And this new consensus movement about the proper role of religion in public education is not limited to high-sounding rhetoric. Using the above referenced statement of principles, Charles Haynes of the Freedom Forum First Amendment Center has statewide training projects finished or under way in California, Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Utah. Together communities are proving that it is still possible to find a common vision for the common good in public education. The shortcomings of home schooling are evident in at least three areas. The first is academic performance.
Similar differences exist in the educational level of parents.
In short, home schoolers fit a statistical profile that makes them more likely to excel academically, regardless of where they are taught. A more significant statistical picture would come from comparing home-school results with similar ethnic, income, and educational backgrounds for public school children. In fact, a strong argument can be made that home schooling is a risky academic proposition for many, if not most, students. Most parents lack the patience and the skills to teach their children all they need to know about history, literature, science, and math. Certified teachers generally spend four or five years perfecting their craft.