Homeschooling or home schooling (British English), also known as home education or elective home education (British English), is the education of school-aged children in places other than a traditional school. Homeschooling is usually conducted by a parent, tutor, or online teacher. The practice of homeschooling varies considerably: the spectrum ranges from highly structured forms based on traditional school lessons to forms such as unschooling, which is a process in which the parent seeks to turn the child's interests into educational moments.
Homeschooling differs from distance education, which generally refers to an arrangement where the student follows the curriculum and requirements of an online school rather than being educated independently by their parents or themselves. Some aspects of homeschooling may overlap with an independent study program offered by an accredited school, which takes place at home but usually provides a pre-determined curriculum (educational plan). Similarly, it may overlap with a home and hospital education program, which is run by public schools for students who are too ill to attend school in person.
Before the introduction of compulsory school attendance laws, most childhood education was done by families and local communities. By the early 19th century, attending school became the most common means of education in the developed world. In the mid to late 20th century, more people began questioning the practice of school-based learning, which led to an increase in homeschooling, especially in the Americas and some European countries. Homeschooling has become a common and legal alternative to public and private schools in many countries, largely due to the Internet, allowing quick access to information. The legality of homeschooling and the requirements imposed on homeschooling families varies by jurisdiction. Homeschooling has evolved from a niche practice to a more widely recognized educational option; there has been a significant increase in homeschooling.
There are many reasons for homeschooling, ranging from personal interests to dissatisfaction with the school system, either in principle or due to problems they experienced, such as racism in schools. Homeschooling is also an option for families living in remote rural areas, those temporarily abroad, those who travel frequently and therefore have difficulty enrolling their children in schools, and those who want to spend more time with their children. Health reasons and special needs can also explain why children cannot attend an outside-the-home school regularly and are at least partially homeschooled.
Critics of homeschooling say that, because some homeschooled children have fewer opportunities to be exposed to their peers, they are less likely to develop healthy social skills. Critics also say that a child might not encounter people of other cultures, worldviews, and socioeconomic groups if not enrolled in a school. Some are also concerned that some parents are unqualified to teach their children, or that abusive parents may use homeschooling to isolate their children. Therefore, these critics believe homeschooling cannot guarantee a comprehensive, neutral education without prescribed educational standards.
Terminology While homeschooling is the term commonly used in the United States and other nations in North America, home education is primarily used in the United Kingdom, elsewhere in Europe and in many Commonwealth countries.
Some families who initially attended a school go through a deschooling process to detach from traditional school habits and prepare for a form of academic learning that requires more personal responsibility.
History
Early history For most of history, home-based education was common.A. Distefano, K. E. Rudestam, R. J. Silverman (2005) Encyclopedia of Distributed Learning (p221) In many cultures, home education often consisted of literacy training centered around religious texts, as well as basic math skills needed in everyday life. In past Christian-majority cultures, reading aloud, reciting, and memorizing passages from the Christian Bible and other writings was central to this practice, as well as workplace-based education such as apprenticeships. Enlisting professional tutors was an option available only to the wealthy.
Home education and apprenticeship remained the main form of education until the 1830s. However, prior to the 18th century, the majority of Europeans lacked formal education. In the early 19th century, formal classroom schooling became the most common means of schooling throughout developed countries. As laws enforcing public school attendance proliferated, movements resisting such laws began to form.
Home education declined in the 19th and 20th centuries with the enactment of compulsory school attendance laws. However, it continued to be practised in isolated communities. What can be considered contemporary homeschooling began in the 1960s and 1970s, led by educational reformists who were dissatisfied with industrialized education.
United States
In America, resistance to laws mandating school attendance emerged as early as the end of the nineteenth century. Catholic groups in particular resisted the enforcement of Protestant ideals in public schools, as was observed in the 1844 Philadelphia nativist riots. Resistance to mandatory schooling was sporadic throughout the 19th century as the state undertook more responsibility in protecting the rights of children.
The mid-century interest in homeschooling was supported by a number of factors including the isolation of suburban geographies, the civil rights movement and resulting school desegregation, and reported government skepticism through the 1960s and 1970s. A 1979 Wall Street Journal article cited "religious, political, and social convictions, or simply disgust at conditions in public or private schools" as reasons parents gave for homeschooling their children.
The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), founded in 1983, influenced the legal status of homeschooling in the United States. In the 1980s, homeschooling was illegal throughout much of the United States for parents who were not themselves trained educators. In the 21st century, in most of the United States, there is little to no oversight of homeschoolers and no specific educational requirements for parents. Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states in the United States. Homeschoolers must follow regulations set by their states.
The number of children being homeschooled has increased, with some estimates suggesting the number went from under twenty thousand families in the 1970s – a 1979 Wall Street Journal quoted an estimate that approximately 10,000 families were teaching their children at home – to nearly 500,000 by the end of the 1980s. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 3% of US students were homeschooling. In 2023–2024 school year, approximately 6% of US students were being homeschooled, compared to about 10% in private schools and 84% in public schools.
Germany Homeschooling is heavily restricted in Germany. The history of public schooling dates back to the time of Martin Luther, who called on the government to provide schooling to both boys and girls in To the Councilmen of all Cities in Germany (An die Ratsherren aller Städte deutschen Landes), so that they might read the Bible for themselves. Germany has one of the strictest compulsory education laws in Europe, rooted in the 1919 Reichsschulgesetz, which mandates physical attendance at a recognized school. This principle, known as Schulpflicht (school obligation), differs from Unterrichtspflicht (education obligation) found in other countries, where homeschooling is often permitted as long as children receive an education. Attempts to homeschool without approval can result in fines, legal action, or even custody disputes, as local school authorities (Schulamt) strictly enforce attendance laws
France Homeschooling in France is permitted only in specific circumstances: for the child's health, for intensive artistic or sports training, for itinerant families, and for those who live too far from a school. To be granted the right to homeschool, parents must have a baccalauréat or equivalent to prove they are qualified to teach. These restrictions were introduced in September 2022, known as loi contre le séparatisme: a law designed to reduce "Islamist separatism" and enforce secularism.
Canada Home education in Ontario is subject to section 21(2)(a) of the Education Act, which exempts children: "A person is exempt from attending school in one of the following cases: (a) they receive satisfactory instruction at home or elsewhere".Loi sur l'éducation, L.R.O. 1990, chap. E.2
Asia A meta-analysis of studies on homeschooling in Asia found that most homeschoolers cited religion as their reason for homeschooling. In East Asia, homeschooling is gaining traction among urban families in cities like Taipei and Hong Kong, driven by dissatisfaction with rigid school systems and a desire for more holistic, child-centered learning
In most Middle Eastern states, school attendance is compulsory for citizens, but optional for expats. After the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of countries such as Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt released online resources for home education, although resources for home education in the Arabic language remain limited.
Africa The legal status of homeschooling in Africa varies. In Kenya, public education is compulsory and homeschooling is not specifically addressed by the law. Families may face repercussions for pursuing home education. Homeschooling in South Africa is regulated under the BELA act which requires homeschooling parents to register with the government and submit to academic assessments, in addition to allowing governments to inspect and approve homeschooling setups. In Namibia, the government may mandate homeschool curriculum. In many other African countries, homeschooling is not explicitly addressed by law.
COVID-19 pandemic
Because schools were widely shut down during the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic, many schools implemented distance education and online learning. This is not considered homeschooling since public schools direct students' education. However, the onset of the pandemic triggered a massive increase in the prevalence of homeschooling. An investigation by the Washington Post estimated that the United States saw a rise of homeschooled children from 1.5 million to between 1.9 and 2.7 million, a number comparable to the number of students in charter schools or Catholic schools. This increase was far-reaching across every measured demographic category and region. This increase has led to a rise in critical interest in the impacts of homeschooling, both positive and negative.
Motivations
There are many reasons why parents and children choose to homeschool, whether by necessity or by choice.
Homeschool may be a necessity for a variety of reasons. For those who are in isolated rural locations that are too far from a conventional school, living abroad, or travel frequently, homeschool provides more consistency and convenience, eliminating the issues of distance or cultural barriers. Many young athletes, actors, and musicians are taught at home to accommodate their travel and practice schedules more conveniently. Mental and physical health issues are also a reason parents may homeschool or take distance education.