There are many quality studies indicating that hands-on homeschooling on average develops better quality students. Part of this effect can be explained by noting that parents have a say in enrollment no matter which route they take. A parent who is truly involved in their child’s education helps motivate the student, which results in better results.
As reported in one of the studies sponsored by the Department of Education, homeschooling practice test scores were especially high. The average score for each grade was much higher than that of public and even private and Catholic school students.
The typical home-schooled child in grades one through four was one grade above his peers. Once students had reached the equivalent of eighth grade, they were in the region of three years ahead of those who had attended public school.
One factor in those findings that needs to be taken into account is the consequence that public schools are doing a particularly poor job, not simply that homeschooling has been doing better. However, home-schooled practical students often outperformed those in private schools.
Also, the costs are much lower as well. Public schools often spend an average of $6,000 per year for each student; private schools spend only $3,250. Homeschooling is by far the lowest at $600 per student each year. Of course, that last figure doesn’t take into account the time a parent spends on free tutoring that a schoolteacher would be paid for.
It is estimated that more than one million students are homeschooled throughout the United States each year. Hundreds went to universities and colleges and in many cases the most difficult and prestigious for admission. In hands-on homeschooling, there is a lack of peer pressure that will annoy those who show enthusiasm for learning. Instead, there is a concerned guardian or parent who encourages the best from within the child.