Homeschooling

Homeschooling, also called home education, is a method of teaching school-aged children outside of traditional school settings.

This practice involves various instructors, such as parents, private tutors, or online teachers. Families may choose highly structured methods based on traditional school lessons. Others prefer more open styles like unschooling, which is a curriculum-free approach to learning. Some families also practice deschooling to detach from previous school habits. It is important to distinguish homeschooling from distance education. Distance education involves following a specific online school curriculum rather than independent learning.

The mechanism of homeschooling varies based on the level of structure chosen. In structured models, parents follow specific lesson plans and educational requirements. In unschooling, the child's own interests guide the learning process without a set list of tasks. Some families use the Calvert method, which involves sending lesson plans to parents to follow. Historically, remote education was even delivered via telephone starting in 1940. Today, the internet provides quick access to information, making independent learning much easier. This technology allows families to find diverse resources for any subject.

There are several distinct reasons why families choose this educational path. Some families live in remote rural areas where physical schools are difficult to reach. Others travel frequently and cannot easily enroll in a local school system. Health reasons or special needs may also prevent a child from attending school regularly. Some parents simply want to spend more time with their children. In many parts of Asia, a meta-analysis of studies found that religion is a primary reason for homeschooling.

Historically, home-based education was the primary way people learned for most of human history. In classical Greece and Rome, education focused on philosophy, rhetoric, and civic duty. During the Middle Ages, religious institutions preserved knowledge and founded early universities. In many cultures, home education centered on literacy through religious texts and basic math. Apprenticeships, where children learned trades through hands-on work, were also common. This way of learning remained the main method until the 1830s. By the early 19th century, formal classroom schooling became the standard in developed nations.

As governments passed compulsory school attendance laws, home education began to decline. However, resistance to these laws appeared as early as the late 19th century. In 1891, a minister in Ohio named Patrick Francis Quigley was tried for resisting school reporting requirements. He argued that the state should not control a child's education. In the 1960s and 1970s, the modern homeschooling movement began to grow. Educational reformists were dissatisfied with industrialized school systems. John Holt became a major figure by advocating for informal education and unschooling.

The growth of homeschooling in the United States was very rapid during the late 20th century. In the 1970s, there were fewer than 20,000 homeschooled children in the country. By the end of the 1980s, that number had increased to nearly 500,000. This rise was supported by figures like Rousas John Rushdoony and the Home School Legal Defense Association. In the 1980s, homeschooling was actually illegal in much of the United States for untrained parents. Today, it is legal in all 50 states, though rules vary by state.

For example, Ohio requires only a high school diploma, while California requires specific training.

Legality and regulations differ significantly across the globe.

Germany has very strict laws known as Schulpflicht, which mandate physical school attendance. In Germany, homeschooling without approval can lead to fines or legal disputes. France also has strict restrictions introduced in 2022 through the loi contre le séparatisme. In France, parents must prove they are qualified with a baccalauréat to homeschool for specific reasons. These reasons include health, sports training, or living too far from a school. These laws show how different nations balance individual choice with state educational standards.

Critics of homeschooling raise several concerns about the practice. Some argue that children may have fewer opportunities for socialization with diverse groups. They worry that students might not encounter different cultures or socioeconomic backgrounds. Others express concern that parents may lack the qualifications to teach all subjects properly. There are also concerns that homeschooling could be used to isolate children. Researchers note that many studies on homeschooled students rely on convenience sampling. This can lead to results that favor the highest-achieving students rather than a representative group.