Child Struggling in School? Why You Should Try Homeschool

Struggling Learners, Slow Learners, and Those with Learning Disabilities May Benefit from Home School

By Momie Tullottes, published Mar 04, 2008
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Do you have a child struggling or failing in school? Have you tried the options available (extra help at school, tutors, etc) with little to no success? You're not alone. Parents and children struggle with this issue daily. Could home school be the answer for your family's situation? For some families, there will be many benefits of homeschooling a struggling child, either temporarily or permanently.

As a mother to a child who had some math problems that weren't resolved in public school, I chose to take on the responsibility of schooling my own children. Of course there were many other factors involved in our decision, including the fact that the children were also ahead in many areas. Seeing that the plan to school our children through the public education system was failing for us, we chose to school the children at home instead.

It is my hope that sharing lessons learned from our experience can help others decide if homeschooling is right for their child. Oftentimes, as in our case, a child simply needs a bit of one-on-one time to get steered back in the right direction. In a homeschool setting, a child can receive a great deal of student to teacher time.

The teacher may be a parent, relative, or even a private tutor, depending on the laws of the state the home-schooled child resides in, as well as the choice of the family. No matter who the teacher is, there is no question that a student who schools at home has a much better chance of receiving that individual one-on-one attention that will get the struggling child back on track. Children who are having a hard time educationally may also need a new strategy.

In the public school system, a new strategy plan isn't always possible. Some public and private schools offer programs to help children who are failing. However, not all schools will have a special program for children who are behind for their grade level. Even when the school offers program choices, there are still certain guidelines to adhere to. Those guidelines may not be right for every child.

Child Struggling in School? Why You Should Try Homeschool

A child completing a homeschool assignment in a more relaxed, customized setting.

Credit: self

Copyright: self

Takeaways
  • A student who schools at home has a much better chance of receiving individual one-on-one attention.
  • Some children may need an approach that differs from the standards.
  • The actual results were much more than we could have hoped for.
Did You Know?
For some families, there will be many benefits of homeschooling a struggling child, either temporarily or permanently.
Comments
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Thanks for sharing all of you. Very interesting info. Herstory, thanks for a perspective from one experienced with public school.

Posted on 05/18/2008 at 9:05:43 PM

 
Public high school educator advice: Yes, home schooling is a great alternative - if you can commit to truly educate your child. In fact, children thrive and exceed the standards of their same age/grade level peers, when given same curriculum in home environment. Home schooling fails children when parents just plop the book in front of the kids and go off to work - leaving the kids to their own devices. Home schooling requires a commitment, as you've shown well here. Kudos to you :-)

Posted on 05/18/2008 at 9:05:55 PM

 
Wow, we had a similar experience! The way the math was being taught in public school, my son who had always been very ept with numbers, was convinced he was "not good" at math. He was so frustrated just a week into 4th grade, that we pulled him out and I've been homeschooling him all year. Here it is April, and he's literally working TWO grade levels ahead, now in 6th grade math curriculum! Not good at math my arse! LOL!

Posted on 04/23/2008 at 11:04:01 AM

 
My mom sort of had to do this. She went to school with my brother all throughout middle school. My mom tried 'home-schooling' me once, but it didn't work out. Mostly because I don't like listening to her ;)

Posted on 03/25/2008 at 10:03:14 AM

 
Excellent article! We are giving a lot of consideration to homeschool our kids next year.

Posted on 03/13/2008 at 12:03:37 PM

 
Thanks everyone. Sports Mama, thanks for sharing your experiences - very interesting. I saw that Sylvia. I have an article under review about that very topic. So unfortunate. But, I have my faith that the HSLDA will work its hardest to get that overturned or at least "depublished".

Posted on 03/08/2008 at 5:03:45 PM

 
You hit the nail on the head. Unfortunately, scores of Californians will be deprived of this option until further notice - unless they are certified teachers.

Posted on 03/08/2008 at 4:03:38 PM

 
very well written and outstanding piece.

Posted on 03/08/2008 at 10:03:21 AM

 
Nice article. As one who has made her living (mostly) in the public school arena, your article rings very true. For several years, I operated a tutoring service and many of my students were home schooled and I worked with them on subjects the parents didn't feel comfortable teaching. In most cases, I was able to bring kids up 2 grade levels in 6 weeks! My daughter in law home schooled 2 of our grandchildren until this year, and they are both way ahead of their peers.

Posted on 03/07/2008 at 11:03:43 AM

 
Thanks you three. Rosa, it's funny you say that (and an honor, of course). When my kids were still in public school, I used to use many online resources with them that were meant for homeschoolers. I never thought people would one day be using mine.

Posted on 03/06/2008 at 8:03:23 AM

 
I love your articles. They have been very helpful even with children who aren't home schooled. These make for great tutoring also.

Posted on 03/06/2008 at 12:03:00 AM

 
Awesome article! I think that homeschooling is the best option, and that is probably why it is under attack now.

Posted on 03/05/2008 at 3:03:37 PM

 
It's certainly an option that is worthy of consideration by many parents. Another great article :)

Posted on 03/05/2008 at 2:03:34 PM

 
Thanks phredude. I agree. Many are intimidated of the unknown. :-)

Posted on 03/05/2008 at 5:03:24 AM

 
Thanks so much everyone. I couldn't agree more Bandit. Madeline, I completely agree with you as well. One of my kids is gifted too, and they are both way ahead in reading. Look for an upcoming piece on that subject soon. :-)

Posted on 03/05/2008 at 5:03:30 AM

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