Republic of the Philippines

Laguna State Polytechnic University

Los Baños Campus
Los Baños

Home Schooling: A Phenomenological Study

Aeron Natividad
Kervey Moldes
Marielle Rejano
April 16, 2019
 Chapter I

Introduction

School is important among our lives, it is the stepping-stone towards a bright

future of all the youth. Like many things, they change, a change in their system,
aesthetic, rules, regulations and policies. Some may favor others, and some may not,
but one thing stays the same, is that they teach students to achieve their dreams and
aspirations.

Home schooling, also known as home education is the education of children at

home or a variety of other places. Home education is usually conducted by a parent or
tutor or online teacher. Many families use less formal ways of
educating. "Homeschooling" is the term commonly used in North America, whereas
"home education" is commonly used in the United Kingdom, Europe, and in many
Commonwealth countries.

This learning system is used in the modern day, but what we aim to figure out
is which is how they view homeschooling. For us to know what to give our future
generation the type of educational system to give. As Jose Rizal said; “The youth is
the hope of the people.”

Worldwide Economic Consequences of Homeschooling

Homeschooling, in its essence, appears to be a cultural activity connected with

spreading and assimilating knowledge generated by human beings and obtaining the
competences in dealing with the knowledge. From the very beginning homeschooling,
has also been related to many economic factors, such as technologies, instruments,
infrastructure, division of labor, material needs of humans, money, and so on.
Homeschooling parents and their homeschooled children need different products and
services, and, according to the size of the homeschooling population, they might be
more or less an interesting target group for different groups of entrepreneurs.

Nowadays, because of globalization tendencies in economy and culture (and

especially the growing domination of the English language in international
communication and science), didactic or instructional resources and tools – hardware
and software (sometimes in highly organized packages, as well as special educational
methods, all produced, created, or developed in English-speaking countries) — are
sold in traditional and more often in electronic format, or offered online, to many
customers in countries other than the one where suppliers have their main residence.
When the buying power of a particular family is not enough to meet all their educational
needs, help may come from some special supporting groups – for example,
foundations – or even single families and individuals. This support takes different
forms: free educational packages, reduced or free fees and charges, and also direct
financial aid. Research conducted by the author revealed this kind of transnational
support has been experienced by many homeschooling families (Budajczak, 2004).
Let us mention here only the many interactions on the part of different foreign families
by the aforementioned American Home School Legal Defense Association.

The other economical dimension of homeschooling is conducting it while being

a travelling worker abroad with his or her family. The group may be divided into
professionals with a relatively stable work location, like soldiers in foreign bases or
doctors on their missions abroad, to highly mobile specialists such as circus
performers, river barge workers, or actors.

Finally, there is a need to remember the economic-political aspect of

homeschooling. This form of social organization of a minor’s education was and
sometimes still is treated as a threat to corporate interests of teaching professionals
and school system workers. The political influence of that large segment of work force
in every country, often organized and led by national teachers association’s leaders,
reveals itself to be significant in exercising political power. Worth also mentioning are
parliamentary careers of former or actual teachers, loyal in their legislative activity to
their own social and corporate environments, as well as voters who are teachers.
International contacts between teachers unions might be useful in disseminating
ideological reservations towards homeschooling, and reservations based on economic
conservation of interests of the group.

As time goes by, education goes through changes, and adapts to those
changes. One of these changes is the fourth industrial revolution, wherein technology
has been part of our everyday lives. And education is no exception. Through
technology, schools use these new profound gadgets to teach.
Background of the Study

This study aims to know which educational system would be preferable for the
new generation and current generation. In today’s modern age, a lot of children cannot
afford education, and some aren’t even graduates yet and had to stop schooling.
Based on the 2017 Annual Poverty Indicators Survey (APIS), about nine percent of the
estimated 39.2 million Filipinos aged 6 to 24 years old were out-of-school children and
youth (OSCY). OSCY refers to family members 6 to 14 years old who are not attending
formal school; and family members 15 to 24 years old who are currently out of school,
not gainfully employed, and have not finished college or post-secondary course.

Of the 3.6 million OSCYs, 83.1%0 were 16 to 24 years old, 11.2% percent were 12 to
15 years old and 5.7% were 6 to 11 years old. The proportion of OSCYs was higher
among females (63.3%) than males (36.7%) The most common reasons among
OSCYs for not attending school were marriage or family matters (37.0%), lack of
personal interest (24.7%), and high cost of education or financial concern (17.9%).
Among females OSCYs, marriage or family matters (57.0%) was the main reason for
not attending school while lack of personal interest among males (43.8%).

Students now a days are evolving and adapting to the new educational
systems. Teachers also adapt to these changes. But for the modern day, the
educational system is dynamic. Home schooling in particular can be accepted as a
form of educational attainment in today’s society. It is not a widely discussed concept,
but it is still a discussion worth mentioning.

Education is a battle that anyone can either win or lose, it is a problem that can
be faced together. Some may not afford education, but through means of effort they
can still attain knowledge through their own ways such as being homeschooled. Our
country has already established an organization known as Homeschool Association of
the Philippine Islands (HAPI) in which their slogan says: “Building the Nation through
Home Schooling”.
Theoretical Framework

Homeschooling, Community Life and the Purpose of Public Schooling

“A century ago, philosophical arguments of educators were reduced to

discussion of method and strategy. Today, we witness a return to a more fundamental
and primary argument about purpose in schooling” (Wiles & Bondi, 2011, p. 304). After
all the unresolved debates and struggles for state legalization but against regulation, it
is helpful to be jolted by that wise reflection that serves as a break from endless
confrontations and as a lead to return to the essentials. As Monk (2003) articulates
clearly, the concerns about socialization and human rights have overshadowed the
broader yet more critical issues, such as the meaning of democracy, the purpose of
education, and the role of public education in society.

Other researchers have expressed the concern about the inevitable

consequence of parents pulling out from public schools and keeping them in their own
homes. Wilhelm and Firmin (2009) assert that while parental participation in children’s
education in schools may be good and helpful, when they bring it to the extreme and
pull their children out of the public schools, it can leave deep implications for the
remaining children and the school milieu. The growing number of homeschooling
families in societies leaves some social dent and cannot simply be dismissed by public
school leaders (Wilhelm & Firmin, 2009). In fact, a common statement among social
researchers speaks of the need to find the right balance between community rules and
individual freedom, and between cooperation with homeschooling parents and viewing
their children as needing to reunite with the local public school systems (Beck, 2001;
Wilhelm & Firmin, 2009; Taylor, 2009).

Furthermore, Lubienski (2003) strongly offers a piece of criticism and concern

regarding the tension between private benefits and public goals. When families who
have high-achievement attributes and expectations opt to leave public education and
pull their children away from community life, they are removing as well their share in
carrying societal burdens and in contributing to the larger public good(Lubienski,
2003). This brings us back to John Dewey’s philosophy of education, which Breitborde
and Swiniarski (2006) took time to elaborate in their discourses on the foundations of
education, that public schools could be models of a democratic society.

Schools are considered social institutions, and students and teachers are equal
participants in a “community of living and learning” (Breitborde & Swiniarski, 2006, p.
16). Moreover, schools’ hidden curriculum is fundamentally considered as much, if not
more, important to children’s future as the planned or written curriculum is.
Unfortunately, it is precisely the concept of hidden curriculum in schools that
homeschooling advocates at times use as the support for their decision to pull out
(Collom, 2005; Hanna, 2011; Hill, 2000; Safran, 2010). A study by Yzobelle Mangahas
Leon from Multiple Intelligence International School, Quezon City, Philippines.

Conceptual Framework

This phenomenological study aims to make people understand their

experiences and preference, and to relate them to the attached to the formula.

Education System

Traditional
Home Schooling
Schooling

Age Financial Stability Intellect

Schooling Schooling Schooling

Statement of the Problem

The purpose of this study is to provide information regarding homeschooling to know

whether it is advisable as a standalone educational system, and to answer the
following questions:

General Question: Among the two educational systems, which of the two is more
advisable for students?

Specific Questions:

1) How is homeschooling significant?

2) What would it be like to have a homeschooling system?
3) Why would people switch from traditional schooling to home schooling?
4) Can home schooling have the same result as traditional schooling?
5) Will our current education system be replaced with home schooling if it was
preferred?

After getting the similarities and differences, it will serve as a guide for our survey
questionnaires.

Hypothesis

The students to be asked will have a significant impact of the study regarding
their perception on Homeschooling.

Ho: There is no significant impact of the perceptions of students in regards

to homeschooling.

Significance of the Study

In conducting this research, this would open up ideas to the following:

STUDENTS: For students to be open-minded about certain topics, and to show that
learning does not always come from school.

TEACHERS: Teachers would get idea on how they can improve their ways of teaching
towards their teaching for the education system is dynamically continuous, and the
learning never stops.
PARENTS: Parents would realize how much their child’s environment would affect
their ability to learn, thus making sure that they would get the proper education for their
child by providing them the necessary things that they would need to face the real
world.

Scope and Limitation of the Study

For this study, we aim to get the perspective of the Senior High School students
in regards to the said educational system.

The study started on the 18th of February, 2019, this date was also the day we
chose this topic, and hence it became the starting date of the study. The expected date
to finish the study should be on my grade 12 as we will conduct chapters 4 and 5 by
then.

Definition of Terms

Didactic - intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior

motive.

Fourth Industrial Revolution - It is characterized by a fusion of technologies that is

blurring the lines between the physical, digital and biological spheres, collectively
referred to as cyber-physical

OSCY - Out-of-School Children and Youth, term used from a reference study

Trifocalization - Part of the reforms was the trifocalization of the education sector into
three governing bodies: the CHED for tertiary and graduate education, the Department
of Education (DepEd) for basic education and the Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority (TESDA) for technical-vocational and middle-level education.

Students – The students mentioned will be the Senior High School students of Laguna
State Polytechnic University – Los Baños Campus (LSPU – LB).
 Chapter II

Review of Related Literature

Presented in Chapter 2 are a few studies that can further help us with our research.
This chapter provides insights that can support our endeavors, below are the studies of
researchers and professionals who have cited their perspective on the subject matter:

Homeschooling in the Philippines can be classified under two groups: those who
are enrolled in a DepEd Accredited Homeschool Provider and those who are independent
homeschoolers.

So, what does it mean when you say independent homeschooling? Currently,
independent homeschooling is a term use if you are not connected to a DepEd
accredited homeschool provider (but enrolled in a foreign provider) or not
connected to any provider at all.

Most independent homeschoolers have the freedom of open curriculum. They get to
choose their own books and materials for their kids. Parents set their own schedule
and they do not worry about work submission schedules and deadlines. Most if not all,
uses the DepEd K to 12 curriculum as their guides.

Some independent homeschoolers also practice interest-led or child-led learning. This

means that they are working and following the child’s interest for their learning journey.

Being independent also means, parents take charge of everything. They need to keep
track of grades/levels (scheduling for the The Philippine Educational Placement
Test, PEPT for validating and accrediting knowledge and skills in academic areas | or
consider Alternative Learning System, ALS), and facilitate the necessary documents
and exams (like PVT – Philippine Validating Test) needed when the time comes for
the child to enter traditional school or college.
Homeschooling independently may be a practical option, as you need not pay
providers and buy required books. However, depending on the choices parents make
(for books/ curricula, extracurricular activities, field trips and the like) homeschooling,
even independently, can cost either a little or a lot.

Whether you are considering being an independent homeschooler, or enroll in a

homeschool provider, or even thinking of starting your homeschooling journey, there
are available support groups you can check and join. We are lucky these days that we
have several groups of homeschooling families, whether online or offline, who come
together to share information, educational resources, encouragement, and social
activities for the children.

Special thanks to a dear friend Laskmi Maluya for providing the information.
She is a proud product of independent homeschooling from preschool to high
school. She finished college (Education, Major in Early Childhood in Centro
Escolar University Mendiola) thru PEPT. She currently homeschools 2
daughters – one in grade 6 and the other in grade 10 and the eldest,
also homeschooled, is now in College. (http://www.filipinohomeschooler.com/independent-

homeschooling-in-philippines/)

Homeschooling isn't what it used to be. What largely started in the 1980s and
'90s as a way for Catholic parents to infuse religion into their kids' education now has more
mainstream appeal.

Homeschooled kids have the same access to online learning, friendships, and
extracurricular activities as the typical public school student — but without many of the
drawbacks, like standardized lesson plans and bullying.

Here are a handful of reasons homeschooling makes sense in 2018.

Personalized learning is a strong method of instruction.

The core idea of homeschooling is the idea that kids need to learn at the speed,
and in the style, most appropriate for them. In the education world, enthusiasts call the
approach "personalized learning," and it's in place in a number of schools already.
Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg are big fans of personalized learning, since it tends to use
technology as a way to tailor lesson plans to students. In a recent blog post, Gates pointed
to research that personalized learning helps boost scores in reading and math.

Homeschooling parents can take the method a step further. As parents, many are in the
best position possible to know, and provide, the right kind of instruction.

Students can learn more about what they really care about.

Without formal curricula to guide their education, homeschoolers get the chance to
explore a range of topics that might not be normally offered until high school or college.
They can study psychology in fourth grade, or finance in eighth grade.

Some parents are capable enough to pass on this knowledge themselves. But many
parents Business Insider has spoken with rely on online learning platforms like Khan
Academy or workbooks. Some take their older kids to local community colleges.

While many homeschool families do teach English, math, science, and history, education
is by no means limited just to those subjects.

Social media gives kids a way to form lasting friendships.

The most common misconception about homeschoolers is that they lack social
skills. Before the internet, there was some truth to the stereotype.

But today's students have just as much opportunity to see kids their own age as those in
private or public schools, and often without as much distraction. Homeschoolers still use
apps like Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook — which may foster unhealthy and
even addictive relationships to tech — but also lets them meet up with other
homeschoolers or those from traditional schools.

"They're doing just as well or better," Brian Ray, a homeschooling researcher at the
National Home Education Research Institute, told Business Insider.

Students don't deal with cliques or bullying.

Homeschoolers don't deal with all the downsides of being around kids in a toxic
school environment.
Plenty of critics argue these downsides are actually good for toughening kids up, but
kids who are bullied more often face symptoms of depression and anxiety, do worse in
class, and show up to school less frequently.

Homeschooled kids are able to learn in a more harmonious environment.

Schooling isn't set apart from the "real world."

Contrary to the name, homeschooling takes place in an actual home only a fraction
of the time. A great deal of instruction happens in community colleges, at libraries, or in the
halls of local museums.

These experiences have the effect of maturing kids much more quickly and cultivating "a
trait of open-mindedness," as Harvard junior and former homeschooler Claire Dickson told
Business Insider.

Since kids spend more time around adults in the "real world," they rarely come to see
school as set apart from other aspects of life.

Students may achieve more in the long run.

Homeschooling makes sense from an achievement point of view.

Research suggests homeschooled children tend to do better on standardized tests, stick

around longer in college, and do better once they're enrolled. A 2009 study of Michael
Cogan entitled: “Exploring Academic Outcomes of Homeschooled Students” showed that
the proportion of homeschoolers who graduated from college was about 67%, while among
public school students it was 59%.

Students from Catholic and private schools fell even lower in college graduation rates, with
54% and 51% of kids, respectively, completing all four years.
(https://www.businessinsider.com/reasons-homeschooling-is-the-smartest-way-to-teach-kids-today-
2018-1?fbclid=IwAR254n4mjKy4UPuqd11aHKmvj56hD4kKCfe_gtJSURwZ_vqsi6krgF6SNJs#students-
may-achieve-more-in-the-long-run-6)

A study dating back to July 7, 2016, stated that: “Last year, we started our official
first year of homeschooling. We enrolled with a homeschool provider TMA (The Master’s
Academy) to help us kick start our journey. It is now called Homeschool Global. We love
being connected with a homeschool provider that is DepEd accredited as they have helped
us to get things in a more structured way.”
Based on our experience here are the advantages of having a homeschool provider:

Accountability

Being connected to a homeschool program means there’s an organized way to

do things. The provider have advisers to guide us parents as we homeschool. There’s
the accountability for us, parents and the children, to follow and meet specific dates
and requirements.

Assessment

As we are following schedules, we have the requirements and assessments.

The portfolio review is done quarterly for us to keep track of our journey. It is beneficial
to our child for him to recall on what he learned or what projects he did. During the
assessment, they also work on their communication skills.

The portfolio review also gives us a different perspective. It’s another set of eyes,
evaluating the strengths of our child and we receive recommendations on what else
needs to be worked on.

Accreditation

This is one way to getting DepEd accreditation for our homeschool activities.
Unlike being an independent, the provider processes all the needed requirements and
issue the transcript of records. These documents are needed when the kids will be
eventually transitioning to traditional schools. As long as you comply with the timelines
and requirements of the provider there should be no problem in getting accreditation.

The provider also celebrate milestones like moving up. The graduation ceremony is
unique as children receive a character award from their parents aside from the
certificate of completion.

Support

Aside from assigned advisers, which can be contacted every so often for
inquiries and advice, the provider also arrange for play groups and extracurricular
activities for the kids. While the kids have their own sessions, parents (of preschoolers)
are also gathered together to learn from each other.

There are cooperatives where families can meet together in smaller groups on
a more regular basis. One thing I’m looking forward to this year is the improvements
for cooperatives to have better co-op placements such that enrolled families residing
in the same areas will be under the same group.

Being enrolled in an accredited provider worked well for us, even if we have dates to
meet and requirements to submit. This is because at TMA, we can still freely customize
the lessons. We have enough flexibility on what materials to use and what activities to
integrate with the lessons for our son.

Being connected with a homeschool provider makes the journey easier. I do not have
to stress with things that they can cover for me but instead focus on things that are
more important. (http://www.filipinohomeschooler.com/advantages-having-a-homeschool-provider/)
 Chapter III

Research Methodology

In this chapter, the proponents explain how we are going to conduct this study.

Research Design

This research is about the preference of students in regards to the education

system. We will use closed and open queries, to obtain data from respondents to assist in
our research.

Respondents of the Study

The researcher’s target audience for this study will be the Senior High School
students of LSPU. The proponents would like to know their stand on the subject matter.

Instrument Used

The proponents of the study prepares a set of questionnaires to be given to the

respective respondents. The questionnaire will consist of question related to the study. The
results will vary from the respondent’s answers.

Statistical Treatment

Information obtained from the respondents will be combined and tallied.

These answers will greatly help the proponents with their research. The answers will
be compared among the responses of different respondents to produce results. The
format we will use to get the response percentage of each question is:

Number of response
Percent
Over all respondents