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Parents cite numerous reasons as motivations to homeschool, including better academic test results, poor public school environment, improved character/morality development, the expense of private education, and objections to what is taught locally in public school. It may be a factor in the choice of parenting style. Homeschooling is also an alternative for families living in isolated rural locations or living temporarily abroad.

More than ever traditional schooled children are not getting an adequate education. If this trend continues then when these children become adults they will not be able to compete in our society. “The number of parents teaching their offspring at home will increase if the current public school system continues to be viewed as an irrelevant institution that can hinder a child's ability to learn. The rise of homeschooling reflects broadening dissatisfaction with formal education in the United States. Discontent is high for two reasons. First, public schools are turning out a poor product--illiterate and unprepared graduates. For example, American 13-year-olds have been documented as having math skills that rank below their counterparts in 14 other developed countries. One survey noted that just one-third of high school juniors could place the Civil War in the correct half-century. Equally troubling, public schools have become crime scenes where drugs are sold, teachers are robbed, and homemade bombs are found in lockers (Lyman).” “Increasing gun violence, lack of individualized education and the proliferation of drugs within the schools have turned families within my social circle to nontraditional education.” (Wichers 2001).

Homeschooled children are able to have friends even tough they do not attend a traditional school setting. “Typically, homeschooled kids engage in a variety of activities outside the home--sports teams, scouting programs, church, community service, or part-time employment. Richard G. Medlin of Stetson University... [continues]

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