Congratulations, Dixie! What a great project! I’m excited to read it. In terms of possible considerations, what about:
—References to philosophies, like unschooling, classical, and Charlotte Mason as reactions against/out of progressive public schooling. Especially since COVID, parents have searched for something different in educating their children, and the rise in popularity of different approaches has only increased interest in homeschooling generally.
—The role of social media and technology in increasing awareness of and participation in homeschooling. Maybe this is too social science-y, but I think this is interesting.
—How American understandings of civic involvement and citizenship have affected the rise (and also skepticism!) of homeschooling.
—The cottage industry-ification of education = more homeschooling? :-) Is homeschooling in part sort of like putting education on Etsy, with all the positive possibilities and negative limitations of both the marketplace and of family involvement? If that makes any sense…
I know you only have so much room and have to focus! Thanks for reading my rambly thoughts on this. Looking forward to reading yours!
Congratulations, Dixie!!! This is so exciting. As a homeschool alumna and now homeschool mom myself, I am very excited to read this book! You are amazing!
Exciting! I’ll be interested to read this as a homeschool alumna and mom.
I’m curious whether/how the self-identification of homeschoolers has shifted over time: how did the terminology and norms/defaults of educational models shift as the models themselves shifted around (as I understand it) the Industrial Revolution ish era? And post the 1980s homeschooling movement, where have been the boundary lines of what we define as homeschooling vs mainstream ed vs hybrid models? For example, I remember in the early 2000s we seemed to be constantly discussing whether families using charter schools “counted” as homeschoolers. Hopefully this Q makes sense—I’m interested in the fluidity of categories over time, and which labels people feel comfortable to claim, depending on evolving definitions.
Thank you! Yes, this is very interesting. The definition is variable and I argue that homeschooling was very different in kind before 1900 than in the more recent homeschooling movement (since 1950). Changing or contested definitions also play a significant role in data collection, allowing for data to be easily misunderstood, innocently misused, or deliberately manipulated. It's really fascinating to me and I address these questions at length in the book!
Also super curious about the rise of curriculum publishers marketed specifically to homeschoolers, such as A Beka, Bob Jones, and Rod and Staff, to name a few.
That really is interesting. I don't really trace the history of these but I do go into some detail about some of the early California distance homeschools. The first few chapters of the book focus in on CA as a case study and early developing hub for homeschooling.
I absolutely cannot wait to get it. You are such a wonderful writer.
Wow, thank you, Gregory! I am so glad to hear that you enjoy my writing.
I sure do!
Awesome! Congrats!!!
Thank you, Joel! I'm thrilled! Now to finish revising the manuscript...
Joel, this sounds like a book to add to your review list!
It definitely does!
I'll put you on my list of "people to be in touch with in 6-9 months about possible reviews," Joel! (But no expectations, of course.)
Congratulations, this sounds like a fascinating and informative read!
Thank you, Maddie! I'm working very hard to make it both of these things!
Congratulations!!! Sounds like a new classic in the making - can't wait to read it!
Will think of some questions once my head is clear after today's homeschool zoom meeting :)
Yes, busy day!! See you in just a couple of hours!
And thank you!
Congrats, Dixie!! Very exciting!
Thank you, Stacy! It's been a longterm project so I'm very excited to be moving into this stage!
I get that! 💛 Super exciting to see your dreams and work into the next stage!
Congratulations, Dixie! What a great project! I’m excited to read it. In terms of possible considerations, what about:
—References to philosophies, like unschooling, classical, and Charlotte Mason as reactions against/out of progressive public schooling. Especially since COVID, parents have searched for something different in educating their children, and the rise in popularity of different approaches has only increased interest in homeschooling generally.
—The role of social media and technology in increasing awareness of and participation in homeschooling. Maybe this is too social science-y, but I think this is interesting.
—How American understandings of civic involvement and citizenship have affected the rise (and also skepticism!) of homeschooling.
—The cottage industry-ification of education = more homeschooling? :-) Is homeschooling in part sort of like putting education on Etsy, with all the positive possibilities and negative limitations of both the marketplace and of family involvement? If that makes any sense…
I know you only have so much room and have to focus! Thanks for reading my rambly thoughts on this. Looking forward to reading yours!
Wonderful thoughts -- thank you. I'll be touching on several of these matters; I think you'll really enjoy it.
Congratulations, Dixie!!! This is so exciting. As a homeschool alumna and now homeschool mom myself, I am very excited to read this book! You are amazing!
Thanks very much, Kathleen!
Congrats!! 💞
Thank you!
Exciting! I’ll be interested to read this as a homeschool alumna and mom.
I’m curious whether/how the self-identification of homeschoolers has shifted over time: how did the terminology and norms/defaults of educational models shift as the models themselves shifted around (as I understand it) the Industrial Revolution ish era? And post the 1980s homeschooling movement, where have been the boundary lines of what we define as homeschooling vs mainstream ed vs hybrid models? For example, I remember in the early 2000s we seemed to be constantly discussing whether families using charter schools “counted” as homeschoolers. Hopefully this Q makes sense—I’m interested in the fluidity of categories over time, and which labels people feel comfortable to claim, depending on evolving definitions.
Thank you! Yes, this is very interesting. The definition is variable and I argue that homeschooling was very different in kind before 1900 than in the more recent homeschooling movement (since 1950). Changing or contested definitions also play a significant role in data collection, allowing for data to be easily misunderstood, innocently misused, or deliberately manipulated. It's really fascinating to me and I address these questions at length in the book!
Super interesting! Thank you! Looking forward to learning more.
Also super curious about the rise of curriculum publishers marketed specifically to homeschoolers, such as A Beka, Bob Jones, and Rod and Staff, to name a few.
That really is interesting. I don't really trace the history of these but I do go into some detail about some of the early California distance homeschools. The first few chapters of the book focus in on CA as a case study and early developing hub for homeschooling.
Congratulations Dixie!
Thank you, Laura!
Congratulations Dixie!!!
Thank you, Regina!
Congrats! This is a hard won win and I’m so happy to cheer you on :)
Thanks so much, friend! It was hard won and it'll still be hard to fine-tune the ms but God is good and I am ready to get to work.
Dixie this is beyond thrilling!!!! I am so so proud and happy for you!!!!! Can't wait to read!
Thank you!
(Also...you started a Substack!! I'm so excited to read it!)
Wonderful news indeed! Congratulations, Dixie!
Thanks so much, Tessa! I'm excited!