Examines state laws and the actions of various courts on home instruction and unauthorized educational programs. Suggests reforming the regulation of private education through legislative action that requires periodic testing as an alternative to compulsory school attendance. (Author/MLF)

Offers reasons why public schools should cooperate with local families educating their children at home: opposing home schooling is rarely fruitful; supporting home schoolers can improve public relations; home schooling offers otherwise unobtainable insights into child learning; and home-schooled students participating in district programs may…

Considers the range of reasons for the growth of the home schooling movement, providing several examples. Describes the practical difficulties facing home schoolers, and discusses the variety of legal reactions to home schooling, both supportive and suppressive, at state and local levels across the nation. (PGD)