Myths concerning home-based education in England are discussed. These include the myths that schooling is compulsory, that there is one right approach in education, that there is such a thing as professionalism, that local education authorities have the right to access and cooperation, and that there is consensus among home educators. (RM)

The social context within which home schooling takes place is described, and the ideological frameworks and contexts within which parents (most of them fundamentalist Christians) make schooling decisions are examined. Research involved participant observation and interviews with 16 home schooling families (13 families self-labeled…