Georgia And Washington Become Home Schooling Hotbed, What Are The Benefits Of Homeschooling?

In Georgia and the Tri-Cities in Washington, homeschooling is becoming a popular choice for parents. It has its own set of challenges, but this nontraditional way of teaching children also has its benefits too.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that since they started gathering homeschooling information in 2012, there are now 2,000 more registered homeschooled students in Georgia. This brings the total number of homeschooled children in Georgia to 59,831.

It was reported that Georgia's homeschooling growth rate is even a little bit higher than its public school student population growth. Homeschooling grew to a rate of 3.5 percent compared to 2.7 percent for the public-school student growth rate. This is also since 2012.

Pros And Cons Of Homeschooling

"It has been the best thing we have ever done," Georgia mom Paula Horne was quoted as saying. Horne began homeschooling her children 10 years before. Horne has also formed a company dealing with homeschooling resources.

However, it was noted that a number of parents lament the curriculum cost and lack of social interaction. There are also issues of burnout and of the impact on marriages.

Still, parents in the Tri-Cities in Washington have also turned to homeschooling. KVEW-TV reported that according to the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, homeschooling students have increased by around six percent in the last school year.

"I really appreciate figuring out what makes the kids tick what interests them," homeschooling mom Jennifer Frater of Richland was quoted as saying. A representative for homeschooling program Classical Conversation said that parents have come to acknowledge that "one size fits all education doesn't work for everyone."

Homeschooling Growing Beyond America

According to research last March from Brian D. Ray, Ph.D. for the National Home Education Research Institute, homeschooling was considered alternative ten years ago. However, it is almost mainstream in the United States.

It was also cited to possibly be the quickest-growing form of education in the United States. Homeschooling is also said to be gaining ground internationally, such as in Australia, Japan, Kenya, Thailand and the United Kingdom.

According to Ray's research, homeschooled students "typically score 15 to 30 percentile points above public-school students on standardized academic achievement tests." The level of parents education and the family income are also said to be independent of the homeschooled students' high marks.

Would you consider homeschooling for your children? Why or why not? Write your comments below.