One of the first major advantages of home schooling is one-on-one attention. This gives you, the teacher, complete control over the curriculum. If your child is struggling in one area and thriving in another you'll immediately notice. Having such a close perspective on their education makes it possible for you to figure out what really works. Furthermore, you have the freedom to teach your child with hands on activities that are mere special occasions at public school, like a visit to the science center, museum or zoo. Teaching your child about the world by actually allowing them to explore it, is a rewarding and educationally beneficial experience.
According to the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI), home educated children typically "score 15 to 30 percentile points above public-school students on standardized academic achievement tests." Furthermore, home-schooled students tend to attain above average SAT and ACT scores. With less distractions and peer pressure, home-schooled students are better able to focus on their studies. As a result, you have better control over outside influences, which in turns, helps you pass your values and beliefs to your children more successfully.
Homeschooling is not without its disadvantages, no school peers could result in reclusive and ill-developed social behavior. At public school, children are given numerous social opportunities every day to hone their people skills. It's difficult to seek out equivalent social opportunities in a home school environment. And because you have absolute control over what and how your child was taught it can cause overwhelming pressure when they make the transition to college or higher education than you're capable of offering. In circumstances where your child preforms poorly, you might begin to blame yourself and question the validity of your decision to home-school.
The level of self-sacrifice that's required to home school is insurmountable. First of all, to home school one parent must sacrifice the potential for a secondary income. The cost for homeschooling can be quite high per year because you have to purchase all educational items including text books, which are free to use at public schools. Moreover, you will not be exempt from paying school taxes that allow you to take advantage of the public school option. Finances are one thing, but the amount of time and hard work that home-school teachers put in to successful educate their children is excruciatingly overwhelming. There's no denying that every parent needs a break from their children from time to time, but as a home school teacher you'll be with your child round the clock.