🔎 HOMESCHOOL RESEARCH & NEWS – January 2024

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 this month, on urban homeschooling; homeschooling in Japan; and homeschooling in Eastern Europe:

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(1) Benefits and Drawbacks of Homeschooling in Urban Areas — J.T. Jumagaziyeva & N.P. Pulatbekova (2023)

Abstract: This research study seeks to examine the benefits and drawbacks of homeschooling in urban areas, considering the unique social, educational, and environmental dynamics of urban settings. Homeschooling has become an increasingly popular choice for families seeking alternative educational approaches, particularly in urban environments where access to diverse resources and support systems is abundant yet can also present challenges. Through a comprehensive analysis of existing literature, qualitative data collection, and stakeholder perspectives, this study aims to identify the key advantages and disadvantages of homeschooling in urban areas. The research specifically focuses on understanding the impact of homeschooling on educational outcomes, socialization, community engagement, and the availability of support systems for families in urban settings. By addressing these key aspects, the study aims to provide valuable insights that can inform educational policies, practices, and support mechanisms to better meet the needs of homeschooling families in urban areas, ultimately contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of homeschooling within the context of urban education.

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(2) Educational Revolution: Exploring the Homeschooling Boom in the United States and its Relevance to Japan [pdf] — J.R. Nakanishi (2023)

Abstract: This article researches the homeschooling situation in the United States and Japan. First, it will introduce the history, demographics, motives, and challenges in both countries to give the reader basic knowledge. Then it will compare the situations, and look for overlaps and differences. After that, in the discussion part, the study will discuss the relevance of homeschooling to Japan. This will be done by highlighting issues in public schools, where homeschooling could mean a valid solution by providing a safe space for education at home. Finally, it will give ideas for future research.

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(3) Unschooling vs. Classic Methods and Forms of Homeschooling from the Perspective of the Parents of Homeschooled Children — I. Rochovská et al. (2023)

Abstract: The research is concerned with the possibilities of unschooling in Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Poland. It applies both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Using an open-ended questionnaire, it maps the opinions of 78 parents from Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Poland on the influence of the preferred methods and forms of homeschooling (unschooling, classical methods and forms) on the course and problems of the compulsory testing of a child in an umbrella school. Based on the research findings, it can be stated that the parents of homeschooled children perceive unschooling mainly as self-arranged education, the support of the child’s interests, and also complement it with other methods and forms of education. The problems during compulsory testing in an umbrella school, which were presented by the respondents, consisted firstly of subjectively negative evaluations of the course of the testing, statements concerning the respondents’ fear and descriptions of specific situations or the behaviour of the examiner. The research has also shown that the choice of the methods and forms of homeschooling does not affect whether the parents and children face more problems during the compulsory testing.

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What interesting homeschool news and academic research have you come across this Orion 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.” 🔎

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