Home schooling
This topic is a Contemporary Issue identified in Exploring Early
Childhood, Chapter 8, Issues in Childhood. It describes home
schooling, explains the reasons why families home school, outlines
the regulations and procedures involved in home schooling, and investigates
the support and resources available to families who home school.
What is home schooling?
Home schooling involves parents or other guardians taking responsibility
for guiding their children through a course of study at home, rather
than having their children attend school. It is a legal option in
all Australian states and territories, although regulations do vary,
and can be a successful alternative for families.
Why choose home schooling?
There are several reasons why parents choose to educate their children
at home.
- Some parents feel that the learning process that began at birth
should continue naturally, with them as teachers. They enjoy being
with their children and want to be a very active part of their
education.
- Some parents may be disappointed by their children's experiences
at school and feel that their learning differences are not being
properly catered for.
- With increasing class sizes, some parents prefer to home school
so that their children receive more attention than in a class
of up to thirty. They believe they can better cater for their
children's learning rates and styles.
- Such parents believe that, whether their children are talented
or have learning difficulties, they will benefit from the kind
of focused attention that home schooling provides.
- Some children may be withdrawn from school due to negative social
experiences, such as bullying. There may even be dangers in the
school environment, such as drugs or violence, that parents consider
an unreasonable risk for their children.
- While school is considered the norm in some cultures, in others
it is unusual. Some parents are concerned that they have less
to do with their children in our society and that many social
problems exist because of this. They believe that home schooling
is a way to reverse this trend.
- Some parents are wary of school curricula and believe that home
schooling allows them to better supervise the content of their
children's education.
Benefits of home schooling
Supporters of home schooling suggest that it offers many benefits
for families.
- Families spend a lot of time together. Members have the opportunity
to understand each other more fully and form a deep commitment
to family.
- The flexibility provided by home schooling allows children
to learn about what they are interested in at a time when they
are ready to learn. There are no preconceived schedules or timetables
to follow.
- The flexibility also provides a greater opportunity for both
parents to be in paid work and to share the home schooling responsibilities,
as schedules can be organised to suit all family members' needs.
- Holidays and outings can be taken when crowds are smaller and
costs are lower. This also means there are more opportunities
for children to learn about the world through greater participation
in it.
- Children can be educated successfully in a way that is completely
attuned to their own individual needs, learning styles, personalities
and interests.
- Home schooling is a less expensive option than both private
and public school education.
- Home-schooled children in rural areas can avoid many of hours
of travelling to and from school that leave them tired and unable
to concentrate properly. The same can apply to children in city
areas who would otherwise have to travel in heavy traffic.
- For children with special needs, the issue of travel to a specialist
school can be of concern.
- Home schooling is preferable to distance (or correspondence)
education as children get immediate feedback, and motivation is
easier to maintain.
A major criticism of home schooling
The major concern that many have regarding home schooling is that
children are deprived of socialisation experiences. Supporters,
however, argue that home schooled children have their needs met
through interaction with their immediate and extended families and
a wide range of community groups (such as those involved with church,
Scouts, sport or other social activities).
Supporters argue that home schooled children:
- have more time for socialisation
- are not forced to mix only with children of their own age
- tend to socialise with a broad range of people of many ages
and backgrounds
- are often more self confident and less affected by negative
peer pressure.
Regulations
Education in Australia is a state or territory responsibility and
there is separate legislation in each state or territory in relation
to home schooling. The laws do differ, but they generally only require
that a child attends school or receives education; there is no legal
requirement for a child to be taught according to any particular
curriculum. This is to prevent parents from suing schools and teachers
for failing to teach their children.
When education laws were first enacted, home schooling was not
a consideration. Therefore there is neither provision for it in
most states and territories nor has it has been added as an amendment
to these laws. Because education legislation varies between states
and territories, parents who wish to home school need to research
for themselves the legal status of home schooling. The table below
gives a brief outline of the regulations and procedures around Australia.
Table 1: Home schooling in Australia (legislation)
|
State/
Territory
|
Relevant legislation |
Registration procedure |
Support group |
| ACT |
ACT Education Act
1937 |
Parents submit a written application
to Director (Schools) Northern Districts. A home visit is made
to assess the suitability of the situation (e.g. teaching/learning
program, assessment, physical environment, commitment). If approved,
registration is for a maximum of one year (applicant must reapply
each year). |
Home Education Network
Canberra and Southern Highlands (HENCAST) |
| NSW |
NSW Education Act 1990 |
Parents submit a written application to Office
of Board of Studies. An officer acting as an authorised person
for the Minister of Education makes a home visit to assess suitability
of the situation and advises the Minister. If approved, registration
is for a maximum of two years. |
NSW Home Education |
| NT |
NT Education Act 1979 |
Parents submit a written application to the Secretary.
If situation is considered appropriate, a one-year provisional
registration is granted. A visit to inspect the premises follows
and parents are interviewed. If approved, full registration
is granted for an indefinite period. |
|
| QLD |
Education (Teacher Registration)
Act 1988; Education (General Provisions) Act 1989 |
Parent must be a registered teacher or have approval
of the Education Minister. Parents submit an Application for
Dispensation to District Director of Education and Home Schooling
State Review Committee. It makes a recommendation to the Minister
after assessing the application and situation. If approved,
registration is for a maximum of one year (applicant must reapply
each year). |
|
| SA |
SA Education Act 1972 |
Parents submit a written application to the District
Coordinator with details of the situation. If approved, registration
is for one year only (applicant must reapply each year). |
|
| TAS |
Education Act 1994 |
Parents submit a written application to THEAC
and Minister is advised. Situation is appraised through a visit.
If approved, program used is closely monitored to maintain registration.
|
Tasmanian Home Education Advisory
Council (THEAC) |
| VIC |
Victoria Education Act 1958; Victoria
Community Services Act 1970 |
Parents do not need to seek approval or registration
to undertake home schooling, so may or may not choose to submit
a written application to the Regional Office of the Department
of Education. A representative either inspects home or reviews
the application. Registration is indefinite once granted. |
Home Education in Victoria |
| WA |
WA School Education Act 1999 |
Parents submit a written application through District
Education Office. District Director inspects home education
program and makes a recommendation to the Director-General of
the Department of Education. If approved, registration is for
an indefinite period. |
Home Based Learning Network of WA
|
Support
Many groups exist to advise parents who choose home schooling.
They provide a wide range of resources that can be used as part
of a home education program. The Internet can be an especially useful
tool for families who undertake home schooling.
Australian Home Eduction Resource Centre, Information and Support
provides information on legalities regarding home schooling in each
state and territory. It also lists a range of useful support groups
and events for families who home school.
Home Education Association Incorporated promotes home schooling
in Australia. It offers membership to families with a range of benefits,
including:
- discounts on selected resources
- information packages and contact with experts for those beginning
home schooling
- communication and networking with other home educators (providing
advice, support and ideas exchange)
- a membership card to help establish the legitimacy of home
educators at bookstores and museums that offer education discounts.
Home Schooling Supplies Australia is an online store that
offers a variety of home educator resources suitable for all ages
and abilities. They include a regular newsletter, sample pages and
informative articles, as well as an online shopping facility.
Stepping Stones Home Education Magazine is written
by and for home educators. It aims to inspire and inform families
involved in home schooling.
Teaching Treasures provides free online interactive activities,
projects and worksheets, as well as many other educational resources.
Membership gives access to further resources on a wide range of
subjects.
References
Home Education Australia Inc.
Home Education in Victoria (2002)
Home Schooling Supplies Australia
|
