Home schooling is not a mainstream educational choice in most parts of the world. However, in some countries, such as New Zealand, Austria and some countries in the United States, homeschooling remains a viable and sometimes preferred method of educating children.
In this article, we will explore in which country homeschooling is popular, the pros and cons of homeschooling, and the qualifications and laws related to homeschooling in these countries.
1 – United States
The United States is home to a wide variety of homeschooling cases, with no two states having the same laws or regulations. Generally, homeschooling tends to be the most popular and accepted in more rural areas, where there are fewer people and resources available to fill in the gaps where public education often fails. The states that have the highest numbers of homeschoolers tend to be Texas, California, and North Carolina, although homeschoolers can be found in all fifty states.
While all states generally accept homeschoolers, the regulations and requirements vary greatly from state to state. For example, some states do not require any notification to the state of homeschooling, while others require filing documents with the local school district.
Some states also demand that homeschoolers submit standardized test results each year, while others do not. It’s important to understand the regulations and laws of the state in which a family plans on homeschooling their children.
2 – New Zealand
Homeschooling is a burgeoning trend in New Zealand, where it is becoming increasingly popular as an educational alternative. In New Zealand, homeschooling is legal and regulated by the Education Act 1989, which is overseen by the Ministry of Education.
In New Zealand, parents have the authority to home educate their children as long as they file an application and provide the Ministry with a plan for how the child will be educated. The plan must include information about the curriculum that will be used and how the child’s progress will be monitored. In New Zealand, homeschoolers are also required to participate in the national assessment program NEMP, in order to ensure that the child is receiving a quality education.
Additionally, homeschoolers must submit annual reports to the Ministry of Education, providing evidence that the child is meeting the expected educational standards.
3 – Austria
Homeschooling is increasingly popular in Austria, where parents have the right to educate their children at home if they so choose. Homeschooling is regulated by the Education Act (Bundesgesetzblatt (BGBl) I Nr.
98/1981). According to the law, parents who wish to home educate their children must submit an application to the Ministry of Education. The application outlines the family’s homeschooling plan, including the method of homeschooling, the curriculum and the qualifications of the teacher (which can either be a foreign or a domestic qualification).
Once the application has been approved, parents must submit annual reports to the Ministry of Education, and may be required to participate in the national assessment program. Additionally, homeschoolers are required to participate in the National Qualification Framework, which requires students to be assessed at the end of their education.
4 – Germany
Homeschooling is legal in Germany, but it is highly regulated. According to the law, parents must submit an application for homeschooling approval to the Ministry of Education, which must be done prior to the child being withdrawn from school.
The application must include the family’s homeschooling plan, including the curriculum and teaching methods to be used, as well as the qualifications of the teacher. Once the application has been approved, parents must submit annual reports to the Ministry of Education, providing evidence that the child is meeting the expected educational standards. Additionally, homeschoolers are required to participate in the national assessment program and may be subject to surprise inspections from the Ministry of Education.
5 – Finland
Homeschooling is legal in Finland, but it is not very common. According to the National Core Curriculum for Basic Education, families who wish to homeschool must submit an application to the Ministry of Education, which must include a plan for the curriculum and teaching methods to be used. Once the application has been approved, parents must submit annual reports to the Ministry of Education, providing evidence that the child is meeting the expected educational standards.
Additionally, homeschoolers must participate in the national assessment program, which assesses each student at the end of their education.
6 – Sweden
Sweden is one of the countries where homeschooling is most popular. According to the national Education Act of 1994, parents have the right to homeschool their children as long as they can provide evidence that their child will receive a quality education that is equivalent to what he or she would receive in a formal classroom setting. Parents must submit an application for homeschooling approval to the Ministry of Education, which must be done prior to the child being withdrawn from school.
The application must include their family’s homeschooling plan, including the curriculum and teaching methods to be used, as well as the qualifications of the teacher. Once the application has been approved, parents must submit annual reports to the Ministry of Education, providing evidence that the child is meeting the expected educational standards.
Additionally, homeschoolers are required to participate in the national assessment program, which assesses each student at the end of their education.
7 – Denmark
Homeschooling is legal in Denmark, but it is not a very common choice among families. According to the Education Act, parents who wish to homeschool their children must request permission from the local municipality. The application must include plans for the curriculum and teaching methods to be used, as well as qualifications of the teacher.
Once the application has been approved, parents must submit annual reports to the municipality, providing evidence that the child is meeting the expected educational standards. Additionally, homeschoolers in Denmark must participate in the national assessment program, which assesses each student at the end of their education.
8 – Norway
Homeschooling is legal in Norway, but it’s not common. According to the Education Act, parents must submit an application for homeschooling approval to the Ministry of Education, which must be done prior to the child being withdrawn from school. The application must include the family’s homeschooling plan, including the curriculum and teaching methods to be used, as well as the qualifications of the teacher.
Once the application has been approved, parents must submit annual reports to the Ministry of Education, providing evidence that the child is meeting the expected educational standards. Additionally, homeschoolers must participate in the national assessment program, which assesses each student at the end of their education.
9 – The Netherlands
Homeschooling is legal in the Netherlands, but it is not very popular. According to the Education Act, parents are allowed to home school their children, but must request permission from the local municipality for doing so. The application must include plans for the curriculum and teaching methods to be used, as well as qualifications of the teacher.
Once the application has been approved, parents must submit annual reports to the municipality, providing evidence that the child is meeting the expected educational standards. Additionally, homeschoolers in the Netherlands must participate in the national assessment program, which assesses each student at the end of their education.
10 – Belgium
Homeschooling is legal in Belgium, but it is not very common. According to the Education Act, parents must submit an application for homeschooling approval to the Ministry of Education, which must be done prior to the child being withdrawn from school. The application must include the family’s homeschooling plan, including the curriculum and teaching methods to be used, as well as the qualifications of the teacher.
Once the application has been approved, parents must submit annual reports to the Ministry of Education, providing evidence that the child is meeting the expected educational standards. Additionally, homeschoolers must participate in the national assessment program, which assesses each student at the end of their education.
11 – Italy
Homeschooling is legal in Italy, but it is not a very common choice for parents. According to the Education Act, parents who wish to home school their children must submit an application to the Ministry of Education.
The application must include plans for the curriculum and teaching methods to be used, as well as the qualifications of the teacher. Once the application has been approved, parents must submit annual reports to the Ministry of Education, providing evidence that the child is meeting the expected educational standards. Additionally, homeschoolers must participate in the national assessment program and may be subject to surprise inspections from the Ministry of Education.
12 – France
Homeschooling is legal in France, but it is not very common. According to the Education Act, parents must submit an application for homeschooling approval to the Ministry of Education, which must be done prior to the child being withdrawn from school. The application must include the family’s homeschooling plan, including the curriculum and teaching methods to be used, as well as the qualifications of the teacher.
Once the application has been approved, parents must submit annual reports to the Ministry of Education, providing evidence that the child is meeting the expected educational standards. Additionally, homeschoolers must participate in the national assessment program, which assesses each student at the end of their education.
13 – Portugal
Homeschooling is legal in Portugal, but it is not very popular. According to the Education Act, parents must submit an application for homeschooling approval to the Ministry of Education, which must be done prior to the child being withdrawn from school. The application must include the family’s homeschooling plan, including the curriculum and teaching methods to be used, as well as the qualifications of the teacher.
Once the application has been approved, parents must submit annual reports to the Ministry of Education, providing evidence that the child is meeting the expected educational standards. Additionally, homeschoolers must participate in the national assessment program, which assesses each student at the end of their education.
Conclusion
In conclusion, homeschooling is legal and accepted in some countries, such as the United States, New Zealand, Austria and many other countries. Each country has its own set of regulations regarding homeschooling and the curriculum and teaching methods that must be used. It’s important to research the laws and regulations in the country where one wishes to homeschool, before beginning the homeschooling process.
Overall, homeschooling is an increasingly popular educational choice for parents and students who wish for a more customized, adaptable education.