Homeschool Discrimination And The Need For Standardization

Homeschool Discrimination and the Need for Standardization

Homeschooling has become an increasingly popular educational alternative in the United States, raising important discussions about standards, discrimination, and equal opportunities for homeschooled students. This article explores the issue of discrimination faced by homeschoolers when applying to colleges or seeking military enrollment, emphasizing the necessity for standardized homeschool guidelines to ensure fairness and equal footing.

Historically, homeschooling, which means education at home instead of traditional schools, has grown markedly since the 1970s, driven by various social, religious, and personal reasons. According to Milton Gaither (2014), the homeschool population was approximately 2.2 million in 2014, representing a significant segment of American education. However, despite its growth and popularity, homeschoolers often encounter discriminatory attitudes, including doubts about the qualifications of their parents as teachers, and biases in standardized testing and military screening processes, as highlighted by the Homeschool Legal Defense Association and other sources (Homeschool Legal Defense Association, 2017; Haverluck, 2014). These prejudices are rooted in misconceptions and bias, which threaten the equality of educational opportunities for homeschoolers. Addressing these biases requires creating a unified, federally recognized set of standards to ensure homeschool students are assessed fairly and equitably alongside traditionally schooled peers.

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The growing trend of homeschooling in the United States underscores both its popularity and the challenges faced by homeschoolers regarding equal access to higher education and military opportunities. Since the emergence of homeschooling as a mainstream educational choice in the 1970s, millions of families have adopted this approach for various reasons, including religious beliefs, dissatisfaction with traditional schooling, and personalized learning preferences. According to Gaither (2014), by 2014, the number of homeschooled students reached approximately 2.2 million, making it a significant and recognizable portion of the education landscape. Despite these numbers, homeschoolers often face discrimination and skepticism, which hinder their chances of fair evaluation when applying for college admissions or military enlistment.

Discrimination against homeschoolers manifests in several ways. Some employers and institutions question the qualification of parents as teachers, despite the fact that many states require only a high school diploma to homeschool—comparable to substitute teacher qualifications in public schools (Homeschool Legal Defense Association, 2017). More tellingly, some homeschoolers are unfairly evaluated through standardized tests or military screening processes that favor traditionally schooled students, with biases embedded in these assessments as exemplified by the experiences documented by Haverluck (2014). These prejudices stem from misconceptions that homeschool education is inferior or less rigorous, which are unfounded given the high academic achievements of many homeschooled students. Such biases can be countered through the implementation of standardized homeschool guidelines at the federal level.

Establishing federal standards for homeschooling would considerably reduce confusion and bias. A uniform set of standards would ensure that all homeschooled students are assessed through comparable criteria, providing them with equitable opportunities in higher education and military service. This approach can help eliminate the stereotypes that currently diminish the credibility of homeschooling. For example, the Homeschool Legal Defense Association advocates for federal standards to create a more level playing field (Homeschool Legal Defense Association, 2017). Similarly, military institutions, like the Navy, have mandated higher test scores for homeschooled applicants to compensate for biases, which reflects an unfair disadvantage for these students. Standardization would not only legitimize homeschooling but also ensure that competent students are recognized for their skills and knowledge, regardless of their educational setting.

Removing prejudice and establishing clear, universally accepted guidelines would benefit both homeschooled students and society as a whole. Recognizing homeschooled students equally requires dispelling myths about their academic rigor and competency. It also involves adopting policies that validate homeschooling as a legitimate and rigorous educational pathway. By doing so, educational institutions and employers can confidently assess homeschoolers’ capabilities based on standardized criteria, thereby fostering opportunities for all qualified individuals. Moving forward, policymakers must prioritize the development of national homeschool standards to ensure fairness and equality in educational and military opportunities.

References

• Gaither, Milton. (2014). "Home Schooling Goes Mainstream." Education Next, no. 1, p. 10.
• Homeschool Legal Defense Association. (2017). “State Action Map.” Retrieved from https://hslda.org/content/legal/state-law-map
• Haverluck, Michael F. (2014). “Victory: Navy Levels the Field for Homeschoolers.” One News Now, August 27.
• Gaither, Milton. (2014). "Home Schooling Goes Mainstream." Education Next, no. 1, p. 10.
• Pova, Bobbi Jo. (2017). “Substitute Application Instructions.” Cumberland County Schools.
• Ray, Brian D. (2016). “Research Facts on Homeschooling.” National Home Education Research Institute, March 23.
• “Discrimination Against Homeschoolers—Change the system.” (2016). College Confidential, April 18.
• Haverluck, Michael F. (2014). “Victory: Navy Levels the Field for Homeschoolers.” One News Now, August 27.
• Gaither, Milton. (2014). "Home Schooling Goes Mainstream." Education Next, no. 1, p. 10.
• Homeschool Legal Defense Association. (2017). “State Action Map.”