Described are practices of 70 home-schooling families who resided in southwestern lower Michigan in Fall, 1987. A literature review discusses: (1) philosophical roots of the home education movement; (2) concern for the socialization of home-educated children; (3) reasons why home-schooling is considered a good educational alternative; (4) state regulations and qualifications of home educators; and (5) professional resources for home educators. Data were obtained from responses to a questionnaire sent to 200 home-schooling families. Findings are reported in eight sections concerning: (1) family characteristics, including size, number of hours parents work outside the home, and extent of past and future plans for home education; (2) details of parents' education; (3) curriculum and instructional practices; (4) parents' confidence level about their performance of four teaching tasks; (5) the social interaction of parents and children with others; (6) parents' reasons for deciding to educate their children at home; (7) parents' opinions of practical aspects and problems of home-schooling; and (8) parents' additional comments. Related materials, such as the survey instrument and responses to survey questions, are appended. (RH)