April 20, 2009 
By Jacqueline Bodnar
As many military families prepare to PCS, they are also committing to begin homeschooling. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports that in 2007 there were 1.5 million students in the United States that were being homeschooled. With the numbers increasing each year it’s clear that homeschooling is here to stay. Choosing that route comes with some benefits and challenges that you should be aware of before deciding if homeschooling is right for you.
The Benefits
“One of the biggest benefits for us, is that since my husband is in the military, I don't have to worry about my boys missing something major in their education, especially with their math and reading skills,” explains Katie Beauchamp, who has been homeschooling for 10 years and is coordinator of MAHE (Maxwell Area Home Educators). “Homeschooling also keeps the family as a priority in my children's lives, including when family from out of town visits, we're able to take off and spend time with them.”
Although reasons for homeschooling vary, the NCES reports that the most common reasons are that parents are not satisfied with the curriculum and they have concerns about the school environment. Many parents don't approve of certain subject matter being taught, while others feel the school is not safe or that their child won’t learn the moral principles they desire. Other reasons for homeschooling include not wanting a child to be labeled as learning disabled or as having attention deficit disorder (ADD). Some military families choose to homeschool because of the flexibility it offers, it helps address the issue of moving around and sending the kids to multiple schools over time, and being able to spend quality time together.
The Challenges
“One parent must sacrifice his or her time to stay home with the children,” says Holly Tollefson of Minden, Nevada. She’s a former elementary school teacher that has spent the last seven years homeschooling her three children.
“This might entail putting a career on hold or delaying personal pursuits until a later time in life.” This can also causes economic challenges due to a loss of income.
Another challenge for many parents is that they worry a great deal about having their child’s education in their hands. Yet the research shows that there may not be reason for so much worry. A 2004 report in The School Psychology Review explained that the "data have consistently shown that homeschooled children typically score higher than the national average on achievement tests." That can also be seen when comparing ACT Assessment tests, a widely accepted college entrance exam. ACT, Inc. reports that homeschooled students score higher on their test scores than do public school students.
Another challenge that homeschoolers face is that they must be very organized, especially if teaching multiple grades. If they have other children that are not school-age then they may have a hard time homeschooling and caring for the other children.
Perhaps the biggest challenge homeschoolers face are stereotypes. One of the biggest being that many people believe a homeschooled child doesn't get properly socialized. However, the research doesn't support that myth. The School Psychology Review reported "Students from homeschools and traditional schools have been found to attend extra-familial social activities with the same frequency, belong to the same number of organizations (e.g., scouting and church youth groups), and socialize equally as often with relatives and friends." Most homeschoolers belong to support groups where they often engage in outside classes, play sports and take field trips.
Bottom Line
If you’re thinking about homeschooling, make sure you research first so you know what it takes. Get involved in support groups so you get off to a good start and make the most of local resources. Just like sending your child to school, homeschooling does come with its own set of benefits and challenges. The more you know ahead of time, the better prepared you will be to meet them head-on. Check with your local base to find other homeschooling families that you can discuss the option with and be a part of their community.
Jacqueline Bodnar is a freelance writer living near Daytona Beach, Fla. with her husband and two children.