Question about sentence structure

Dear teachers,

I did not quite unerstand the meaning of the following sentence and I would like to know how the following sentence was composed. Could someone explain the sentence structure and its meaning for me. Thanks.

Several studies, though, have shown that the home-educated appear to do just as well in terms of social and emotional development as other students, having spent more time in the comfort and security of their home, with guidance from parents who care about their welfare.

By the way, I wondered
--Is the phrase "as well as" be seperated because of inserted words???
--Is this statement "having spent more time..." used to modify "other students"???

Thanks again.

Emily

[maeve o'cuinn]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Dear teachers,

I did not quite unerstand the meaning of the following sentence and I would like to know how the following sentence was composed. Could someone explain the sentence structure and its meaning for me. Thanks.

Several studies, though, have shown that the home-educated appear to do just as well in terms of social and emotional development as other students, having spent more time in the comfort and security of their home, with guidance from parents who care about their welfare.

By the way, I wondered
--Is the phrase "as well as" be seperated because of inserted words???
--Is this statement "having spent more time..." used to modify "other students"???

Thanks again.

Emily

Hi Emily,

as well as >> in this case it does not mean "too". Here you are stating that this group (the home-educated) is able to do things WELL as the other group.
This is a comparison.

I can do as well as you can do.

I can read English as well as you do .

This group appear to do just as well as the other students in terms of social and emotional development.


"having spent...." >>> refers back to "the home-educated". It's as if you said
"The home-educated do as well as the other students because they have spent more time ........."


I hope this helps!! Maeve