Homeschooling booms as parents seek better options for education

As violence in schools captures weekly headlines, more parents are choosing to homeschool their children. 

Homeschooling is a growing option with online resources making it easier than ever.

Highlights

By Marshall Connolly (Catholic Online)
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
6/4/2018 (7 years ago)

Published in U.S.

Keywords: homeschooler, homeschooling, Catholic Online School, violence, bullying, alternative

More parents are choosing to homeschool their children as gun violence, and other problems engulf the nation's schools.

Parents who homeschool their children report concerns over violence, bullying, drugs, secular sex education, and secularism being taught in schools. Parents are also worried about shifting school standards, an overemphasis on testing and a lack of instruction on practical and vocational skills. Most parents, although not all, prefer an educational model that includes a religious, moral component. 

Homeschooling programs report they are being swamped by calls from parents who want to provide a better education for their children. 

Homeschooling is a good option, especially when parents are educated and when they are able to network with other homeschooling families. Parents can take turns teaching various subjects according to their schedules and expertise. They can also plan more outings and field trips as well as incorporate more practical knowledge into their instruction. 

For parents who are not masters of all subjects, homeschool curriculums provide all of the instructional materials that students need including textbooks, lectures, and even online resources. 

Catholic Online School is also now online with Catholic catechism lessons for several grades. The school is still in development but the first lessons are already available. The lessons are short, so they can be used to supplament existing education, or as the core of an expanded lesson that parents or chatechism instructors teach. 

Catholic Online School will also provide instruction in other subjects. Classes will soon be produced to fill out the curriculumn. The goal is to provide a free, world class Catholic education for anyone, anywhere. The school is "dedicated to Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life."

The school is also accepting applications from interested, qualified subject matter experts who can write lessons and teach classes. Interested teachers can apply here.