In traditional schools, the curriculum is determined by the school district and, in some cases, the teachers. When home schooling, parents choose the curriculum and can incorporate specific topics each child is interested in.
Many children spend about seven to eight hours per day at a traditional school, during which time the parent is free to work or participate in other activities. Home schooling will typically involve less classroom time each day but the parent is teaching or supervising during this time.
Teachers at traditional schools are credentialed and experienced in the subjects they teach, whereas the parent who is home-schooling will often not have formal training in teaching or detailed knowledge of all the topics taught.
Children can attend public school for free but home schooling will cost the family money. In addition to the costs of curriculum, the parent who stays home has significantly less earning potential.
In traditional schools where peer contact is constant, problems such as bullying and peer pressure can occur. On the other hand, home-schooled children can end up with poorly developed social skills.