The rate of children being homeschooled has been on the rise since the 1970s. According to homeschooling statistics put out by the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), it is estimated that the annual rate of growth of the number of children being homeschooled in the U.S. is between 7% to 15%. Homeschooling statistics from 1999 estimated that approximately 850,000 were homeschooled. This number jumped again in 2003 to over one million children according to the National Center for Education Statistics National Household Education (NHES). NHES compiled data showing that in 2007, over 1.5 million children in the U.S. were homeschooled.

To clarify these statistics, these homeschooling statistics do not include children who were homebound for temporary illness. About twenty percent of homeschooled children are also enrolled in an outside school, whether private or public, but their attendance at these outside schools generally amount to less than twenty-five hours per week. When surveyed, parents stated that their strongest reasons for homeschooling their children were because they were dissatisfied or had concerns with the following:

* religious or moral instruction 36%
* school environment 21%
* academic instruction 17%
* other 26%

According to homeschooling statistics reported by the HSLDA, parents who choose to home school their children, generally have more education than those parents who do not. Eighty-eighty percent of homeschool parents had attended college, and twenty-four percent of homeschool households had at least one parent who was a certified teacher.

Additionally, families who choose homeschooling for their children, on average, have a higher median income than families who do not. Homeschooling statistics also show that most homeschooled children come from families with three or more children. Homeschooled children generally watch far less television than children who attend traditional school out of the home.



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There are many parents nowadays that are asking, "How do I start homeschooling my kids?", and with good reason. This is a great question and it deserves some attention to get a meaningful answer. Frankly there are several ways to begin homeschooling.

If you have the time you can start gathering books about homeschooling from friends, family, the local library and bookstores, etc. But this leads to more questions: How do I know what books to buy?, How many is enough?, Did I cover everything that I need to do?... You may even begin to wonder if homeschooling is a good idea.

I have been homeschooling our 5 kids for over 10 years. I started by using the method described above. Although it was effective, it was time consuming. I started this process when our oldest child was 3 years old, so I had some time to figure this all out before she reached school age. I read a boatload of books, went to conferences, and talked with several people (many of them several times each) until I felt that I was ready to start homeschooling my children.

Looking back I wouldn't suggest this method as my top recommendation. If you have kids that are preschool age then I would suggest that you find someone you trust who has gone before you. There must be a homeschool group or friend/acquaintance that isn't too far away. The internet is a good place to find helpful folks too, and you can't beat the convenience. Let them coach you along. Most homeschoolers are more than happy to help others get started. My husband and I have helped several families over the years.

Begin teaching your child where they are and keep learning yourself. Keep asking questions and seeking advice and information from your mentor: How did you teach this?, What did you use?, How did you keep their interest?, What about the law?, etc. By the time your first child is old enough to officially enter kindergarten you will be confident in what you need to do and where you are going.

If your children are already of school age and you need to get a crash course, I would still suggest the same thing. Find a mentor. They've been there and can save you oodles of time and effort as well as your sanity!



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There are several fascinating and successful ways to teach children. All of them have something special to offer. We recommend using a combination. In this article we will discuss one known as "Un-schooling.

Un-schooling is based on the knowledge that all people, including children, have a natural desire to learn. Watch the toddler as he focuses on learning to walk, or talk. Normally no one forces him. It is like breathing. Wanting to learn is part of who we are, unless it has been squashed at some point in life.

OK! One might ask: then why do I find myself having to push my child to read? The un-schooler would answer: "because you are not un-schooling". This method tells us to pay attention to the child's natural rhythms. Just as we know when we are hungry, the child knows when and what he is hungry to learn. Use that natural tendency, and you become a facilitator rather than a teacher using many different things to stir the child's inner enthusiasm. Some examples will help to give clarification.

Example One

Koty had learned all of his phonic sounds, and could read all of his early reader books. He also enjoyed sounding out large words like "premium" as he and his mother traveled around town playing a word game. But he had no desire to pick up a book and read it. He preferred, instead, to have his mother read to him as she had from the time he was little. Mother was becoming a bit worried, because other kids his age were able to read better than koty. But she had read the book "Better Late Than Early" (a book about Delayed Academics) by Raymond and Dorothy Moore, and, as a result, decided to patiently continue reading to him.

As time passed she began to question her decision. One day Koty again asked her to read a book for him. He was fascinated by the picture on the cover, and wanted to know what was inside. "Sorry Koty", she replied, "I just don't have the time right now". Koty, anxious to learn what was inside this interesting book, began reading it by himself. He did put it down until he had finished. Mom even allowed him to read late in bed to nurture his enthusiasm.

What a miracle! Just as the Moores had indicated, Koty's enthusiasm was lit. From that day forward he became an avid reader, and advanced several grade levels in a short time...passing his peers.

Example Two

I know a teacher who moved to a wilderness area. Due to her location it became necessary to home school her large family. Until the children reached the age of seven she used the "Formal Method" to teach them the basics (Note: Most un-schoolers would tell you that is not necessary because one can un-school from day one.) After that it all became un-schooling.

The family needed a home, so she took them to the library where they began researching. They helped design the family home, do the blue prints, and build it from the ground up. In the process they expanded their ability to read, do geometry, drafting, art work, measuring, and many other lessons. But they (and Koty) were thinking about accomplishing a goal rather than just learning for the sake of learning (The un-schooler would add: unless that is the child's interest).

It is interesting to note that all of her kids received scholarships to Yale University. She did something right.

Example Three

Mom is cooking and asks her child, who is eager to help, to cut the apple. She has him/ her cut it in half, and then again in fourths. She even asks her little one to measure a half of a cup of milk. That's right, the child is learning, and you have become a facilitator.

In un-schooling learning is driven by the individual's natural learning instinct, curiosity, need to feel competent and whole, and even their need to have fun! As a parent you have likely used this method from time to time without even being aware that you were un-schooling. Awareness is what will help you to expand your ability to nurture your little one's natural desire to learn, and to retain it for a life time. Have fun being a facilitator.



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In the United States, it is now legal to homeschool your child in any state, but in the majority of states, homeschool diplomas are not issued. Normally, two primary factors determine whether a homeschool diploma will be issued to a student. The first is whether the homeschooled child fulfilled state minimum course requirements, and second if he or she passed certain standardized tests. Most states do not have a policy in place for issuing a homeschool diploma. However, as in the case of a young Kansas woman, the homeschool diploma signed by both her parents was certified as valid by the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), after the young woman was turned down for a job because the employer did not recognize her homeschool diploma.

While it may sound easy or liberating, maintaining a legitimate homeschool program is not free of government oversight and regulation. States, rather than the federal government, have jurisdiction over homeschools. Some states maintain specific coursework, hours of attendance, and require that an annual notice of the intent to homeschool be filed with the superintendent of the local school district. If parents do not follow the local procedures and fulfill state education minimum requirements, they can lose the right to continue their homeschool. Additionally, at least one parent, who is administrating the teaching, must possess the minimum of a GED or high school diploma.

If a state does not issue homeschool diplomas upon completion of the twelfth grade, students have several choices if they wish to obtain official proof of their homeschool education. The two most common ways are preparing and taking the exam for the General Education Development (GED) test. Rather than receive a homeschool diploma, a homeschooled student who has passed the GED, will be awarded a High School Equivalency Certificate. Alternately, some homeschooled children enroll in a high school correspondence program, which upon satisfactory completion will earn them a high school diploma. In most cases, parents will issue their children a homeschool diploma in addition to either the GED or the correspondence school diploma.



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