Mystery Shopper: Pottery Barn Kids Project Essay Example

excel in achievement exams. Moreover, approximately 25% of them take classes beyond their age group. Despite common assumptions, these pupils devote less time to watching TV compared to their counterparts in public schools. This is significant because heightened TV consumption has been associated with reduced academic achievements. Nevertheless, home-schooled learners tend to use computers more often for educational reasons than those attending public schools.

Home schooling offers several advantages, such as allowing parents to closely monitor their children's internet activities and prevent exposure to harmful online content. It also enables the provision of faith-based or character-oriented education, which is not feasible in public schools due to legal limitations on religious instruction. Character education often incorporates religious values that cannot be imparted in a public school environment. Additionally, home-schooled students are safeguarded from negative peer influences and undesirable behaviors.

According to Rudner (1999), home schooling parents are highly engaged in their child's education, which can be advantageous regardless of the learning environment. However, some parents may not have the necessary commitment and self-discipline needed for homeschooling success. One major disadvantage of homeschooling is limited opportunities for socializing with peers.

Although home-schooled students do participate in peer activities, they typically interact more with adults than their peers. However, this type of socialization cannot entirely substitute the benefits provided by public schools. Public schools offer an environment where children spend a whole day developing relationships and gaining teamwork skills with diverse cultures, beliefs, and religions - which is essential in our multicultural society. Additionally, home-schooled students miss out on the unique bonding experiences that come from experiencing school collectively as a group.

Home school students may face limitations in extracurricular options, particularly

in sports and music. Participation in public school activities is not common, although some schools allow it. Private music lessons or joining youth sports leagues are alternative options, but can come with added expenses such as travel costs. Replicating the unique experiences provided by public school-sponsored extracurricular activities can be challenging for these students. Such activities often serve as a significant motivator for academic performance.

Rudner (1999) suggests that the effectiveness of home schooling may be influenced by financial factors such as spending on materials, tutoring and related services. However, this can create a burden for parents who already pay taxes for public schools. The cost of expensive materials and tutoring services, along with the loss of income when a parent chooses to teach at home instead of working, means that most home schooled students come from middle to high income two-parent families. Despite the financial sacrifice, home schooling theoretically eliminates many time-wasting activities commonly found in public schools.

Despite the presence of numerous distractions at home, such as televisions, computers, video games, and cell phones, public schools offer a structured schedule that minimizes possible distractions like attendance taking, transitioning between classes, and busy work. As a result, the time dedicated to learning is generally optimized in comparison to homeschooling. Nevertheless, ensuring that a homeschooled student remains focused necessitates exceptional commitment from their parents.

Home schooling can elicit different responses from parents. While some find it enjoyable, others may perceive it as stressful. Those who enjoy it might develop excessive familiarity with their children, leading to educational disorganization. Additionally, society still scrutinizes home schooling and does not always consider it a conventional approach.