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Qualified to Homeschool?

ORGANIZED UNDER: Decision // Quick Start

Am I qualified to homeschool?

Perhaps one of the weightiest questions prospective homeschooling parents find themselves faced with is whether or not they are qualified to homeschool their children, particularly if neither parent possesses a teaching degree. We have been conditioned to believe that those individuals with teaching certificates are experts, and therefore better able to meet the educational needs of our children. Research, however, paints a very different picture.¹

Points to Ponder

Here are a few facts about parental qualifications to consider.

Test Scores

According to a variety of research, homeschooled students score 15-30 points above their peers on achievement tests, regardless of the educational level of their parents.

Teaching Degree?

Having a teaching degree is not necessary to successfully homeschool your children. There is little difference in the achievement of homeschooled students whose parents held a teaching certificate and those whose parents did not.

Preferences

Having spent the most time with their children, parents are uniquely qualified to homeschool them. Parents are often aware of learning preferences that may take a classroom teacher several weeks or months to discover.

Outside Help

If a parent does not feel comfortable teaching a particular subject, they have several options to provide these courses. Parents can take advantage of co-ops, online courses, or video courses, to name a few.

Co-Learning

Homeschooling parents of all backgrounds often learn right alongside their children. Creating an environment that encourages a love of learning is the most important goal in homeschooling–one that can be provided by any parent.

A Few More Thoughts

While most parents considering homeschooling question their ability to properly teach their own children, the parent’s educational level or possession of a teaching degree causes very little difference in the achievement of their students. Parents are qualified to teach their own children because, having spent more time with them than anyone else has, they are the experts when it comes to their own children.

 

1. Source: http://www.hslda.org/docs/nche/000010/200410250.asp

At age eight, Stephenie McBride developed a life-long interest in teaching others. She taught English as a Second Language and Kindergarten in a public school for six years. Stephenie and her husband, Ben, adopted their two children from Kolkata, India, in 2000 and 2004. She has been an at-home parent and home educator since 2001. They use an eclectic mix of materials and approaches, with a strong emphasis on Charlotte Mason. Stephenie is the Assistant Editor of Publications for Home Educating Family Magazine. She also created and writes for Crestview Heights Academy Homeschool Curriculum. You can read more about Stephenie and her eclectic homeschooling adventures at crestviewheights.wordpress.com.

  • Julie Shafer

    You sound amazing and I’m very inspired by your story. I need to educate myself in so many areas it’s not funny. I have no idea how to schedule, keep a routine, organizational skills are a no. So, after saying that, you’ll see that without all that, my life is chaotic. I’m learning though.

    January 4, 2023 at 7:55 am Reply

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