Home School History
Sneak Peek into the History of Homeschooling
Throughout the years, homeschooling has become more a part of the
average families everyday activites. However, it didn't used to be that
way. If you think that homeschooling is rare nowadays, think of the
first families to homeschool?
When did homeschooling get its start and what prompted people to
start schooling their kids in the home instead of the school
environment? There was a time where some states actually required by
law that students attend school. However, the reasoning behind that law
was to keep children out of the labor force and make them attend school
to get an education. In the nineteenth century there were several books
written to help guide parents through schooling their children in their
home.
As one may imagine, from 1920 through the 1970's, homeschooling was
relaiviely sparce and secluded to farms and ranches too far from their
local public school. When 1970 came about, an author by the name of
Ivan Illich wrote a book called "Deschooling America" that gained
popularity for its radical idea's and stunning language. However, it
was this book that caused a man named John Holt to begin making his
massive impact on the homeschooling movement.
In 1976, John Holt wrote "Instead of Education: Ways to Help People
Do Things Better." In this first of his many books, Holt encouraged
others that are are other ways to teach children that what was being
practiced in schools. He never once mentioned homeschooling, but as his
book gained popularity, he received letters from parents citing that he
missed mentioning this option for teaching your child. Because of this,
Holt began a magazine publication called "Growing Without Schooling"
for those parents who were opting to homeschool their children at home.
Holt continued to research and help parents who were homeschooling
their children and its fair to say that without his efforts
homeschooling wouldn't have gained in popularity quite as quickly as it
has in the past years.
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