Webinar and Panel Discussion with some leading experts on HOMESCHOOLING and VIRTUAL EDUCATION.

Why the Summit?

We believe that there are a growing void and urgency in our nation. Although the COVID-19 global pandemic is certainly having its impact, the larger more pressing problem poised to affect our children's future is education.

Base Statistics & Educational Expenditures:

According to the, 2017-18, data from the National Center for Education Statistics, (NCES), In the K- 12 category there are 130,930 schools in the US, of which 69% are elementary schools. Data from the 2015-2016 school year shows that the US public school system spent $706 billion, or approximately $13,847 per student on education. Yet again our children systematically underperform, and graduate from the public school system unprepared for market leadership, both in the STEM, and non-STEM marketplace.

Alternative Schooling with Parent engagement

According to the Homeschool Legal Defense Association, (HSLDA), compared to the public school expenditure, the average Homeschool family spends $300-$600 per year. or approximately .04% of the public school, per child budget. This includes expenditure on curriculum, games, and books. Although some families opt for more expensive or a broader range of homeschooling options, the overall costs of homeschooling, by comparison, is relatively low and offers greater options, engagement, and accountability to the students and their parents.

How is this possible?

Measured Difference in Performance

Results indicated that homeschooled students were 2.5 times more likely to receive a Pell Grant. Homeschooled students on average achieved a higher ACT composite score (26.5), earned more college credit as incoming freshmen, had a higher one-year cumulative GPA (3.41), had a higher four-year cumulative GPA (3.46), performed at the same level with regards to fall-to-fall retention rate, and had a higher four-year graduation rate (66.7%) and overall retention rate (88.6%) when compared to traditionally schooled students ( Marc Snyder Ave Maria University),

African American families' reasons for homeschooling are similar to those of homeschool parents in general, although some use homeschooling to help their children understand Black culture and history. The average reading, language, and math test scores of these Black homeschool students are significantly higher than those of Black public school students. ( Brian D. Ray, Ph.D.)

Unlike their Public School model, socio-economic status does not play as large of a role in home-schooled students as it does in traditionally schooled students. Moore (1984) shows the socio-economic status of a family has more impact on traditional system Grade 6 students than on home-schooled ones. Students who attend school and belong to a high socio-economic status perform better than those of a low socio-economic status. However, the socio-economic status of home-schooled students has only a slight effect on their performance. Even in this case, home-schooled students from low-income families perform better than those who attend school. This may be due to the fact that homeschooling families do not have the extensive budget requirements needed to send their children to school. The study found little correlation between the cost of education per year and the test scores of a home-schooled child.