Yes or no: Parents must have a teaching degree in order to homeschool their children.?

Question

What is the reasoning behind your answer? Thank you.

The reason I ask this is because of the bill that they are passing in California.

Answer 1

They should.

I teach in a public school system and we can not even teach out of our subject areas, meaning I have a degree in music...I cannot teach math unless I go back to school and get a degree in it.

I understand school is not for every child, but they should be taught by proper educators

Answer 2

False (in WV, at least) - you have to have successfully completed at least TWO YEARS above your child's grade.  So if your child is in 8th grade, you would have to have successfully completed 10th grade to homeschool.

Answer 3

To my understanding, it differs by state.

Answer 4

I agree with most here, I'm conflicted.

As a public school teacher, I know the training and training and more training we constantly go through as well as formal education and assessments we must pass to teach.  To say that anyone can do it is not correct nor fair to students.

However, as with anything there are good, bad and mediocre individuals. The same applies to Homeschoolers. Often the parents choose homeschool to ensure the student learns a specific religious doctrine, or the student struggles at school either socially or academically or both and needs a change of venue.



Assuming that all parents will do the best job for their child is naive. Some can and will, others will try and be unable.I feel requiring some standard level of education from parents is not unreasonable.

Answer 5

no a teaching degree is not necessary, i dont think, even for teachers lol. the parent should be required to have a bachelors degree or higher

Answer 6

That is not the case in the UK. Parents there who wish to educate their children at home get vetted and I believe there is some input (advice or control, not sure which) about the curriculum/syllabus.

I've worked with at least one product of this system (I am a teacher) and it seems to work extremely well. The people concerned were well socialised, had gained entry to good universities, qualified as teachers themselves and seemed none the worse for the experience.

It obviously depends a lot on the parents, some would make better teachers than others, but I, as a teacher, believe that it has nothing to do with academic training.

Answer 7

First of all, I believe that every child is home schooled whether they attend public school or not. Parents are a child's first teacher. But, if a parent were to decide if they should home school or not, they need to really evaluate themselves. If the parent struggled in school themselves, they may not be the best person to do homeschooling. This would also depend on what grade level you are talking about. I was not good in math when I was in school, so I could not see teaching my high school child math. (I teach 2nd grade so I feel confident to teach math at this level). I believe that there should be some way to evaluate a parent to see if they are competent to teach the grade level that they want to teach. It doesn't have to be a teaching license, but maybe a test. Every year I get at least 2-3 students whose parents pulled them out to 'home school' them and then they send them back and they are 1-2 years behind. Then, these same parents will later blame the school because their child is behind.

Answer 8

You ask a timely question and I also have been following this story in the news.  I have taught for 23 years, and I do NOT feel a parent needs a teaching degree to homeschool their children.  So many good resources are available to parents to help them teach.  At www.alternativeeducationbible.com you might find some more ideas about teaching in general.

Answer 9

State laws vary.  Check with your jurisdiction.

Answer 10

You are mistaken in a few things.

The California law has been on the books since 1953. In this case it was a court finding that there is no constitutional right to homeschool. thats it - thats all that was said.

There is alot of consternation about - no one has enforced the law specifically, but now the state is going to have to do something about it.

prediction - California will change their law soon - allowing a form of homeschool with perhaps a registration.

To answer your question - should they have a teaching degree - impossible. the law says for each subject... so even if I thought it should happen -I'm a realist - no one could do that.

Answer 11

Tough one.  Some kids come to my classroom after being homeschooled very unprepared - especially in math.

But then, some kids are okay.  I guess it depends on the parent.  But not all teachers with a teaching degree are great.  ???

Answer 12

No, a parent does not have to have a degree to teach their children... It might help, but, it's not necessary.  We taught ours for 5 years, and then put them into public, (against my wishes, but because daughter wanted to go,) and they've done well.. although, this past school year, daughter had trouble with the crct, as did many other students, here in GA.

Answer 13

I don't think they necessarily need a teaching degree, but a parent should at least have some degree (whether an Associate or Bachelors degree is debatable).

Answer 14

NO...........I am a teacher but I do feel that kids could gain from a homeschooling experience.  At school alot of times there are so many distractions that cause some kids to fall behind and those kids could benefit from the one on one interaction as well as a self paced program.  I believe that if you are indeed a caring parent who wants your kid to succeed you do not need a teaching certificate.  A parent might know better than any teacher exactly what their child needs.  For those teachers who say they have gotten children from homeschooling that were behind, well that happens all the time with students who are traditionally schooled (probably more often) so it really doesn't make an impact.

I do however feel like this sort of thing should be monitored some how.  I mean you can't say you are homeschooling your child when indeed you are not.  Whatever level you say your child is at you should be able to prove it logically.

Answer 15

Nope. A good overall rounded education possessed by the teaching parent is essential, but if both parents take part, even better.

Answer 16

Not in Michigan.  Someone in the house has to have a 4 year degree in something.  It could be basket weaving as long as it is a degree it doesn't matter.  The degree holder doesn't even have to be the primary teacher.  The adult with the 6th grade education married to a college degreed workaholic can be the teacher.

Answer 17

I believe it is a slap in the face to anyone who has prepared for a profession for an individual to believe they can do the same at home. No offense. I can only bandage my son's wounds at home. I can not heal them. I am not a doctor.

However, I am am conflicted. I have met some excellent individuals who have been homeschooled.

Therefore, I (not a doctor of medicine, but of education) prescribe at least a certification program before homeschooling a child.

Answer 18

Legally no. Well in the uk anyway...not sure abt america.

It would prob be very beneficial for the children but it is not compulsary here.  There is a guideline for the stages of development that children should be achieving by a certain age...that's worth considering.  The main thing is to make sure that they are learning a breadth of subjects to a high standard.  I would back the idea of parents needing some sort of qualification to do this as when the children are integrated into mainstream school it can be nightmare for us teachers!