Do we know the precentage breakdown of homeschoolers using Classical, CM, eclectic, unschooling, others?

Question

I am looking for statistics on the percentage breakdown of the methods that homeschoolers use. For example, of all homeschoolers, how many are using classical methods, are how many are using eclectic methods, how many are using curriculum-in-a-box, how many are using Charlotte Mason?

Thank you!

Answer 1

There really are none...nobody even knows exactly how many families or children *are* homeschooled.  Many states don't require notification, and in many states homeschools are considered private schools.

Also, many families will go from one method to another as their children get older, or use more than one method with different children.  For example, I have a good friend who unschools her son, as that is the method that works best for him, and does a boxed curriculum with her daughter, who needs the structure and likes the workbooks.

Personally, I use different methods with my son depending on the subject.  For science, we use unit studies and a textbook; for math and language arts (grammar, handwriting, and spelling), a boxed curriculum; for history, literature-based notebooking and lapbooking with lots of research and timelining.  Writing is done across the curriculum, and lit/poetry studies are integrated with history.  Foreign languages are done with a boxed curriculum and co op classes.

Hope that helps!

Answer 2

It's really impossible to tell. There aren't any definite statistics about homeschooling's popularity, but the numbers are certainly skewed down. In some states, homeschoolers count as private schools. Many homeschoolers aren't registered with the state; I wasn't for a while.

Then after that, it's hard to define different methods. Unschooling presents some special troubles. My definition of unschooling, which seems to fit rather well, is education without coercion. Many people put their specific spin on it. Unschooling is learning by doing X, not reading about it in a textbook. Well, if a kid honestly wanted to sit in a room with a desk and work through textbooks from 8:15 to 3:30 every day, that would be unschooling. Because unschooling doesn't really have a solid definition -I'm normally not one to toot my own horn, but I think mine fits the bill- many people who are certainly not unschoolers say that they are. I think that sometimes it's because they encountered some unschoolers who sort of guilt-tripped them for not being more unschoolery. I've seen it done, and I've done it a time or two; I know it happens. Unschoolers describe any educational activity that isn't entirely the kid's choice as parents forcing their kids to be bored, or some other sort of emotional rhetoric. This leads people who were a little insecure to call themselves unschoolers, lest they be stuck with a nasty label.

A friend of mine recently graduated -he was homeschooled, now heading off to college to study marine biology- and his mom is convinced he was unschooled. -Actually, she's convinced that she 'unschooled him'; if anyone says that, that's a sure sign they're _not_ unschoolers. You don't unschool a kid. You can't. It contradicts the definition.- This kid's mom is pretty draconian. She taught a couple classes that I tried out, and everything was very regimented. Everything had to be done in a certain way, at a certain time, and you had to come to the mom's conclusion about everything. Her idea of 'child-led learning' was letting my friend pick between two math books he didn't like, instead of looking in to something like Video Algebra -or whatever it's called- or letting him quit math once he took the SAT. She forced him in to reading books he didn't care about and made him write reports on the books he tried to read for fun. Ultimately it was all she could do to cajole him in to reading the graphic novel versions of The Raven and a few other things. This kid was stifled, but his mom never shuts up about how great unschooling is.

Btw, for you anti-homeschooling types, my friend would have been just as screwed in school. Domineering parents are domineering parents. I knew a kid who went to school, who couldn't get a haircut because Catholic Albanian brides are supposed to have long hair. At age 17, she had an 8:30 curfew, every night.

The one thing I can say is that unschoolers are a definite minority. From what I've seen, eclectic is the most common method.

Answer 3

No.

Given that no-one even knows how many kids are being home-educated, let alone by what method, I'd have to say no.

For instance, it is believed that fewer than 10% of home-educated families in our home-state have bothered to register as such, although even that 'fewer than 10%' is nothing more than a best guess-timate.

Answer 4

While it is certainly true we don't know exactly how many people are homeschooling and what methods they are using; statistics are never about getting exact numbers, only representative samples. So, if that's what you're looking for, try Dr. Brian Ray's web site, The National Home Education Research Institute. Their stated purpose is to "Produce high-quality research (e.g., statistics, facts, findings) on home-based education (homeschooling)." among other things.

Answer 5

NO!

I will give you statistics for my family.

We use a bit of everything. We do the curriculum-in-a-box for math for my 5th and 8th graders however with my 3rd grader we do more of a Beechick/ Charlotte Mason type of method.

We use Unit studies alternating from Science & History monthly. Bible we use books published from Queen Homeschooling its more a study then a curriculum.

I would have to say overall we use a Charlotte Mason / Ruth Beechick method for everything besides math and we love it!

Hope this helped some. I will check back to see if you decide to do a poll I am interested in the stats myself.

Answer 6

If you want to do a poll here:

Relaxed eclectic is our family's style

Answer 7

I have not seen any stats on methods used by home schoolers.  If there are any, I'm sure it would be an estimation, maybe based on those enrolled in programs or those who purchase certain text and work books.  It would be very difficult to even estimate.  

I utilize Classical methods and materials.

Answer 8

There are not any good statistics on the information you are seeking but I would suggest you poll a few HS groups in  your area and on line and accumulate your own information.  Hope this helps.

Answer 9

eclectic methods.  Little bits of everything.