handled by highly educated, well-trained, pragmatic individuals with lots of mass produced educational tools at their disposal. Well, the truth may surprise you.
Recent findings in the Homeschool Progress Report 2009 found that education has little to do with the amount of money spent. When compared with the average amount spend per child in our public schools, homeschool families are doing an admirable job. We are, in fact, a frugal bunch. Most of us have traded the financial comfort of a two income family in order to have at least one parent (a.k.a. educator) at home, at least part of the time. Some of us are armed with little more than pen, paper, a library card and our creativity to develop our children’s curriculum. And we like it that way! Just take a look at what the statistics say… they speak for themselves.
Homeschooling Statistics: Should Government Regulate Homeschools?
0Homeschooling is not for the faint hearted, and most homeschool parents take it very seriously. That’s why when the question of government regulation comes up, homeschoolers’ feathers get more than a little ruffled. Depending on the state, government regulation of homeschools can be low, medium or high. But does higher regulation automatically produce better results? Check out the results for yourself:
Homeschooling Statistics: Should Parents Have Teaching Certificates?
1“Do you need any qualifications to homeschool your children?” That’s one of the first questions that homeschoolers hear when someone finds out that they’re educating their children at home. And while individual states have different rules concerning this, the question illuminates a common belief—and possible fear—that correct teaching can only be accomplished by trained professionals. That’s why it’s comforting to know that homeschooling’s success is not dependent on parents’ education levels. Just look at the following statistics:
Homeschool Statistics: How Do Homeschoolers Measure Up?
2As convinced as homeschooling families are that their education choice is the best, it begs the question: How do homeschool students measure up against their public school peers? In 2009, Dr. Brian D. Ray of the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) in Salem, Oregon, answered that question.
In 2008 Dr. Ray studied over 11,000 participants from all 50 states as well as Guam and Puerto Rico. The purpose of the study, which was commissioned by the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), was to “develop a current picture of homeschool students and their families.”
Over the next several weeks, I’m going to publish many of Dr. Ray’s findings. As homeschooling parents and interested parties, you’re sure to find these statistics encouraging. Enjoy!
Homeschooling and Cyber Schools
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In the April 25,2010 issue of Parade magazine, there was a short article entitled “Who Should Fund Cyber Schools?” that I found interesting. According to the article, more than 175,000 students in 25 states attend public school from the comfort of their computers, and that number grows 30% each year. It estimates “that half of all high school courses will be taught on the Web in 10 years.”
The article reported that each time a student leaves a public brick-and-mortar school for a public cyber school, like K-12 Online Learning, districts are forced to send that student’s funding to the online school. John Halfhill, Superintendent of Pennsylvania’s Southmoreland school district, said, “In my district, we’re outperforming the cyber schools in almost every regard based on achievement data, yet we are funding those schools.”
This statement struck me as funny. Homeschoolers and private school patrons, in general, significantly outperform public schools, and yet we, the tax paying parents, continue to “fund” those schools with our taxes. So, Mr. Halfhill, welcome to our world.
Mr. Halfhill should also remember that school districts are not the ones “funding” the cyber schools, taxpayers are, and if students can receive a better or safer or more personalized education through public cyber schools, then why shouldn’t they? Why not give students a choice?
What do you think, homeschoolers? Let me know your thoughts.
Thousands of Public School Teacher Jobs at Risk
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Between the obvious benefits of homeschooling and the tenuous atmosphere surrounding America’s public schools, I’m more convinced than ever that homeschooling will continue to grow and become a major player in our country’s educational system.
Just look at the facts. According to a study conducted by the National Center for Education, homeschool students increased 29% from 1999 to 2003. The National Home Education Research Institute estimates that they continue to grow at a rate of 5-12% each year. But now with the latest news regarding the future of America’s public schools, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a surge in these numbers.
Arne Duncan, US Secretary of Education, has reported that as many as 300,000 teacher jobs may be cut across the nation this year. The reason? America’s weak economy has forced school districts to make due with less, thus cutting jobs and programs. And while last year’s stimulus helped save jobs last year, that money is gone.
“Not only do schools need to go on a diet, they need to adopt a whole new way of life,” said Michael J. Petrilli of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, a non-profit educational think tank. “This money is gone, and it’s not coming back soon.”
Ron Allen of NBC reported that New York will cut 15,000 teachers, Illinois another 17,000, and California will lose 22,000 jobs by June. The effects of this downsizing will resort in larger classrooms with some estimates as high as 40 students to one teacher. Programs for art, music and sports will also feel the ax.
While homeschooling may not be an option for all families, with America’s education system facing such a bleak future, it’s not out of the question for families who do have a choice to begin looking for alternatives. Check out the full story here.
Living Math: Bringing Math to Life
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If there is one subject that can scare students, it’s math. Opinions are plentiful among homeschoolers on the best method and curriculum to use to make math click. And while homeschoolers’ opinions, approaches and curriculums are diverse, the Progress Report 2009, conducted by Brian Ray, Ph.D., president of the non-profit National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI), showed that homeschoolers are, in fact, doing a good job of teaching this sometimes difficult subject. On average, homeschooled students scored in the 84th percentile in math on standardized tests compared to their public school peers, who only scored in the 50th percentile. But even with this glowing report, homeschoolers may be searching for help. That’s why finding math resources to supplement a student’s learning is a godsend. Living Math offers just that.
While researching a new math curriculum, I came across this website. What I found was a wonderful library of creative ideas and suggestions for making math come alive. I especially love the recommended reading lists. If you follow the Charlotte Mason method of homeschooling, or simply like the idea of using living books to bring your child’s learning to life, then you’ll probably love this list too.
Living Math does offer some paid-for curriculum and is in the process of releasing new curriculum, but developer Julie Brennan, fellow homeschooler and CPA, offers an abundance of FREE information—articles, games, books, websites, etc.—to help you breathe life into your children’s math.
So take a look at the Living Math website and see if you are as inspired as I was. Happy homeschooling!
Why Homeschooling Works Pt. 1: Tutorial Relationship
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In a study conducted by the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI), homeschool students outperformed their public school counterparts by an average of more than 30% on standardized tests. Those living in the homeschooling world see the viability and success of this form of education each day, but thankfully, that statistic may silence critics. With such strong showings, it simply can’t be denied that homeschooling is a viable educational choice in the 21st century. But what makes it so successful? The answer has to begin with the simplicity of the environment and the low teacher to student ratio, a.k.a the Tutorial Relationship.
Think back to your own educational experience. If you were like most of us, you attended a public or private school with one teacher and 20-30 students. That ratio of 1 to 20 or 30 is limiting. Such an environment doesn’t allow for lots of hands-on learning or out-of-the-box activities. It doesn’t allow the teacher to step into the world of each student with the goal of reaching that student in a way that speaks to the individual.
Instead, the teacher is forced to teach in a way that reaches as many students as possible in as little time as possible. It’s kind of a shotgun approach to teaching—throw it out there in the best possible way and hit as many targets as you can. This is not a rant on the inadequacies of modern education. It is simply how it must be for such a high ratio. Given the same situation, most of us would likely resort to a similar approach. Even in families with multiple children, the ratio is still only one to two or three or five—much smaller than public or even private schooling.
In a one-on-one homeschooling relationship, the parent is able to present the material in an individualized manner. If the child doesn’t catch it, they can approach the material from another angle, working in tandem with the student until the information is understood.
Homeschool parents also don’t have to rely on traditional testing to reveal whether or not their child has understood the material. Instead, because of the tutorial relationship, the parent can talk to their child about what she understood. There is no “falling through the cracks” for homeschooled students. You likely won’t hear about a homeschooled teenager who is functionally illiterate, a growing concern in America, because his parent has worked so closely with him that any reading or writing problem would have come to light at a very young age.
The tutorial relationship offers any child—no matter how bright or how challenged and regardless of need—the opportunity to learn in an atmosphere that caters to the individual. It is a powerful learning tool and one that makes homeschooling ideal for many children.
Next time we’ll discuss another reason for homeschooling’s success, which is the Parent/Child Dynamic. Quite simply, no one knows your child as well as you do, so be sure to check back.
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