Home schooling or home education, as well as unschooling, is teaching and educating children at home (as well as out and about in the REAL WORLD) as opposed to a structured, regimental public/private school environment in 4 walls.
People who home school are ‘ordinary’ everyday people. Just like most other families they want their children to succeed and do well, be happy and also healthy. They want something different and better for them, not the stress and restraints of school.
In the USA, guidelines vary state to state. In Germany, home schooling is unlawful.
In Britain, there has never been a legal obligation for parents to send their children to school. The only demand is that every child receives an “efficient full-time education suitable to his age, ability and aptitude ... either by regular attendance at school or otherwise”. However, within this definition parents have generous latitude and much freedom. They don’t have to follow the national curriculum, enter children for exams, follow school hours or term times, give formal lessons, or mark work. Local authority inspectors can ask annually for written information on how a child is being educated, but they have no right to meet the child or visit the home. Should a local authority decide a child is not receiving a “suitable” education it does have powers to send them back to school.
So…home Schooling is legal, you DO NOT have to be a 'qualified' teacher, you are not the only ones doing it and there is support available. Back in the 19th century there were actually more kids that were home schooled than those that were not. There are different motivations and methods of home schooling and results of a Home Education (both social and academic) vary. This is a source of vibrant debate. Browse my articles to find out MUCH more!
Titbits:
17% is the estimated annual increase in children who are home schooled in the UK (presently estimated at 50,000 )
10% is the proportion of home-educating families in the UK who use textbooks on a frequent basis
42%: The proportion of home-educating families in the UK that earn less than the national average wage. Despite perceptions that learning at home is a middle class phenomenon, 17% of families live on incomes of under £10,000 per annum. Source: Mike Fortune-Wood
1.1 million is the lowest estimate of the number of children being home-schooled in the US. (17 US presidents were educated at home.) Source: Fraser Institute
Some famous home schooled people: John Stuart Mill, Patrick Moore, William Blake, Yehudi Menuhin, Bertrand Russell, Her Majesty the Queen.
Featured Video: Homeschool Power
A movie made to empower 3-5 year-olds to do useful things themselves. Made by home schooled children ages 3 and 5. Inspired by Preschool Power series of videos.
