Making Positive Connections With Homeschoolers

By Request...January 2000

Conclusion

The United States Department of Education estimates that around 2 percent of America's school-aged children are being taught at home (Lines, 1996). Another 11 percent are enrolled in private and charter schools or other alternative educational programs. As these numbers continue to grow, so do the numbers of non-public school students—homeschoolers in particular—who want access to public school resources, activities, and classrooms. In the face of this, schools are increasingly being put in a position to rethink the boundaries of public education and consider ways they can serve all students—not just those enrolled full-time in the public school.

Although some educators may initially object to spending time and resources opening doors to homeschoolers and other non-public school students, service to homeschooling families cannot be avoided. Rather than wait for courts or legislation to mandate cooperation with these students, schools would do well to reach out to homeschoolers first. Taking the time now to explore ways to serve homeschoolers will give schools a better chance of developing programs that meet their own needs as well as the needs of homeschooling students and families. Whether a school chooses to provide homeschoolers with textbooks and other educational resources or to involve non-public school students in classes and activities on school grounds, both the school and its students—public, homeschooled, and otherwise—will benefit.