IntroAs one of the fastest growing trends in modern education and with more members than ever before, it is No wonder homeschooling has recently received media coverage (Swartout-Corbeil; Saba and Gattis 1, National Household Education Survey Program 1). However, many people doubt the reality of home schooling (Saba and Gattis XI). Some of its critics worried about its alleged negative effects on a child's ability to socialize with other children, while others doubted its academic effectiveness (Saba and Gattis 5; Pitman). On the other hand, homeschooled students and their supporters claim that it provides greater academic benefits than conventional schooling and also does not deprive the child socially (Saba and Gattis 2; Dorian and Tyler 46). But amid all this talk, what are the real effects of homeschooling on a child, both academically and socially? Background Simply put, homeschooling is the practice of educating school-aged children in their homes rather than in a public school with others. children (Swartout-Corbeil). The history of homeschooling dates back to the early colonial era (Pitman). In fact, countless famous men were homeschooled as children, like those highlighted by Linda Dobson: Some of the greatest minds of all time were homeschooled. Thomas Edison, Ben Franklin... Charles Dickens, John Quincy Adams... Ab[raham] Lincoln, James Madison, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, George Washington, and Woodrow Wilson were all homeschooled, just to name a few -ones! (196) Early in history, homeschooling appealed widely to many families, as most public schools were very exclusive in their selection process, except for the wealthy or those of one ethnic or ethnic background. a specific gender. As a r...... middle of paper ......url.com/pvojhh>.National Household Education Survey Program. 1.5 million homeschooled students in the United States in 2007. Briefing note no. NCES 2009?030. 1.5 million homeschooled students in the United States in 2007. National Household Education Surveys Program, December 2008. Web. November 14, 2009. .Pitman, Mary Anne. “Homeschooling.” Encyclopedia of children and childhood in history and society. Encyclopedia.com, 2004. Web. November 15, 2009. Saba, Laura and Julie Gattis. McGraw-Hill Homeschool Companion. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2002. Print.Swartout-Corbeil, Deanna M. “Home Schooling.” Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health: From Early Childhood to Adolescence. Encyclopedia.com, 2006. Web. November 15. 2009. .