Setting the Agenda for Research and Practice: Exploring the Tensions and Possibilities of Homeschooling

This project addresses the “Exploring Human Learning and Thriving” focus by transforming the focus of homeschool research toward a strength-based, more inclusive research agenda beyond existing stereotypes associated with who homeschools and why. The project aims to expand the understanding and value of homeschool research to inform educational knowledge overall.

Sponsor
Spencer Foundation Conference Grant
$50,000
Principal investigator
Cheryl Fields-Smith
Associate Professor, Educational Theory and Practice
Co-principal investigators
Marian Higgins
Andrea Dennis
Associate Dean for Faculty Development and John Byrd Martin Chair of Law
Active since
January 2021

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred controversy and tensions surrounding homeschooling. Consequently, the proposed two-day conference, “Setting the Agenda for Research and Practice: Exploring the Tensions and Possibilities of Homeschooling,” has been conceptualized to address the following question:

What research findings already exist and what research should be done to help scholars, parents, diverse homeschool communities and organizations, policymakers, and institutional educators understand and effectively and tangibly support parents in their decision-making whether to homeschool and parents’ practice of homeschooling their children?

Conference participants will consist of homeschool researchers and educators representing diverse perspectives on homeschooling. This project addresses the “Exploring Human Learning and Thriving” focus by transforming the focus of homeschool research toward a strength-based, more inclusive research agenda beyond existing stereotypes associated with who homeschools and why. The project aims to expand the understanding and value of homeschool research to inform educational knowledge overall.