© Beverley Paine

Yup, this homeschooling 'stuff' really does work. And there's a growing body of research to demonstrate it's effectiveness. I've put together some links on this page that you may find useful:
http://homeschoolaustralia.beverleypaine.com/articles/research.html

But home education is not for everyone... It isn't for all parents, all families, or all children. That's the good thing about home education - the choice factor. If it isn't working for you then there is always the option of school.

I've met families where one or more children homeschool while their siblings go to school. That happened in our family. Our children had real choice. Our eldest went to school not because it was compulsory but because she wanted to. That almost guarantees educational success - someone with that kind of motivation is bound to learn!

It's good to know that homeschool is an option for children who are having a hard time at school and need some kind of respite. I've met families who take a term or a year off school while their children recover from trauma. Sometimes it's because the child was bullied. At other times it's because the child has a medical issue that needs extra care and attention. Sometimes it's because the child is acting out, not coping with life at school and giving the teachers a hard time. There are lots of different reasons families decide to homeschool.

Sometimes homeschool doesn't work out for one reason or another and the children end up at school. In most cases they are often ahead in some areas and behind in others, but before long they've settled in... It's a lot like moving interstate and starting a new school.

Education is what you make it. Most homeschooled youngsters I know like being in control of their own education, especially when they get to the teenage years.

I went to a public school and enjoyed every minute of it. But I also recognise that a lot of what I know today my parents taught me while I was a school student. I homeschooled my children because my parents were interested and involved in my education and gave me the best start in life they could. I wanted to emulate that in the best way I knew how to - by teaching my children at home.