Contextualizing Homeschooling Data: A Response to Rudner

Authors

  • Kariane Mari Welner University of California, Los Angeles
  • Kevin G. Welner University of Pennsylvania

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.v7n13.1999

Keywords:

Comparative Analysis, Parents as Teachers, Home Schooling, National Surveys, Parent Background, Elementary Secondary Education, Family School Relationship

Abstract

Rudner (1999) presents the results of a survey and testing program, administered by Bob Jones University (BJU), for homeschooling students. In this response, we applaud Rudner's contribution to building a greater understanding of the homeschooling movement. However, we also voice a strong concern that what Rudner contributed with one hand, he took back with the other. We contend that Rudner's analysis of the BJU data fails to offer a straightforward explanation of important and striking limitations. The unfortunate result is an inaccurate portrayal of homeschoolers as a white, Christian, monolithic population. Although the results of Rudner's analyses are likely valid for the particular population he studied, his insufficient attention to the data's bias has led to an erroneous picture of homeschooling.

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Author Biographies

Kariane Mari Welner, University of California, Los Angeles

Kariane Mari Welner is a doctoral candidate at UCLA. Her specializations include homeschooling and issues of sociology and democracy in education.

Kevin G. Welner, University of Pennsylvania

Kevin G. Welner is a visiting researcher and lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania. His specializations include program evaluation and educational policy issues, particularly those concerning organizational change and school law. His personal homepage is at http://www.gse.upenn.edu/welner/ .

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Published

1999-04-11

How to Cite

Welner, K. M., & Welner, K. G. (1999). Contextualizing Homeschooling Data: A Response to Rudner. Education Policy Analysis Archives, 7, 13. https://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.v7n13.1999

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Section

Articles