Homeschooling in the United States: Past, Present, and Future

Homeschooling is a form of education in which children are educated at home, typically by their parents. It has been around for centuries, but it has only become popular in the United States in recent years.

There are many reasons why people choose to homeschool their children, and it is a topic that continues to be debated among educators, parents, and students.

In this blog post, we will explore the history of homeschooling in the United States, look at the current landscape of homeschooling, and discuss some possible future trends.

We hope you find this information helpful and informative!

The History of Homeschooling in the United States

Homeschooling has been around in one form or another for centuries. Early pioneers such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were homeschooled, as were many of the country’s founders. In the early days of the United States, many children were educated at home because there were few formal schools available.

Even when public schools began to proliferate in the 19th century, homeschooling remained a popular option for families who lived in rural areas or who could not afford to send their children to school.

In the 20th century, homeschooling began to decline in popularity as more and more families moved to cities and enrolled their children in public schools.

The modern homeschooling movement began in the 1970s when a group of families in California started teaching their children at home using an educational approach called “unschooling.” This approach emphasized learning through real-life experiences and eschewed traditional schooling methods such as homework and standardized tests.

The homeschooling movement gained momentum in the 1980s and 1990s as more families became dissatisfied with the public school system and began to explore alternative education options.

Homeschooling began to grow in popularity again in the 1980s and 1990s, as more parents became concerned about the quality of public schools and the safety of their children. Over the past few years, homeschooling has become increasingly popular in the United States.

According to a report from the National Center for Education Statistics, the number of children being homeschooled has increased by 74% since 1999. This trend will likely continue as more parents feel empowered to take control of their child’s education and more resources to become available to families who want to homeschool.

Current Landscape of Homeschooling in the United States

In the present, homeschooling is more popular than ever before. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there are currently 1.69 million children being homeschooled in the United States. This represents a significant increase from previous years, and the number of homeschooled children will likely continue to rise in the future.

There are many reasons why families choose to homeschool their children today. Some parents feel that they can provide a better educational experience for their children at home than they could receive at a public school.

Other families homeschool because they want to instill particular values or beliefs in their children or because they want more control over the curriculum and environment of their child’s education. Some children are homeschooled because they have special needs that cannot be adequately met in a traditional school setting.

Whatever the reasons, it is clear that homeschooling is on the rise in the United States. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there were 1.8 million homeschooled students in the United States in 2016, which was about 3.4% of the total student population.

Future Trends in Homeschooling

It is difficult to predict what the future trends in homeschooling will be, as the field is constantly evolving. However, there are a few potential trends that could shape the homeschooling landscape in the years to come.

One trend that could impact homeschooling is the increasing use of technology in education. As more resources become available online and more educational materials are created for digital platforms, more families will likely turn to homeschooling so as to provide their children with a technologically-advanced education.

Another potential trend is an increase in the number of parents who work from home. With advances in technology, more and more people are able to telecommute or work remotely. This could make homeschooling a more viable option for families, as it would allow parents to supervise their children’s education while still being able to earn an income.

No matter what the future trends in homeschooling may be, one thing is certain: homeschooling is here to stay. This educational option has grown in popularity in recent years, and more families will likely turn to homeschool in the future.

Legal Background of Homeschooling in the U.S.

Homeschooling is currently legal in all 50 states of the United States. However, the requirements for homeschooling vary from state to state.

Some states have very few requirements and allow parents a great deal of freedom in how they choose to educate their children. Other states have more stringent requirements, such as mandating that parents submit assessment tests or teaching portfolios to the state or meet specific educational qualifications.

The history of homeschooling in the United States is closely intertwined with the history of public education. In the country’s early days, most children were educated at home by their parents or private tutors.

As public schools increased in the early 19th century, homeschooling became less common. In the mid-19th century, many states began to pass compulsory education laws requiring children to attend public schools.

Homeschooling began to make a comeback in the 1960s and 1970s, as a small number of families started to educate their children at home. In the 1980s and 1990s, the homeschooling movement grew rapidly as more families became interested in this educational option.

Today, homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, although the requirements for homeschooling vary from state to state. In some states, parents are required to submit assessment tests or teaching portfolios to the state, while in other states, there are very few requirements for homeschooling.

Despite the fact that homeschooling is currently legal in all 50 states, there is still some opposition to this educational option.

Legal Trends of Homeschooling in the U.S.

One trend that is currently shaping the legal landscape of homeschooling is the increasing use of technology in education. As more resources become available online and more educational materials are created for digital platforms, more families will likely turn to homeschool so as to provide their children with a technologically-advanced education.

Another potential trend is an increase in the number of parents who work from home. With advances in technology, more and more people are able to telecommute or work remotely. This could make homeschooling a more viable option for families, as it would allow parents to supervise their children’s education while still earning an income.

In addition, the homeschooling movement could continue to grow in popularity as more families become dissatisfied with the public school system. As parents see that they have other options available, they may be more likely to choose to homeschool to provide their children with a better education.

Implications of Homeschooling Legal Trends in the Country

The trend of increasing use of technology in education is likely to have a positive effect on the homeschooling movement. As more resources become available online, homeschooling will become an increasingly viable option for families. In addition, this trend could lead to more families choosing to homeschool so as to provide their children with a technologically-advanced education.

The trend of parents working from home is also likely to affect the homeschooling movement positively. This trend could make homeschooling a more viable option for families, allowing parents to teach their teenagers while working.

The growing dissatisfaction with the public school system is also likely to benefit the homeschooling movement. As more parents become aware of homeschool options, they may be more likely to choose this educational path for their children.

Final Thoughts

The landscape of homeschooling in the United States has changed dramatically over the past several decades. With more and more families choosing to homeschool their children, it is important to understand the legal background and trends related to this educational choice.

At High School of America, we are dedicated to providing a high-quality education for students who choose to homeschool.

Our experienced educators are well-versed in both the history and future of homeschooling in the United States, and we are here to help you navigate this ever-changing landscape.

Contact us today for more information about our homeschool programs or to get started on your application!