Homeschooling

The term homeschooling refers to the practice of educating a child or youth at home rather than at a public or private school. Prior to the advent of compulsory education, homeschooling was the primary method of teaching a child. The National Home Education Research Institute estimates there are approximately 2.3 million homeschooled students in the United States, with a growth rate of 2%–8% per year from 2010 to 2015. Homeschoolers are a diverse population of various races and ethnicities and with differing religious and political views. This entry first looks at the reasons for homeschooling, its history and legality in the United States, and the methods used in homeschooling. It then discusses the academic performance of homeschoolers, their socialization, and the advantages and disadvantages of ...