The authors further explain that the increased number of children being home schooled has created issues associated with truancy laws and in some cases been the catalyst for the passing of new laws. In fact 35 states have created new legislation related to home schooling. For instance, in some states there are hybrid forms of public-home enrollment. In addition the state of Idaho permits dual enrollment, and in California there is a district that gives parents a $1,000 voucher to home-schooled children so that they can purchase textbooks that are approved by the district. Although states have been effective in formulating and implementing laws related to home schooling, the federal government has been less effective in creating such legislation (Robertson 1994; (Houston & Toma 2003).
In addition (Ryan & Stull 2000) report that the substantial growth in homeschooling is the cause of significant change in the legal status of homeschooling.
These legal changes occurred primarily as a result of court decisions in which advocates for homeschooling challenged state compulsory education laws (Ryan & Stull 2000). As a result many states have recently created legislation that is more favorable to homeschooling (Ryan & Stull 2000). However, there are still significant differences from state to state. On the other hand, in states where homeschooling is regulated by state and local education authorities, southern and western states tend to have less regulation (and more homeschoolers) than northern and eastern states (Lyman 1998). The authors also explain that in every state most homeschooled children are at the primary school level (Ryan & Stull 2000).
Lines (2000), reports that the growth of the modern home schooling movement was a surprise to many educators. The author asserts that in 1985 an estimate of 50,000 home schooled children in America was considered wishful thinking. However, today there are millions of homeschooled children (Lines 2000). In fact the article points out that from 1990 until 1996 there were about 700,000 home schooled children. In Florida it is believed that the population of home schooled children is increasing by 15 to 20% every year (Lines 2000). In addition in most states the number of homeschooled children is increasing (Lines 2000). The author points out that this increase in home schooling is due in part to a growing frustration with both the public and private schools (Lines 2000).
The author asserts that there was a time that private schools served as the primary alternative to a public school education because they provided an alternate curriculum (Lines 2000). The author also insists that private school enrollment is effected the most by the increase in the number of children that are home schooled (Lines 2000). Indeed most research asserts that among homeschooled children who once attended school, a large percentage of these children went to private school (Lines 2000).
The author further explains that a movement focused on unstructured learning, that was present in some private schools during the 1960s, is now fading away, because many students turned to the liberal aspects of the homeschooling and to public school-choice programs (Lines 2000). In addition, the Christian schools that arose during the 1980s have also lost some of its students to homeschooling, however their growth curve was strong enough that they remain a significant presence.
Although many people choose homeschooling for religious reasons, there are also those that choose homeschooling because their children require very specific academic attention. Such was the case with Dori Staehle and her husband. The couple had two children with exceptional reading, writing, and math skills. Both children read above their grade level and had artistic tendencies (Staehle 2000).
The children complained of being bored in school and one of the children was even diagnosed with depression (Staehle 2000). The parents addressed this issue with teachers and other professionals but the school didn't have any programs for gifted students and they were not willing to make any concessions for these students based on their abilities (Staehle 2000). As a result the parents opted to begin homeschooling their children.
Throughout the course of this homeschooling the couple found that there children were learning more and the boredom disappeared. In addition, the mother, who took on the role as teacher was able to teach her children more practical ways of learning. She also contends that her children needed very customized learning and that other children that are visual/spatial learners also need customized learning if they are going to be successful in school (Staehle 2000).
Overall the review of the literature seems to indicate that the concept of homeschooling is not new to America and only declined...
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