Homeschooling Pros and Cons

As with anything, home education has its disadvantages. Here is a candid look at homeschooling pros and cons:

Pros	Cons
Children are taught according to their learning styles and interests.	Parents must help children improve upon their weaknesses and not just cater to their strengths.
Parents have more control over how and what their children are taught.	Parents take on sole responsibility for their children's education.
Children can progress slowly or quickly, according to their abilities.	Parents may feel inadequate to address the needs of gifted and special needs students.
Schedules revolve around family and allow time to bond with parents and siblings.	Extended time with family can strain tense relationships or lead to burnout on the part of the teaching parent.
Flexible schedules allow time for breaks, field trips, vacations.	Family crises, illness and lax supervision by parents can interfere with learning.
Curriculum for an entire year costs less than 1 month of private school tuition.	Parents must purchase own materials and still pay public school taxes.
Children spend time in a diverse, real world environment.	Parents must search for activities such as sports and music that are easily accessible at school.
Parents can transmit their values to children and shelter them from negative influence.	Parents must give children increasing independence and a chance to learn to stand for their values.