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Education in the United States has been a controversial subject for years now. Amid disagreements about appropriate school curricula, what teachers are required to share with parents, and more, many adults are determining that public (and sometimes even private) schools aren't truly conducive to their kids' well-being. It's for this reason that more parents have opted to homeschool their children. Many adults also report that their kids benefit from learning at home, rather than going to a classroom five days a week. However, the uptick in homeschooling doesn't come without controversy. Today, some experts are ringing the alarm bell, stating there's a lack of oversight when it comes to educating children at home.

Here's what's going on

Coalition for Responsible Home Education is a body made up of individuals who received homeschooling as kids, yet now aim for more regulations to ensure that today's homeschooled children are granted the necessary protection and instruction. Executive director Angela Grimberg recently went on record to express her concerns about kids experiencing homeschooling today. According to her, while most parents teaching their children at home care for their best interests, there are still cases of kids "falling through the cracks." In the worst cases, Grimberg alleges that homeschooled minors suffer neglect and abuse. Harvard law professor Elizabeth Bartholet had similar remarks about homeschooling in America. It is Bartholet's view that even existing regulations to promote the safety and well-being of kids undergoing homeschooling simply aren't enough. Finally, she stated "minimal protections" for children should include not allowing parents with abusive or neglectful histories to homeschool their kids

A powder keg waiting to go off

Many parents who homeschool their kids believe it's in their best interests. Disagreements with school curricula, bullying kids face from their peers, and other reasons all influence the decision to homeschool. Given the controversy surrounding education in recent years, homeschooling parents remain unlikely to smile upon stringent regulations regarding the teaching of their kids. Battles over this could very well play out via political channels. While homeschooling itself lacks partisanship, some homeschool lobbying has ties with conservative organizations. Going into 2024, time will tell if a greater push to control and regulate homeschooling truly gains teeth. Calls for more restrictive policies may emerge if and when the number of children learning at home increases.