One manifestation of the demand for educational reform over the last 30 years has been the removal of children from public schools by their parents. This document looks at the history of early home schooling in the United States and presents demographic information concerning those families who have chosen this option. The academic achievement of…

This digest highlights some of the findings of the largest study of home schooling conducted to date (L. Rudner, 1999). For this study, 20,760 students in 11,930 families provided useable questionnaires and corresponding achievement test data. Home schooling parents had more formal education than parents in the general population, and many had…

Findings from a study of 19 families in rural Pennsylvania who educate their children at home show that, overall, these home educators are asserting their historical option of cultural agency and schooling. Their decisions have implications for the reform of public education. (SLD)

Twenty years ago, home education was treated as a crime in almost every state. Today, it is legal all across America, despite strong and continued opposition from many within the educational establishment. This paper explores the various factors behind its success and resiliency against antagonistic social and political pressures. In the early…

This document consists of 10 issues of "Australian Homeschool Journal" extrinsic across about a year and a half. This bimonthly serial offers a variety of news, information, and advice for parents who are providing schooling for their children at home. Issues usually contain: (1) articles or reprints of articles from other sources; (2)…

The Ohio Department of Education estimates that 15,000 children were being home-schooled in Ohio, based on a 1991 survey of school superintendents. This document presents an overview of home schooling and describes the nature and extent of home schooling in Ohio. Data are based on a review of literature, information received from national and…

This document summarizes home-school laws in each of the 50 states. The first part highlights features of state statutes. By 1997, 35 states had adopted home-school statutes or regulations. Forty-one states did not require home-schooling parents to have any specific qualifications. The second part provides profiles of each of the 50 state's…

This paper discusses the use of technology by families who home school. Issues addressed include the extent of home schooling in the United States, the use of computers by home school families; how the home-schooling parent learns to teach; how the parent helps children learn, including a discussion of unit studies; whether fathers as well as…

This brochure highlights educational materials for parents who teach their children at home. Many of the sources are available through libraries, public schools, government agencies, nonprofit institutions, and online services. The pamphlet lists 12 magazines and newsletters now available to homeschooling families, 8 electronic sources, and 17…

Examines the legal context of home schooling. Briefly explains why parents educate their children at home, reviews the history of the phenomenon; considers compulsory attendance laws, and analyzes the legal status of home schooling in the United States. (10 references) (LMI)

Cooperative learning centers can provide educational activities for home-schooled children as well as support networks for home-schooling parents. This guide recounts development of a cooperative learning center founded by parents of over 70 home-educated children in upstate New York. Part 1 of the book details the development of The Alternative…

A set of concerns related to home education that is infrequently studied, namely, the content and direction of research in education, is examined. Issues surrounding home education have not been given adequate attention. A sample of home education researchers was gathered by compiling a list of authors who had published in the "Home School…

Examines issues of home education since 1970 by surveying the home school movement in the broader historical context. The 20-year growth period illustrates the fluid nature of home education as a social movement. Contemporary home schooling is not closely tied to the liberal roots of home education. (SLD)

These six periodical issues are designed to assist adults in home schooling children and adolescents. Issue 103 focuses on friendships between homeschoolers and school students, writing clubs, separating school and state, folk dancing groups, home schooling with foster and adopted children, and science activities. Issue 104 concentrates on how…