administered;standardized;achievement
tests to these students to measure gains
in reading, math and written language.
In these tests, he found that the home-school students averaged six months’
gain in reading compared to only a one-half month gain by the public school
students. (Note: Using alternative teaching methods, we now can typically experience a two year growth at the end
of one year in the home setting, with
the;benefit;of;one-on-one;instructional
time).
Furthermore, Duvall reported that the
homeschool students, during the year,
gained eight months in written language
skills compared to their public school
counterparts who gained only two-and-one-half months.
Duvall summarized, “These results
clearly indicate that parents, even though
they;are;not;certified;teachers,;can;create
instructional environments at home that
assist students with learning disabilities
to improve their academic skills. This
study clearly shows that home schooling
is;beneficial;for;struggling;learners.” 1
What If My Child Needs
Therapies?
While the parent can provide the academic instruction at home, many times
the child would benefit from outside
professional services such as speech,
occupational or physical therapy, etc.
There are two ways in which these services can be provided:
1-Through the public school
The ability to access public school therapies, without enrolling your child in the
school,;varies;state;by;state.;Check;with
your statewide homeschool support
group;for;your;state’s;requirements.
2-Private therapies
Parents;may;choose;to;pay;for;these;ser-vices;out;of;pocket,;or;receive;insurance
reimbursement with a pediatrician referral. Many parents have found that Eas-ter;Seals,;Shriner’s;Hospitals;or;Scottish
Rites facilities offer free, or a sliding fee
scale for evaluations and speech or tutoring services.
Bottom line: Homeschooling strug-gling;learners;works.;Be;brave.;Ask;for
God’s;guidance;in;your;decision;for;your
child.;We;are;all;here;to;help;you;make
your venture a success!
If you have any questions, email Dianne
short questions at: craft@ecentral.com.
Dianne Craft has a Master’s Degree in
Learning Disabilities. She speaks widely at
homeschool conventions across the nation.
Her books, The;Brain;Integration;Ther-
apy Manual; The Right Brain Phonics
Reading;Program, and her DVDs, Un-
derstanding and Helping the Struggling
Learner;;Teaching;the;Right;Brain;Child;
Smart;Kids;Who;Hate;to;Write and, The
Biology;of;Behavior have helped many
hundreds of families remove learning
blocks in their struggling children at home.
Visit her website, www.diannecraft.org for
many articles on children and learning,
and to download her FREE Daily Lesson
Plans for the Struggling Reader, Struggling
Writer and Struggling Speller.
Endnotes
1.;Dr.;Steven;Duvall,;The Impact of Home Education on Learning Disabled Children: A Look at
New Research,;August;1994.
