Scientific American magazine is advocating for federal regulation of homeschooling, even suggesting that parents of homeschooled children “undergo a background check.” The opinion was first stated in a June 17 newsletter. Citing data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the newsletter reveals that nearly three percent of American children, or approximately 1.5 million, were being homeschooled in 2019.
The newsletter acknowledges that homeschooled children have been successful and even points to famed Hungarian mathematician Paul Erdős, who was homeschooled by his mother. However, it identifies a problem with the fact that most states do not require the same assessment of homeschooled kids as their public school counterparts. Additionally, parents are not necessarily required to have an education themselves to direct instruction, and in many states, no one checks to see if children are receiving any education at all. In extreme cases, homeschooling can be used to conceal abuse.
The newsletter concludes that homeschooling should be subject to some basic federal mandates. Editors of Scientific American express this viewpoint in the June issue, arguing that “homeschool parents should be required to undergo a background check – the same as K-12 teachers.” The publication further suggests that homeschool instructors could be required to submit documents every year to their local school district or state agency showing that their children are learning.
Education is a basic right,” the editors say, emphasizing the need for ensuring that children have opportunities to explore their curiosities and study subjects like history, science, and reading. Data from the NCES reveals that homeschooling largely stems from a desire to combat toxic school environments and provide moral instruction, as well as placing an emphasis on family life and religious instruction. Nearly three quarters of homeschoolers are dissatisfied with the academic instruction at other schools, a fact supported by data from the U.S. Department of Education’s National Assessment of Educational Progress testing in 2022, which found that only 32 percent of fourth graders read at or above proficiency for their grade level.
The call for regulation comes as public education faces continued scrutiny and criticism, particularly amidst attempts by some teachers to incorporate left-wing causes into the classroom. In 2023, for example, Los Angeles Unified School District hosted a “Rainbow Club” aimed at teaching young children about topics related to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. There have been numerous incidents across the nation of parents expressing dissatisfaction with public education, including last year’s hiring of a drag queen as principal at an Oklahoma school district’s John Glenn Elementary and various videos showing teachers discussing their efforts to indoctrinate students in the classroom.
In response to the growing discontent with public education, Scientific American magazine argues that federal regulation of homeschooling is necessary to protect children’s rights to an education and ensure they have access to quality instruction. By requiring background checks for homeschool parents and mandating documentation of their children’s learning progress, the publication hopes to promote a safer and more effective educational environment for all students.