HOMESCHOOLING: NEW OR LONG FORGOTTEN OLD? OVERVIEW OF WORLD EXPERIENCE

Abstract

The article analyzes the spread of the method of home schooling in the world, in particular in developed Western countries: the USA, Canada, Great Britain. Home education is treated as an alternative format, an individual form of education, in which parents or guardians independently organize for their child the educational process at home.Referring to authoritative sources, statistics are given that show a tendency for a significant increase in the popularity of homeschooling around the world. The impetus for this process was the Covid–19 pandemic in 2020, but the indicators did not decrease after a decline in the disease. Statistics are presented on the regional differences in the distribution of homeschooling in different US states.Having existed the only form of teaching children more than a century ago, home education in Ukraine is not a new phenomenon, but in the third millennium its revival takes place. The article refers to the Law of Ukraine on Education, which gives parents the right to choose an alternative format for teaching children. The main aspects of the activities of the Public Organization “Ukrainian National Association of Family Education”, which provides informational, advisory, academic, and legal support to parents who want to introduce their children to homesculers, are outlined.The article lists the main reasons and motives for switching to homeschooling. Comparing the academic results of public school students and homeschoolers proves a significant advantage of the latter. Actual studies of home schooling indicate high rates of homeschoolers in relation to social, emotional and psychological development. The advantages of homeschooling, which quantitatively prevail over the challenges and disadvantages, are highlighted. It is concluded that homeschooling is a promising alternative to traditional education, the key to unlocking the individual potential of the child.