Parents may choose to home school their children for several reasons such as religious beliefs, a desire for more control over curriculum and socialization, or dissatisfaction with public schools. Studies have shown that home schooled children often perform better than public school students on standardized tests and many go on to attend college. The main advantages of home schooling are that it allows for a customized curriculum tailored to each child's interests and learning style, more flexibility in scheduling, and increased parental influence over socialization and incorporation of religious or philosophical beliefs.

1. Should parents beShould parents be
encouraged to homeencouraged to home
school their children?school their children?
Valerie MeyersValerie Meyers
Janelle MitchellJanelle Mitchell
Kristin ThomasKristin Thomas

2. Definition of HomeDefinition of Home
SchoolingSchooling
 The instruction of a student in anThe instruction of a student in an
educational program outside of aneducational program outside of an
established school system, typically inestablished school system, typically in
the home environmentthe home environment

3. History of HomeHistory of Home
SchoolingSchooling
 1717thth
-18-18thth
centurycentury
 American colonial period, majority of education was home schoolingAmerican colonial period, majority of education was home schooling
 Public schools taught trades, these schools were used by thePublic schools taught trades, these schools were used by the
underprivilegedunderprivileged
 Private tutors were used by the wealthyPrivate tutors were used by the wealthy
 1860s1860s
 States began enacting compulsory attendance lawsStates began enacting compulsory attendance laws
 Requiring school attendance for all school age students by law of thatRequiring school attendance for all school age students by law of that
declared statedeclared state
 By 1929, compulsory attendance laws existed in every stateBy 1929, compulsory attendance laws existed in every state
 1919thth
centurycentury
 Public schooling dominated, home schooling was not used at this timePublic schooling dominated, home schooling was not used at this time

4. History of HomeHistory of Home
SchoolingSchooling
 19571957
 Utah was the first state to recognize home schooling as anUtah was the first state to recognize home schooling as an
educational option to parentseducational option to parents
 Idea of home schooling started to reemerge in AmericanIdea of home schooling started to reemerge in American
societysociety
 1970s1970s
 Home schooling was objected to by school administrators,Home schooling was objected to by school administrators,
teachers, and teachers unionsteachers, and teachers unions
 Recent history did not promote home schooling, though it wasRecent history did not promote home schooling, though it was
obvious that portions of the current population wanted thisobvious that portions of the current population wanted this
optionoption
 Courts decided that children needed to be educated and statesCourts decided that children needed to be educated and states
had the right to require education but it was up to the parent tohad the right to require education but it was up to the parent to
decide the type of educational program for their childdecide the type of educational program for their child
 19861986
 All states adopted laws recognizing that parents had the optionAll states adopted laws recognizing that parents had the option
to home schoolto home school

5. Relevant Court CasesRelevant Court Cases
for Home Schoolingfor Home Schooling
 1923 Meyer v. Nebraska1923 Meyer v. Nebraska
 A 10 year old was taught German, when the existing lawA 10 year old was taught German, when the existing law
stated foreign language could not be taught until 8stated foreign language could not be taught until 8thth
gradegrade
 Ruled that it is the right of the parent to give their childRuled that it is the right of the parent to give their child
the education they see suitablethe education they see suitable
 1925 Pierce v. Society of Sisters1925 Pierce v. Society of Sisters
 Questioned the Compulsory Education Act, whichQuestioned the Compulsory Education Act, which
required school aged children to attend public schoolrequired school aged children to attend public school
systemsystem
 Ruled that this violates the rights of parents to direct theRuled that this violates the rights of parents to direct the
education of their children by enforcing a standardizededucation of their children by enforcing a standardized
system whereby children are forced to be educated bysystem whereby children are forced to be educated by
public teachers onlypublic teachers only
 This case changed the state compulsory attendanceThis case changed the state compulsory attendance
laws, requiring inclusion of both public and non-publiclaws, requiring inclusion of both public and non-public
schoolsschools

6. Relevant Court CasesRelevant Court Cases
for Home Schoolingfor Home Schooling
 1927 Farrington v. Tokushige1927 Farrington v. Tokushige
 Legality of foreign language schools in Hawaii was questionedLegality of foreign language schools in Hawaii was questioned
 Ruled “The…parent has the right to direct the education of hisRuled “The…parent has the right to direct the education of his
own child without unreasonable restrictions; the Constitutionown child without unreasonable restrictions; the Constitution
protects him…”protects him…”
 1972 Wisconsin v. Yoder1972 Wisconsin v. Yoder
 Amish families challenged the age listed in the CompulsoryAmish families challenged the age listed in the Compulsory
Attendance lawsAttendance laws
 They believed that sending their children to school beyond the 8They believed that sending their children to school beyond the 8thth
grade level endangered the practices and ideals of their religiongrade level endangered the practices and ideals of their religion
 Ruled that the First Amendment freedom of religion outweighedRuled that the First Amendment freedom of religion outweighed
the school attendance laws and if the parental interests werethe school attendance laws and if the parental interests were
religious, rather than personal or philosophical, children werereligious, rather than personal or philosophical, children were
exempt from the Compulsory Attendance law and did not haveexempt from the Compulsory Attendance law and did not have
to attend school for the required number of yearsto attend school for the required number of years

7. Relevant Court CasesRelevant Court Cases
for Home Schoolingfor Home Schooling
 1998 Brunelle v. Lynne Public Schools1998 Brunelle v. Lynne Public Schools
 The school committee enforced a policy thatThe school committee enforced a policy that
included home visits by the superintendent or schoolincluded home visits by the superintendent or school
representatives to observe and evaluate the homerepresentatives to observe and evaluate the home
schooling processschooling process
 Brunelle argued that the home visits were inBrunelle argued that the home visits were in
violation of his and his family’s rightsviolation of his and his family’s rights
 Ruled that the government may not intrudeRuled that the government may not intrude
unnecessarily on family affairsunnecessarily on family affairs

8. Home Schooling is DependeHome Schooling is Depende
 Criteria for home schooling varies across all the statesCriteria for home schooling varies across all the states
 States have the right to decide the:States have the right to decide the:
 Minimum qualifications for the home instructorMinimum qualifications for the home instructor
 Curriculum requirementsCurriculum requirements
 Minimum amount of time spent on instruction (hours/day, days/year)Minimum amount of time spent on instruction (hours/day, days/year)
 Measurement of student progressMeasurement of student progress
 States range from having no regulations on home schoolingStates range from having no regulations on home schooling
(besides compulsory school age) to having strict regulation(besides compulsory school age) to having strict regulation
requirements for home schoolingrequirements for home schooling
 Pennsylvania is a state with strict regulation requirements forPennsylvania is a state with strict regulation requirements for
home schoolinghome schooling

9. Pennsylvania HomePennsylvania Home
Education LawEducation Law
 Compulsory school age: 8-17 yearsCompulsory school age: 8-17 years
 Attendance: 180 days/year (900 hrs elementary, 990 hrs secondary)Attendance: 180 days/year (900 hrs elementary, 990 hrs secondary)
 Parent must have a High School diplomaParent must have a High School diploma
 The parent must inform their local superintendent of their decision toThe parent must inform their local superintendent of their decision to
home school their child/children by August 1home school their child/children by August 1stst
 Curriculum:Curriculum:
 English: reading, writing, spelling, language, literature, speech, compositionEnglish: reading, writing, spelling, language, literature, speech, composition
 Math: general math, statistics, algebra, geometryMath: general math, statistics, algebra, geometry
 Science: basic science, biology, chemistryScience: basic science, biology, chemistry
 History: geography, US history, PA history, civics, social studies, worldHistory: geography, US history, PA history, civics, social studies, world
history, economicshistory, economics
 Foreign language, music, art, physical education, health, safety, fireForeign language, music, art, physical education, health, safety, fire
danger/preventiondanger/prevention
 Evaluation: portfolio of materials used, examples of work completed,Evaluation: portfolio of materials used, examples of work completed,
written evaluation by a teacher or administrator, and standardized testswritten evaluation by a teacher or administrator, and standardized tests
(submitted yearly)(submitted yearly)

10. Reasons for HomeReasons for Home
SchoolingSchooling
 Parent occupations involve extended staysParent occupations involve extended stays
outside of a school systemoutside of a school system
 Families live in rural areas where theFamilies live in rural areas where the
educational options are limited or not availableeducational options are limited or not available
 Parent educational experience influenced theirParent educational experience influenced their
decision to home school their kidsdecision to home school their kids
 Political and/or religious beliefsPolitical and/or religious beliefs
 Belief that the “one-size-fits-all” concept usedBelief that the “one-size-fits-all” concept used
in public schools is not beneficial to theirin public schools is not beneficial to their
childrenchildren

11. ADVANTAGESADVANTAGES
Of Home SchoolingOf Home Schooling

12. Main Advantages ofMain Advantages of
Home SchoolingHome Schooling
 The main advantages of homeThe main advantages of home
schooling involve a parent’s increasedschooling involve a parent’s increased
control & influence in the followingcontrol & influence in the following
areas:areas:
 Religious/Philosophical BeliefsReligious/Philosophical Beliefs
 SocializationSocialization
 AcademicsAcademics
 As well as increasing a child’s “familyAs well as increasing a child’s “family
time.”time.”

13. ReligionReligion
 Home schooling allows a family to weave theirHome schooling allows a family to weave their
convictions into every aspect of theirconvictions into every aspect of their
"curriculum." They are now in control of the"curriculum." They are now in control of the
subject matter and in control of the topics.subject matter and in control of the topics.
 Provides students with “proper” social, moral,Provides students with “proper” social, moral,
and religious valuesand religious values
 Avoid “problem ridden” public schoolsAvoid “problem ridden” public schools
 Some parents are under the impression that publicSome parents are under the impression that public
schools are crime-ridden, drug-filled, dangerousschools are crime-ridden, drug-filled, dangerous
environmentsenvironments
 This allows them to incorporate a religious basis toThis allows them to incorporate a religious basis to
the educational curriculumthe educational curriculum
 Fastest growing group of home schoolers (2/3 ofFastest growing group of home schoolers (2/3 of
families choose it for this reason)families choose it for this reason)

14. SocializationSocialization
 Fewer behavioral problemsFewer behavioral problems
 Less negative influences from peersLess negative influences from peers
 More respectfulMore respectful
 Removes them from confinement with theirRemoves them from confinement with their
“age-mates.”“age-mates.”
 With students of the same age, opposed to studentsWith students of the same age, opposed to students
at the same academic level.at the same academic level.
 Increased interactions w/ parents (adults)Increased interactions w/ parents (adults)
 Promotes more mature and poised youthPromotes more mature and poised youth

15. AcademicsAcademics
(A)(A) Custom-Designed CurriculumCustom-Designed Curriculum
 Flexible schedule to teach desired curriculum.Flexible schedule to teach desired curriculum.
 Follow interests with a passion, which provides a profound loveFollow interests with a passion, which provides a profound love
of learningof learning
 Foreign languagesForeign languages
 MusicMusic
 Other special skills/academic interestsOther special skills/academic interests
 Spend as little or as much time on a desired subjectSpend as little or as much time on a desired subject
 Learn things when readyLearn things when ready
 Encourages & strengthens a child’s individual potentialEncourages & strengthens a child’s individual potential
(B) Children can learn at their own pace.(B) Children can learn at their own pace.
 Move as fast or as slow as neededMove as fast or as slow as needed
 Encourages self-motivationEncourages self-motivation
 Encourages thinking for themselvesEncourages thinking for themselves

16. AcademicsAcademics
(C) Working with the Child’s Learning Style(C) Working with the Child’s Learning Style
 Many parents are under the impression that publicMany parents are under the impression that public
schools are graduating illiterate students who areschools are graduating illiterate students who are
unprepared for the work force due to a lack ofunprepared for the work force due to a lack of
individualized attentionindividualized attention
 Students of average ability, who are able to input &Students of average ability, who are able to input &
process information according to their naturalprocess information according to their natural
learning style, become great learnerslearning style, become great learners
 a parent is better able to discover the child'sa parent is better able to discover the child's
learning stylelearning style
 The traditional classroom is teacher-driven, whereasThe traditional classroom is teacher-driven, whereas
the home school can be student-driven, and the childthe home school can be student-driven, and the child
allowed to master areas in the best way at the bestallowed to master areas in the best way at the best
time for the best resultstime for the best results

17. Do home schooledDo home schooled
children actually dochildren actually do
better than public schoolbetter than public school
children?children? On most academic measures, home schooled studentsOn most academic measures, home schooled students
outperform public school students on standardized tests.outperform public school students on standardized tests.
 The largest study so far, authorized for the Home SchoolThe largest study so far, authorized for the Home School
Legal Defense Association, by University of MarylandLegal Defense Association, by University of Maryland
statistician Lawrence M. Rudner, examined 20,000 homestatistician Lawrence M. Rudner, examined 20,000 home
schooled students from 50 states.schooled students from 50 states.
 The data gathered in this study is consistent with informationThe data gathered in this study is consistent with information
found in the Education Policy Analysis Archives.found in the Education Policy Analysis Archives.
 These students scored higher on standardized tests thanThese students scored higher on standardized tests than
public and private school students in every subject andpublic and private school students in every subject and
at every grade level.at every grade level.
 The longer their parents had home schooled them, the betterThe longer their parents had home schooled them, the better
they did.they did.

18. ResultsResults
 Standardized national tests of skills & achievement:Standardized national tests of skills & achievement:
 Home schoolers scored better than 70-80% of all test takersHome schoolers scored better than 70-80% of all test takers
 By 8By 8thth
grade, the median performance of home schoolgrade, the median performance of home school
students is almost 4 grade levels above that of studentsstudents is almost 4 grade levels above that of students
nationwide.nationwide.
 By 12By 12thth
grade, home schooled students scored in 92grade, home schooled students scored in 92ndnd
percentile in reading.percentile in reading.
 In 1999, when the SATs began tracking its scores, homeIn 1999, when the SATs began tracking its scores, home
schooled students scored an average of 1083, 67 pointsschooled students scored an average of 1083, 67 points
above the national averageabove the national average
 They also scored an average of 22.7 on the ACT, which isThey also scored an average of 22.7 on the ACT, which is
higher than the national average of 21.higher than the national average of 21.

19. Home SchooledHome Schooled
Students AttendingStudents Attending
CollegeCollege
 69% of home schoolers go on to college69% of home schoolers go on to college
 Parents put together portfolios w/ samples ofParents put together portfolios w/ samples of
work & lists of accomplishmentswork & lists of accomplishments
 More then 2/3 of American colleges now acceptMore then 2/3 of American colleges now accept
such transcriptssuch transcripts
 If other standardized tests are required, studentsIf other standardized tests are required, students
simply take themsimply take them
 Harvard, for example, accepts approximatelyHarvard, for example, accepts approximately
10 each year10 each year

20. Home SchooledHome Schooled
Students AttendingStudents Attending
CollegeCollege Home schooled students do well in college, after the initialHome schooled students do well in college, after the initial
adjustmentadjustment
 A 1997 study reports that home school students are in factA 1997 study reports that home school students are in fact
academically, emotionally, & socially prepared to excel inacademically, emotionally, & socially prepared to excel in
college.college.
 Also in 1997, for example, a four-year study of students atAlso in 1997, for example, a four-year study of students at
Bob Jones University found home schooled childrenBob Jones University found home schooled children
scored higher in campus leadership activities thanscored higher in campus leadership activities than
students from either the public school system or privatestudents from either the public school system or private
schools.schools.
 Home school graduates average a 3.3 GPA their freshmanHome school graduates average a 3.3 GPA their freshman
year, compared to the average 3.12 GPA received byyear, compared to the average 3.12 GPA received by
public school graduatespublic school graduates
 "Home schoolers bring certain skills -- motivation, curiosity,"Home schoolers bring certain skills -- motivation, curiosity,
the capacity to be responsible for their education -- thatthe capacity to be responsible for their education -- that
high schools don't induce very well," says Jon Reider,high schools don't induce very well," says Jon Reider,
Stanford's senior associate director of admissions.Stanford's senior associate director of admissions.

21. ““Family Time”Family Time”
 Brings families closer together.Brings families closer together.
 Parents feel that children need to learn fromParents feel that children need to learn from
people who care deeply about them.people who care deeply about them.
 After a child enters the public school system,After a child enters the public school system,
they begin spending more awake time withthey begin spending more awake time with
peers than parents.peers than parents.
 Less emphasis on parent-child relationshipLess emphasis on parent-child relationship
 Parents become the main role-model in a homeParents become the main role-model in a home
schooling environment.schooling environment.
 Easier to instill values & moralsEasier to instill values & morals
 Improved language developmentImproved language development
 Minimizes friction between teens & parentsMinimizes friction between teens & parents

22. What Can PublicWhat Can Public
Schools Do?Schools Do?
 In a study conducted in Kentucky inIn a study conducted in Kentucky in
1998, the question, “What can public1998, the question, “What can public
schools do to re-attract families whoschools do to re-attract families who
home school their children?” was asked.home school their children?” was asked.
 The #1 answer received was:The #1 answer received was:
 ““Infuse religion into the practices andInfuse religion into the practices and
curriculum of the public schools.”curriculum of the public schools.”

23. Five MainFive Main
Disadvantages ofDisadvantages of
Home SchoolingHome Schooling
 Time and EffortTime and Effort
 Limits of the TeacherLimits of the Teacher
 Lack of RecognitionLack of Recognition
 FinancialFinancial
 SocializationSocialization

24. Time and EffortTime and Effort
Time consuming for parentsTime consuming for parents
 Designing the curriculumDesigning the curriculum
 Getting the materialsGetting the materials
 Teaching the curriculumTeaching the curriculum
EffortEffort
 Energy to stay informedEnergy to stay informed

25. Limits of the TeacherLimits of the Teacher
 Feel inadequate to teach subject in coherentFeel inadequate to teach subject in coherent
and skillful manner.and skillful manner.
 SciencesSciences
 LanguagesLanguages
 Multicultural awarenessMulticultural awareness
 Lack of resourcesLack of resources
 Enrichment activitiesEnrichment activities
 BooksBooks
 Fundamental MaterialsFundamental Materials

26. Lack of RecognitionLack of Recognition
from Public/Communityfrom Public/Community
 AcademicallyAcademically
 SAT scoresSAT scores
 Spelling BeesSpelling Bees
 AthleticsAthletics

27. FinancialFinancial
 School DistrictsSchool Districts
 They are funded by the number of studentsThey are funded by the number of students
enrolled. When students are pulled out, theenrolled. When students are pulled out, the
school loses that funding.school loses that funding.
 Without funding, other effects could happenWithout funding, other effects could happen
 Extra curricular programs like sports, music, and arts.Extra curricular programs like sports, music, and arts.

28. FinancialFinancial
 Parents/FamilyParents/Family
 They have to buy the materialsThey have to buy the materials
 Provide transportation for field tripsProvide transportation for field trips
 Lost of income since one parent stays home.Lost of income since one parent stays home.

29. SocializationSocialization
 DiversityDiversity
 Not exposed to diversityNot exposed to diversity
 Religious viewsReligious views
 CulturesCultures
 CustomsCustoms
 LanguagesLanguages
 PoliticalPolitical

30. SocializationSocialization
 Becky Martin, 17, stated:Becky Martin, 17, stated:
 ““I feel the school setting is providing a ground forI feel the school setting is providing a ground for
what lies ahead.”what lies ahead.”
 She was home schooled, went to catholic school,She was home schooled, went to catholic school,
then home schooled again because she couldn’tthen home schooled again because she couldn’t
conform to the teacher’s method of teaching.conform to the teacher’s method of teaching.

31. Group’s ConclusionGroup’s Conclusion
 As a group, we feel that parents shouldAs a group, we feel that parents should
not be encouraged to home school theirnot be encouraged to home school their
children; however, we do acknowledgechildren; however, we do acknowledge
that home schooling is a viable option forthat home schooling is a viable option for
parents.parents.
 Questions?Questions?

32. ResourcesResources
 http://www.oakmeadow.com/resources/articles/Social.htmhttp://www.oakmeadow.com/resources/articles/Social.htm
 http://www.epc.msu.edu/issues/homeschool.htmhttp://www.epc.msu.edu/issues/homeschool.htm
 http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry?id=h0253050http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry?id=h0253050
 http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0112617.htmlhttp://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0112617.html
 http://www.iatdp.org/Articles/Journal%20Article%20Attendancehttp://www.iatdp.org/Articles/Journal%20Article%20Attendance
%20Violations.htm%20Violations.htm
 http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/JWCRAWFORD/mehttp://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/JWCRAWFORD/me
yer.htmyer.htm
 http://www.oyez.org/oyez/resource/case/305/http://www.oyez.org/oyez/resource/case/305/
 http://www.mainstream.com/nhpolitics/getcase.farrington.htmlhttp://www.mainstream.com/nhpolitics/getcase.farrington.html
 http://www.oyez.org/oyez/resource/case/449/http://www.oyez.org/oyez/resource/case/449/
 http://www.txjf.org/mschs.htmlhttp://www.txjf.org/mschs.html
 http://www.hslda.org/http://www.hslda.org/

33. ResourcesResources
 http://www.city-http://www.city-
journal.org/html/10_3_an_a_for_home.htmljournal.org/html/10_3_an_a_for_home.html
 http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?
file=/chronicle/archive/1999/01/29/NB66774.D.file=/chronicle/archive/1999/01/29/NB66774.D.
htmlhtml
 http://epaa.asu.edu/epaa/v7n8/http://epaa.asu.edu/epaa/v7n8/
 http://www.cato.org/cgi-http://www.cato.org/cgi-
bin/scripts/printtech.cgi/pubs/pas/pa-294.htmlbin/scripts/printtech.cgi/pubs/pas/pa-294.html
 Homeschooling: Parents’ ReactionsHomeschooling: Parents’ Reactions by:by:
Margaret MartinMargaret Martin