EducationNews.org

The NSPCC is backing a national Government investigation into home-schooling, leaving many devoted parents feeling they're in the firing line. Hilary Wilce speaks to some of the mothers and organisations involved

A bill that would allow home-school and private-school students participate in sports and activities at public schools passed in committee today despite arguments that it could give home-school students an unfair advantage.

Expert: Pact would ban spankings, homeschooling if children object

A United Nations human rights treaty that could prohibit children from being spanked or homeschooled, ban youngsters from facing the death penalty and forbid parents from deciding their families' religion is on America's doorstep, a legal expert warns

Parents are being forced to educate their children at home after being told to send them to a failing school. Six families are hiring private tutors - and taking some lessons themselves - rather than place children in a comprehensive officially ranked one of the worst in England.

Dear Extra Credit: Eight years ago, our kids' elementary schools could not or would not meet their academic needs, so we began our journey into home schooling.

Education ministers in England announce a review into the safeguarding of children who are taught at home. "There are concerns that some children are not receiving the education they need," said Children's Minister Baroness Delyth Morgan.

Down on his luck, Greg Wade turned to a quick source of cash, authorities allege - money set aside to improve the lives of Philadelphia's public-school children.

By Janice Lloyd
The ranks of America's home-schooled children have continued a steady climb over the past five years, and new research suggests broader reasons for the appeal.

In decades past they would have marched out in comfortable shoes to protest about nuclear disarmament or women's rights. But these days, university girls are fighting for the right to look hot. Hundreds of them have applied to take part in an inter-campus beauty pageant.

Thousands of parents are educating children at home because of a breakdown in classroom discipline, figures suggest.

'We left family, our home ... but the freedom is worth it'
The Homeschool Legal Defense Association is helping a family with an unusual, first-of-its-kind application: political asylum in the United States from Germany's oppressive homeschooling laws.

It seems like a viable compromise between endless hours at home and the regimented mainstream

by Bruce Alpert
WASHINGTON -- Recovery School District Superintendent Paul Vallas says schools would be the winners if Congress adopts parts of both Barack Obama's and John McCain's education platforms.

Home education could be at risk in some areas. Karen Luckhurst says that parents like her are actually giving their children a head start. My seven-year-old son is sitting on the lawn twirling a daisy and staring into the distance. He's been there an hour, and I'm trying not to interfere – because in our house, this is education.

UNKINDERGARTNER Joanne Rendell, with her son, Benny, 5, who is being educated at home this year.
By PENELOPE GREEN
A community of like-minded parents is opting to enrich rather than formally educate their not-yet-school-age children.