Date of Award

Spring 5-9-2019

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education in School Leadership

Department

Center for Leadership & Learning

College

College of Education

Committee Chair

Dr. Steve Bounds

Second Committee Member

Dr. John Freeman

Third Committee Member

Dr. Stewart Pratt

Program Director

Dr. John Freeman

Dean of Graduate College

Dr. Jeff Robertson

Abstract

Homeschooling is an option that is gaining momentum in America today. The practice of homeschooling is not a new or innovative idea but rather one from colonial times. The face and make-up of homeschooling have changed as have the reasons parents choose to homeschool their children. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the reasons parents chose to homeschool their children in Boone and Newton Counties in Northwest Arkansas. Questions regarding the specific reasons driving these parents to homeschool and rationale behind a consortium or group approach rather than traditional stand-alone homeschooling was also considered. Data was collected through an anonymous survey and distributed to the homeschool community located in Boone and Newton County. The study revealed moral and religious reasons play the most integral part of the parents' decision to homeschool. Social interaction with like-minded peers and curriculum were highly regarded as reasons to homeschool. The information gathered may be used to drive reform of public schools to fit the needs and wants all students and parents within these counties, state, and possibly America.

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