Homeschooling has been a contentious issue in the United States for decades. The idea of parents teaching their own children within the home, without any external guidance or support, has always been a difficult one for some Americans. Even though the idea of homeschooling is not new, only recently has it become a legal practice in the United States.
In this article, we will explore what led to homeschooling becoming legalized in the United States. We will look at some of the key developments that made it possible and the various contributions the homeschooling movement has made to the educational landscape.
How Did Homeschooling Become Legal in the United States?
Prior to the 1970s, homeschooling had been illegal in the United States. Though some states allowed for limited freedom for home educators, most states had laws that prohibited it.
It was only in the early 1970s, when homeschooling advocates began to band together and fight for their legal rights, that the law began to change. These advocates began to challenge the regulations set by states and the courts eventually began to listen. In 1977, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that parents have the right to choose the educational environment for their children.
This victory paved the way for other states to legalize homeschooling and by the mid-80s, 32 states had laws that allowed for homeschooling.
What Impact Did Homeschooling Advocates Have on the Movement?
The homeschooling movement was driven forward by a small but passionate group of parents and experts who believed strongly in the benefits of homeschooling. Homeschooling advocates worked hard to challenge the existing laws and to engage in dialogue with state officials to make it easier for parents to homeschool their children.
Over time, these advocates built relationships with state legislators and educational professionals, ensuring that the needs of home educators were being taken into account when laws and regulations were being created. The efforts of these advocates led the way for the development of more comprehensive homeschooling laws, allowing parents greater freedom and flexibility in educating their children. Homeschooling advocates also sought to break down the negative public perceptions of homeschooling.
Education professionals and researchers had long claimed that homeschooled children suffered from severe academic and social deficits, but homeschooling advocates refuted these claims. They demonstrated that homeschooling could provide a solid academic education and socialize children in ways that public schools could not.
Slowly but surely, the public began to see the benefits of homeschooling and its acceptance grew.
How Did the Courts Contribute to the Legalization of Homeschooling?
The courts played a crucial role in the battle for homeschooling rights. Over the years, several court cases involving homeschooling families have made their way through the court system and the decisions handed down in these cases have helped to solidify the legal standing of homeschoolers.
In addition to the Wisconsin Supreme Court case mentioned earlier, there have also been other key decisions that have helped shape the current homeschooling laws. In 1985, the Oregon Supreme Court ruled that homeschooling was not a violation of compulsory education laws, setting a critical precedent that other states followed. In 1993, the U.
S. Supreme Court decided in regard to a New York case that homeschooling did not constitute a form of neglect.
This decision made it clear that parents have the right to choose how to educate their children. These and other cases have helped to create a legal framework under which homeschooling is allowed and respected in most states.
What Change Has Homeschooling Brought About?
The legalization of homeschooling has opened up many new opportunities for families across the United States. Families are now able to homeschool their children without fear of persecution from the state. Homeschooling is now seen as a viable alternative to traditional schooling and many parents have turned to this option in order to provide their children with an educational experience tailored to their individual needs.
The homeschooling movement has also created a whole new market for educational products and services. Companies like Time 4 Learning and Khan Academy, which offer online and digital learning tools, owe their success in part to the growth of the homeschooling community.
Many textbooks, curriculum resources, and other materials are now designed with the homeschooling market in mind and are tailored to meet the needs of homeschoolers. The legalization of homeschooling has also sparked a renewed interest in home education as a valid choice for parents. Homeschooling collectives have been emerging in recent years, forming physical and online communities that offer support and advice to parents who are beginning to homeschool their children.
Conclusion
Homeschooling has come a long way since it became legal in the United States in the 1970s. Advocates, courts, and parents have all played a role in bringing about law changes that have allowed homeschooling to thrive.
Not only has homeschooling become a legally-accepted form of education in many states, but it has also opened new doors for educational companies and created communities where parents can learn and share advice on home learning. There is no doubt that homeschooling has had a significant impact on the educational landscape in the United States.