Sunshine State Sue Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 (edited) She asked for my help: I need to write a paper on home schooling for my Masters degree. Can you refer me to some good references that cover the issues involved? I've read a million hs books, but have been "in the trenches" for too long to see the big picture anymore. Besides, HLSDA, anyone have any ideas I can pass on? I know I've seen threads like this, but I have no idea how I could find them on a search. Thanks! Edited November 17, 2009 by Sue in St Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 Milton Gaither would be a good resource. His blog Homeschooling Research Notes can be found here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joanne Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 What is her idea, thesis or assertion? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 What is her idea, thesis or assertion? Yes, to be helpful we'd need to know more specifics. "Homeschooling" is too broad to be a thesis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunshine State Sue Posted November 17, 2009 Author Share Posted November 17, 2009 What is her idea, thesis or assertion? I have no idea, but I will ask. Here is what she actually said: I need to write a paper on home schooling for my Masters degree. Can you refer me to some good references that cover the issues involved? I would also love your input on the benefits/challenges of home schooling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 I'm assuming the issues involved would be socialization, curriculum, um, what else? Not having to stand in line?:tongue_smilie: She needs to define what those issues are. Then we can help her find books or resources that answer the issues. Unless she wants a book that defines the issues? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunshine State Sue Posted November 17, 2009 Author Share Posted November 17, 2009 What is her idea, thesis or assertion? Here's a little more information: I actually am in favor of home schooling... But my report is just supposed to cover the issues in home schooling, so I'll make it objective. Just the facts... So, the facts...where do I find the facts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elizabeth Conley Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 :iagree:What's her thesis? She's got to have a thesis. One doesn't do a "report on home schooling" for a master's thesis. That's Middle School, although even then I'd have the author narrow the topic.:tongue_smilie:That's way to broad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 I have no idea, but I will ask. Here is what she actually said: It sounds like it's possible that she doesn't know what the issues are and that she hasn't formulated a thesis. Perhaps what she is actually looking for are potential theses (is that plural of thesis? LOL) and then support for them. So here are some suggestions: Socialization of kids in homeschooled families is worse, about the same as, or better than kids in private or public schooled families. Academic achievement of kids in homeschooled families is worse, about the same as, or better than kids in private or public schooled families. Success in college of kids in homeschooled families is worse, about the same as, or better than kids in private or public schooled families. Greater state oversight does/does not improve the academic achievement or reduce the risk of abuse in homeschooling families. What qualities of the parents are most likely to make homeschooling a success? What qualities of the parents are most likely to make homeschooling a failure? (this could include everything from education of parents, to mental health issues, organizational ability, creativity, etc.) What motivations drive parents who choose homeschooling? Are homeschooled kids as adults more likely, less likely, or equal to public and private schooled kids in terms of how closely they share parental values? Is that good or bad? Can a parent be as effective a teacher as a trained professional? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 (edited) There's the book Homeschool: An American History by Milton Gaither which offers some good historical background. And if she does a search on "homeschool" or "home school" or "home education" in her school's library some pretty good things should come up. Edited November 18, 2009 by EKS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 :iagree:What's her thesis? She's got to have a thesis. One doesn't do a "report on home schooling" for a master's thesis. That's Middle School, although even then I'd have the author narrow the topic.:tongue_smilie:That's way to broad. I'm guessing that it might be a paper for a course she's taking, maybe a contemporary issues course or something. I wrote a similar one for my master's program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunshine State Sue Posted November 18, 2009 Author Share Posted November 18, 2009 I'm guessing that it might be a paper for a course she's taking, maybe a contemporary issues course or something. I wrote a similar one for my master's program. BINGO! Here's a bit more: It's not a thesis. It's just a report on the issues in contemporary education and I chose home schooling for the topic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoyfulMama Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 I did many papers for my master's degree... this sounds more like an exposititory paper than anything else. She could potentially write a book, but I think she would have to do a broad overview to satisfy the requirements for this paper. So I'm thinking she would want to include some numbers... depending on her state, she can get numbers from there, the Dept of Ed potentially, or some local school districts. This may show a growth pattern she might be looking to discuss. I don't know if there are any national numbers, that would be unslanted. Maybe HSLDA has membership totals or something that might be used, but I would hesitate to use that as a sole number, simply because it is an exclusive, voluntary group. She could discuss the varied laws for homeschooling, but I think, personally, I'd try to keep that section more brief, or it'd become a run-away train. She could discuss the various reasons why homeschooling is chosen... She could discuss the various approaches to homeschooling (parent-led, child-led, or collaborative), or the various options for homeschooling (traditional, cyberschooling, etc)... I think those would be some of the most prominently seen "issues" from a potential contemporary education (and therefore more than likely pro-classroom) prof. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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