Compare and Contrast

Com/170 Final - Compare and Contrast Essay

Michael Davis

Com/170

Jerry Bolzak

September 4, 2012

University of Phoenix

Com/170 Final - Compare and Contrast Essay

If you are looking for the best educational method for teaching your child, then home schooling is the better choice than the public school system. In the court of public opinion, many believe that the public school system is failing our children. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) has posted some unsettling education statistics. The recent NAEP assessment indicates that students are not faring well on national assessments. Less than one-third of fourth grade students in the United States are proficient in reading, mathematics, science, and American history. More than half of low income students cannot even demonstrate basic knowledge of science, reading, and history. Eighth graders in the United States ranked 19th out of 38 countries on mathematic assessments and 18th in science. The NAEP assessment also indicated that twelfth grade students in the United States ranked 18th out of 21 countries in combined mathematics and science assessments. These statistics along with many other factors are forcing the parents of today to look for alternative methods of educating their children.

Once thought of as an extraneous way to educate children and illegal in 30 states until 1993 when all 50 states made it legal to teach at home. Home schooling allows parents the option of providing their children with an alternate learning environment rather than the usual public school education. A published report in Education Week states, in recent years, home schooling is becoming the more popular choice besides public education. It is widely considered an integral part of the mainstream education system. The practice has gained attention because of home schooled students sweeping up scholastic and athletic honors at national competitions. In 2009, the federal government estimated approximately 1.5 million students were home schooled, up from the 850,000 estimated in 1999. From 2007 to 2010, the number of children home schooled increased by an estimated seven percent; the number of children enrolled in schools increased by less than one percent over the same period. There are many misconceptions concerning home schooling and public education. A comparison between the two types of education will help show that home schooling is a better way of educating your child than a public school education.

There are some similarities when it comes to the home schooling method of educating and a public school education. The goal of each method of education is to prepare the students for the future by providing a foundation of skills and knowledge to obtain a high school diploma or GED equivalency diploma. A college education is also a goal shared by some students taught by home schooling and public education. The curricula for both educational methods are mandated by the state. State equivalency tests are required for advancement in each curricular year. Completion of base course criteria in reading, language, and mathematics are at the core of both curricula.

The separation between the two methods of educating, which makes home schooling better than