The Academic and Social Outcomes of Those Who Have Homeschooled

Narratives Of Home Education

The narrative that surrounds every adult homeschooler is generally the same: a highly successful, highly educated, civically minded individual who is curious, self-directed, and entrepreneurial. Even the small percentage of homeschooled adults who have expressed dissatisfaction with their experience fit the above profile (Gray & Riley, 2015; Powell, 2020; Westover, 2018). When individuals are educated in untraditional ways, research regarding outcomes is essential. What happens to homeschoolers when they grow up? Are they able to attend college? Are they employable? Are they socially, emotionally, and psychologically healthy? Are they happy and well adjusted? Numerous researchers have studied the outcomes of those who are home educated, with very positive results. Although most outcomes research has come from the United States, there has been international interest in outcomes as well (Donnelly, 2016) as homeschooling grows into a viable worldwide educational alternative. The results of the outcomes research have created a sense of legitimacy within the greater community regarding homeschooling as an internationally accepted educational option. Most adult homeschooling outcomes research studies focus on two areas: (1) outcomes related to the home educated graduate’s socialization and interaction with their community, and (2) the home educated graduate’s outcomes with regard to higher education and employment.