Homeschooling has come to the forefront in 2012 because of GOP candidates’ resolve to wipe out the United States Department of Education as a way to reduce federal spending. One candidate assures everyone that homeschooling is the way to go.
Homeschooling? The idea of teaching all children started in Germany in the 17th century. Until then most people were not educated unless a tutor was hired for the home as many aristocrats did.
Of course, when the Puritans, who did not consider themselves aristocrats, landed in what became Massachusetts, they believed in the education of children and set up schools, mainly in homes, in which teachers taught the ABCs as well as the religious doctrines of the community. The schools, however, were open to all and indeed all children were expected to attend. The beginning of public schools. However, public schools in the United States were not compulsory until the 1850’s, and children, if taught at all, were taught at home. Native Americans on reservations still resist compulsory education as their traditional form has always been in the home.
Nowadays, American citizens who homeschool often dislike public and private schools that are thought to teach too rigid a curriculum in the 21st century, neither religious nor moral.
Research by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) in 1999 gives the reasons families surveyed choose homeschooling. Most important are concerns about the traditional school environment; provision for religious and/or moral instruction; dissatisfaction with the academic instruction provided; and parenting styles. For instance, some families may live in isolated or rural areas; some athletes and actors have such harried schedules that homeschooling provides an option. Two experiences by this blogger provide examples of homeschool variety of thought. One very intelligent girl was home schooled and then attended the University of California. One home school mother took on a summer German group of high school students who objected to any speeches by ministers she had arranged. She was nonplussed.
In general, although much is being researched and discussed about current public and private education, homeschool curriculum ranges over widespread and worthy studies and is subject to statewide regulations. Most well-known are Unit Studies. Also are All-in-One Curricula which are similar to those used in traditional schools. Interest in homeschools can be found in reduced learning and natural learning similar to Montessori and Waldorf Schools. In addition by the late 20th century, homeschool teachers used on-line curricula and community resources. One can find these groups all over the internet.
How did homeschool information become known in the 20th century? John Holt, who wrote to criticize poor education strategies that intimidated children, who taught in Boston schools during the busing turmoil of the 1960’s, became an advocate for homeschooling by the 1980’s in his search for ways to improve education for all children. Have you ever heard of Rousas Rushdoony, a Calvinist minister? He was the strongest advocate for Christian homeschooling about that same time. He had worked with students he considered poorly served by traditional schools. By the end of his life, he had many conservative Christian ideas, but is well-loved by some. In addition, unless you have long been part of the education world, have you heard about Raymond and Dorothy Moore? They were writing about the disadvantages of Early Childhood Education just about the time improvement in early childhood education was gaining prominence in education circles. They thought homeschooling for small children was beneficial.
Although a brief history of one alternative attempt to educate children, for those parents homeschooling has reached a group of near 2 million enthusiasts in the U.S.
