Chandra Thomas Post University Homeschoolers United Chandra Thomas Post University

What is Homeschooling? When a parent decides to fully educate their child at home, this is referred to as homeschooling. Homeschooling started when idealists, like John Holt , began questioning state mandated school systems and communicated the benefits of unschooling children at home. Unschooling refers to educating without any formal coursework or curriculum, while allowing the child’s interests to lead the educational agenda.

Educational technology Trends Internet connectivity is everywhere and being accessed on various devices, allowing students to continue to their education wherever they are. Educational videos are being used to teach or reinforce classwork and homework in a very creative way.

Futuring Techniques/Methodology Scenarios Scanning Scenarios are used daily to determine the pending outcome of any given event. In practice, scenarios resemble a set of stories built around carefully constructed plots. Scanning the environment includes reviewing and documenting both observational and research- based data

Scenarios & Scanning Example Chart The prepared graph below shows how including homeschoolers in certain local public school extracurricular activities can positively affect their behaviors and increase their social skills. Although, the variables are fictitious, with extensive research and data, this chart could easily reflect a possible scenario of the positive effects of allowing homeschoolers the opportunity to participate in all extracurricular activities available to public school students.

Economic Trends and Public Policies Common Core State Standards (CCSS) - Intended to ensure high school graduates are college and career ready, reduce the number of students needing developmental or remedial coursework, and improve college graduation rates Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) - Requires the Department of Education to remain neutral on CCSS while largely returning responsibility for student testing and school accountability to the states

Demographic Trends More racially diverse population in the United States The U.S. population is becoming more racially and ethnically diverse. Once a mainly biracial society with a large white majority and relatively small black minority— and an impenetrable color line dividing these groups—the United States is now a society composed of multiple racial and ethnic groups (Shrestha & Heisler, 2011). Increased homeschool population While Caucasian families make up the majority of the homeschool population, the top five reasons parents decided to homeschool (on a national level) is because of the negative school environment, religion, concerns about what their children are being taught, their child has special needs, or some other concern.

How are homeschools driving educational change? Personalized Learning Homeschooling involves tailoring the educational process around the learner and personalizing their educational programs, learning experiences, instructional approaches, and academic support strategies, in order to address their specific learning needs, interests, aspirations, or cultural backgrounds. Online Learning Refers to both formal and informal educational opportunities that take place through the web. Many online programs, like Khan Academy or Moby Max, are frequently used as a part of homeschool curriculums.

The Future of Homeschools 1981 – John Holt's book, Teach Your Own: A Hopeful Path for Education, adds momentum to the homeschooling movement. 1992 – Homeschools are recognized as a legal entity in all states. 1996 – First online academy for homeschoolers was formed, Scholars Online Academy 2003 – Over 2 million children are being homeschooled in the USA and Canada. 2017 & Beyond – Homeschooling will be able to participate in all after school extracurricular activities occurring at local public schools. They will also be able to take advantage of all additional education services, like free learning disability testing, which is available to all public school students today. The future is bright for homeschoolers!

Plan for change Continue to prepare their children for college coursework Provide a solid foundation in education Homeschoolers should take advantage of local school activities Prepare a plan to receive funding from the government Participate in co-ops

Homeschool: call for action Along with the increase in homeschooling families, there should also be a movement for homeschooling families to come together and bring awareness to the need for recognition as a true entity in every way. This means that certain benefits only available to public/private school students, will also be available to homeschool students. Committees will form and work on making this a reality.

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