From http://www.nationalhomeschool.com
Below you will find answers to many of the frequently-asked home school questions. These answers are provided to help you understand the home school process, and help you make the best decision on behalf of your child.
If your question is not listed here, we can be contacted via our contact page which contains homeschooling information, our phone number, email, and a form inquiry so you can get the quickest possible answer to your question. Our goal is for you to begin the homeschooling process with all the facts, so please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or comments.
Q: How many children are home schooled in the United States?
A: The U.S. Department of Education (USDE) National Center for Education Statistics, (NCES) released in December 2008 a report entitled “1.5 Million Homeschooled Students in the United States in 2007” (by Stacey Bielick) in which the author estimates the number of homeschooled students in the United States (i.e., homeschool population size) to be 1.28 to 1.74 million in spring 2007. Dr. Ray, of NHERI, on the other hand , estimates that there were more than 2.0 million K-12 homeschool students in the U.S. during the spring of 2008. Consistent with Dr. Ray’s estimates, the NCES researcher found that the homeschool population has grown about 8% per year during the 4 years since the NCES’s previous study.
Q: How many high school (grades 9-12) students are being schooled?
A: An estimated 250,000 to 340,000 high school (grades 9-12) students were being home schooled during the 2000-2001 conventional school year.*
*Study on home schooling, conducted by Dr. Brian D. Ray, president of the National Home Education Research Institute. Article from Home School Legal Defense Web Site.
Q: How does my child meet state attendance laws?
A: Assignment completion is school attendance. Home school daily attendance is counted as the student completes daily school work. Assigned learning packets are equivalent to instruction and attendance in class. With the procedures of the American Academy, students are required to complete all work in the assigned materials before taking final tests, enabling compliance with state attendance laws.
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Q: Will my child be able to cope with the real world after graduating from home schooling?
A: To answer that question we must know what the real world expects of those who enter its work force. While listening each day to people in the “real world,” they tell us what is required to cope and be successful. The “Real World” of success requires five qualities. (1) Purpose in Life, (2) Good Attitudes, (3) Character, (4) Enthusiasm, and (5) Social Skills. Proper home schooling is the best method of building these qualities for your children.
Q: Is home schooling best for my child?
A: It is if you want:
- To give an understanding of the child’s vision and purpose in life.
- To develop character, based on wisdom and absolutes of Biblical Values.
- To build a mastery of academic skills, through core curriculum producing competence, confidence and enthusiasm for life.
- To develop social skills based on proper speech, appearance, manners and conduct.
- To build a positive attitude, based on the love of God and our fellow man.
- To develop patriotism for our country for the perpetuation of our American Heritage.
- The Academy follows traditional state and national guidelines for education.
- Enrollment in the Academy helps to build home schooling confidence.
- The self-instructional curriculum gives needed educational structure.
- Parents experience Academy support and educational expertise.
- The Academy educational program encourages academic success.
- To develop patriotism for our country for the perpetuation of our American Heritage.
- Kindergarten, Eighth Grade and High School Diplomas are provided by the Academy.
- The Academy Diploma and Transcript is recognized by colleges, and the work place.
- MASTERY LEARNING Curriculum is individualized to fit the student needs. Students master curriculum learning concepts before moving to new concepts.
- EMOTIONAL STABILITY The child’s emotional and acceptance needs are fostered and nurtured, building emotional stability and confidence for the child’s life.
- CURRICULUM BASICS Curriculum is Bible Value based with an emphasis on character and basic academic skill development.
- FAMILY VALUE BASED The home school program enhances family teachings which are not conflicted with the values opposing your family teachings and values.
- ACADEMIC STANDARD Students academic requirements follow the traditional course offerings of the educational community with an 80% mastery of course curriculum.
- SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT One on One Parent Child relationships are built while learning good attitudes and respect for authority and others of various ages.
- SAFETY FEATURES The child’s safety needs are addressed by the security of the home.
- CHARACTER ADVANTAGE The Academy program emphasizes the development of personal character based on Honesty, Truthfulness and Integrity.
