Books and Articles
Homeschool: An American History (Gaither)
Have you ever considered how homeschooling got started in the United States? Or, what exactly might be the history behind why we homeschool the way we do in the United States; what are my roots as a homeschooling family? And, because there are so many approaches to homeschooling, have you further pondered about where you fall within a cultural continuum of so many homeschooling styles? Professor, Public Intellectual, Author Milton Gaither (2017) in his book Homeschool: An American History offers a candid yet objective chronicle and analysis of an evolution of American home education starting from the time of early European colonization post-Mayflower ranging up to the present day. An impactful, informative, and formative “read” for both homeschooling and conventionally schooling educators.
Freedom Challenge: African American Homeschoolers (Llewellyn)
Amazon.com Review:
Why don't more African Americans school their children at home? By many accounts, there is every reason to avoid public schools, with their low academic expectations for black children, their general avoidance of black history, and their reputation for violence and negative peer pressure. The reason may be found in the opening pages of Freedom Challenge, a collection of essays by people of color who homeschool. (https://www.amazon.com/Freedom-Challenge-African-American-Homeschoolers/dp/0962959111, p.1)
Exploring Single Mothers’ Resistance Through Homeschooling(Fields-Smith 2020)
Why do we highlight an entity such as Black Homeschooling? Isn’t homeschooling still homeschooling regardless of race? The answer to that is yes and no. Dr. Cheryl Fields-Smith expertly–through the voices of other homeschooling Black mothers–points out that ideologies behind Black families choosing to homeschool may invoke different reasons and sensibilities than others’ homeschooling motivations–activism and push-back against society’s whitewashing and rewriting history. In her work, she reveals how resistance among single Black mothers can expand a concept of homeschooling and home and pose unique perspectives and contexts.
“Why Homeschooling Happened” (Gaither)
“Why Homeschooling Happened”. Educational Horizons, 86(4), pp. 226-237–a compelling and forthright article by Dr. Gaither (2008)--is prior work to Homeschool: An American History wherein Dr. Gaither bestows some personal insights and perspectives regarding what he calls the cult-of-the-child and how neoliberalism played a part in shaping modern-day home education.
“No More Skewed History: Why Black Families Homeschooling Grew Fivefold” (Koran, 2023) Guardian 1-7
This article invokes the work done by Joyce Burges founder of “National Black Home Educators” (NBHE) which started in 2000. This article discusses how the number of Black families choosing to homeschool is rising exponentially from a personal and ethnographical vantage point. NBHE exists to serve Black families by addressing homeschooling, perspectives and vision.
The Education of Blacks in the South, 1860-1935 (Anderson 1988)
This epoch work of historical analysis and critique is one of a kind, unique and compelling as Anderson unpacks moment by moment history leading up to our public schools of today. He critically interprets how southern black education in the United States and Black commitment to education bestowed the basis for our educational system today. This outstanding work is a must-read for any educator be it one in a conventional school system or as one coming from a home-education based perspective.
The Homeschooling Handbook: How to Make Homeschooling Simple, Affordable, Fun, and Effective (Lippincott 2014)
Lippincott explains a simple approach to homeschooling. She responds to a broad range of commonly-asked questions and concerns that homeschooling families pose when getting started and into the process. Her work is based on personal experience of having to pick up, pack up and move overseas, curriculum planning, budgeting, and more coming to the conclusion that you don’t need a lot to homeschool and offer the best education possible to your children. Her work is user-friendly, wise, and affirming in that homeschooling is possible for anyone regardless of socioeconomic concerns and other factors like confidence and how your children will turn out.
“A Brief History of Homeschooling” (info@responsiblehomeschooling.org)
Another foundational source especially for those who are interested in how homeschooling came about in the United States comes to us by way of the Coalition for Responsible Home Education in
“A Brief History of Homeschooling”
https://responsiblehomeschooling.org
The Latino Family’s Guide to Homeschooling: (2nd Edition) (Oliveri 2022)
The wonderful book focuses on responding to the needs of Latino and bilingual families as they embark on their homeschooling journey. One of its unique features is how it takes a look at homeschooling children with special needs and/or learning diversities. Oliveri discusses what homeschooling is, bilingual homeschooling, getting started whether it be preschool and kindergarten to homeschooling older children and getting ready for college.
Homeschooling Quick Start: What You Need to Know (Gibbs 2024)
Gibbs’s work cuts to the chase by helping homeschooling families find comfort and resolve in their decision to homeschool. She offers a straightforward approach to homeschooling while formatting her work as a quick-reference but substantive guide. She explains how to find out and navigate state law regarding homeschooling. Key features of this book include but are not limited to quick topical referencing, anecdotal feedback based on personal experience, and encouragement.
Homeschooling for Absolute Beginners: Make Learning at Home Simple, Affordable, Fun, and Effective (Lippincott 2020)
This work by Lippincott precedes her handbook on homeschooling. In this book, she homes in on the planning and dedication required to homeschool. The book is a very useful and practical book, popular in the homeschooling community as a sort of go-to primer when questions arise–especially questions that have to do with so may types of homeschooling, socialization fears, avoiding burnout, legalities, cost management, schedules, and sticking to the plan. She includes anecdotal content from interviews with homeschooling families and candid conversation. A great book to have in your parents’ and guardians’ homeschooling library.