The child is usually educated at home, and the parent oversees the education. Homeschooling features freedom of curriculum, schedule and academic pace. The child's education is still regulated by the state, and the person who oversees the homeschooling must report the student's progress according to state standards.
The function of homeschooling is to provide the student with an individualized environment that moves at his own pace and allows for more specific instruction in expanded areas.
Homeschooling can have negative effects on a child. A child who is home-schooled will have less interaction with peers and could face additional challenges when he is trying to fit into extracurricular activities. According to Isabel Shaw, a writer for familyeducation.com, "While community sports activities fill the void for younger kids, teens often find limited opportunities to join sports teams, especially competitive ones. Depending on where you live, homeschoolers may or may not be welcome to participate on teams with their public-schooled peers."
Often, one parent must stay home full time to be the dedicated educator, and this choice can put a strain on certain family budgets. Isabel Shaw asserts that "one partner often forgoes full-time employment out of the home in order to homeschool. This can be a big sacrifice for families who are struggling to balance their budget."
Homeschooling is incredibly time-consuming, and although it provides flexibility, it is not easy. Parents must create, organize and teach lessons of all subjects, keep track of paperwork, report student progress, and provide opportunities for extracurricular activities. According to thehomeschooladventure.com, "It takes research, preparation (how depends on your homeschooling style and curriculum), time to set up, clean up, organization, and of course, teaching itself. This is a lot to do on top of other work, be that a job outside the home, or all that goes with running a family."