Homeschooling: Why are schoolchildren being transitioned to it and what resources are needed

Contents:

• Why parents choose homeschooling
• Why traditional schools don't meet parents' expectations
• What resources are needed to organize homeschooling

Family education means that a child attends school only for midterm and final assessments, that is, to take tests and exams. The rest of the time, the family independently determines how the educational process will be organized. Some parents study with their children according to the school curriculum themselves, while others prefer to hire tutors or subscribe to online platforms that explain school topics. There are also cases where several families join forces and jointly invite private teachers for small-group instruction. It is important to note that the family is obligated to organize the educational process, ensuring the child acquires knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies, as well as facilitating the development of their abilities. This requirement is stipulated in the Law "On Education in the Russian Federation." Homeschooling offers parents flexibility in choosing learning methods, which can significantly improve the quality of education and individualize the approach to each child.

In Russia, homeschooling remains an uncommon practice. Although this approach to education has increased in popularity during the coronavirus pandemic, according to data from the HSE Institute of Education, less than 1% of families choose it for primary and secondary education. Homeschooling offers an alternative to traditional schools, allowing parents to independently manage the learning process and adapt it to their children's needs. However, its popularity remains limited, and many families prefer traditional educational institutions.

Researchers at the Institute of Education analyzed the reasons why families choose a particular educational form and examined how they cope with this form of education. These findings are presented in the 45th issue of the HSE newsletter "Monitoring the Economics of Education."

Conclusions were drawn from 40 in-depth interviews with parents who chose homeschooling for their children. The study participants live in cities with varying population sizes. Common characteristics of these parents include a desire to provide an individualized approach to education, a desire to create a comfortable environment for the child's development, and a desire for closer interaction within the family. These characteristics provide a deeper understanding of the motivations of parents who have chosen this educational path and identify key aspects of their experience and needs. Homeschooling is becoming increasingly popular, and understanding its characteristics helps better support parents in this choice.

• higher education (often more than one diploma);
• the creative nature of professions associated with a high degree of independence, including their own business.

Respondents often mentioned their ongoing learning and a desire to share their knowledge with others. However, only a few had a pedagogical or psychological education.

Homeschooling is becoming a choice for parents who are highly educated and strive for a creative approach to raising and educating their children. These parents value independence and are looking for alternative learning methods that meet the individual needs and interests of their children.

The authors of the newsletter predict that the number of people choosing home education will grow. However, they do not believe that this format will be able to completely replace traditional schooling, in which children are taught in a classroom.

Why do parents choose home education?

During the interviews, the researchers identified three key categories of problems that respondents seek to solve by transferring their children to home education.

• concern for well-being - the child's, their own, or the general family;
• the discrepancy between the traditional education system and parental expectations;
• accessibility and convenience of organizing the home educational process.

Experts applied the well-being model developed by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This model is based on three key categories of well-being.

• personal (psychological state, health, learning conditions and abilities);
• school environment (social environment, organization of education);
• extracurricular environment (social environment, material conditions, leisure).

Research has revealed many reasons why parents choose home education, considering it a more favorable option for their children. Home education provides the opportunity for an individual approach to education, taking into account the unique needs and interests of each child. In addition, it helps strengthen family ties and allows parents to actively participate in the educational process. Parents also note that home education helps create a comfortable and safe educational environment, which promotes better assimilation of material and skill development.

Some respondents noted that the choice of this format of education was due to concerns about bullying at school. In a number of cases, parents expressed concerns in advance that their children might face similar problems. This situation was especially worrying for those whose children lack self-esteem, are vulnerable, prefer solitude, as well as for parents of children with special needs. Thus, choosing an alternative learning format has become a way for them to protect children from potential negative situations in the educational environment.

Parents are also concerned about the future of their children's community. It is important to them that their children avoid negative peer influence and do not adopt cultural norms that differ from those accepted in their families. Respondents emphasized their desire to provide children with a high-quality social circle, which is not always possible in a school environment. Furthermore, it was noted that undesirable culture can be influenced not only by children but also by adults, including teachers.

Respondents also expressed concern about their children's relationships with teachers. Many noted that the decision to switch to homeschooling was prompted by negative experiences in the school system. In some cases, children who attended school developed a lack of confidence in their abilities and a lack of motivation to learn. Some perceived schooling as a chore and experienced difficulty adapting to the demands of the educational system. These factors had a negative impact on their psychological state, which in turn caused concern among parents and worsened the atmosphere in the family.

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Parents noted that their children lack an individualized approach in a traditional school. Children often have difficulty adapting due to differences in their abilities compared to their classmates. Some students require a slower learning pace, while others absorb the material more quickly and become bored in class. This can negatively impact motivation and academic performance, so it's important to consider each child's individual needs in the educational process.

The transition to homeschooling has significantly simplified the lives of many parents. Not being tied to a strict school schedule makes it easier to plan family activities. Respondents note that alternative education helps improve the home atmosphere and strengthen family ties. It also increases the time parents spend with their children, increases their authority in the eyes of their children, and allows them to be more actively involved in household chores. Homeschooling is becoming an increasingly popular choice for those who want to create a harmonious educational environment that values ​​personal relationships and an individualized approach to learning.

Why Traditional School Doesn't Meet Parents' Expectations

Some respondents emphasize that modern schools do not always deliver the desired results. Parents who prefer homeschooling strive for their children to become more independent, learn to take responsibility, develop a love of learning, as well as emotional intelligence and self-confidence. They believe that traditional schools do not contribute to achieving these goals.

Many parents value being actively involved in their children's education and having the opportunity to influence it when necessary. However, in traditional schools, they often feel that their opinions are not taken into account.

Some respondents noted that alternative forms of education allow them to be less involved in the process than in a traditional school. This may be due to the fact that they have more trust in the organization of the educational process, perhaps due to the involvement of tutors. As a result, parents have more free time, which they can devote to other activities with their child.

Study participants noted that their values ​​​​do not align with those of the school or its staff, such as teachers and administration. These discrepancies are observed in both public and private educational institutions. Parents are sometimes unwilling to abandon their beliefs. Even if they agree to show loyalty, they are put off by the school's strict position on certain issues. Such discrepancies can negatively impact interactions between families and schools, creating tension and misunderstanding.

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"I would rather lose my school than give up the values ​​I believe in."

Many respondents emphasized the importance of comfort and flexibility in organizing the educational process. They noted that they appreciate the willingness of educational institutions to adapt to the needs of students. However, in practice, schools often have difficulties implementing these principles.

Home education is becoming an ideal solution for families with remote work, as well as for those who frequently move due to professional activities or prefer long trips out of town or to other countries. This approach allows parents to flexibly manage the educational process, adapting it to their circumstances and providing a comfortable environment for their children.

One of the reasons for choosing an alternative form of education is the inaccessibility of the chosen school by transport. Parents often face financial difficulties: even if they manage to find a suitable educational institution, they cannot always afford to pay for tuition. In some cases, families can only afford to pay for the education of one child, while there are several school-age children in the family. This creates additional difficulties in organizing education for all children. Alternative forms of education can be a way out of this situation, allowing for high-quality education without unnecessary costs and problems with transportation.

The reasons for switching to home education can be various factors, which often act simultaneously.

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A human-centered school is an educational institution that emphasizes the development of students, their interests, and needs. In such a school, the main goal is to create conditions for independent learning and self-expression in children. Here, knowledge is not simply imparted, but an environment is created that promotes active participation and involvement of the student in the educational process. It is important that children not only receive information but also know how to apply it, analyze it, and critically reflect on it. This approach ensures a deeper understanding of the material and promotes the development of key competencies needed in the modern world.

What resources are needed to organize homeschooling?

The quality of homeschooling depends largely on the parents' capabilities, including financial ones, as well as their energy and health. Many working mothers, who most often assume responsibility for their children's education, face a lack of time and energy due to their professional activities. Furthermore, many parents lack knowledge in a number of subjects, which complicates the learning process. Therefore, it is important to assess your resources in advance and prepare the necessary materials to provide a high-quality educational environment for your child.

Some parents only take on subjects in which they are well versed, and for the rest, they hire tutors or use additional educational opportunities, such as clubs and online platforms. When choosing online resources, free materials and significant discounts on subscriptions are often taken into account. This allows parents to effectively support their children's learning and provide them with access to high-quality educational resources.

If parents are not fully committed to their children's education, they face certain financial costs. Many note that, if they had sufficient financial means, they would invest in more extensive online educational content. Some respondents also indicate that the amounts they spend on subscriptions to various educational platforms could be used for tutoring. Finally, the authors of the newsletter emphasize that parents spend significant time searching for suitable educational content that fits their budget.

All study participants noted that their children study at least one subject with tutors, most often mathematics or a foreign language. When choosing a teacher, parents focus on a balance between their own capabilities, price, and the quality of education. Experienced specialists who offer reasonable prices for their services are most often chosen.

Parents note that regional support in the form of payments and benefits is insufficient. At the same time, all the children surveyed, in addition to studying according to the general education curriculum, actively participate in various clubs and sections, primarily in the creative and sports fields.

A recent survey conducted by the educational company "Yaklass" among 1,600 students in grades 5-11 from 78 regions of Russia revealed that the main motive for attending school for adolescents is the desire to communicate with classmates. This answer was chosen by 44% of respondents. The results of the study emphasize the importance of the social component of school education for young people. Interaction with peers plays a significant role in the development of not only academic but also social skills, making school an important part of the lives of adolescents.

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