History of Homeschooling in Wisconsin

Homeschool Area Council > Resources > Articles on Homeschooling > History of Homeschooling in Wisconsin

		The History of Homeschooling in Wisconsin

See Also: The History of Wisconsin Homeschooling Law: how did the current law come about? Which groups were influential in developing a sound homeschooling law for Wisconsin? Milestones in WPA History: highlights of accomplishments of this legislative watchdog group.		The development of homeschooling in Wisconsin reflects the development of homeschooling nationwide. First of all, as was true across the country in the 1800s, families of settlers often taught their own children at home, often due to the lack of any other options. Gradually, public education became the norm. However, eventually some parents became disillusioned with public education. Although the goal of the federal education programs of the 1960s was to right social injustice and to provide equal economic opportunity, parents became increasingly concerned about what kind of education their children were receiving, academically and socially. What were they learning? What were they being taught about their role in society? "Two early pioneers of the home education movement were also some of the most vocal critics of traditional education. John Holt and Raymond Moore both questioned the traditional mission of the schools as agencies for molding the young, but came at the problem from opposite perspectives. Holt confided in the humanist left. While Moore's message resonated with many Evangelical Christians. Their work and influence helped to energize and diversify the homeschooling movement in Wisconsin and nationally" (Luebke 6). So far, there have been three main waves in the development of homeschooling in Wisconsin and nation-wide. The First Wave: John Holt and the Unschooling Movement The Second Wave: Raymond and Dorothy Moore and Delayed School Enrollment The Third Wave: New Homeschoolers in the '90s
This material draws from: Luebke, Robert V. "Homeschooling in Wisconsin: A Review of Current Issues and Trends." Policy Research Institute Report 12.4 (1999). 20 March 2001 < www.wpri.org/Reports/Volume12/Vol12no4.pdf >

Homeschool Area Council > Resources > Articles on Homeschooling

By Jan Carroll
First Posted, March 15, 2001
Last Updated May 10, 2001