Homeschooling : heeding the voices of learners

Abstract

Homeschooling research to date has focused mainly on the perspective of homeschool educators.
 However, heeding the voices of homeschool learners is essential for a reliable understanding of the
 homeschool context. This article focuses on findings regarding one homeschool learner who was a
 participant in a qualitative, multiple case-study of four homeschools. Homeschool educators and
 learners were interviewed concerning their discourses and perspectives regarding their respective
 homeschools. Projections were used that explored participants’ meanings at a deeper level, and there
 were three sessions of non-participating observation in each homeschool. The views of the homeschool
 learners corresponded, to a certain extent, with those of the homeschool educators, but also indicated
 some significant differences. Although the limited scope of the investigation prohibits generalisation,
 the homeschool educators all appeared to be convinced that they were acting in their children’s best
 interests, and yet often without accommodation or awareness of their particular needs. The homeschool
 learners did not communicate their needs or feelings on a conscious level, but instead bowed to the
 educators’ wishes. The lack of congruence on a deeper level between the views of the homeschool
 educators and learners is discussed from a bio-ecological perspective, thus giving due regard to both
 the entire context of each homeschool and developmental factors. We shall consider the implications of
 the findings for homeschool practice, further research and policy.

http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/redc20

gv2012