Fundamental elements in examining a child’s right to education: A study of home education research and regulation in Australia

Glenda Jackson; Sonia Allan

Vol. 2 No. 3 (2010) IEJEE

Fundamental elements in examining a child’s right to education: A study of home education research and regulation in Australia

Glenda Jackson
Sonia Allan

Published August 24, 2017 | Pages: 349-364 | Views: 349

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Abstract

Home education provides valuable educational and developmental opportunities for
children. An examination of Australia’s research indicates many best educational
practices, including more informed mediation, contextualised learning, and
opportunities to exercise autonomy. Key features include learning embedded in
communities and program modification in response to students’ needs. Current
state and territory legal requirements are examined within the context of this
research and Australia’s obligations to international human rights treaties. All
jurisdictions accept home education as one way to meet compulsory education
requirements. The extent to which respective laws then reflect understanding of
home education research and practice varies. Most jurisdictions allow for a variety
of educational approaches. Some oversight regulation could however be modified to
reflect a better understanding of home education. Consultation with home
educators and reference to research would assist the development of more uniform
legislation and policy across Australia, and enable better regulatory practice.

Home education provides valuable educational and developmental opportunities for children. An examination of Australia’s research indicates many best educational practices, including more informed mediation, contextualised learning, and opportunities to exercise autonomy. Key features include learning embedded in communities and program modification in response to students’ needs. Current state and territory legal requirements are examined within the context of this research and Australia’s obligations to international human rights treaties. All jurisdictions accept home education as one way to meet compulsory education requirements. The extent to which respective laws then reflect understanding of home education research and practice varies. Most jurisdictions allow for a variety of educational approaches. Some oversight regulation could however be modified to reflect a better understanding of home education. Consultation with home educators and reference to research would assist the development of more uniform legislation and policy across Australia, and enable better regulatory practice.

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Keywords

Home Education, Home Schooling, Human Rights, Educational Law

Affiliations

Glenda Jackson

Monash University, Australia

Sonia Allan

University of Adelaide. Australia

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How to Cite

Jackson, G., & Allan, S. (2017). Fundamental elements in examining a child’s right to education: A study of home education research and regulation in Australia. International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education, 2(3), 349–364. Retrieved from https://iejee.com/index.php/IEJEE/article/view/244