The National Center for Educational Statistics, a research arm of the federal Department of Education, released a study last summer which showed concern about the school environment, rather than religious, philosophical, or academic matters, topping the list of reasons parents choose homeschooling. Just barely, perhaps (31% of responses, compared to 30% for the religious motivation), but definitely there; interesting that the socialization issue is not the deal breaker, but the selling point, for a certain group of potential home educators.
Like John said, you do have to interpret government studies carefully. Many homeschoolers would not participate in a Department of Education survey about their educational decisions, so the population in the study was self-selected to some extent. But even so, the report illustrates that not every homeschooler fits the stereotype of fundamentalist zealot (or counterculture revolutionary, for that matter), and sometimes there are very local and pragmatic reasons families choose educational alternatives.
Donna’s story from Denver pointed out Monday, the “virtual school” option is an alternative to these families that don’t object to the content of public education nor to the way it’s presented, but have issues with the socialization aspect. Many of the same curricular materials and online resources are available and utilized by homeschoolers in North Carolina, without state funding, yes, but still affordable. Programs with a religious component, sometimes from the same publishers, are available as alternatives to the secular editions used by public schools. While most homeschoolers I’ve met prefer a more individualized program for their own children, that is one way to address the concern experienced by many families, save the expense of private academies, and when privately funded, preserve the parents’ involvement and authority over the educational process.
