The Benefits of Homeschooling, Research Proposal Example

Topic and Purpose:  I have chosen to research and write about homeschooling in the United States.  My purpose is to widen my readers’ understanding of how one goes about homeschooling a child, as well as to investigate the positive and negative aspects of this alternative form of education.  I am personally interested in the topic because I believe that our public school system is unable to provide many children with a good education that will prepare them to become the critical thinkers who can lead our country in the coming decades.  My project may serve to convince my readers to try homeschooling their own children. , Alternatively, if I determine through my research that homeschooling can have a negative impact on children, that may convince my readers to seek other ways to improve their children’s education.  My target audience is both people who already have school-aged children, as well as those in their twenties and thirties who may have children in the near future.

Working Thesis:  Given the current crisis in the American educational system, homeschooling can provide a viable alternative for parents who are able to commit to taking control of their child’s education in order to ensure that their child receives a solid educational foundation.

Working Outline:

Introduction:

– Definition of key terms:  homeschooling, publicly-funded education, private education

– Perceptions of homeschooling, positive and negative

– Perceptions of the public/private school systems

– Thesis statement

Paragraph 1:

– History of homeschooling in the United States

– Reasons why parents choose homeschooling

– Requirements for implementing a homeschooling program

Paragraph 2:

– Potential benefits of homeschooling

– the learning environment

– encouraging critical thinkers

Paragraph 3:

– Potentially negative aspects of homeschooling

– creating a division between homeschooled and publicly schooled children

– socialization issues for homeschooled children

Conclusion:

– Restate main points

– Draw conclusion on the viability of homeschooling

– Looking at the effects of homeschooling on the nation’s public education system

Working Annotated Bibliography:

1. Internet Source: National Home Education Research Institute (www.nheri.org)

NHERI provides general information, research, and educational materials regarding home education (homeschooling) in the United States.  This includes a very recent (January 2011) fact-sheet providing research facts about homeschooling that will be key to my exploration of the topic.  The purpose of NEHRI is to connect educators, parents, and other interested parties with valid research about homeschooling.  The site is a very credible reference as it takes great care to document the sources it uses .  As well, the president of NEHRI, Dr. Brian D. Ray, is an educator and researcher who has studied homeschooling for over twenty years.

2. Library/Database Source: “The Civic Perils of Homeschooling” by Rob Reich http://web.ebscohost.com.cat1.lib.8080/ehost/detail?sid=4b3ca14c-2ca0-48f7-9a7d-cb9a467401ed%40sessionmgr112&vid=1&hid=113&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d

This article is from the April 2002 issue of Educational Leadership.  The author, Rob Reich, looks at how homeschooling practices can negatively impact on the education of children, especially in aspects of citizenship.  This article will be helpful in providing a balanced approach to the subject.  The source has credibility because its from a scholarly, peer-reviewed journal, and was located through the EBSCOhost database.

3. Published Source: The Little Book of Big Reasons to Homeschool by David & Kim D’Escoto

This short book explores homeschooling from a largely positive perspective, detailing reasons why it can be the best option for educating children.  It covers the history of homeschooling in America, and also covers some of the controversies of this educational method, including socialization and academics.  The source is credible because its published through a legitimate publishing house (B&H Publishing Group) rather than a vanity press.  As well, the authors have experience in homeschooling their own children and providing resources to families interested in the subject.

4. Potential Interview Source: Roxanne D’Amato, homeschooling parent

Through my preliminary research, I’ve been put in contact with Mrs. D’Amato, a mother who has been homeschooling her three children for the last five years.  I intend to interview her via email (as we live in different states) to learn about the day-to-day successes and frustrations of homeschooling.  She is a credible source for first-hand information about homeschooling because it is part of her everyday practice.