As families explore different educational options for their children, one Onslow County mother says homeschooling has provided flexibility, individualized learning and opportunities beyond the traditional classroom.
Beth Ferraro joined News 12’s “Beyond the Headlines” to discuss her family’s homeschooling experience and why she and her husband chose that path for their children.
Ferraro said neither she nor her husband were homeschooled themselves, but they had discussed the possibility before the COVID-19 pandemic.
When schools shifted to remote learning in 2020, Ferraro said the experience helped answer two important questions.
“Can I teach my kids? Can my kids learn from me?” Ferraro said. “We realized that yes to both of those questions.”
She said the flexibility homeschooling provides became one of the biggest factors in their decision.
Ferraro said her children were able to complete their academic work in a fraction of the time typically spent in a traditional school day, leaving more time for enrichment activities and family experiences.
“Our biggest kicker out of that was why are the kids required to be in school for so long?” Ferraro said.
One concern often raised about homeschooling is socialization. Ferraro said that was among the first questions family and friends asked when they announced their plans.
She believes those concerns are largely outdated.
“There are hundreds of homeschool park meetups and church outings,” Ferraro said. “There’s just so many opportunities now.”
According to Ferraro, her children participate in theater productions, music lessons and community activities that bring together students from a variety of educational backgrounds.
She said extracurricular opportunities are available through community organizations, recreation leagues and, in some cases, local schools.
Ferraro also outlined North Carolina’s homeschooling requirements. Parents must register a homeschool with the state and provide proof of educational qualifications. Her family also administers annual achievement testing to track academic progress.
“My only fear was I didn’t want them to ever feel like they’re getting less of an education than if they went to a public school or even a private school,” Ferraro said.
She said her children’s testing results have helped reassure the family that they are meeting academic goals while maintaining the flexibility homeschooling offers.
Ferraro encouraged families considering homeschooling to research curriculum options and find an approach that works best for their children’s learning styles.
“There are so many different curriculums right now out there,” she said. “It’s really about finding the one that works the best for you.”
This interview is part of News 12’s Beyond the Headlines series examining educational options available to families across Eastern Carolina.