She's Leaving Home: The Effect of College Experiences on Homeschooled Students

Abstract

Most existing homeschool research focuses on one of two concerns: the efficacy of home education and the socialization of the homeschooled student. The purpose of this study was to examine how the beliefs, values, and worldviews of homeschooled students were affected by their experiences at the post-secondary level, specifically in the multicultural environment of public four-year colleges and universities. Data were collected through interviews with eleven participants: six homeschooling parents and five homeschooled students. Homeschooled students who formed close relationships with students unlike themselves and who were involved in leadership roles in their respective post-secondary institutions seemingly assimilated different worldviews and, in the process, broadened their own perspectives to a greater degree than did those students who were less engaged. While some degree of assimilation of other perspectives occurred, most of the student participants' self-perceptions remained relatively unaffected; indeed, most of the participants described a strengthening of the values inculcated through home education in response to their college and university experiences. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone [phone]. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]