The modern phenomenon of homeschooling, or “home education,” takes a variety of forms, but typically, it involves parents assuming primary responsibility for the schooling of their child—either by providing direct instruction themselves or by arranging learning opportunities such as online coursework, community-based programs, or selected classes from institutional schools. Although the United States has the largest number of homeschoolers by far (perhaps 4% of the school-aged population), the practice appears to be growing in many countries. Philosophical analysis is typically brought to bear on homeschooling in two ways: (1) theories of learning and (2) the relative interests of parents, children, and the state.

Perhaps the ultimate in individualized and privatized education, homeschooling challenges modern notions of institutionalized schooling and standardized curricula. Homeschoolers’ varied practices reveal a ...