Government Regulation of Homeschooling

It never ceases to amaze me how even in the 21st century, there are those who would propose to strip away parental rights regarding the education of their children.  On a more positive note, proponents of homeschooling rights have stepped up to the ridiculous challenge of justifying their personal choices.  Just for fun, let's look at a couple of interesting articles.

First, an article written by Rob Reich (2005) suggests that there wasn't much in the way of empirical evidence to support claims of academic achievement, socialization, etc. made by homeschoolers.  While this was partially true at the time of publication, no attempt has been made to draw attention to more recent research.  In fact, Reich stated the following, dated January 5, 2011:

"Absent rigorous, social scientific data on the outcomes of home schooling, we are left in the realm of anecdote – the home schoolers who win the National Spelling Bees – and the occasional ethnographic study of small populations of home schoolers.[3] But neither can give us any picture of whether home schooling “works”. "

Reich would do well to reacquaint herself with current, quantitative studies regarding the academic performance of homeschooled students. This particular study was published in a highly regarded, peer-reviewed academic journal.  It steps out of "the realm of anecdote," and punches a huge hole in Reich's argument.

Then there is the arrogance and ignorance of University of Indiana's Rob Kunzman.  In his article, Three Key Points About Homeschooling (2011), Kunzman states:

"Among a range of inconsistencies, the study drew only from homeschoolers who elected to take these tests through a Bob Jones University standardized testing program."

Although the implication is that because Bob Jones University is a conservative, Christian school, the testing is somehow biased or otherwise slanted, a simple visit to the website proves that two mainstream testing options are available.  The Iowa Test and the Stanford Achievement Test (ironically, Reich's university) are offered, independently proctored, and scored by the Bob Jones Testing Service, but are in no way altered by the university.

In short, as the volume of both quantitative and qualitative research regarding the academic achievement of homeschoolers increases, so should the discussion of said research become more prevalent.  Critics of homeschooling should no longer be allowed to get away with sweeping generalizations.