February 23, 2025

1119: Home Schooling | Skeptical Sunday

50 minutes

Homeschooling: Not just for doomsday preppers anymore! Nick Pell joins Skeptical Sunday to unpack how kitchen tables became the new classroom battleground.

On This Week's Skeptical Sunday:

Homeschooling exploded from 2.5 million kids in 2019 to a whopping 6 million by 2021-2022, with most families sticking to it even after the pandemic dust settled.

Forget the stereotype of homeschooling being a luxury for the wealthy — it's actually surprisingly affordable. While private schools can demand $25,000+ per year, homeschooling typically ranges from $500-$2,500 annually.

Homeschooled students who pursue higher education tend to outperform their traditionally schooled peers in college, though they might stumble a bit in math (because calculus is still calculus, whether you learn it at home or in a classroom).

Contrary to the classic "awkward homeschooler" trope, research shows mixed results on social development. Like a scientific experiment with conflicting data, some studies show better social skills, others show worse, and some land right in the middle. The key variable? Social involvement — it turns out that being social makes you, well, social.

Want to explore homeschooling? Start by recognizing that it's never too late to begin, and you don't need special qualifications or a teacher's license in most states. Like any good adventure, success comes down to research, understanding your child's needs, and trusting your parental instincts. The best part? You can customize the education to fit your child's learning style, pace, and interests.

Connect with Jordan on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. If you have something you'd like us to tackle here on Skeptical Sunday, drop Jordan a line at [email protected] and let him know!

Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1119

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By Jordan Harbinger

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