Changes

Opting out of public schools is not new. Thomas Edison's mother took him out of public school when his teacher said he was "addled" and schooled him at home. However, "homeschooling" on a widespread scale did not begin until about the 1970s.

Opting out of public schools is not new. Thomas Edison's mother took him out of public school when his teacher said he was "addled" and schooled him at home. However, "homeschooling" on a widespread scale did not begin until about the 1970s.

In the United States, the first compulsory education law was passed in Massachusetts in 1852, and by 1918 it had spread to every state. Because of this, schooling children at home often violated truancy laws, and pioneering homeschoolers were brought into conflict with local officials. The first New York Times story on "home schooling" appeared in 1974, and concerned two parents charged with "educational neglect" by the Westchester County Department of Social Services. Tests showed that they performed at or about grade level "except for one who is a little slow in reading," and the parents received strong support from a state senator.<ref>"Parents Accused in Home Schooling," ''The New York Times,'' July 28, 1974, p. 45</ref> By the mid-1980s Times was running articles with titles like "Schooling in the Home: A Growing Alternative" and "There Are Benefits In Homeschooling." A 1997 article said "It's not only Christian fundamentalists any more" and a 2003 article noted "Unhappy in Class, More Are Learning at Home."

In the United States, the first compulsory education law was passed in Massachusetts in 1852, and by 1918 it had spread to every state. Because of this, schooling children at home often violated truancy laws, and pioneering homeschoolers were brought into conflict with local officials. The first New York Times story on "home schooling" appeared in 1974, and concerned two parents charged with "educational neglect" by the Westchester County Department of Social Services. Tests showed that they performed at or about grade level "except for one who is a little slow in reading," and the parents received strong support from a state senator.<ref>"Parents Accused in Home Schooling," ''The New York Times,'' July 28, 1974, p. 45</ref> By the mid-1980s the ''Times'' was running articles with titles like "Schooling in the Home: A Growing Alternative" and "There Are Benefits In Homeschooling," and states were legalizing homeschooling<ref>Belluck, Pam (1998), "Life After Home Schooling," ''The New York Times,'' November 1, 1998, p. ED26: "Some 15 years after states began legalizing home schooling in earnest, these early graduates are starting to make their way in the world."</ref> A 1997 article said "It's not only Christian fundamentalists any more" and a 2003 article noted "Unhappy in Class, More Are Learning at Home."

A disproportionate number of high achievers have throughout history have been Christians who were educated at home.  Here is a list of some of them:

A disproportionate number of high achievers have throughout history have been Christians who were educated at home.  Here is a list of some of them: