HSLDA	October 18, 2005

The Dr. Phil Show

This afternoon, Tuesday October 18, the Dr. Phil Show aired a segment on homeschooling. You can read the transcript of the show, "No Room to Compromise" here. Note that you will have to scroll down to see this story.

HSLDA agrees with Dr. Phil when he said that, "Children who are home schooled through eighth grade exhibit no disruption in social development and evolution."

We appreciate that Dr. Phil recognizes that homeschooling is a viable education alternative up until 8th grade. However, we strongly disagree with the next statement by Dr. Phil when he said that once homeschooled children pass the 8th grade, "They become more independent and benefit more from being in a public or private school."

HSLDA has conducted research on the "socialization question" and discovered that homeschoolers do not struggle through the high school years but are in fact succeeding in society. The study Homeschooling Grows Up shows that upon graduation the average homeschooled student is more involved with his community than the average public schooled student, finds work in all walks of life, is satisfied with his life, and is glad that he was homeschooled.

We are unaware of any research which demonstrates that homeschooled children will struggle socially between 8th and 12th grade.

Dr. Phil said at the end of the show that he had research to support all his claims.

We have contacted the show via email and phone and are waiting for a reply.

In the meantime, HSLDA encourages teens from homeschool families to write to The Dr. Phil Show in order to demonstrate that homeschool teens do in fact participate in numerous social activities.

The address is:

The Dr. Phil Show
5482 Wilshire Boulevard #1902
Los Angeles, CA 90036

Other Resources

Dr. Phil Show Transcript

"Homeschooling Grows Up" study