Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

A new study confirms what homeschool parents already knew: their children succeed academically and socially. Join Mike Smith as he talks about this important new study on Home School Heartbeat.

Mike Smith:
We've been talking this week with Dr. Brian Ray, head of the National Home Education Research Institute, about his new study Homeschooling Grows Up. Brian, what we can discern about the future of homeschooling from this study?


Dr. Ray:
I think there's several things. First of all, people have to remember that homeschooling is a rebirth of an age-old practice that parents have been involved in for a long time and so have their children.


Secondly, research we already have tells us that academically, over and over and over again in studies, homeschool children are performing above average nationally.


Third, from other research that we have—mostly by others, not myself—they're doing well socially, psychologically, and emotionally.


And finally, from this study, we find out that not only is it during their early years but well into adulthood, they're active in their local communities, they're very civically engaged, and they seem to be happy with life.


What we find is that homeschooling is perhaps not just an alternative in education, it is an excellent form of education—has been for centuries. And I think when we look at the fact that this study involved over 7,300 young people who were homeschooled at all, and over 5,000 who were homeschooled seven years or more, for everybody—those who have had concerns about homeschooling and those who already like homeschooling—this is very good news.


Mike:


Well, thank you, Brian. And until next time, I'm Mike Smith.