logo
  • Programs
    • Preschool
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Adults
    • School Solutions
  • School Solutions
  • Pricing
  • How it Works
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Cart
  • Login
  • Try a Free Class

855-997-4652LoginTry a Free Class

  • Programs
    • Preschool
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Adults
    • School Solutions
  • School Solutions
  • Pricing
  • How it Works
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Cart
  • Login
  • Try a Free Class
logo
  • Programs
    • Preschool
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Adults
    • School Solutions
  • School Solutions
  • Pricing
  • How it Works
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Cart
  • Login
  • Try a Free Class

855-997-4652LoginTry a Free Class

  • Programs
    • Preschool
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Adults
    • School Solutions
  • School Solutions
  • Pricing
  • How it Works
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Cart
  • Login
  • Try a Free Class
August 18, 2022 by Luis F. Dominguez Homeschooling 0 comments

The True History of Homeschooling in the United States

The homeschooling history in the United States is fascinating—full of ups and downs, contradictory efforts, and brief periods of illegality.

Keep reading to learn how long homeschooling has been around in the United States (longer than you might expect!). Also, learn why it was illegal at some point in the past and what John D. Rockefeller had to do with it. 

I’ve also introduced some of the leaders of the modern homeschooling movement and its development since the 1970s. 

Who Is Homeschool Spanish Academy?
We’re an online Spanish school committed to empowering parents and their children to live happier lives, enjoy stronger learning outcomes, and experience real success. Learn more about our classes.➡️

The Origins of Homeschooling in the United States

Homeschooling in the United States extends further even than the history of the country. 

During the colonial period in America, the majority [of children] were mainly home educated, receiving instruction in reading, writing, arithmetic, and religion. 

The term homeschooling didn’t exist back then, but the practice existed. Instead, people used the term “domestic education,” and researchers found it common throughout the 1600s and 1700s.

Why Was Homeschooling Illegal?

During the 19th century, the newly independent American states built public schools and developed their public education system. Then, in 1852 Massachusetts passed the first truancy laws that made attendance at public schools compulsory. 

Every state followed suit, and in 1917, Mississippi became the last state to enact a truancy law. 

These laws made, in principle, homeschooling illegal. 

If parents failed to send their children to public schools, they could be fined and, in some cases, even lose custody of their kids. 

Compulsory School Attendance Laws, 1935

The General Education Board and John D. Rockefeller

At the beginning of the 20th century, John D. Rockefeller funded the General Education Board (GEB) with millions of dollars. The mission of the GEB was to foster “the promotion of education within the United States of America, without distinction of race, sex, or creed.”

The work of the GEB created the first impetus toward building a national public school system. But unfortunately, it also resulted in homeschooling becoming even more of an afterthought—and it stayed like that for about half a century. 

John D. Rockefeller | © Michael Neubert/Flickr

When Did the “Modern Homeschooling Movement” Begin?

It is widely accepted that the modern homeschool movement began in the 1970s. However, the effectiveness of public schools started to be questioned during the 1950s and 1960s. 

In the 1960s, Paul Goodman published “Compulsory Miseducation,” highlighting the “inadequacies of public education.”  Meanwhile, fifth-grade teacher John Holt published “How Children Fail” about “the faults of the public education system.” 

People consider these two texts the earliest documentations of homeschooling in the U.S.

By the 1970s, Holt started calling parents to “liberate their children from formal education” and follow a method today we know as “unschooling.” Holt also started a newsletter called “Growing Without Schooling,” which became one of the main motors behind the modern homeschooling movement.

In 1981, Raymond and Dorothy Moore published “Home Grown Kids,” a seminal text about the modern homeschooling movement. In a nutshell, this book warned people about how public schooling could harm a child’s development.

John Holt

The Amish Case That Changed Homeschooling Forever

In 1972, the Supreme Court heard a case known as Wisconsin v. Yoder. The highest court in the U.S. granted that “Amish parents [had] the right to educate their children at home after eighth grade.”

This decision was a huge win for the homeschooling movement, and during the 1970s, most legal cases were decided in favor of the parents.

Notwithstanding these “legal victories” and easing some legal restrictions, homeschooling didn’t become legal in all 50 states until 1992. However, it’s estimated that by 1985, around 200,000 families in the United States were homeschooling their children.

You might like: Homeschooling for Beginners: Tips, Examples, and Schedules

The Role of the Home School Legal Defense Association 

In 1983, Michael Farris founded the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA). Its mission was to make homeschooling possible and to “tirelessly advocate for the right to homeschool—in courts, legislatures, and anywhere else we can make ourselves heard.”

Farris joined forces with other influential leaders of the homeschool movement, such as Sue Welch and Greg Harris. These connections were so successful that they positioned the HSLDA as “the nerve center of a national movement infrastructure.”

earn school credit spanish classes online for kids
Sign up for your free online Spanish class for kids today!

The Role of the National Home Education Research Institute

In the 1990s, the homeschooling movement had gained much momentum, and most states were passing or discussing bills making homeschooling legal. 

This environment was possible thanks to the work of several organizations and institutions. 

In 1990, Brian Ray founded the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) to “research, study, and understand those who teach their children at home.” 

In other words, NHERI specializes in “homeschool research, facts, statistics, scholarly articles, and information.” They also provide the homeschooling movement with a constant source of serious research and scholarly statistics.

You might like: 8 Amazing Benefits of Homeschool vs Public School

How Has Homeschooling Changed Between the 1970s and Today?

By 1992, every state had passed bills that made homeschooling legal. One year later, President Clinton signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which sent the number of homeschooling students up to 750,000 by 1995.

Ever since, homeschooling has been on the rise. 

Now more accepted and popular than ever before. The U.S. Census Bureau reported that in 2020 and 2021, over “11% of families were homeschooling.”

It’s fair to say that homeschooling has completely changed since the 1970s. 

First and foremost, homeschooling is now a legal practice in every state in America. Second, we must acknowledge the role played by the advent of the internet and how technology has opened many new paths for those pursuing a homeschool education.

Finally, the COVID-19 pandemic showed the benefits of homeschooling to a lot of families. 

Families that perhaps had never before considered homeschooling a possibility now found it an exciting option for their children’s education.

The Future of Homeschooling   

The history of homeschooling in the United States has seen many ups and downs over the last four centuries. These days, homeschooling is experiencing a boom that has inspired some experts to call it “the future of education.” 

What’s true is that homeschooling is a much more complete option to educate your children than ever before. Nowadays, a quarter of homeschool students take online courses through a public school, while others attend full-time virtual schools.

These types of “hybrid education,” where homeschooling is supported and enhanced by public and private schools, may be the path for the future of homeschooling.  

Learn About Our K-12 Online Spanish Programs!

Join one of the 40,000 classes that we teach each month and you can experience results like these…

Sharon K, Parent of 3

“This is the best way for your kid to learn Spanish. It’s one-on-one, taught by native Spanish speakers, and uses a curriculum.”

– Sharon K, Parent of 3

Cindy D, Parent of 3

“It’s a great way to learn Spanish, from native Spanish speakers in a 1-on-1 environment. It’s been fairly easy to schedule classes around my daughter’s other classes. The best value for us has been ordering multiple classes at a time. All the instructors have been great!”

– Cindy D, Parent of 3

Erica P. Parent of 1

“HSA offers very affordable, quality, one on one classes with a native speaker. My son has greatly benefited from taking classes. We have seen his confidence increase as well as his pronunciation improve, because he learns from a native Spanish speaker. HSA has quick, personal customer service. Our family has been very pleased with our experience so far!”

– Erica P. Parent of 1

Want more super useful education-related content? It’s for you!

  • How To Teach Sight Words in Spanish to Kids
  • 21 Unschooling Activities You Haven’t Tried Yet
  • Homeschooling, Unschooling, or Deschooling: Which Is Right for Your Family?
  • 20 Ways to Homeschool Spanish as a Non-Native Speaker
  • 18 Creative Homeschool Storage Solutions You Definitely Need
  • 9 Free Homeschool Curriculum Options with Daily Lesson Plans
  • How to Homeschool for Free in 2023
  • The Brilliant Way to Homeschool Your Preschool (Pre-K) Child, Ages 2-5
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Follow me
Luis F. Dominguez
Freelance Writer at Homeschool Spanish Academy
Luis F. Domínguez is a freelance writer and independent journalist interested in travel, languages, art, books, history, philosophy, politics and sports. He has written for Fodor’s, Yahoo!, Sports Illustrated, Telemundo, and Villa Experience, among other brands of print and digital media in Europe and North America.
Follow me
Latest posts by Luis F. Dominguez (see all)
  • 10 Original and Lovely Mexican Terms of Endearment - January 15, 2023
  • What’s the Spanish Lisp? All About the Ceceo - December 31, 2022
  • Top 10 Inspiring Art Books for Kids Who Homeschool - December 22, 2022
homeschooling
2

Related Posts

Spanish curriculum

4 Essential Elements of an Effective Homeschool Spanish Curriculum

January 27, 2018
Read More
Homeschool Spanish Program

Which Online Spanish Program is Best for my Child? Three Great Options to Consider

February 13, 2018
Read More
spanish tutoring

Why HSA’s Spanish Tutoring Is the Most Effective for Your Child

February 22, 2018
Read More
spanish classes online

Spanish Classes Online: Why You Want Immersion Style

March 8, 2018
Read More

Leave a Comment! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

What Is a Microschool? (And Is It Right for Your Child?)Previous Post
13 Inspiring Homeschool Activities That Any Parent Can DoNext Post

About Us

With over 10 years of experience, HSA is where your goals merge with our teachers’ passion: to improve your Spanish fluency. Custom-tailored to fit your needs, you choose your program, schedule, favorite teachers, pace of learning, and more.. Learn More

Resources

  • About
  • Get a Transcript
  • FAQs
  • How it Works
  • Partners

Recent Posts

  • Spanish Preterite vs Imperfect: 25 Online Exercises to Practice Your Skills
    Spanish Preterite vs Imperfect: 25 Online Exercises to Practice Your Skills
    January 16, 2023
    Are you ready to practice your skills on the...
  • 10 Original and Lovely Mexican Terms of Endearment
    10 Original and Lovely Mexican Terms of Endearment
    January 15, 2023
    There are quite a lot Mexican terms of...

Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Contact Us© 2022 HSA. All rights reserved.