Question: what factors have caused an increase in elementary and secondary level homeschooling in the United States in recent years; and what demographic groups have become more attracted to this option over this period of time?
Thesis: Factors causing increased homeschooling religious and moral values, dissatisfaction with school academics and administration, safety concerns, travel distance, mobility, education of women, special needs, and internet communication.
Primary sources:
“Homeschooling in the USA: Past, Present and Future” (Milton Gaither)
“Why Homeschooling Happened” (Milton Gaither)
“Scholastic Achievement and Demographic Characteristics of Home School Students in 1998” (Lawrence Rudner)
Discussion:
Main reasons for homeschooling:
(1) Religious and moral concerns
(2) Dissatisfaction with public schooling (administration and teaching)
(3) Concern for safety
(4) Academic and social results good
Recent Changes:
(1) still mainly driven by religious/moral concerns and dissatisfaction
(academic results, lack of religion, sex education)
(2) Growing school violence
(3) More people joining (minorities now 23%; broader appeal)
(4) Internet increasing access to teaching and materials
Visual:
http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2006/homeschool/TableDisplay.asp?TablePath=TablesHTML/table_4.asp
Jessica, I look forward to reading a richer thesis that responds to your two-part research question on homeschooling. The current version of the thesis appears to be a simple list of factors, while a more thoughtful approach would build a more insightful argument or interpretation about them. Perhaps you could tell us more about the demographic groups supporting homeschooling as a way to enhance your analysis. For example, based on your reading, are some demographic groups more likely to be motivated by some types of factors over others? Or do you see key differences between subgroups of homeschoolers (such as those motivated by religious versus non-religious reasons)?