Selected aspects of home-schooling as reported by home-schooling parents and reported with perceptions of Indiana public school superintendents and principals of home-schooling in Indiana
Authors
Advisor
Issue Date
Keyword
Degree
Department
Other Identifiers
CardCat URL
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to identify factors which influence Indiana public school superintendents and principals to provide special services to home-school families. A second purpose of the study was to identify the services Indiana home-school families would use if available from the public schools.Perceptions Indiana public school superintendents (N=97) and principals (N=404) have of home-schools were collected through the use of a survey instrument developed for the study. One -hundred thirty-one Indiana home-school families participated in the study.Findings from the study show principals and superintendents hold a negative view of home-schooling relative to the academic, instruction, and socialization quality available to home-school students. Home-school families choose non-classroom activities most frequently when indicating possible participation in the public schools.The following conclusions are drawn from the study:1. Public school principals in Indiana have a negative perception of the academic, instruction, and socialization quality in home schools.2. Indiana public school principals are more willing to allow home-school families access to non-classroom activities than classroom.3. The majority of Indiana public school principals and superintendents believe parents choose to home school for religious reasons.4. Public school superintendents in Indiana have a negative perception of the academic, instruction, and socialization quality in home schools.5. Indiana public school superintendents willing to allow home-school families access to the public schools are willing to allow home-school families to participate in either classroom or non-classroom activities.6. Of Indiana families educating children at home, less than 15% use public school services while homeschooling; however, over 85% might use public school services if made available.