Extreme Home Schooling!

The visit to ‘Home Works’ was an experience that raised unexpected questions regarding the education system in America. I was stunned, and found it initially difficult to comprehend, that a parent can home-school their child and not have to fulfil any requirements or take any specific assessments within the US.

In contrast to Germany, France and Spain where home educating a child is forbidden, within England it is an education option available for all citizens. However, it is a means of education that is unpopular, and both Emily and I had very little knowledge on.

After some initial research, I was even more shocked to discover that the situation is similar in England! Within England, a parent can home educate their child without the use of a national curriculum, national testing, formal lessons or even the legal obligation to inform the local authority. (Although the DCSF do suggest it is ‘helpful’ for a parent to do so!) In contrast to the USA, a Local Authority within England will assess the home education of a child through examples of work, a visit to the home, and a written report – providing they of course know that a child is being home educated in the first place!

In a democratic society, one has to argue that it is a parents’ democratic right to be able to educate their child as they see appropriate. However, morally, is it acceptable to perhaps provide a child with a substandard education and should the government be doing more to prevent substandard education services? Personally, these questions raise difficult issues within my own moral reasoning.

Home Works Classroom