By 1993, it became legal in 50 states. But home-schooling parents, who sometimes are strongly independent individuals, are required to report their education plan to their local school department, which must be approved by the educators. Each particular school department sets its own guidelines for approval. For Dudley, she annually submits a report of a few pages, which completes her requirements. Most home-schooling parents take advantage of technological advances, such as the computer, internet, videotape, cassettes, and distance learning colleges.
Textbooks designed for home-learning are widely available.
If a particular parent is an expert at a subject, that adult may teach groups of home-schoolers. Often groups will take field trips to museums, libraries, and historical sites. They say the entire community is their classroom. Home-schooling organizations exist across the state. John Pike is a free-lance writer who lives in Lowell.