Professor Angela Watson on the new Johns Hopkins University Homeschool Hub
Apr 12, 2024
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Angela Watson, assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University, discusses the evolving landscape of homeschooling data collection and trends, highlighting discrepancies and the growth of homeschooling rates pre- and post-pandemic. They explore the rise of micro schooling, challenges in accreditation, and the evolving motivations for families choosing homeschooling, emphasizing the need for innovation and adaptation in the future.
Homeschool Hub provides vital homeschooling data and regulations overview.
Data collection challenges in homeschooling due to state variations and reporting.
Growing diversity in homeschooling demographics post-pandemic, driven by safety concerns and community building.
Deep dives
Homeschool Hub Creation and Background
Angela Watson, an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University, discusses creating the Homeschool Hub, an initiative providing extensive data on homeschooling regulations and trends. Watson's interest in homeschooling stemmed from her experience in education policy research and a lack of studies in this area. Over a decade, she compiled substantial data on homeschooling, anticipating its importance.
Challenges in Data Collection
Watson highlights the significant challenges in collecting meaningful homeschooling data due to varied state regulations and reporting practices. The intricate differences in terminology, reporting requirements, and services available to homeschoolers from state to state rendered the data collection process arduous. Varying compulsory education ages and categorizations posed additional hurdles in creating a comprehensive data set.
Homeschooling Trends and Growth
The podcast delves into the increasing popularity and evolving landscape of homeschooling, especially post-pandemic. Pre-pandemic estimates suggested around 2% of K-12 students were homeschooled, a figure that surged to an estimated 4.5-6% thereafter. The discussion explores the shifting perceptions and motivations driving families to choose homeschooling, with safety concerns emerging as a primary factor, contrasting historical reasons like academic quality or religious beliefs.
Diversity and Community Impact
Watson emphasizes the rising diversity in homeschooling demographics, particularly increased participation among black and brown families. Drivers such as culturally relevant instruction, safety concerns, and the fostering of community within homeschooling networks have propelled this growth. The inequities and challenges faced by minoritized communities in traditional educational settings serve as catalysts for exploring alternative education models like homeschooling.
Future of Homeschooling and Policy Implications
The conversation concludes with speculation on the future trajectory of homeschooling, highlighting its continued growth and innovation. Watson predicts ongoing transformations in educational models, advocating for a broader categorization to encompass diverse homeschooling approaches. She explores the potential impact of educational savings accounts (ESAs) on homeschooling trends, emphasizing the need for adaptive policies to accommodate emerging educational structures.
Accessing Homeschool Hub and Following Angela's Work
Listeners are encouraged to explore the Homeschool Hub at Johns Hopkins University, a comprehensive resource offering data on homeschooling policies and practices. The hub serves as a valuable tool for researchers, policymakers, and individuals interested in homeschooling trends. Angela Watson's ongoing research and updates can be followed through the hub's Research Lab, a forthcoming newsletter, and on Twitter under the handle @AngelaRWatson.
Angela Watson is an assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Education and the creator of the new Homeschool Hub at the Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy, providing in-depth data on homeschooling, regulations, and research across the US.
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