genetics

I’d have to agree. I believe it was also mentioned that the social level (lower class, middle class, etc) would also be a determining factor in the statistics presented. The likelihood that a child raised in a low income family would have the same materials/opportunities that someone of a higher social strata would have isn’t very high.

Everything that you listed as academic benefits in your article could also be obtained from a public school youth. I think perhaps the determining factor wouldn’t be the mode in which the child is taught, but rather the interest/time that a parent (not a teacher) invests in the education of a child.

Something that you didn’t mention in the article is the motivation of many (not all) parents for homeschooling. I would believe (though I haven’t researched it) that many parents homeschool their children because they wish to shelter them from certain aspects of public school. Whether it be unpleasent social interactions, secular education, or just a fear that the child may in some way be negatively influenced, they are being sheltered. Sure, opportunities may be provided to homeschooled children to share many of the same experienced that public school children face….but it is always to the discretion of the parent. It’s a mother hen arguement, that she/he knows whats best for the child. I think that is true often times, but I do think that sheltering your child shouldn’t be ones motivation for neglecting the public school system.

Lastly, and Catherine I know I’ve mentioned this before, I do think that ultimately the public school is deprived of students that would make it a better place. While many shy away from the socialist ideas, public school is an attempt to lift all social levels up. If the statistics cited aren’t directly correlated with homeschooling, but rather with other areas of child development, than public schools lose a significant pool of children with which they could perhaps raise the general education level of it’s students. I know that is a pretty broad statement, and that other factors, like racial and social segregation, could easily negate any positive effects of the inclusion of homeschooled students into public schools.

just some thoughts.