The Pros and Cons of Home Schooling

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Home Schooling

When it comes to the education of today’s youth, the idea of home schooling is a highly debated topic. Many people are for home schooling; similarly, many people are against it. The basis of this debate is one of great importance: our children need an education that prepares them for the world. It is the parents right to decide how best to obtain this goal.

Advantages unique to home schooling include its convenience, looser attendance policies, and individualized attention. Of special importance to the community, is that with more home schooled children, the cost of running public schools is reduced. With fewer enrollments, there is less demand for facilities and supplies, thus reducing overall expenditure.

Looking at the issue from a legal standpoint, in 1893 Commonwealth v. Roberts ruled that "all children shall be educated, not that they shall be educated in a particular way" (Stephens). Furthermore, in 1970, West Morris Board of Education v. Sills ruled that "parents have a constitutional right to choose the type and character of education they fell is best suited for their children" (Stephens). Home schooling is much more convenient for parents and children because there is no formal schedule. With home schooling, parents do not need to wake up early in order to get their children dressed and fed before the bus arrives. Similarly, they do not need to double-check that their child has his or her homework and lunch money packed.

Another aspect pertaining to the convenience of home schooling, is the issue of an attendance policy. In New Jersey public schools, students are required to attend school for 180 days. With home schooling however, there is no set number of...

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