In the news

Families choose to homeschool for a variety of reasons. The increased safety of a home based education is definitely a benefit. (Note: this story is from the UK)

Fear of crime means more children are taught at home

Record numbers of children are being educated at home as fear of knife crime, drugs, and bullying prompts more parents to exercise their right to teach their offspring out of school, an education charity said yesterday. There could be as many as 150,000 children being taught at home as a growing number of parents believe their children will do better away from school.

Education Otherwise, a charity which supports parents wanting to educate their children at home, has reported growing interest, particularly among the parents of younger children who are so concerned that they plan to never send their children to school.

Here's the typical complaints against homeschooling.

However, officials have expressed fears that some home-educated children do little or no work.

Local authorities fear the well-being of "a small number of children" is being put at risk by the "minimal" regulation of standards, the Department for Children, Schools and Families said in a consultation document on whether new laws were needed. But ministers have been reluctant to give authorities extra powers. Instead they hope to raise standards by giving parents access to national curriculum materials, libraries and and free admission to sports centres.

---------
Technorati tags: homeschooling, homeschool, home school, home education, parenting, children