Homeschoolers on to College

When I tell people I was homeschooled, I’m invariably met with the same incredulous stare. “I would never have known!” they usually reply, seeming rather shocked. I don’t noticeably fit the homeschooler stereotype.

I started asking to be homeschooled in fourth grade, after enduring a year with a mediocre teacher. My parents laughed at the idea at first, but when my fifth grade year at our little Christian school also left much to be desired, they began to seriously consider the option. They did a lot of research, went to conventions, and talked to different homeschooling parents before ultimately deciding that home education would be the best course of action for our family. In the nearly six years we have since that initial, radical decision, we haven’t looked back.

I was nervous about the academic aspect of college, curious about how I would adjust, but my fears have proven groundless. I am doing very well in all of my classes, understand the content and assignments, and enjoy my professors.

Interestingly, in my first weeks here, I had yet to meet another student who was home educated through high school. This made me wonder, how many homeschooled kids pursue higher education? And how do they generally perform?

“Experience and anecdotes have led many people to believe that homeschool parents were either move-to-the-country anarchist goat-herders, or right-wing Bible thumpers, and their children were either mathematically limited due to Mamas fear of math, or child prodigies in rocket-science who were unthinkably socially hindered” (Ray, Brian; 2004)

The stereotypes about home educated families have been prevalent for years, and people are rather surprised to find out that most homeschoolers are just as rational, social, and intelligent as the traditionally educated.

The state of Texas interferes very little with homeschool programs compared to other states. Many people assume this means the quality of education is lacking at home, and that going to college without a “real” high school diploma, puts these kids at a distinct disadvantage.

This is manifestly untrue.

“In study after study, the homeschooled scored, on average, at the 65th to 80th percentile on standardized academic tests in the United States and Canada, compared to the public school average of the 50th percentile” (Ray, 1994, 1997, 2001c; Rudner 1999; Wartes 1991; Ray 2004)

Statistically, homeschoolers who go on to university have a more positive view of their experience and understand the material presented better that their peers. Perhaps this is because homeschoolers, used to setting and pursuing academic goals on their own, put more work into and value their education more than other students.

A structured approach to learning has been an adjustment for me, challenging but rewarding. I am used to propelling my own education, holding myself accountable for work and study habits, and this has been extremely useful during my OU experience.