But Dr. Gordon's mind began to change as he encountered homeschool students in his courses in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering department of the University of Central Florida. In a recent op-ed penned for The Huffington Post, Dr. Gordon explained several reasons why he has become a proponent of homeschooling.

1. Homeschoolers are Problem-Solvers

Dr. Gordon's research labs are challenging and require students to be inquisitive, think outside of the box, and solve problems. As he explains, "Parent-educated students that I've met exhibit a strong intellectual vitality and passion for exploring difficult concepts."

2. Homeschoolers are Self-Directed

According to Dr. Gordon, the homeschooled student's ability to problem solve is related to his ability to be an independent, self-directed learner. He notes:

"It is plausible that in their homeschool environments, they've already been given a vast number of opportunities to grow their capacities for self-direction. Consequently, their inclination for independent study seamlessly transfers to the scholarly research environment."