2019 Volume 45 Pages 103-119
This study aimed to reveal a) how homeschooling is regulated and publicly supported in Iowa and b) the significance and problems of its homeschooling system, by reviewing homeschooling provisions of the state law and administrative law.
Iowa, which has one of the most complicated homeschooling systems in the United States, offers multiple options for conducting homeschooling with different regulations and public support. Those who choose a less/ more restrictive option, get fewer/more opportunities to receive support from the state or registered district. Thus, Iowa's homeschooling system is based on “the principle of proportionality” between regulations and support. It incentivizes parents to choose options that make it easier for the state to assure adequate education for children through regulations and support, while giving parents the freedom to choose any option.
However, this system has the serious problem that parents can choose an option with virtually no regulation. Children who are homeschooled under this option can obtain virtually no public support for their education, and the state has almost no knowledge of which students attend under that option.
The comprehensive analysis of Iowa's homeschooling system, both in terms of regulations and public support system, shows that state involvement in children's education is not necessarily incompatible with the parents' freedom if the homeschooling system provides an incentive based on “the principle of proportionality,” as in Iowa, and imposes adequate regulations. This can help researchers and policy makers examine possible homeschooling systems where the state can both ensure the parents' freedom and guarantee opportunities for homeschooled children to receive adequate education.
