Unschooling

Unschooling's radical child-led model, with no curriculum or grades, ignites fierce division. Advocates praise it as liberating, citing a 2023 survey where 72% of unschooled teens reported higher engagement than in traditional schools. Detractors condemn it as educational neglect, pointing out that unschooled students score 21% lower on standardized math tests than the national average. This gap is particularly sharp compared to Direct Instruction, which outperforms #2 with scripted methods proven by Project Follow Through. The absence of benchmarks leaves parents guessing, fueling critics' fears of unpreparedness for college or careers.