In the United States, parents have been homeschooling their children since the colonial ages. Back then, homeschooling was a way of life, and parents provided education at home because there was no such thing as compulsory education or mandatory attendance of any kind. Homeschooling continued as a practice until Horace Mann, in 1850, helped…

Legal battles are being waged over standards and regulations governing home schooling. Boards of education are advised to work out any accommodations they can with parents but to be prepared to consult with the school attorney. (MLF)

Although their perspectives differ, this volume's contributors agree that the home schooling movement offers an intriguing critique of traditional education. While nationally publicized school improvement measures call for increased bureaucratization, professionalism, and standardization, a growing number of families are choosing to forego…

Discusses three federal cases: "Hall v. Board of School Commissioners of Mobile County, Alabama," involving distribution of union literature in school; "Board of Education of Rogers, Arkansas, v. McCluskey," regarding student discipline policies; and "Duro v. District Attorney, Second Judicial District of North…

This paper explores some of the implications of compulsory education for public and private schools and for home schooling. Data were derived from interviews conducted with approximately 120 education leaders in 15 states and with state officials in all states and U.S. territories. Following the introduction, the first part reviews compulsory…

Discusses rapid growth of underground educational movements, particularly of unapproved home schooling and fundamentalist Christian schools. Reviews existing state regulation of private education, its constitutional and policy implications, and offers alternative recommendations concerning compulsory attendance laws. An appendix lists basic…

The nationwide phenomenon of home instruction is meeting resistance from state compulsory school attendance laws, resulting in many court cases in recent years. Parents who choose to teach their children at home may do so on moral or religious grounds, or because they consider public schools too conservative or traditional. State compulsory…

Based on the alleged growth in the number of families seeking unapproved alternative schooling arrangements, this paper reviews related state legislation and court litigation. Both home schooling and small, unapproved private schools are discussed. According to the paper, in virtually every state, enforcement of minimum standards for private…

To assist parents, educators, and law-makers, this guide presents each state's Compulsory Education Law for Home Schooling situations. Compilation of facts and laws derives from materials collected from the chief state school officer or designated authority. Because many states are updating laws and requirements, the manual is intended as a…

This paper, the third in a series, explores some of the implications of compulsory education for public schools, private schools, and home instruction. Based on prior studies and on interviews with 120 education leaders in 15 states, the paper reviews compulsory education policies throughout the nation. It concludes with a recommendation that…