New Frontiers in Research and Practice on Homeschooling

Cheng & Donnelly (2019) engage readers in a discussion focused on understanding some of the key factors that are pushing for a high demand for many more parents to adopt homeschooling as their preferred model of education. The article reflects on the fact that between 3% and 4% of the student population in the United States is homeschooled, which data is provided by the National Center on Education Statistics (NCES). That shows that homeschooling is fast becoming a phenomenon that is appreciated by many parents leading to a high number of children being taken through homeschooling. Cheng & Donnelly (2019) establish that although the demand for students to engage in homeschooling is on the rise, it also creates a debate on how much oversight ought to be considered to achieve success in homeschooling. The question reflects on the need to ensure that the quality of education provided through homeschooling matches that of schools.

To understand the phenomenon of homeschooling from multiple perspectives, Cheng & Donnelly (2019) undertake a review of multiple articles published on the issue to help in determining whether homeschooling is the most appropriate approach to education. From their findings, the researchers take note of the fact that homeschooling is much more likely to continue growing and evolving moving into the future. That creates the need for scholars to ask new questions that would help them understand the impact that homeschooling is having on the students. Cheng & Donnelly (2019) only seek to establish a platform for researchers to engage in a debate on the best way forward in trying to achieve a much broader understanding of homeschooling. They highlight the importance of including all stakeholders, such as scholarly community, policymakers, families, and the broader public, in a discussion on matters associated with homeschooling to find the way forward on the acceptance of homeschooling.

Analysis of Key Points 

An in-depth analysis of the article shows that the researchers bring out several key points, which are then backed by evidence provided through research studies conducted on the topical area of discussion. The first key point made by the researchers is that indications point to a significant rise in home education across different parts of the world. Cheng & Donnelly (2019) support their position on the growth of homeschooling using the Wiley Handbook of Home Education, which has engaged in in-depth coverage of the issue. That shows the extent to which people across the world are embracing homeschooling as their preferred model of education for their children as opposed to conventional schooling. The second key point made in the article is that the issue of homeschooling has created a debate attracting proponents and opponents in equal measure. Cheng & Donnelly (2019) use a wide array of studies undertaken between 2001 and 2013 to highlight the ensuing debate on the issue of homeschooling.

The debate reflects more on trying to articulate the value placed on homeschooling and whether engagement in home education is likely to benefit the students when compared to traditional approaches to schooling. To help understand the debate, the researchers focus on two sides of the debate, which are the practice and the research sides where they seek to establish what other researchers believe ought to be the true position on homeschooling. The third key point made in the article is the fact that most of the researches on homeschooling has failed in trying to obtain large, representative data that would focus on homeschoolers. Cheng & Donnelly (2019) indicate that the lack of large datasets means that the conclusions reached in the studies cannot be generalized on the broader population on homeschoolers across the world. That serves as a key challenge in trying to understand the advantages and disadvantages associated with homeschooling in comparison to conventional schooling.

While seeking to present a position on whether to support or oppose homeschooling, it is important to look at the available data that would then establish the exact position considered on the issue. In this case, there exists a significant gap in research considering that most of the data gathered on homeschooling only focuses on small sample sizes that do not serve as a justification to highlight the advantages or disadvantages of homeschooling. Lastly, Cheng & Donnelly (2019) indicate that concerns associated with the issue of homeschooling are well-founded. To support this view, the researchers focus on a National Household Education Survey undertaken by the United States Department of Education. The survey presents a valid question that ought to be addressed in determining the value that may be placed on homeschooling as a valid option as compared to using conventional schooling methods.

Personal Response 

I agree with the author’s position on the fact that homeschooling remains a contentious issue that ought to be evaluated much more carefully. The lack of legal frameworks governing homeschooling creates a challenge in determining whether the quality of education offered through home education is similar to what is expected. From personal experience, I have encountered instances where some of the persons involved in homeschooling fail to meet the required standards of education. I often believe that this may arise from the lack of a clear path to oversight homeschooling as a valid option as part of the education system. I also support the view that concerns raised regarding the issue of homeschooling are well-founded and must be evaluated effectively to determine the extent to which homeschooling ought to be accepted. Before homeschooling is fully accepted as an option, some of the questions raised on its efficiency, advantages, and disadvantages ought to be addressed fully.

Reference

Cheng, A., & Donnelly, M. (2019). New frontiers in research and practice on homeschooling. Peabody Journal of Education, 94 (3), 259-262.