Smaller Class Sizes, Individualized Instruction, and Core Academic Subjects May Give Structured Homeschooled Kids Academic Edge

In The Atlantic, Hans Villarica points to a study in the Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science that compared the academic achievements of homeschooled children with kids attending traditional public school. According to the study, "When the homeschooled group was divided into those who were taught from organized lesson plans (structured homeschoolers) and those who were not (unstructured homeschoolers), the data showed that structured homeschooled children achieved higher standardized scores compared with children attending public school." Homeschooled kids in unstructured learning situations appear to achieve the lowest standardized scores.

Researchers Sandra Martin-Chang, Odette N. Gould, and Reanne E. Meuse looked at the academic aptitude of 74 Canadian children between 5 and 10 years of age using standardized tests that involved reading, writing, math, and other skills. Fifty percent of the participants attended public schools, while the other half were educated at home. Twelve of the homeschooled kids received an unstructured education (no teachers, textbooks, and formal assessment).

Public-school kids did not perform poorly; rather, they were at or above expected levels for their ages. However, homeschooled children in a structured environment were half a grade ahead in math and more than two grade levels higher in reading.

The researchers suggest the homeschooled advantage may come from smaller class sizes, more individualized instruction, or more academic time spent on core subjects, such as reading and writing. " The study doesn't address the debate about on whether homeschooling kids leads to poor social skills.

Study: "The Impact of Schooling on Academic Achievement: Evidence From Homeschooled and Traditionally Schooled Students"