HS FAQ 3

NOTE: This message was originally in conference “Home Education [FIDO]”

and was copied here by Ron Bowden.

NOTE: This message was originally in conference “Home Education [RIME]”

and was copied here by Ron Bowden.

Salutations from Ron Bowden:

Home Education – Frequently Asked Questions Page 3

10. What is the first step in educating our children at home?

Sandra Petit <Sandra_Petit@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US> thinks:

“I would say the first step is to get to know your child. Though we see them everyday, sometimes we are not really aware of the person inside that little body and how things look to them. Sometimes I have to stop myself and say, why should she know this already-how would she have learned it? Also, to learn HOW your child learns best. Then to read, read, read and see just what would fit into your life.”

Alan Moses <alan@edstar.gse.ucsb.edu> mentions:

“Given the opportunity, children willingly and aggressively educate themselves. Give them the freedom to set their own agendas, be sure they have the time, space and materials to do what they are interested in, be there when your child asks for guidance and support, and be attentive to their needs. In short, trust them, and love them.”

11. How do home-schooled children compare to institutionally-schooled

children?

Initial Results from Nationwide Survey

(Extract from “Home School Court Report” – Christmas 1990) On November 16, 1990, the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) of Seattle, Washington, released its first report of _A Nationwide Study of Home Education: Family Characteristics, Legal Matters, and Student Achievement_. Here is a sampling of the results: WHAT IS THE AVERAGE HOMESCHOOLING FAMILY LIKE? *** Variable *** * Mean Value * Father years education 14.99 Mother years education 14.09 Percent teaching done by father 9.95 Percent teaching done by mother 88.32 Percent teaching done by others 1.71 Number of children per family 3.21 Percent of income by father 96.37 Percent of income by mother 3.48 Number of visits to library per month 3.09 Cost ($) per child per year to HS 488.53 =============================================== EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT OF THE FATHERS * Years of Formal Education * Percentage * Less than 12 3.0 Twelve (H.S. diploma) 24.2 13 – 15 (some college) 22.5 16 (college degree) 29.3 17 or more 21.0 =============================================== EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT OF THE MOTHERS * Years of Formal Education * Percentage * Less than 12 1.7 Twelve (H.S. diploma) 31.8 13 – 15 (some college) 31.3 16 (college degree) 27.5 17 or more 7.7 =============================================== NUMBER OF CHILDREN PER FAMILY * Number of Children * * Percentage * 1 4.3 2 28.3 3 33.6 4 19.5 5 9.0 6 or more 5.3 =============================================== ANNUAL INCOME OF FAMILIES * Income Range * * Percentage * Under $10,000 1.4 $10,000 – 14,999 2.9 $15,000 – 19,999 5.5 $20,000 – 24,999 11.4 $25,000 – 34,999 25.6 $35,000 – 49,999 29.7 $50,000 – 74,999 15.8 $75,000 and up 7.6