Home schooling, where children are educated in their home rather than through an institution of learning, has become an increasingly popular form of education. Parents and guardians of home schooled children have long debated whether such an arrangement is best for their children, promising academic freedom and control over the quality and content of the curriculum, or if it is too risky, limiting the access to academic resources and leaving the children at a disadvantage socially. Regardless, with the increased popularity of homeschooling, the question of the legality arises.
When did it become law to provide a curriculum for homeschooled children?
What is Home Schooling?
Home schooling, or home education, is a method of schooling where students are educated at home instead of in a traditional learning environment such as a school or college. It generally consists of the tutoring of children by their parents or a tutor, or the use of a curriculum and other materials bought from a home school academy or other third-party provider. Parents or guardians of home schooled children are responsible for providing an education that meets the standards of their particular state or country, and for ensuring their children are provided with a quality education.
Home schooling does not necessarily mean providing the same curriculum as a public school, as it can include tailor-made educational plans that suit the individual learning style of the student, as well as science, music, art and other electives.
Why Is Home Schooling Becoming So Popular?
Home schooling has become an increasingly popular form of education, with many parents deciding to home school their children for various reasons. Some believe that it allows them to have more control over the quality and content of their children’s education, and be more involved in their learning and development.
Other parents opt to home school their children in order to provide a more personalized education or tailor-made to the child’s individual needs, characteristics and learning styles. Furthermore, home schooling offers parents greater flexibility and freedom in relation to their children’s education, as they are able to craft schedules that work best for their family and can even “unschool” (essentially allowing their children to choose which topics to study and when).
What Is the Legal History of Homeschooling?
The legal history of homeschooling is complicated and varies from country to country. In the United States, the legality of homeschooling began in the late 1800s with court decisions that allowed parents to educate their children as they wished, so long as their educational efforts were deemed “adequate. ” In 1920, a Massachusetts law made it illegal for parents to home school their children, and this remained the status quo until 1968 when California legalized home education.
Since then, every state in the U. S.
has adopted some form of home education laws. These laws vary by state, and typically stipulate that parents must adhere to certain standards and/or provide evidence they are providing an education of “sound mind and moral character. “
When Did It Become Law to Provide Home School Curriculum?
The exact date when it became law to provide home school curriculum varies by state or country, but typically it is part of the overall home schooling legislation. For instance, in the United States, most states have laws that require home schoolers to provide evidence that their children are receiving an education of “sound mind and moral character.
” As part of this requirement, home schoolers must provide curricula (such as a syllabus or list of topics being studied) that reflects their educational goals. However, these curricula do not have to be approved by any particular organization or educational body; they simply have to meet the guidelines established by the state in order to be considered compliant.
What Is the Minimum Age at Which a Child Can Begin Home Schooling?
The minimum age at which a child can begin home schooling varies by state and country, so the best thing to do is to consult the laws of your specific jurisdiction. Generally speaking, in the United States, home schooling is allowed for children of any age, although most states have laws that specify a minimum age for compulsory education (generally around 5 or 6 years old). Depending on the state/country, there may also be other requirements, such as a minimum number of instructional hours and/or specific educational accomplishments (such as keeping a portfolio).
Do Home Schoolers Have to Follow a Standard Pre-Made Curriculum?
No, home schoolers do not have to follow a standard pre-made curriculum. In the United States, most states allow parents to create or purchase their own custom curriculum provided that it meets certain criteria such as instructional hours, educational accomplishments and a regularly updated portfolio. Some states require homeschoolers to choose a pre-made curriculum that is approved by a board of education or other reviewing authority, while other states do not stipulate a specific curriculum, giving parents more freedom to design and implement their own.
Can Home Schoolers Join Sports Teams and Other Extracurricular Activities?
It depends. Some states and countries allow homeschoolers to participate in extracurricular activities and sports in the same way students in traditional schools can, while other states/countries require homeschooling families to meet specific criteria in order to participate.
As such, the best thing to do is to consult the laws of your particular jurisdiction. Generally speaking, homeschoolers who meet the criteria established by the state/country are generally allowed to participate in sports teams and other extracurricular activities.
Do Home Schoolers Have to Take State or National Tests?
It depends. Generally speaking, homeschoolers who meet the criteria of their state/country’s home schooling laws typically have to participate in some form of state or national assessments.
These assessments often vary by state and country and can include tests such as standardized tests, end-of-year exams, and/or portfolio evaluations.
Do Home Schoolers Have Access to Academic Resources?
Yes, in most cases home schoolers do have access to academic resources. Depending on their particular state or country, home schoolers may be able to access a variety of educational resources, such as library books and access to computer labs. Additionally, many third-party organizations and programs offer curriculum and educational materials specifically tailored to home schoolers.
Examples of these include but are not limited to the Khan Academy, Home Schooling USA, and the SAT prep academy.
What Kind of Social Opportunities Do Home Schoolers Have?
Home schoolers have access to a variety of social opportunities, both within and outside of the home. Internally, a family can take trips to the park and local museums and libraries, join different clubs and classes, or participate in community events. Externally, home schoolers can join sports teams, enroll in after-school activities, and participate in online and/or local support groups.
Furthermore, some states/countries also offer socialization programs specifically tailored to home schoolers, allowing them to interact with other home schooled children in their state or region.
Do Home Schoolers Need to Be Certified?
In some cases, home schoolers potentially need to become certified in order to comply with the laws of their particular state or country. For instance, in some states/countries, home schoolers may need to become certified teachers in order to legally teach their children.
In other states/countries, home schoolers may have to register or provide some form of evidence that they are providing appropriate instruction and accountability to their children.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Home Schooling?
Home schooling is not without both advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, home schooling offers greater freedom and flexibility with regards to scheduling, curriculum and pedagogy.
It also offers greater control to parents over the quality and content of their children’s education and allows for a more personalized approach tailored to the individual characteristics, needs and learning styles of the student. On the other hand, home schooling can potentially place a strain on the parents financially and require a great deal of time and effort in order to set up and maintain. Additionally, home schoolers may be at a disadvantage socially, as the lack of stable peer groups and extracurricular activities can lead to feelings of isolation.
Conclusion
Home schooling has become an increasingly popular form of education in recent years and the legal history of homeschooling has evolved to reflect this. In most countries/states, home schooling is now legal and home schoolers are required to meet certain standards and/or provide evidence that they are providing an education of “sound mind and moral character. ” As such, when it comes to the question of when it became law to provide a curriculum for homeschooled children, the answer depends on the particular jurisdiction, but typically home schooling curricula must be compliant with the laws of the state/country in order to be considered valid.