This paper examines attendance accounting policies and practices for students enrolled in public schools in Texas and in alternative schools of choice (ASC) in particular. Technology advancement allows students to complete their coursework virtually anywhere they have internet access; however, conventional state attendance policies still require…

Cites definite trends suggesting the eventual decline of public education.'' The author suggests that these trends may result in paring down the role of schooling to training in basic skills. Introductory chapter to a new book in which the author discusses alternatives toward which he thinks we should be working. (Author/JF)

As one report in a comprehensive study of Illinois state mandates for elementary and secondary education, this study covers the three major areas in the Illinois compulsory attendance law: students' entrance age, their exit age, and the schools' obligation to enfore truancy regulations. After brief histories of compulsory attendance laws in the…

Examines state laws and the actions of various courts on home instruction and unauthorized educational programs. Suggests reforming the regulation of private education through legislative action that requires periodic testing as an alternative to compulsory school attendance. (Author/MLF)

Maintains that many adolescents have rebelled against compulsory school attendance and proposes three alternatives: home-based educational work programs, on-the-job training programs through cooperation of schools and industry, and government sponsored work study programs. (ST)

This chapter discusses the issues involved in home education as they relate to state compulsory school attendance laws. The authors first examine the purpose and context of compulsory attendance, then the public or private school alternatives. The statutory and case laws providing for home education are explored and some of the constitutional…

This position paper of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) addresses issues related to the discipline of students with severe behavior disorders or other disabilities. It specifically considers: (1) placement of disruptive and/or dangerous students; (2) cost issues of alternatives to suspension and expulsion; (3) legal parameters under the…

Increasing numbers of children are meeting state compulsory education requirements at home rather than at school. Although home instruction was once the mainstay of frontier American education, some educators now regard the practice as suspect. This paper hopes to reconcile opposing views by examining home schooling, including numbers of children,…

An historical overview of the precursors to compulsory school attendance is presented. Emphasis is placed upon the beginning stages of American schooling, the Common School Movement, and its impact upon the restriction of educational choice for the majority of those in society. (Author/EVH)

Reviews history of the rights of parents to control the education of their children from colonial times to present (includes the development of case law). English and American common law recognizes parents' natural right to control their children's education. Concludes that, as long as academic standards are satisfied, a child's education should…

Reviews state policies regulating private education and home instruction that limit parental choice in education. Criticizes judicial response to parental challenges, suggesting that parental interests have been underprotected and state interests have been overprotected. Suggests reasonable bases for state intervention. (FMW)

Profiles the current trend of parents' choosing to educate their children at home. Provides data on the numbers and motivations of such parents and examines the surrounding legal issues. Challenges the premise of compulsory schooling on the basis of achievement data that document the superior performance of home-schooled children. (KH)

This document consists of 10 issues of "Australian Homeschool Journal" extrinsic across about a year and a half. This bimonthly serial offers a variety of news, information, and advice for parents who are providing schooling for their children at home. Issues usually contain: (1) articles or reprints of articles from other sources; (2)…

This document summarizes home-school laws in each of the 50 states. The first part highlights features of state statutes. By 1997, 35 states had adopted home-school statutes or regulations. Forty-one states did not require home-schooling parents to have any specific qualifications. The second part provides profiles of each of the 50 state's…

The prevalence of home schooling is increasing. Parents educate their children at home for the sake of security, morality, and educational quality. Not only does home schooling offer the advantages of closeness and security, but advocates also assert that education in the home results in greater reading proficiency. On the other hand, antagonists…