Parents and caregivers across the nation are seeking ways to restructure education and provide new opportunities for their children. Among the alternative educational options, home schooling seems to be at the forefront. The research pertaining to home schooling is growing; however, there are still areas that need considerable attention. The purpose of this study was to investigate selected aspects of home schooling, also known as Competent Private Instruction (CPI) in Iowa, mainly the choice of curriculum and factors associated with that choice. The current study examined (a) the demographic characteristics of the selected population, (b) the type of curriculum used by home schooling families, (c) demographic characteristics associated with the type of curriculum chosen, (d) the adoption of a faith-based curriculum, and (e) the demographic characteristics associated with the adoption of a faith-based curriculum. Primary data were obtained for 4 of 12 area educational agencies (AEAs) in Iowa for the school years 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 from information provided on Form A, which was required by the Iowa Department of Education to be completed by home school families. These data were grouped into regions for easier comparisons. Results of the data analysis indicated that the demographic characteristics of the selected population were similar to those reported in national studies. Parents primarily chose a prepackaged curriculum for both reading and math instruction, and the majority of the curriculum in all areas was largely faith based. In addition, the region of Eastern Iowa was significantly more faith based than the Western or Central region. No significant interactions were found between age, gender, or days of instruction and the type of curriculum or the adoption of a faith-based curriculum.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:uiowa.edu/oai:ir.uiowa.edu:etd-2619 |
| Date | 01 July 2011 |
| Creators | Jorgenson, Tina Marie |
| Contributors | Ehly, Stewart W., 1949-, Woods-Groves, Suzanne |
| Publisher | University of Iowa |
| Source Sets | University of Iowa |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | dissertation |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | Theses and Dissertations |
| Rights | Copyright 2011 Tina Marie Jorgenson |
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