![[The River Houses]](https://riverhouses.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/arms-icon-100x100.png "The River Houses"){kind=icon}
![[Homeschool Research]](https://riverhouses.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/magnifying-glass-emoji-right-150x150.png)
On the third Tuesday of each month we post a quick roundup of some recent academic publications and news about homeschooling, offered for your interest. These are typically university research papers, and they may have a positive, negative, or neutral outlook on home education. The title links generally point to the full text of each publication, which is often a printable pdf file. In some cases, a paid subscription may be required to read the whole article. The article abstracts or introductions below are quoted in full whenever possible, without editing.
We have three items for the month, on homeschool academic achievement; homeschooling and music; and homeschooling in Nigeria:
(1) Exploring Parental Approaches and Influences on Homeschooled Learners’ Academic Achievement: A Mixed-Methods Investigation — D.A. De Jesus et al. (2025)
Abstract: This study examines the roles and strategies employed by parents to influence the academic performance of homeschooled learners. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the research combines surveys of 100 homeschooling parents with in-depth qualitative interviews to analyze parental involvement comprehensively. Conducted between 2022 and 2024 across various communities in the Philippines, the study identifies key strategies such as consistent scheduling, personalized study plans, and emotional support, which significantly enhance learners’ academic outcomes. However, parents face challenges, including balancing multiple responsibilities and limited access to teaching resources. The findings emphasize the need to provide parents with adequate training and resources to optimize the benefits of homeschooling.
(2) Homeschool Music Discovery: A Survey Study of Music Education in Homeschools — H. Hobson & W. Sauerland (2025)
Abstract: In recent years, the number of families choosing to homeschool in the United States has grown. The Indiana State Department of Education exempts homeschools from the curriculum mandated for public schools, enabling homeschools the freedom to educate students in the way they choose. This curricular autonomy can lead to disproportionate access to music education for homeschool students. The purpose of this study is to investigate music education in homeschools and to understand the perceived value of music education to homeschool educators. A survey instrument was sent to homeschool educators through a homeschool organization, which generated 44 responses representing 121 students. The survey concerned the music-related activities and delivery of music instruction provided to students in their homeschool education. Respondents were also invited to share their perspectives on the importance of music in their students’ education. Using the 1994 National Standards for Music Education as a concise framework for music-related activities, the researchers assessed the different forms of musical experiences provided to homeschool students. Over 80% of respondents indicated singing is the most frequent form of music making, while music composition is the least frequent form of music making in this population. A majority of homeschool educators indicated that music education is either very or extremely important in their homeschool curricula. Together with additional findings from the study, the researchers concluded that homeschools might need greater access to music education resources to provide students with a broader array of music making experiences.
(3) Impact and Challenges of Homeschooling on the Socialization of Primary School-Aged Children in Nigeria — E.P. Omorogieva (2025)
Abstract: This paper examined the impact and challenges of homeschooling on the socialization of primary school-aged children in Nigeria. The purpose of this paper was to explore the impact and key challenges of homeschooling on the socialization of primary school-aged children in the Nigerian context. The paper acknowledged that homeschooling while offering a range of educational benefits such as the ability to tailor the curriculum to meet the needs of the child and the potential for one-on-one attention, has its unique challenges for the social skills development of primary school children which include limited peer interaction, parental oversight and involvement, sociocultural factors among others. These challenges result to potential consequences on the socialization of the child such as social and emotional challenges which in turn affects the mental health and well-being of the child, academic and professional implications and so on. The paper also suggested strategies to enhance socialization in homeschooling such as promoting structured social opportunities, fostering peer interaction through technology, developing mentor relationships, encouraging extracurricular engagement amongst others. It was concluded that the success of these strategies could showcase how beneficial homeschooling can be, particularly during emergencies that tend to halt school attendance abruptly. This can even prompt advocating for the legalization of homeschooling practice in Nigeria.
What interesting homeschool news and academic research have you come across this Hercules Term? 🎓
❡ Explore more: If you’d like to investigate the academic literature on homeschooling more extensively, the best place to start is Google Scholar, the special academic search engine from Google. Just enter a search term or phrase of interest (“homeschool,” “unschooling,” “classical homeschooling,” “deschooling,” etc.), and Google Scholar will return a list of research publications that mention your topic. In addition, for research prior to 2020 in particular, see the comprehensive bibliographic essay by Kunzman & Gaither (2020), “Homeschooling: An Updated Comprehensive Survey of the Research.” 🔎
❡ Stay in the loop: This is one of our regular Homeschool Research & News posts. Add your name to our weekly mailing list to get great homeschool teaching ideas delivered right to your mailbox all through the year. 📫
❡ Homeschool calendars: We have a whole collection of free, printable, educational homeschool calendars and planners available on our main River Houses calendar page. They will help you create a light and easy structure for your homeschool year. Give them a try today! 🗓
❡ Support our work: If you enjoy our educational materials, please support us by starting your regular Amazon shopping from our very own homeschool teaching supplies page. When you click through from our page, any purchase you make earns us a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping us to keep going and growing! 🛒
❡ Join us! The aim of the River Houses project is to create a network of friendly local homeschool support groups — local chapters that we call “Houses.” Our first at-large chapter, Headwaters House, is now forming and is open to homeschoolers everywhere. Find out how to become one of our founding members on the Headwaters House membership page. 🏡
