What Effect Does Homeschooling Have on Test Scores and Socialization of Children?

Abstract

Homeschooling has grown in popularity in the last decade. While public schools have requirements for attendance and standardized testing, homeschooled children and families have these things as options. There are some states that do not even require any contact between the state department of education and homeschooling families. Homeschooling children do not have the availability of socializing with their peers on a daily basis. Homeschooling children and families need to find other means to socialize, as they are not being schooled with other children of the same age range. Yet many of these homeschooled children surpass their public school counterparts in all areas of development and are successful in college and in careers. This paper will examine the reasons for the success of homeschooled children and how families are meeting the needs of their children socially and developmentally.