Evolution and Origins of Homeschooling in the United States

Charles Albanese
Jun 20
11 min read

Homeschooling today is a growing movement of parents reclaiming their right to teach their children in ways that align with their values, beliefs, and learning styles. In 2024, approximately 3.7 million U.S. children, about 6.7% of school-age students, were homeschooled.

For modern parents and educators, understanding the roots of homeschooling helps put today’s trends into perspective. The question “When did homeschooling start?” often surprises people, not because it is a recent phenomenon, but because it has a surprisingly long history. Long before public schools became the norm, teaching at home was the primary means of education.

This article examines the evolution of homeschooling in the United States, tracing its origins from colonial households to the rise of state-controlled education, the backlash of the 20th century, and the diverse, legally protected homeschooling that exists today.

Colonial Beginnings: Education at Home in Early America

In the earliest days of America, homeschooling wasn’t a trend; it was a way of life. While the term “homeschooling” did not exist at the time, it was still in practice. Colonial and pioneer families naturally took on the responsibility of educating their children at home.

With no formal school systems in place, parents, especially mothers, served as the primary teachers, passing down essential knowledge to help children read, write, and live moral, productive lives.

Here are some key characteristics of early American homeschooling:

Home-Based Instruction: Education took place around the hearth and farm, integrated with daily responsibilities.
Parental Leadership: Mothers and fathers were the primary educators, teaching both academics and values.
Faith as Foundation: Religious training was a central component of the curriculum, shaping both the content and character.

Core Educational Tools and Methods

Here are some core educational tools and methods that were used in the colonial period of homeschooling:

The Bible: It served as both a reading primer and a moral guide. Children learned to read through memorizing and reciting Scripture.
The New England Primer: It was first published in the late 17th century. It combined literacy instruction with Christian doctrine and moral lessons.
Oral Instruction: It emphasized storytelling, memorization, and practical application over rote learning, focusing on virtues like discipline, thrift, and responsibility.

This early form of homeschooling was deeply integrated into family life, which was organic, purpose-driven, and rooted in spiritual values.

But as America grew and modernized, the intimate, home-based approach to learning began to shift, driven by new laws and societal changes that redefined education itself.

The Rise of Compulsory Schooling (19th–Early 20th Century)

As the 19th century progressed, the American education system underwent a dramatic shift. What had once been a home-based endeavor began to formalize under government authority, driven by societal changes and the demand for a literate, uniform citizenry.

Key Legislative Milestones

The movement toward mandatory education began at the state level and quickly spread nationwide, establishing the foundation of the modern public school system.

Massachusetts passed the first compulsory education law in 1852, requiring children aged 8 to 14 to attend school at least 12 weeks per year.
Other states followed suit throughout the late 1800s, introducing enforcement mechanisms such as attendance officers and fines for noncompliance.
By 1918, all 48 states had enacted some form of compulsory schooling legislation.
These laws reflected growing concern about child labor, national unity, and literacy in a changing economy.

State Authority Replaces Parental Control

As government-run schools expanded, they replaced home education as the default model, redefining the role of parents in their children's learning.

Educational decisions moved from the family to the state, with schools assuming authority over curriculum, discipline, and values.
Certified teachers replaced parents as instructors, guided by standardized textbooks and uniform schedules.
Faith-based instruction declined as public schools promoted secular values and moral codes approved by state boards.
Truancy laws enforced compliance, sometimes criminalizing parents who resisted or failed to meet state attendance requirements.

Driving Forces Behind the Movement

Several societal shifts made public schooling both practical and politically desirable, particularly in rapidly changing urban and industrial environments.

Industrialization created demand for disciplined, literate workers who could function in factory settings and bureaucratic institutions.
Urbanization disrupted traditional community structures, causing families to rely on schools for childcare, discipline, and social structure.
Mass immigration led to concerns about assimilation, prompting policymakers to use public schools to teach American ideals, the English language, and national loyalty.
Child labor reformers pushed for schooling as a means of protecting children from exploitative labor practices.

Cultural Tensions

Not everyone welcomed this top-down shift. Many Americans resisted what they saw as a one-size-fits-all model that undermined family authority and community traditions.

Religious families objected to the removal of spiritual education and the secularization of values.
Rural communities were slower to adopt public schooling, continuing to educate children at home or in church-based settings.
Legal and political challenges emerged as families and private schools pushed back against state control over education.
Some critics argued that compulsory schooling stifled creativity, imposed conformity, and prioritized obedience over intellectual growth.

Despite its widespread implementation, compulsory schooling never fully extinguished the desire for educational freedom. The seeds of dissent planted during this era would eventually blossom into the homeschooling revival of the late 20th century.

While public schooling became the norm, dissent simmered below the surface. The seeds of resistance were slowly taking root, setting the stage for a bold reimagining of education in the 20th century.

Also Read: Am I Smart Enough to Homeschool My Child?

Mid-20th Century: Educational Dissent and Alternative Movements

By the mid-20th century, dissatisfaction with standardized education began to surface among educators, parents, and thought leaders. These voices challenged the rigid structure of public schools and laid the ideological groundwork for the modern homeschooling movement.

John Holt and the "Unschooling" Philosophy

One of the most influential figures in modern educational dissent, John Holt, argued that traditional schools stifled curiosity and independence in children.

Holt was a former teacher and author whose 1964 book, "How Children Fail," criticized schools for emphasizing rote memorization and compliance over genuine learning.
He introduced the concept of “unschooling,” an approach that trusts children to direct their own learning through exploration, curiosity, and life experience.
Holt believed that children learn best when not forced, and that meaningful education happens naturally when supported in a loving environment.
His later publication, Teach Your Own (1981), became a foundational text for homeschooling families seeking alternatives to formal schooling.

Influence of the Counterculture and Parental Autonomy

In the 1960s and 1970s, broader social movements also began to influence how people thought about education, particularly ideas centered on personal freedom, anti-establishment values, and individual rights.

The counterculture challenged authority in all forms, including schools, which were seen as instruments of conformity and state control.
Back-to-the-land movements and intentional communities emphasized self-sufficiency and localism, often including home education as part of their ethos.
Parents began asserting their right to raise and educate children in alignment with personal values, whether spiritual, philosophical, or pedagogical.
This era fostered a growing belief that parents, not the state, know what is best for their children’s education.

Educational Experimentation in the 1960s–70s

As public confidence in traditional schooling wavered, experimental models flourished. These environments often blended academic learning with emotional development, nature immersion, or student-led exploration.

Free schools like the Sudbury Valley School allowed students to choose what, when, and how they learned, emphasizing self-governance and autonomy.
Montessori and Waldorf methods gained popularity among parents seeking holistic education alternatives that addressed emotional and creative development.
Homeschooling pioneers drew inspiration from these models to design home environments tailored to their children’s rhythms and talents.
Educational innovation during this time reinforced the idea that learning doesn’t have to look like schooling to be effective.

These decades of dissent and experimentation laid critical ideological and practical foundations for homeschooling’s resurgence.

These ideas planted the seeds for modern homeschooling as both a legal and educational movement, one grounded in the belief that education should nurture the whole child, not just conform to a system.

Today, TSHA’s American Emergent Curriculum (AEC) carries that legacy forward. It combines what scientific research shows about how children learn best with hands-on discovery, emotional safety, and real-world relevance. With the structured, values-based education that many parents appreciate from traditional American schools, TSHA offers the best of both worlds.

These ideological breakthroughs sparked action. By the 1980s, inspired families began organizing to explore new teaching philosophies and secure their legal right to teach at home.

Legal Recognition and Advocacy (1980s–1990s)

By the 1980s, a growing number of families were educating their children at home, but doing so in a legal gray area. The homeschooling community began organizing to gain recognition, protect parental rights, and establish legitimacy within state educational systems.

The Role of HSLDA and Other Advocacy Groups

To safeguard the right to homeschool, families and allies began forming legal organizations to defend against state pushback and overregulation.

The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) was founded in 1983 by attorney Michael Farris to provide legal support to homeschooling families across the U.S.
HSLDA quickly became a national leader in defending homeschooling rights, offering representation, resources, and legislative advocacy.
Other groups, such as state-level homeschool associations and Christian education networks, also began mobilizing.
These organizations empowered families with knowledge of their rights and united communities around a shared goal: protecting home education from unnecessary government intrusion.

Court Battles and Legislative Wins

Legal challenges throughout the 1980s and 1990s played a pivotal role in securing the right to homeschool. Many court cases revolved around the interpretation of state attendance laws and educational standards.

In multiple states, families were taken to court or threatened with truancy charges for homeschooling without permission or outside state guidelines.
Landmark rulings in states like Michigan, North Dakota, and Texas gradually established that parents could serve as competent educators under the law.
Many homeschool advocates lobbied for specific legislation to define and protect the practice, resulting in clearer statutes and reduced legal ambiguity.
By the late 1990s, most states had formalized homeschooling laws, although requirements varied widely in terms of oversight and reporting.

Varied State Laws and the Patchwork of Regulation

The legal status of homeschooling was no longer in question, but how it was regulated became a complex, state-by-state issue.

Some states, such as Alaska, Idaho, and Texas, have adopted minimal regulations, allowing homeschoolers broad freedom without registration or standardized testing.
Others, such as New York and Pennsylvania, imposed strict requirements, including curriculum approval, annual evaluations, and detailed portfolios.
Moderate states like Florida required notice of intent and occasional assessments but allowed considerable flexibility in teaching methods.
This regulatory patchwork reflected deeper national tensions between local control, educational freedom, and the state's role.

With the legal groundwork in place, homeschooling was no longer a fringe practice. It was a recognized educational choice, supported by a growing network of advocates, legal protections, and curriculum providers.

With the legal foundation secured, homeschooling blossomed into a diverse, creative, and increasingly mainstream movement entering the new millennium.

Also Read: What is Hybrid Homeschooling and How We Use it?

The Modern Homeschooling Movement (2000s–2020s)

Once firmly rooted in law, homeschooling entered a new phase of innovation, expansion, and mainstream recognition. The 21st century saw a dramatic rise in both the number of homeschooling families and the diversity of their approaches.

Rise of Digital Tools and Curriculum Providers

The internet revolutionized homeschooling by making high-quality educational resources more accessible, flexible, and personalized.

Online curriculum providers offered ready-made lesson plans and video-based instruction.
Supplemental tools, such as math apps, virtual labs, and history documentaries, enabled parents to enhance instruction without formal training.
Learning management systems and homeschool portals streamlined recordkeeping, assessment, and planning.
These tools helped bridge gaps in subject expertise and supported both structured and unschooling-style families.

Growth of Religious, Secular, and Hybrid Models

As homeschooling matured, it evolved beyond its early identity as primarily a religious or countercultural movement. A wide spectrum of philosophies began to flourish.

Christian families remained a strong segment, using Bible-based curricula and faith-integrated learning.
Secular homeschooling has grown rapidly, particularly among urban families and those prioritizing progressive or evidence-based education.
Hybrid schooling models, like part-time homeschool co-ops, microschools, and enrichment centers, blended home education with group learning.
Families increasingly chose homeschooling to cater to neurodiverse learners, gifted children, and those with unique interests or needs.

Pandemic-Era Expansion and Mainstream Acceptance

COVID-19 fundamentally reshaped public attitudes toward home education, as millions of families found themselves unexpectedly learning from home.

During the height of the pandemic, homeschooling rates doubled, with U.S. Census data showing an increase from 5.4% to 11.1% between spring and fall of 2020.
Many parents discovered unexpected benefits: stronger family bonds, flexible routines, and personalized instruction.
Following the pandemic, a significant number of families chose to continue homeschooling rather than return to traditional schools.
The crisis highlighted homeschooling as a viable and adaptive option, rather than an unconventional alternative.

Demographic Shifts: Who is Homeschooling Now?

Modern homeschooling is defined not just by how it’s done, but by who’s doing it. The demographic makeup of homeschoolers has expanded far beyond its early roots.

Black and Hispanic homeschooling rates have increased significantly, often driven by concerns about school quality, safety, and cultural inclusion.
Single-parent households and working families have adapted homeschooling with support from relatives, flexible jobs, or co-ops.
A growing number of families cite academic customization, mental health, and learning pace as their primary reasons, not religious or political motivations.
The movement today is more racially, economically, and ideologically diverse than ever before.

The modern era has transformed homeschooling from a niche lifestyle into a robust, multifaceted movement, supported by technology, legal legitimacy, and a vibrant ecosystem of educators, parents, and communities.

Understanding the past enables today’s homeschooling families to make informed, intentional choices that reflect both their heritage and innovation.

Where TSHA Fits Into This Legacy?

TSHA brings a fresh, intentional voice to homeschooling, grounded in a long-standing commitment to parental autonomy and the holistic development of the child. Central to TSHA’s unique approach is the American Emergent Curriculum (AEC), thoughtfully designed to help parents and co-op educators create deeply engaging and research-based learning environments.

Before understanding the principles, here’s how TSHA defines the AEC’s essence and goals:

Interconnected, Child-Centered Learning: AEC integrates subjects, like science, writing, math, art, and civics, around children’s interests, reflecting how students naturally connect topics.
Rooted in Research and Real-World Classroom Experience: Developed through a decade of research and six years in brick-and-mortar settings, the AEC consistently yields learners performing at least twice above the national average.
Flexible, Hands-On, and Non-Screen Based: Designed to be implemented in prepared environments with live support, AEC emphasizes tactile activities and critical thinking over passive media consumption.

How TSHA Builds on Historical Values?

TSHA’s American Emergent Curriculum (AEC) isn’t just another homeschool program. It’s a thoughtful return to the foundations of homeschooling, updated for today’s world. Here's how TSHA honors those roots while innovating for the future:

Parental Autonomy: The AEC empowers families to lead their child's education effectively, prioritizing trust in the parent-teacher dynamic over pre-packaged, screen-based instruction.
Whole-Child Development: Beyond academics, TSHA cultivates traits such as gratitude, kindness, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement through project-based learning and enriching life experiences.
Structured Work Cycles & Project-Based Learning: Borrowed from Montessori, Waldorf, and emergent curriculum traditions, AEC encourages focus, deep thinking, and real-world application, while maintaining high academic standards.
Live Support & Community: TSHA provides educator training, webinars, parent coaching, and access to a supportive network, ensuring families feel confident and connected.
Returning to Core Values: TSHA reconnects modern homeschooling with its roots, empowering families to take charge of education with faith, independence, and structured nurturing.
Bridging Tradition and Innovation: With annual AEC updates, parents offer a curriculum built on time-tested methods and cutting-edge practices, all aligned with national standards.

Conclusion

So, to answer the question “when did homeschooling start?” in many ways, it never stopped.

From the kitchens of colonial America to modern-day microschools, parents have long played a central role in their children’s education. Today’s homeschooling movement is not a deviation from the norm but a return to an older, time-tested tradition now equipped with modern tools, community support, and research-backed practices.

Ready to Bring Purpose and Freedom to Your Homeschool Journey?

Join thousands of families using TSHA’s American Emergent Curriculum (AEC), a non-screen, research-backed program designed to empower parents and nurture whole-child growth.

Explore the AEC and Get Started Today.

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