Degree Name

Education Specialist (EdS)

Semester of Degree Completion

1999

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the specific reasons the home-schooling option was chosen by some parents in central Illinois. The number of parents who home school their children has increased significantly in recent years. Understanding the motives behind parents' decisions can provide important information on the home-schooling movement and these parents' perceptions about public education. By knowing the reasons the home-schooling option was selected, legislators, public school educators, and parents can initiate any changes that may be warranted.

The study took place in the fall of 1998 utilizing a survey instrument that was developed using information gleaned from current literature on home schooling. The sample population was 233 parents from 39 central Illinois counties who practiced home schooling. Responses to the survey were received from 118 parents with 104 surveys usable for this study (45%).

The findings showed that home-schooling practitioners had many reasons for selecting the home-schooling option. The survey indicated that these reasons included a dissatisfaction with the quality of traditional education. This dissatisfaction included a failure of schools to provide adequate individualization of instruction, the uncaring attitude of some public school teachers and administrators, the adverse effects of peer pressure, and the inability of schools to provide adequate protection from firearms, violence, drugs, or gang activities. Other reasons cited as motivating factors in choosing home schooling included the desire of parents to incorporate religious beliefs into their children's educational programs, the desire of parents to be involved with their children's educational programs, and a desire for home life to be home centered rather than school centered.

The data from this study suggest that many changes should be taken which address the home-schooling movement. The most important recommendation from this study is that state lawmakers should enact legislation that addresses the home-schooling movement in Illinois. Appropriate legislation should include the requirement that every home school register with the local regional office of education. This information should be shared with the local districts as well as home-school researchers. Legislation is also needed that includes mandating local school districts to offer services to the home-schooled children in their district. Inservice opportunities, workshops, and seminars to improve teaching methodology should also be made available to parents. Finally, legislation should be enacted that requires periodic testing of children schooled at home using standardized assessment tests. The results of these tests should be shared with the home-schooling parents and the local school district. Children with significant deficiencies in learning areas could be identified and remedial help offered.

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