Study Notes on Homeschooling and Educational Rights

Authors:

T. Jameson Brewer, University of North Georgia, Dahlonega, Georgia, United States.
Christopher Lubienski, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States.
Email: jameson.brewer@ung.edu, clubiens@iu.edu

Abstract:

This article provides an exploratory overview of the history of homeschooling in the United States.
It examines claims made by advocacy organizations regarding homeschooling.
Two broad categories of rationales are identified:
1. Empirical: Claims of greater efficiency, effectiveness, or pedagogical appropriateness.
2. Ideological: Often informed by religious or political dispositions.
Discussion on rationales contrasts the aims of education as a mechanism for the collective good versus individual good.

Homeschooling has existed in the United States since colonial times and in human civilization for much longer.
Before formal public schools, learning occurred at home through tutors or informal learning from parents or masters, often focusing on specialized skills.
Despite the establishment of public schools, homeschooling has gained popularity in recent decades.
Definition of Homeschooling:
- The practice of educating children at home by one or both parents instead of attending local schools.
Major rationales for homeschooling can be categorized into:
1. Empirical - claims of academic effectiveness and efficiency.
2. Ideological - often tied to religious beliefs or safety concerns.
The article critiques the empirical claims made by advocates and discusses the implications of homeschooling for education, focusing on individualism versus collectivism.

As of the 2015-2016 academic year, approximately 50.1 million students attended public schools, and 4.9 million attended private schools.
Estimated 2.3 million students were homeschooled in the same period.
Brian Ray (2016) suggests that homeschooling is the fastest-growing form of education.
Homeschooling is becoming more mainstream across various countries, including Australia, Canada, France, Kenya, and more.
Homeschooled students represent about 4% of all students in the U.S., as per estimates.
Regulations of Homeschooling:
- Homeschooling parents typically do not require formal teaching credentials or licenses.
- The regulation of homeschooling is contentious, with varying degrees of state oversight across the U.S.
- Advocates often argue for reduced government oversight, citing lack of correlation between teacher certification and student achievement.
Historical Context:
- Meyer v. Nebraska (1926) and Pierce v. Society of Sisters (1925) established parental rights to choose education types, leading to the establishment of homeschooling.

Empirical Rationales:
- Parents cite effectiveness and efficiency as reasons for homeschooling, often supported by organizations like the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) and National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI).
- There is criticism that empirical claims often ignore aspects of academic achievement and overlook specific demographics within homeschooling.
Ideological Rationales:
- Religious Concerns: This is the largest ideological reason for homeschooling, where parents want curricula that align with familial religious beliefs.
- There is a noted uptick in homeschooling due to concerns about racial violence and safety.

HSLDA Assertions:
- Claims include that homeschooled students score 15 to 30 percentile points above public school students on standardized tests.
- Public school average: 50th percentile (scores range from 1 to 99).
- Higher achievement regardless of parents’ formal education or family income.
- Children of non-certified teacher parents also perform well academically.
- Scores on SAT and ACT tests are generally above average for homeschooled students, who are increasingly recruited by colleges.
According to Rudner (1999), many homeschooled students are enrolled at grades higher than age-level peers.
- Students in grades 1-4, on average, perform one full grade level above their non-homeschooled peers.
Long-term benefits noted, with cumulative advantages observed over multiple years of homeschooling.
Concerns Regarding Causality:
- Critics argue a lack of causal link between homeschooling and academic success, suggesting that factors like higher parental involvement and socioeconomic status may account for academic differences rather than the educational method alone.

Advocates claim homeschooling offers a cost-saving alternative compared to public schooling.
- For example, NHERI posits that homeschooling saves taxpayers $27 billion annually.
Critics argue that while homeschooling may have some cost benefits, it can require substantial financial commitment and opportunity costs (e.g., lost income for parents).
The reported costs to educate three children at home approximate $2,030 yearly.

Religious Rationale:
- Parents seek to utilize curricula that prioritize their religious beliefs, influencing homeschooling culture significantly.
Safety Concerns:
- Concern for racial issues and bullying has influenced growth among certain demographics, especially in African American communities.
- The potential for less oversight in homeschooling raises risks regarding child abuse and neglect.

Emphasizes that homeschooling often focuses on individual benefits rather than the societal collective good.
This perspective raises concerns about the role of public education in ensuring child welfare and the potential need for state oversight.

A comprehensive list of cited works providing foundational legal and empirical context on homeschooling and education reflects credibility in the discourse surrounding the topic, establishing an understanding among scholars of the consequences and implications of the practice.