So who defines "homeschooling"?

[Janet in WA]

In the threads discussing celebrity homeschoolers, it's been noted that these celebrities might not really "homeschool" because they might have tutors coming into their homes to teach their children. All over the country, there are many options for educating one's children at home that aren't accepted by "real homeschoolers (whatever that is)" as "homeschooling" -- much to the surprise and chagrine of those families using those options. For example, here in WA, the ps districts offer programs to "homeschoolers" in which the students are enrolled as ps students, but do most of their schooling at home, under the supervision of the school districts. These families consider themselves "homeschoolers", but by law, they are ps students.

So my question is -- what is the definition of "homeschooling", and who gets to decide what that definition is?

[j.griff]

I think that the term is "relative" and that YOU decide whether you are a homeschooler or not. I believe that
having your children in your home instead of sending them to another building for the majority of their learning constitutes homeschooling - whether it is independent, through a private umbrella school/ISP, or through a public school system. Just because a child is enrolled with another system (public) doesn't mean that said system is largely responsible for ensuring your child receives adequate instruction, KWIM? And if you are able to hire a private tutor to come to your home to tutor your child, that is also occuring in your home. IMO that is homeschooling too.

[beansprouts]

So does that mean if I use a tutor to assist with one or more subjects than I am not a "homeschooler"? What about families that use virtual schooling, aren't their children then students of the school that provides the instruction? What about families who participate in homeschool co-ops?

I never thought it would be this confusing to define "homeschooling" ;)

[Mama Lynx]

*I* define homeschooling as education that is under the direction of the parents, and does not include full-time enrollment in a public school or school system.

So under my definition, parents bringing tutors in = homeschooling. Taking a class or two at a ps = homeschooling, as long as the school system does not oversee or lay claim to any other part of the student's education, or count the child for enrollment purposes for funding.

And under my definition, using a cyber school at home while being enrolled in a ps is not homeschooling. Important point: I am not casting judgment on that option by defining it as "not homeschooling." My definition of homeschooling has to do with legal wariness. I want a clearly defined line between "homeschooling" and public school enrollment and oversight.

Let the tomatoes fly ;-)

[Kelli in TN]

*I* define homeschooling as education that is under the direction of the parents, and does not include full-time enrollment in a public school or school system.

So under my definition, parents bringing tutors in = homeschooling. Taking a class or two at a ps = homeschooling, as long as the school system does not oversee or lay claim to any other part of the student's education, or count the child for enrollment purposes for funding.

And under my definition, using a cyber school at home while being enrolled in a ps is not homeschooling. Important point: I am not casting judgment on that option by defining it as "not homeschooling." My definition of homeschooling has to do with legal wariness. I want a clearly defined line between "homeschooling" and public school enrollment and oversight.

Let the tomatoes fly ;-)

I will wear those tomato juice stains with you!

When I hear of homeschool support groups alienating families who choose cyber schools I am angered over it. I don't think we need to divide ourselves like that when it comes to supporting one another.

But where the law is concerned there needs to be a distinction. When it comes to definitions in the eyes of the law the words and labels we assign matter greatly. I think your definition is spot on.

[Mama Lynx]

I will wear those tomato juice stains with you!

When I hear of homeschool support groups alienating families who choose cyber schools I am angered over it. I don't think we need to divide ourselves like that when it comes to supporting one another.

But where the law is concerned there needs to be a distinction. When it comes to definitions in the eyes of the law the words and labels we assign matter greatly. I think your definition is spot on.

Yep, you get it, exactly!

[True Blue]

In my state though a homeschool family can be with a ps virtual program at 99% and still legally be considered a homeschooler. They have to fill out a letter of intent to homeschool. We just had a debate in my area with veteran homeschoolers and homeschool/public school joint program administrators. By law if a homeschooler is not registered at 100% then they are in fact legally a homeschooler.

[Mama Lynx]

In my state though a homeschool family can be with a ps virtual program at 99% and still legally be considered a homeschooler. They have to fill out a letter of intent to homeschool. We just had a debate in my area with veteran homeschoolers and homeschool/public school joint program administrators. By law if a homeschooler is not registered at 100% then they are in fact legally a homeschooler.

So if you are 99% with the virtual ps program, does the ps have *no* say over your kids' education? They don't get to count you for enrollment purposes, or claim you for funding? They are legally homeschoolers meaning ps has no say?

That's interesting.

If the parents have full control, and if ps does not count them for enrollment, then by my earlier definition I'd call that a homeschooler.

[True Blue]

They are counted for funding but not at 100% and still considered homeschoolers. They don't have to fulfill the same requirements as full time ps students and aren't considered a ps student.

[True Blue]

There are ps/hs programs that require one to be full time and they do exert quite a bit of control. The different programs are set up so differently. They know they are dealing with very independent minded parents and really cater to them.

[snickelfritz]

We have a private "school" near me. The kids go M/W/F from 8 (or 9???) until noon. The parents are responsible the rest of the time to make sure the children complete the large amount of homework. They are legally homeschoolers. Or at least the school says that they are, but our laws are so generous that I'm not sure what the difference is. A parent I've talked to doesn't consider herself to be homeschooling those children, since she isn't making decisions for them. She is helping them complete homework.

Another private school lets students take individual classes. How many classes a day would determine if the child is homeschooled or private schooled? Same thing for co-ops.

[Mama Lynx]

I don't know if I care as much about definitions in those situations, because there are not the same legal concerns.

I know that if my kids went to one of those schools (three days a week but they control the curriculum and expect the parents to reinforce and oversee homework), I would consider my children to be in a private school on an alternative kind of schedule.

If my child merely took a few classes at a private school, but was not considered a full-time student at that school, I'd consider us homeschoolers.

Same with co-ops: Some co-op classes? Homeschooler. Co-ops determining our entire curriculum? Sounds more like a private school.

[Sebastian (a lady)]

I will wear those tomato juice stains with you!

When I hear of homeschool support groups alienating families who choose cyber schools I am angered over it. I don't think we need to divide ourselves like that when it comes to supporting one another.

But where the law is concerned there needs to be a distinction. When it comes to definitions in the eyes of the law the words and labels we assign matter greatly. I think your definition is spot on.

I don't think that we ought limit the bounds of fellowship in a way that excludes public school at home charter families from park days and coop classes. On the other hand, I am ought not be bound to have faith free classes and coop meetings just because the charter school wants instruction to be religion free (I'm thinking for example of friction that might arise over choice of Latin curriculum).

Also, some outside organizations put their own limitations on what is a homeschooler. For example, a support group that is otherwise welcoming of public school at home charter families might have to exclude them from participating in a Geography Bee competition because to NGS those families are primarily students of a public school (which ought be holding its own competition, by NGS rules).

I know several families who participate in a local charter. In practicalities, there is little difference between them and the "pure" homeschoolers in my support groups. On the other hand, they are much more under the hand of an outside educational establishment (in this case, one that isn't all that helpful or coordnated).

I think the concern that some homeschoolers have that public school at home schemes will come to be seen as acceptable homeschooling and that "unsupervised" homeschooling will be come to be seen as beyond the pale and in need of restriction, regulation and eventually prohibition is not that far fetched. That doesn't mean that I as an individual need to be rude to any individual charter families.