Should I Homeschool My Kids?
The decision to homeschool isn't about one-size-fits-all answers—it's about aligning education with family values, mental health, and individual learning styles. Jackie Weavey, host of the Homeschool Think Tank Parenting Podcast, reframes the conversation: instead of asking 'Should I homeschool?', she challenges parents to ask deeper questions about family time, child well-being, academic goals, and personal flexibility. Drawing from a 2015 CREDO study, she highlights alarming findings: virtual charter schools underperformed traditional ones by the equivalent of 180 days in math and 72 in reading—effectively meaning students learned nothing over a full school year. This data, she argues, underscores why many families are turning to homeschooling not as a trend, but as a necessity. The episode emphasizes that homeschooling isn’t about replicating school at home—it’s about creating a personalized, values-driven education that nurtures mental health, relationships, and passion-driven learning. With tools like her free course, book, and coaching calls, Weavey empowers parents to make informed choices without pressure or judgment.
Homeschooling isn’t about replacing school—it’s about designing education around your family’s values and your child’s unique learning style.
The 2015 CREDO study found virtual charter schools underperformed traditional schools by the equivalent of 180 days in math and 72 in reading—effectively no learning over a school year.
If your child is mentally healthy, happy, and learning things you approve of, homeschooling may be a powerful way to protect and enhance that environment.
Homeschooling offers flexibility to pursue passions, maintain physical activity, and build strong family relationships—things often lost in traditional school schedules.
Use the 10 self-reflection questions in the episode to assess whether homeschooling aligns with your family’s vision, not just logistics.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Welcome & Core Questions
Jackie Weavey introduces the podcast and frames the central dilemma: deciding whether homeschooling is right for your family. She outlines common concerns like time, special needs, and job demands.
Self-Reflection: The Real Decision-Maker
“When you stop to think through each of these questions, that you will begin figuring out if homeschooling is a good idea for your family.”
The Reality of Virtual Charters
“The results are, in a word, sobering. The Credo study found that over the course of a school year, the students in virtual charters learned the equivalent of 180 fewer days in math and 72 fewer days in reading than there appears in traditional charter schools on average.”
Homeschooling as a Personalized Solution
“Homeschooling doesn’t need to look like it does in a public school classroom. There are many different ways of homeschooling your children.”
Next Steps & Community Support
Jackie invites listeners to access her free course, book, coaching calls, and online parenting group to continue exploring homeschooling with clarity and support.
“The results are, in a word, sobering. The Credo study found that over the course of a school year, the students in virtual charters learned the equivalent of 180 fewer days in math and 72 fewer days in reading than there appears in traditional charter schools on average.”
“I want to say that if you're considering homeschooling, you need to know that homeschooling doesn't need to look like it does in a public school classroom. There are many different ways of homeschooling your children.”
“I believe that when you stop to think through each of these questions, that you will begin figuring out if homeschooling is a good idea for your family.”
Host
Jackie Weavey
person
Homeschool Think Tank Parenting Podcast
media
Think Homeschool, Live and Learn Your Way
book
CREDO
organization
Center for Research on Education Outcomes
organization
Education Weekly
other
Walton Family Foundation
organization
Sam Walton
person
Walmart
organization
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