Homeschooling Within the Public School System
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HOMESCHOOLING WITHIN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM Fergus Bruce Norman Horsburgh B. A., Trent University, 1992 B. Ed., University of British Columbia, 1994 THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS In the Faculty of Education O Fergus B. N. Horsburgh 2005 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY Fall 2005 All rights reserved. This work may not be reproduced In whole or in part, by photocopy or other means, without the permission of the author. APPROVAL NAME Fergus Bruce Norman Horsburgh DEGREE Master of Arts TITLE Home Schooling Within the Public School System EXAMINING COMMITTEE: Chair Maureen Hoskyn Meguido Zola, Associate Professor Senior Supervisor .......................................... Sandra Vamos, Assistant Professor Member Professor David Booth, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, OISEIUniversity 252 Bloor St. West, 11th Floor, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1V6 Examiner Date December 9, 2005 r?? 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Bennett Library Simon Fraser University Burnaby, BC, Canada Abstract Homeschooling through the public school system is a relatively new trend in education. This qualitative study focuses on the experiences of six families participating in public school homeschooling programs in British Columbia, Canada. (Parents were interviewed and the interviews were recorded with transcripts becoming the primary data for this research.) Parents' motivations for homeschooling through the public system, rather than homeschooling on their own, are centered on financial advantages, in terms of refunds, and on support and guidance from trained teachers. Parents perceive public school classrooms negatively. Lack of attention to individual learning styles, large class-sizes, grade-aged groupings, teacher style, and negative socialization in and outside of the classroom are common criticisms. Conclusions of the study include suggestions for teachers and program organizers. The wider community, including different aged children, mentors, and elders are commonly viewed as unused resources. Dedication This work is dedicated to my family. You have shown patience and the ability to carry on while I slowly plodded to completion. To my wife Sharon, all my love and thanks for all your support and sacrifices. To my sons Kieran, Jack, Cameron and Jimmy, I thank you for being the wonderful individuals you are. I love you all, and could not have done this without you. "Grandpa took one oar, the small boy of six the other. The mother in the stern held a sleeping child under her shawl and grasped the steering paddle. A young girl beside her settled into a shawl-swathed lump. Children tumbled themselves among the household goods and immediately slept. Loosed from her mooring, the big canoe glided forward. The man and the boy rowed her into the current. When she met it she swerved like a frightened horse-accepted- gave herself to its guiding, her wolfs head stuck proud and high above the water.. Our going was imperceptible, the woman's steering paddle the only thing that moved, its silent cuts stirring phosphorus like white fire." Emily Carr, Klee Wyck "I have never let my schooling interfere with my education." Mark Twain Acknowledgements I would like to acknowledge the families that allowed me to share their experiences homeschooling their children. I would also like to acknowledge Professor Meguido Zola, who helped me when I was most in need, and guided me towards completing my story. Table of Contents .. Approval ............................................................................................................................ii ... Abstract .............................................................................................................................ill Dedication .........................................................................................................................iv Quotations .........................................................................................................................v Acknowledgements ..........................................................................................................vi .. Table of Contents .......................................................................................................vii Introduction .......................................................................................................................1 Rapprochement and the Cold War .................................................................................. 2 Study Limitations ............................................................................................................ 7 Looking Back .................................................................................................................. 8 Research Design and Methodology .............................................................................. 13 Theoretical Perspective ............................................................................................. 13 Gathering Stories ...................................................................................................... 17 Ethical Considerations .............................................................................................. 19 The Changing Face of DEL ............................................................................................21 Growth of Homeschooling ............................................................................................ 28 Ways and Styles of Learning ........................................................................................ 35 ... Social~zation.................................................................................................................. 39 The Interviews .................................................................................................................48 Interview questions and general comments .................................................................. 50 Interview # 1 .................................................................................................................. 60 Interview #2 .................................................................................................................. 64 Interview #3 .................................................................................................................. 71 Interview #4 ............................................................................................................... 74 Interview #5 .................................................................................................................. 79 Interview #6 .................................................................................................................. 84 Turning A Blind Eye? .....................................................................................................93 Registering or enrolling and who gets the money ........................................................