Homeschooling: Individualized Teaching, but Is It Quality?

 Kamala Harris correctly points out that two contrasting visions of American society are at play in this election. The Republican agenda aims to reduce federal intervention, viewing it as dangerous and synonymous with higher taxes. Generally, this approach promotes equality, a concept cherished by Tocqueville. In contrast, the Democratic agenda favors equity, a principle valued by philosopher John Rawls, with the welfare state acting as a regulator of the excesses of rampant capitalism, reminiscent of the New Deal of 1929. Education is central to this debate. The dedicated chapter in Project 2025, (a programmatic platform developed by the Heritage Foundation, a Republican think tank, not fully endorsed by Trump), is off to a strong start.  " Federal education policy should be limited and, ultimately, the federal Department of Education should be eliminated.  Elementary and secondary education policy should follow the path outlined by Milton Friedman in 1955, wherein education is publicly funded but education decisions are made by families. Ultimately, every parent should have the option to direct his or her child’s share of education funding through an education savings account (ESA), funded overwhelmingly by state and local taxpayers, which would empower parents to choose a set of education options that meet their child's unique needs. States are eager to lead in K–12 education. For decades, they have acted independently of the federal government to pioneer a variety of constructive reforms and school choice programs" (page  319).

Homeschooling is a diverse educational option that encompasses tutoring and e-learning. It is not solely the responsibility of parents; States play a crucial role in ensuring the quality of education. They oversee the curriculum, conduct standardized tests to assess students' knowledge, and can revoke authorization if certain standards are not met. Some states with a significant homeschooling community include North Carolina, with 160,528 students; Florida, with 152,109 students; and Georgia, with approximately 91,300 students (2022 figures from the National Home Education Research Institute).

Candice McDaniel has been homeschooling since 2013. She is a mother of three and has earned an A.A.S. in Early Childhood Studies. Candice maintains a blog where she advises on the legislation and framework of homeschool operation in various states. Due to her husband's career opportunities in several states, relocating has been a necessity for their family.  She has conducted research and is sharing her findings with the community. The research ranks various States based on several criteria: the number of registered homeschoolers, the laws in effect, the available curriculum options, the required number of school work hours, and the recommended pedagogical methods. Homeschoolers are well-organized and often come together through the Home School Legal Defense Association which is a  meeting space that provides local addresses for hosting meetings and events, as well as a forum for sharing best practices. States like Louisiana,