Homeschooling

Homeschooling is the practice of educating children at home, usually directed by parents, instead of enrolling them in a conventional school. It is legal in all fifty states, which regulate it differently, with requirements that range from notification only to testing, portfolio review or approval of curriculum and teacher qualifications.

The modern movement grew in the 1970s and 1980s, driven by religious families and by educators such as John Holt, who argued for learning outside school. Court decisions such as Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) recognized parents' rights regarding religious upbringing, and by the 1990s all states legalized it. The number of homeschooled students roughly doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic and has remained above pre-2020 levels, in the range of several million.

Families cite reasons including religious or moral instruction, concerns about school environment and safety, dissatisfaction with academic quality and flexibility for children with special needs. Supporters point to studies showing good academic results for homeschoolers, though self-selection makes comparison difficult. Critics raise concerns about oversight, child welfare and socialization, and some argue for stronger regulation. ESA programs increasingly allow families to use public funds for homeschool costs. It is a part of the parental rights and school choice movements.