Growing Trend Final

1

Growing trend: Homeschooling

By Madilyn Greene

2

3













Ed. 243-01
Growing Trend: Homeschooling
Madilyn Greene
Brother Marshall
BYUI

4

TABLE OF CONTENTS


5…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………About the Author
6………………….……………………………………………………….…Abstract for Growing Trend: Homeschooling
7………………….……………………………………………………………………………..Growing Trend: Homeschooling
10…………..……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……References
11…………..……………………………………………………………………………………………………………Homeschool Ad
12…………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...Interviews

5



About the Author


Madilyn Greene was born and raised in Pocatello, Idaho. She spends her days playing
soccer and basketball. She has played soccer since the ripe age of three, and basketball since
she was eight. She has played in many championship teams, and competed in many
tournaments. She also loves singing and being with close family and friends. Madilyn is a lover
of life, and is typically found where the party is! She is the youngest in her family, and has three
older siblings. Her sister lives in Arizona with her husband and baby boy, and her twin brothers
are owners of fishing companies in Ketchikan Alaska. Her father is from Pocatello, Idaho and
her mother is from Salt Lake City, Utah. Family is very important to her and she loves being with
them.

Madilyn served a volunteer mission for her church for 18 months in the Mid-Western
states, and taught people on a daily basis about life, good morals, joy, and hope. She attended
Utah State University for a year, and is now attending Brigham Young University- Idaho. She is
studying Elementary Education, and looking forward to graduating next year. She plans to
continue her education else where, but is unsure where.

Madilyn firmly believes that education is of highest importance for school aged children.
She also believes the best approach for teaching is hands on, and exploration. She believes that
education should be experienced through trial and error from the students and they should be
allowed to explore and learn things in their own way. In her opinion implicit instruction works
best. Students need motivation from teachers and need to experience it for themselves to help
build connections in their minds of the lessons they are being taught. Madilyn has ambitions to
be a middle school health teacher, and to travel the world. Word Count: 309

6


ABSTRACT

There are many trends in education that are currently consistently growing. Among
these are those that are choosing to pursue homeschooling for some or all of their primary and
secondary education. The numbers of participants have increased throughout the years
recently, the scores of standardized tests have increased within the homeschooling community,
and surprising enough the amount of drugs and alcohol users and consumption have decreased
in those who are being or have been homeschooled. Clearly there are definite perks of
choosing this option. However, despite these facts of homeschooling students there are also
many people who are choosing time and time again, and year after year to take the route of
public schooling systems, and believe that they are the choosing better option. They are
focusing on the social factors that public schools offer inevitably, and the skills that students
learn that will carry them through societies and almost any public setting they are placed in for
the rest of their lives. Among these reasons people are also focusing on the low cost that public
school has to offer. Homeschooling prices can escalate rapidly, and can put a large deficit in
many wallets. Public schools guarantee low registration rates and fees. Those choosing the
public system I have found typically think that homeschooling has more downfalls than
advantages. Those choosing to homeschool their children and loved ones typically agree that
homeschooling has a plethora more benefits than the public school setting. Seeing others
perspectives on the topic is interesting and fun to look at and this article allows that. I myself
have an opinion on the argument, and you as well probably have an opinion on the matter. This
article potentially will change your perspective and mind on the matter.
This article leaves us all wondering and contemplating whether or not public school or
homeschooling is the better option. word count: 314

7

The Growing Trend of Home
Schooling

Written by: Madilyn Greene (nheri.org)

This number signifies a steady
The world that we live on is ever increase in the number of families that are
changing. People change, the environment choosing to pursue an education through
change, systems change, the trends change, homeschooling. Considering these statistics
and just about everything in between! there must be benefits of homeschooling.
Included in this world of change are trends There must be reason why so many people
that are accumulating and becoming more are being drawn to the idea and sucked in
popular in the education system. There are to the homeschooling community. But,
many trends that I could list off, but one of what are those benefits? What are the
them is the growing trend of students being overriding reasons that parents, caretakers,
homeschooled, rather than being placed in and students are choosing over the
the public school system. It is evident that traditional public school system? In this
schooling is important. It has held article we will review some of the reasons
importance around the world for many why this choice is being made and some of
years. In fact, Nancy Kober, author quoted the advantages verses the disadvantages of
the General School Act of 1647 in choosing the rising trend of homeschooling.
Massachusetts. That states “it is further One of the largest impacts of this push for
ordered, yt where any towne shall increase homeschooling falls solely on the fact of
to ye numbr of 100 families or householdrs, that they are receiving better grades and
they shall set up a gramer schoole….” tests scores on average. Author Brian Ray
(Kober, 2007). Dating back from the earlier wrote the article A Review of research on
1600’s it became a law in places to have a Homeschooling and what might Educators
school house established. However, more Learn?. In it he states from a study that
families are pursuing homeschooling their “The homeschooled consistently score well
students rather then placing them in the above the public school national average.
public school sytem. The National Home Most studies find them scoring in the range
Education Research Institute found that; of the 65th to 80th percentile” (Ray, 2017).
He also went on to say that they report
“There are over 2.3 million homeschool higher ACT scores, GPAs, and graduation
students in the United States. That is, there
were an estimated 2.3 million in spring
2016, and this was up from one estimate of
about 2 million home-educated children (in
grades K to 12) during the spring of 2010 in
the United States (Ray, 2011). It appears the
homeschool population is continuing to
grow (at an estimated 2% to 8% per annum
over the past few years)” (Ray, 2019).

8

rates. This confirms the academic difference
that is generally being reported between
homeschooled and public school students. However, there also has been
This however is not the only benefit that is arguments made for why public school is a
being reported about homeschooled far better option for students. One main
students. reasons parents and guardians choose
public school is the social and interaction
Author Michael Vaughn wrote the setting compared to homeschooled
article Are homeschooled adolescents less students. The point of public schools is to
likely to use alcohol, tobacco, and other teach students and children the skills that
drugs? I found it be another article that are needed and necessary for society. They
shows interesting statistics regarding will learn these thins through peers as well
homeschooled students. In his findings he as their teachers. Many agree with this
recorded “homeschooled adolescents were statement. Public school settings offer more
significantly more likely to strongly opportunities for students to interact with
disapprove of their peers drinking and others, with strangers, make new friends,
trying and routinely marijuana. and understand how to make sense of the
Homeschooled adolescents were world more-so than homeschooling allows.
significantly less likely to report using They argue that yes there are offers and
tobacco, alcohol, cannabis and other illicit opportunities in homeschooling, but that
drugs and to be diagnosed with an alcohol depends on the program they are going
or marijuana use disorder. Finally, through, the parents that are teaching
homeschooled adolescents were also less them, and the student who is being
likely to report easier access to illicit drugs homeschooled.
and to be approached by someone trying to Another main reason to choose
sell drugs compared to non-homeschooled public schooling over homeschooling is the
peers” (Vaughn, 2015). These facts are any cost. Author Vicki Bentley refers to many
parents dream to hear any way to reduce options of homeschooling students and the
the probability of their child participating in budget that can be used within it, but
drugs and alcohol! Considering the rising regardless of what is done, if a caretaker or
numbers of homeschooled this shocking parent wants their child or student to
finding has clearly impacted the eyes and receive a balanced education, public school
ears of many.



“There is no school
equal to a decent
home and no
teacher equal to a
virtuous parent.”

-Gandhi

9
is far cheaper. She mentions
homeschooling needs curriculum, supplies, students can excel by being homeschooled,
tests and exams, extracurricular lessons, and I believe some who have gone through
State Conventions, a home library, etc. homeschooling have benefitted far more
(Bentley, 2018). Public school typically has a than if they were in a public setting.
fee when registering students, but it is However, in my bias opinion students get all
nothing compared to the cost of all of these of those things, plus more in a public school
aspects in homeschooling added up. setting. Teachers are certified in a public
setting, they have interactions with others
Here is my opinion on the matter, constantly, and they learn fundamental
overall I personally have found public lessons and subjects needed in life. Yes,
schools to be a better option in most cases. that is my opinion. That is what I personally
I agree homeschooling can and does benefit believe. However, your thoughts can be
certain people, there are many different than mine. What is your
opportunities within the homeschooling standpoint on the argument? What side are
community. I agree that academically you on?

Word Count: 1054

10

References
Vaughn, M. G., Salas-Wright, C. P., Kremer,
K. P., Maynard, B. R., Roberts, G., & Vaughn,
Bentley, V. (2018, April 2). What Does it S. (2015, October 01). Are homeschooled
Cost to https://hslda.org/content/ adolescents less likely to use alcohol,
earlyyears/Costs.asp tobacco, and other drugs?
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles
Kober, N. (2007). Why We Still Need Public /PMC4652803/
Schools – ERIC. https://files.eric.ed.gov/
fulltext/ED503799.pdf

Ray, B. D. (2019, January 7). Research Facts
on Homeschooling. https://www.nheri.org/
research-facts-on-homeschooling/

11





Homeschool your children!!!

• Learn why so many are switching to home centered learning
• Spend more time with your loved little ones
• Teach them what you know they need

Head over to nheri.org to learn more about starting your journey of homeschooling.

12

Stakeholder Interviews
4. Have you noticed a difference in

Student: Amy Johnson, student of Brigham students who have been
Young University-Idaho, pursuing homeschooled compared to those
Bachelors degree who have not?
A: “Yes, not necessarily
academically, but socially
1. What are some of the current homeschooling students seem to be
trends in education that you have a little more behind. I’m not saying
noticed in the last few years? all homeschooled students fall into
A: “The use of different kinds of this category, but that is a trend that
technology has been a huge trend I have noticed.”
that I have seen. It has blown up the
last few years. No in-class tests is 5. Have you found more
another I have noticed that I am disadvantages than advantages in
grateful for” homeschooling students?
Why/Why not?
A: Yes, again I do not know a whole
2. In your opinion has homeschooling ton about home schooling, but what
become more or less popular for I do know does not outweigh the
families and students to pursue? benefits I saw in the public school
A: “Yes, it has. I have a few friends system.”
over the years whose parents
decided to enroll them in either an
online program or teach them
themselves.”


3. Is public school, private school, or
homeschooling more beneficial to
you?
A: “I personally think public school is
more beneficial. I might be bias, but
in public school you have more
social interaction and because of
that the opportunity for more social
connections. You also have more
access to resources, if you choose.
An example I automatically think of
for that is in high school we had a
good library with librarians and
employees willing to help. We had
labs to explore, teachers that are
willing to help. I also felt like we had
more subjects and offerings in the
public school.”

13

Professor: Phoebe Lynne Greene, Graduate
of The school of Hairstyling, current Clinical 4. Have you noticed a difference in
Collegiate Instructor at Idaho State
University students who have been
homeschooled compared to those
who have not?
1. What are some of the current A: Like I said prior, reading skills. I
trends in education that you have have seen many homeschooled
noticed in the last few years? children who cannot read. At all. Or
A: Project based learning, is a tactic I very little. But, it is also important to
see often lately. note that, that is also seen in the
B: Learners Centered Teaching is public school system as well.
also a huge trend which is how I
teach almost everything, and I 5. Have you found more
personally love it more than any disadvantages than advantages in
other technique. I have found it to homeschooling students?
be the most beneficial, and ends up Why/Why not?
helping students learn the skills A: I mean, who am I to judge? But in
much faster as a whole compared to my honest opinion, I don’t know
group teaching. how two parents can give the
diversity a child receives in a public
school. I feel like it is a foundation
2. In your opinion has homeschooling for kids and they learn how to be
become more or less popular for productive in society by being
families and students to pursue? enrolled in a public school.
A: Over the last 20 years yes. Over B: I think they miss out on a lot of
the last 10, definitely. I don’t see it things, and have less opportunities
very often in my classes honestly, to grow. Schools teach them,
but I hear of it in different programs religions teach them, and home
more so. I think most kids that have teaches them. All three work
been homeschooled are together, but if one area is lacking
homeschooled up until high school you see discrepancies in how the
and then they go to public school. child turns out to be.


3. Is public school, private school, or
homeschooling more beneficial to
you?
A: I think it depends on who the
students are and how they are
homeschooled. There are some that
I know that are well educated and
are well rounded, and others who
are illiterate and do not know how
to interact with people in a social
setting. Its subjective to how they
are being taught at home.

14

former homeschooled student: Joseph and what I have seen. Self reliance is
Bryant, student of Brigham Young also a characteristic that is typically
University-Idaho, pursuing Bachelors higher in homeschooled students,
degree but also on the flip side they also are
more peculiar and weird compared
1. What are some of the current to other kids. Socially many
homeschooled students struggle.
trends in education that you have
noticed in the last few years? 5. Have you found more
A: Bad trends, hahaha but no I don’t disadvantages than advantages in
really know of any. I am not sure if homeschooling students?
this is what you are looking for, but I A: I have personally found more
don’t think students aren’t learning advantages than disadvantages.
enough. Teachers teach mainly to With the opportunities that I was
tests and not other things. opened up to, the relationships I
formed with my brother and
2. In your opinion has homeschooling mother, and the courses that helped
become more or less popular for me get ahead in school compared to
families and students to pursue? others my age.
A: I think so, yes. As a student
perspective that was in the
homeschooling system I felt that it
was more common than not.

3. Is public school, private school, or
homeschooling more beneficial to
you?
A: I have done both so that being
said, I think it depends on what you
do. I think you can get way way
ahead if you choose homeschooling.
If done right it is much more
efficient and beneficial. There are
however pros and cons to both, but I
would choose homeschooling for
sure.

4. Have you noticed a difference in
students who have been
homeschooled compared to those
who have not?
A: Maturity. Homeschooled kids are
typically much more mature than
public school student. I have that
opinion from what I have been told,

15

Secondary Teacher: Mary Johnston, 4. Have you noticed a difference in
Bachelors of Science in Mathematical students who have been
Secondary Education homeschooled compared to
those who have not?
1. What are some of the current A: Yes, mainly their social skills, but
trends in education that you among that there are other
have noticed in the last few differences.
years?
A: There are a lot of people who are 5. Have you found more
going to online courses, and there is disadvantages than advantages
a shift to more attendance at in homeschooling students?
charter schools. Why/Why not?
A: I think that there are a lot of
2. In your opinion has advantages if the parents are truly
homeschooling become more or engaged to helping their student.

less popular for families and However, if the parents are not
students to pursue? engaged in their students learning I
A: I do not see that in the district I think there are huge disadvantages.
work for. I see more coming from I feel like there are fair parents who
charter schools, but not coming are truly qualified to homeschool
from online or full homeschooling. their kids in every subject, and most
Most homeschooled students merge are not.
into public school by the time they
reach high school.

3. Is public school, private school,
or homeschooling more
beneficial to you?
A: Public school. Because,
students get better social
education. I know that
homeschools have a lot of
opportunity to group with other
homeschooled kids so they get
social settings, field trips, and
activities. However, the kids that
I see coming from
homeschooling are socially
challenged. I think
homeschooling produces more
deficient students than not, and
an easy way out.

16

3. Is public school, private school,
Current student: Morgan Lowry, Pursuing a or homeschooling more
Bachelor of Science in Elementary beneficial to you?
Education A: I think there are benefits from
1. What are some of the current
trends in education that you both but I personally think there
have noticed in the last few are more benefits for pubic
years? school. I think it teaches kids
about social situations and how
A: I feel that the current trends to handle different people just
in education are going two like the real world.
ways. The first being that it is
catering to the new ways of
technology and advancements 4. Have you noticed a difference in
for the best ways to help students who have been
students thrive in this growing homeschooled compared to
those who have not?
culture of technology. The other A: Yes, most of the time I feel

trend is taking everything back that homeschooling limits
to the way it started and for children’s social ability to work

going the technology to teach through problems and issue

the ways without technology to with others. This can be avoided
not compromise education with if homeschooled children work

technology. with other homeschool children

to get experience working with
2. In your opinion has peers their ages.
homeschooling become more or
less popular for families and
students to pursue? 5. Have you found more

A: I think it has for those who disadvantages than advantages
are focusing on not using in homeschooling students?
Why/Why not?
technology. I also think there is A: I personally think there are

a large push for online more disadvantages along with
homeschooling for those who it being more work. I think the

can’t make it to school so the main issues come with

increase in students socialization because that is how
homeschooling overall is the world works and students

increasing in my opinion. doing well in a classroom/ group

setting is necessary for adults to
hold normal jobs.