Here is a remarkable statistic: Of the eight finalists in the recently completed National Spelling Bee, two were home-schooled students. So even though home-schoolers represent only about 3 percent of all students in the United States, they made up 25 percent of the finalists in the highly competitive spelling bee.
That was no fluke: Of the 48 semifinalists, nine were home-schooled. And home-schoolers have won or done exceptionally well in the past in similar spelling, geography and math contests, considering the small proportion of American students who are home-schooled.
That does not mean that home schooling is the best option for all students. Most children are in traditional public schools. Some go to charter schools. Some attend private schools. But home schooling is obviously a highly effective choice for some children — many of whose parents make major financial and personal sacrifices to teach their sons and daughters at home.
One frequent argument made against home schooling is that the students don’t get enough social interaction outside the home. But a recent roster of dozens of Chattanooga-area students who graduated from home schools showed they have been extremely active in a range of activities. They have been tennis players and swimmers, volunteers, farmers, band members, Boy Scouts, mock trial participants and artists — among the many other activities in which they have enthusiastically participated. In short, they have not lacked opportunities to play a role in their communities and just “have fun.”
But while not every student should be a home-schooler, one thing that home-schooling families provide to society is an example of the huge benefit of parental involvement in education. Students are better off when parents are actively involved with their children. That holds true for any type of school environment.