Facts, Trends and History of Homeschooling

“Homeschooling in the United States has grown to include roughly two million students, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Throughout the years, a diverse group of parents have chosen this educational alternative for their children. Here’s a look at homeschooling history in America.

The history of homeschooling in America is somewhat intertwined with the history and availability of public schooling. In Colonial America, a few public schools were established for boys. These were often associated with religious groups like the Puritans, who began to mandate basic public education. Up until the 18th century, though, most children in the United States received their education at home.

The 18th and 19th centuries saw more students leaving homeschooling for the iconic one-room schoolhouse. By the mid-1800s, education reformer Horace Mann had spearheaded the Common School Movement, which sought to secularize and standardize public education. During the Progressive Era, attendance laws requiring secondary education were instituted.

Since education is regulated by individual states, the laws governing homeschooling vary throughout the nation. In many cases, homeschooling-which meant the absence of children from a conventional school setting-was considered truancy by the state. Accordingly, homeschooling families have sometimes been forced to defend their educational choices in court, as evidenced in the following cases.”

•    The home-educated typically score 15 to 30 percentile points above public-school students on standardized academic achievement tests. (The public school average is the 50th percentile; scores range from 1 to 99.) A 2015 study found Black homeschool students to be scoring 23 to 42 percentile points above Black public school students (Ray, 2015).

•    The home-educated typically score 15 to 30 percentile points above public-school students on standardized academic achievement tests. (The public school average is the 50th percentile; scores range from 1 to 99.) A 2015 study found Black homeschool students to be scoring 23 to 42 percentile points above Black public school students (Ray, 2015)

•    Research facts on homeschooling show that the home-educated are doing well, typically above average, on measures of social, emotional, and psychological development. Research measures include peer interaction, self-concept, leadership skills, family cohesion, participation in community service, and self-esteem.

•    69% of peer-reviewed studies on success into adulthood (including college) show adults who were home educated succeed and perform statistically significantly better than those who attended institutional schools (Ray, 2017).

Famous and Homeschooled!

When you choose to homeschool, you may feel as though you’re out on an island doing the uncommon. But, the truth is, you’re in great company! From elite athletes to politicians to artists, famous homeschoolers are among the most important and talented in our history. Just see for yourself with this list of the most famous homeschoolers.”

Professional football player Tim Tebow was homeschooled! Condoleeza Rice, Benjamin Franklin and Emma Watson from “Harry Potter” were also members of the homeschool community as were many former United States Presidents; John Adams, John Quincy Adams, James Garfield, William, Andrew Jackson, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, James Polk, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt, and George Washington.

Notable scientists, judges, artists, inventors, writers, educators, entertainers, and more, make the “Famous and Homeschooled” list; Joan of Arc, Alexander the Great and Albert Einstein are some of the many who have contributed greatly, in one way or another, to our world and our history.

For see more interesting names, visit Famous and Homeschooled!

 

By Lauren Lawless

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Michelle Levell, director of GSHE