Homeschooling: Legal Considerations, Outcomes, and Future Research Directions

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Abstract

Recent events highlight the controversy and value surrounding homeschooling. Illustratively, Bartholet (2019) called for a “radical transformation in the homeschooling regime”, including a, “presumptive ban on homeschooling.” Months later, as a result of COVID-19, virtually all students in the USA were engaged in school at home. Even though many students returned to conventional schooling, there are indications that rates of homeschooling will significantly increase. It is now appropriate for developmental scientists and legal scholars to collaborate on ways to think about, and study, homeschooling.

The author of paper one provides a legal analysis of key issues involved in homeschooling in the USA and in several key European countries. A key portion of the talk will involve ways scientists can generate information that will be useful to the legal profession and policy makers.

The author of paper two provides a review of research on homeschooling outcomes. Special consideration is given to academic achievement, social and emotional development, physical health, and success (or lack thereof) in college. There will also be a discussion of ways to advance this line of inquiry.

The authors of paper three offer a heuristic model to inform studies designed to understand how the home environment, parents, and children shape homeschoolers’ academic functioning. Such studies are necessary given that there are virtually no peer-reviewed studies on this topic.

Collectively, the papers provide an overview of what is known about homeschooling and the authors outline key ways the next generation of studies can advance knowledge on this topic.

Sub Unit

• Education, Schooling

Chair

• Carlos Valiente, Arizona State University

Individual Presentations

• A Historical and Legal Analysis of Homeschooling - Presenting Author: Michael P Donnelly, other

• A Review of Homeschooling Outcomes - Presenting Author: Brian Ray, National Home Education Research Institute

• Understanding Homeschooling Requires a New Generation of Studies - Presenting Author: Carlos Valiente, Arizona State University; Non-Presenting Author: Tracy L Spinrad, Arizona State University; Non-Presenting Author: Nancy Eisenberg, Arizona State University