Home Education Past and Future
The history of home education in America dates back to the colonial era, when parents often taught their children at home due to the lack of formal schools in many areas. However, the practice of home schooling, as we know it today, did not become widespread until the latter half of the 20th century. During the colonial period, many families lived in rural areas where no schools existed. In these cases, parents had no other choice than teaching children themselves, or, if wealthy enough, hire a tutor to teach them. This was a common practice among the upper and middle classes, who could afford it.
The first known instance of homeschooling in America occurred in the early 1600s, when Puritan settlers in New England began educating at home. At the time, these settlers believed that education was a religious duty, and that children should be taught to read the Bible and understand religious doctrine. This emphasis on religious education continued throughout the colonial period, with parents often using materials such as the New England Primer, a popular textbook which taught basic reading and religious principles.
In the 19th century, public education became more widely available, and home schooling became less common. However, there were still those who chose to home educate, often for religious reasons. For example, the Amish community, a religious group that values self-sufficiency and a simple way of life, has a long history of educating children at home. During this period, though, homeschooling remained a common practice in America, particularly among families who lived in rural areas. In these communities, schools were often scarce, and parents took responsibility for educating their children. Families who belonged to religious minorities, such as Quakers and Mennonites, often rejected the secular education offered by public schools and preferred home education as well.
One of the most significant challenges to homeschooling came in the early 20th century, when the concept of compulsory education was enshrined in state and federal law. In 1918, the U.S. government passed the Smith-Towner Act, which provided federal funding for public schools. This law made public education the norm, and homeschooling became a less common option for families. Soon many states passed laws that required children to attend public schools, and parents who chose to homeschool could end up getting fined or even jailed. These laws justified those punishments on the grounds that children needed to be educated in a way that would prepare them for citizenship and participation in public life.
Modern homeschooling, as we know it began in the 1960s and 1970s, with the rise of the counterculture movement and the backlash against the public education system. At this time, many parents felt disillusioned with the public schools. They disliked the bureaucratic system and how they did not meet the needs of their children. Because of this, they began to look for alternative forms of education, and home schooling became an attractive option.
One of the key figures in the modern home schooling movement was John Holt, a teacher and education reformer who wrote extensively about the flaws of public education and the benefits of homeschooling. Holt was a strong advocate for parents’ rights to educate their children as they saw fit, and he wrote several books on the subject, including “How Children Learn” and “How Children Fail.”
Although home schooling has traditionally been seen as a fringe movement, it has grown in popularity in recent years. Currently 5.56% of school-aged children in American are taught at home, that’s about 3.1 million. Now considered a legitimate alternative to traditional schooling for many families, and the only option during COVID, those interested in home education continue to increase.
Many families choose to homeschool in America today for different reasons. Some families may homeschool so they can provide a religious or moral education which aligns with their principles. Others want to give their children a more personalized education tailored to their individual needs and learning styles. And there are also those that want to homeschool because they are unhappy with the public education system or they want to provide their children with a safer learning environment.
There are many potential benefits to home education for both children and families. For example, it encourages children to develop a lifelong love of learning. Also, home education provides the ability for children to learn at their own pace, without the pressure of standardized tests or the constraints of a traditional classroom setting. This can help children to develop their natural curiosity and creativity, and to explore their interests in depth.
Often, people wonder if home education leads to isolation and a lack of social skills. According to Dr. Raymond Moore an author on human development who has written articles and 60 books on the topic, “The idea that children need to be around many other youngsters in order to be ‘socialized, is perhaps the most dangerous and extravagant myth in education and child rearing today.” Dr. Moore analyzed 8000 early childhood studies and determined children actually fare better when socialized by their parents. This doesn’t mean home educated children shouldn’t be given the opportunity to meet for play dates, activities or fun social events with their peers, though.
Home education can provide families with more freedom and flexibility in terms of their children’s education, allowing them to make decisions best suited to them. Families can choose curricula and materials which align with their beliefs, and they can adjust the educational program as needed. And home education gives families more quality time together.
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