NHES PFI Homeschool version

The National Household Education Survey

A Survey About Homeschooling in America

Thank you for helping us with this survey. Based on the information we received from your household in your last survey, we’re asking you to complete this final step.

S

U.S. Department of Education

National Center for Education Statistics

ponsored by

Instructions

• In response to the survey you answered earlier, we recorded that the child/youth listed below is currently homeschooled for at least some classes. If this child attends public or private school instead of homeschooling, or is not homeschooled for kindergarten through 12^th grade or equivalent, please call us at the toll-free number below so we can be sure you received the correct survey.

• These questions should be filled in by a parent or guardian who knows about:

Please answer all the survey questions thinking about this child or youth.

• To answer a question, simply mark  the box that best represents your answer.

• Please use a black or blue pen, if available to complete this survey.

• If this questionnaire has been sent to the wrong household or the child/youth listed above does not live here, please call to let us know.

• Our toll-free number is 1-888-880-3033.

We are authorized to collect this information by Section 9543, 20 US Code. You do not have to provide the information requested. However, the information you provide will help the Department of Education’s ongoing efforts to learn more about the educational experiences of children and families. There are no penalties should you choose not to participate in this study. Your answers may be used only for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed, or used, in identifiable form for any other purpose except as required by law (Section 9573, 20 US Code). Your responses will be combined with those from other participants to produce summary statistics and reports.

This survey is estimated to take an average of 20 minutes, including time for reviewing instructions, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to: Andrew Zukerberg National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, 1990 K Street NW, Room 9036, Washington, DC 20006-5650. Do not return the completed form to this address.

1 . Child’s Homeschooling

► Thank you for your help with the previous survey your household completed.

► Answer all the survey questions thinking about the child listed below:

1. Who is the person that mainly provides this child’s home instruction?

• Mother

• Father

• Grandparent

• Brother/sister

• Another person

Who is that?

2. Is any of this child’s home instruction provided by a private tutor or teacher?

• No

• Yes

3. Is any of this child’s instruction provided by a local homeschooling group or co-op?

• No

• Yes

4. Does this child attend a public or private school or a college or university for instruction?

• N o

• Yes

5 . What type of school(s) does this child attend?

M ark all that apply.

• Public school (K-12)

• Private school (K-12)

• College, community college, or university

6. How many hours each week does this child usually go to a school for instruction? Do not include time spent in extracurricular activities.

hours

7 . What grade or year would this child be in if he/she was attending school?

Mark ONE only.

• Kindergarten

Grade (1 through 12)

8. These next questions ask you to estimate the amount of time you homeschool this child.

A. How many days each week is this child homeschooled?

days each week

B. About how many total hours each week is he/she homeschooled?

hours per week

9. Since September, has this child participated in activities with other children who are homeschooled?

• No

• Yes

10. Which of the following statements best

describes the teaching style used to homeschool this child?

Mark ONE only.

• We strictly follow a formal curriculum.

• We mostly follow a formal curriculum, but also use informal learning (i.e. child-led learning, "teaching moments").

• We mostly use informal learning, but sometimes use a formal curriculum.

• We always use informal learning, and never follow a formal curriculum.

11. Thinking about sources of curriculum or

books you use to homeschool this child, please tell us about all the sources that apply to you.

Since September, have you used materials from...

Mark ONE box for each item below.

		No ▼		Yes ▼
a.	A public library?
b.	A homeschooling catalog, publisher, or individual who specializes in homeschooling materials?
c.	Another educational publisher?
d.	A homeschooling organization?
e.	A church, synagogue, or other religious organization?
f.	Your local public school or school district?
g.	A private school?
h.	A bookstore or other store (including online)?
i.	Websites, excluding retailers?
j.	O ther source— Specify:

12. In the past year, have you or another family member taken any courses, either online or in-person, to help you prepare your child’s home instruction?

• No

• Yes, both online and in-person

• Yes, online only

• Yes, in-person only

1 3. Some homeschooled children take courses over the internet taught by people outside the household. Is this child receiving any instruction this way?

• N o

• Yes

14. Is that instruction provided by any of the following places?

M ark all that apply.

• Your local public school

• A charter school

• Another public school

• A private school

• A college, community college, or university

• Offered by my state

• S omeplace else—Specify:

15. Is there a charge or fee for that instruction?

• No

• Yes

1 6. Thinking about typical grade levels, for

which grades was this child schooled at home for at least some classes or subjects?

M ark all that apply.

Include the current year.

Elementary through Middle school

• Kindergarten (Including transitional K and Pre-first grade)

• First grade

• Second grade

• Third grade

• Fourth grade

• Fifth grade

• Sixth grade

• Seventh grade

• Eighth grade

High School

• Ninth grade - freshman

• Tenth grade - sophomore

• Eleventh grade - junior

• Twelfth grade - senior

17. There are many different reasons that parents choose to homeschool their children. Did your family choose to homeschool this child because:

M ark ONE box for each item below.

		No ▼		Yes ▼
a.	You are concerned about the school environment, such as safety, drugs, or negative peer pressure?
b.	You are dissatisfied with the academic instruction at other schools?
c.	You prefer to teach this child at home so that you can provide religious instruction?
d.	You prefer to teach this child at home so that you can provide moral instruction?
e.	This child has a physical or mental health problem that has lasted six months or more?
f.	This child has a temporary illness that prevents him/her from going to school?
g.	This child has other special needs that you feel the school can’t or won’t meet?
h.	You are interested in a nontraditional approach to children’s education?
i.	You have another reason for homeschooling your child?

S pecify:

1 8. Of the reasons your family chose to homeschool this child, which one would you say is the most important to you?

Write the letter from question 17 for the most important reason you chose to homeschool your child.

letter from question 17

19. How far do you expect this child to go

in his/her education?

Mark ONE only.

• Complete less than a high school diploma

• Graduate from high school

• Attend a vocational or technical school after high school

• Attend two or more years of college

• Earn a bachelor’s degree

• Earn a graduate degree or professional degree beyond a bachelor's

20. Thinking about all years this child has been homeschooled, which of the following subject areas has this child been taught during his or her home instruction?

M ark all that apply.

• Art

• Music

• Basic algebra (Algebra I)

• Advanced algebra (Algebra II)

• Geometry

• Calculus

• Probability

• Scientific inquiry or experiments

• Earth sciences or geology

• Biology

• Chemistry or physics

• Geography

• English or literature

• Computer science (e.g., computer programming)

• Social science, history, social studies

• Foreign language

► Continue with Section 2, question 21 on the next page.

2. Family Activities

21. In the past week, has anyone in your family done the following things with this child?

M ark ONE box for each item below.

			No ▼		Yes ▼
a.	Told him/her a story (Do not include reading to this child.)
b.	Done activities like arts and crafts, coloring, painting, pasting, or using clay
c.	Played board games or did puzzles with him/her
d.	Worked on a project like building, making, or fixing something……..
e.	Played sports, active games, or exercised together
f.	Discussed with him/her how to manage time
g.	Talked with him/her about the family’s history or ethnic heritage

22. In the past week, how many days has your family eaten the evening meal together?

Write ‘0’ if none.

days

2 3. In the past month, has anyone in your

family done the following things with this child?

M ark ONE box for each item below.

		No ▼	Yes ▼
a.	Visited a library
b.	Visited a bookstore
c.	Gone to a play, concert, or other live show
d.	Visited an art gallery, museum, or historical site
e.	Visited a zoo or aquarium
f.	Attended an event sponsored by a community, religious, or ethnic group
g.	Attended an athletic or sporting event outside of school in which this child was not a player

24. Does your family participate in the activities or meetings of a local homeschooling association, co-op, or other local homeschool group?

• N o

• Yes

25. Since September, how many times has your family gone to meetings or participated in the activities of a local homeschooling association, co-op, or other local homeschool group?

number of times

26. Is your family or someone in your household a member of a national homeschooling organization?

• No

• Yes

3. Child’s Health

27. In general, how would you describe this child’s health?

• Excellent

• Very good

• Good

• Fair

• Poor

28. Has a health or education professional told you that this child has any of the following conditions?

Mark ONE box for each item below.

		No ▼	Yes ▼
a.	A specific learning disability
b.	An orthopedic impairment
c.	A speech or language impairment
d.	A serious emotional disturbance.
e.	Deafness or another hearing impairment
f.	Blindness or another visual impairment not corrected with glasses
g.	Intellectual disabilities
h.	Autism
i.	Pervasive Developmental Disorder or PDD
j.	Attention deficit disorder, ADD or ADHD
k.	Developmental delays
l.	Traumatic brain injury…………..
m.	Another health impairment lasting 6 months or more……….

29. Did you mark yes to any condition in question 28?

• N o

• Y es

30. Is this child receiving services for his/her condition?

• N o

• Y es

31. Are these services provided by any of the following sources?

M ark ONE box for each item below.

		No ▼	Yes ▼
a.	Your local school district
b.	A state or local health or social service agency
c.	A doctor, clinic, or other health care provider

32. Are any of these services provided through an Individualized Educational Program (IEP)?

• N o

• Y es

33. Did any adult in your household work with the service provider or school to develop or change this child’s IEP?

• No

• Yes

34. During this school year, to what extent have you been satisfied or dissatisfied with the following aspects of this child’s IEP?

a . The service provider’s or school’s communication with your family?

• Very satisfied

• Somewhat satisfied

• Somewhat dissatisfied

• Very dissatisfied

• Does not apply

b. The child’s special needs teacher or therapist?

• Very satisfied

• Somewhat satisfied

• Somewhat dissatisfied

• Very dissatisfied

• Does not apply

c. The service provider’s or school’s ability to accommodate the child’s special needs?

• Very satisfied

• Somewhat satisfied

• Somewhat dissatisfied

• Very dissatisfied

• Does not apply

d. The service provider’s or school’s commitment to help your child learn?

• Very satisfied

• Somewhat satisfied

• Somewhat dissatisfied

• Very dissatisfied

• Does not apply

35. Is this child currently enrolled in any special education classes or services?

• No

• Yes

36. Does this child’s condition interfere with his/her ability to do any of the following things?

M ark ONE box for each item below.

• Child no longer has condition

		No ▼	Yes ▼
a.	Learn?................................... ….
b.	Participate in sports, clubs, or other organized activities?.........
c.	Attend school on a regular basis?........................................
d.	Make friends?............................

► Continue with Section 4, question 37 on the next page.

4. Child’s Background

37. In what month and year was this child born?

month year

38. Where was this child born?

• O ne of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia

• One of the U.S. territories

(Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, or Mariana Islands)

• Another country

39. How old was this child when he/she first moved to the 50 United States or the District of Columbia?

age

40. Is this child of Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino origin?

• No

• Yes

41. What is this child’s race? You may mark one or more races.

• American Indian or Alaska Native

• Asian

• Black or African American

• Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander

• White

42. For this school year, does this child usually live at this address or another address (for example because of a joint custody arrangement)?

Do not include vacation properties.

• Child usually lives at this address

• Child usually lives at another address

43. What language does this child speak most at home?

Mark ONE only.

• C hild is not

a ble to speak

• English

• Spanish

• A language other than English or Spanish

• English and Spanish equally

• English and another language equally

44. Is this child currently enrolled in English as a second language, bilingual education, or an English immersion program?

• No

• Yes

► Continue with Section 5, question 45 on the next page.

5

. Child’s Family

PARENT 1 LIVING IN HOUSEHOLD- Answer questions 45 to 61 about yourself if you are the child’s parent or guardian.

If you are not the child’s parent or guardian, answer questions 45 to 61 about one of this child’s parents or guardians living in the household.

45. Is this parent or guardian the child’s…

• Biological parent

• Adoptive parent

• Step parent

• Foster parent

• Grandparent

• Other guardian

46. Is this person male or female?

• Male

• Female

47. What is the current marital or partner status of this parent or guardian?

M ark ONE only.

• Married

• In a registered domestic partnership or civil union

• Living with a partner

• Separated

• Divorced

• Widowed

• Never married

4 8. What was the first language this parent or guardian learned to speak?

M ark ONE only.

• E nglish

• Spanish

• A language other than English or Spanish

• English and Spanish equally

• English and another language equally

49. What language does this person speak most at home now?

M ark ONE only.

• English

• Spanish

• A language other than English or Spanish

• English and Spanish equally

• English and another language equally

50. Where was this parent or guardian born?

• O ne of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia

• One of the U.S. territories

(Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, or Mariana Islands)

• Another country

51. How old was this person when he or she first moved to the 50 United States or the District of Columbia?

age

52. Is this person of Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino origin?

• No

• Yes

5 3. What is this person’s race? You may mark one or more races.

• American Indian or Alaska Native

• Asian

• Black or African American

• Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander

• White

54. What is the highest grade or level of school

that this parent or guardian completed?

M ark ONE only.

• 8^th grade or less

• High school, but no diploma

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED)

• Vocational diploma after high school

• Some college, but no degree

• Associate’s degree (AA, AS)

• Bachelor’s degree (BA, BS)

• Some graduate or professional education but no degree

• Master’s degree (MA, MS)

• Doctorate degree (PhD, EdD)

• Professional degree beyond Bachelor’s degree (MD, DDS, JD, LLB)

55. Is he or she currently attending or enrolled in a school, college, university, or adult learning center, or receiving vocational education or job training?

• No

• Yes

5 6. Which of the following best describes this person’s employment status?

M ark ONE only.

• Employed for pay or income

• Self employed

• U nemployed or

o ut of work

• S tay at home

parent

• R etired

• Disabled or

unable to work

57. (If employed or self employed) About how many hours per week does he or she usually work for pay or income, counting all jobs?

hours

58. (If unemployed or out of work) Has this parent or guardian been actively looking for work in the past 4 weeks?

• No

• Yes

59. In the past 12 months, how many months (if any) has this person worked for pay or income?

Months

6 0. How old is this person?

Age

61. How old was this person when he or she first became a parent to any child?

Age

• D on’t know

PARENT 2 LIVING IN HOUSEHOLD - Answer questions 62 to 79 about a second parent or guardian living in the household.

62. Is there a second parent or guardian living in this household?

• N o

• Yes

63. Is this person the child’s…

• Biological parent

• Adoptive parent

• Step parent

• Foster parent

• Grandparent

• Other guardian

64. Is this person male or female?

• Male

• Female

65.What is the current marital or partner status of this parent or guardian?

M ark ONE only.

• Married

• In a registered domestic partnership or civil union

• Living with a partner

• Separated

• Divorced

• Widowed

• Never married

6 6. What was the first language this parent or guardian learned to speak?

M ark ONE only.

• E nglish

• Spanish

• A language other than English or Spanish

• English and Spanish equally

• English and another language equally

67.What language does this person speak most at home now?

M ark ONE only.

• English

• Spanish

• A language other than English or Spanish

• English and Spanish equally

• English and another language equally

68. Where was this parent or guardian born?

• O ne of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia

• One of the U.S. territories

(Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, or Mariana Islands)

• Another country

69. How old was this person when he or she first moved to the 50 United States or the District of Columbia?

age

7 0. Is this person of Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino origin?

• No

• Yes

71. What is this person’s race? You may mark one or more races.

• American Indian or Alaska Native

• Asian

• Black or African American

• Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander

• White

72. What is the highest grade or level of school that this parent or guardian completed?

Mark [X] ONE only.

• 8^th grade or less

• High school, but no diploma

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED)

• Vocational diploma after high school

• Some college, but no degree

• Associate’s degree (AA, AS)

• Bachelor’s degree (BA, BS)

• Some graduate or professional education but no degree

• Master’s degree (MA, MS)

• Doctorate degree (PhD, EdD)

• Professional degree beyond Bachelor’s degree (MD, DDS, JD, LLB)

7 3. Is he or she currently attending or enrolled in a school, college, university, or adult learning center, or receiving vocational education or job training?

• No

• Y es

74. Which of the following best describes this person’s employment status?

M ark ONE only.

• Employed for pay or income

• Self employed

• U nemployed or

o ut of work

• S tay at home

parent

• R etired

• Disabled or

unable to work

75. (If employed or self employed) About how many hours per week does he or she usually work for pay or income, counting all jobs?

hours

76. (If unemployed or out of work) Has this parent or guardian been actively looking for work in the past 4 weeks?

• No

• Yes

77. In the past 12 months, how many months (if any) has this person worked for pay or income?

months

78. How old is this person?

Age

79. How old was this person when he or she first became a parent to any child?

Age

• Don’t know

► Continue with Section 6, question 80 on the next page.

6. Your Household

80. Including yourself, how many total people live in this household?

people

81. Other than the parents or guardians already reported, how many of the following people live in the household with this child?

Write ‘0’ if none.

Example:

B

2

rother(s)

This child’s….	Number
Brother(s)…………...
Sister(s)……………..
Aunt(s)………………
Uncle(s)……………..
Grandmother(s)…….
Grandfather(s)……...
Cousin(s)……………
Parent’s girlfriend/ boyfriend/ partner….
Other relative(s)…...
Other nonrelative(s).

8 2. How are you related to this child?

M ark ONE only.

• Mother

(birth, adoptive, step, or foster)

• Father

(birth, adoptive, step, or foster)

• Aunt

• Uncle

• Grandmother

• Grandfather

• Parent’s girlfriend/ boyfriend/ partner

• O ther relationship – Specify:

83. What language(s) are spoken at home by the adults in this household?

M ark all that apply.

• English

• Spanish or Spanish Creole

• French (including Patois, Creole, Cajun)

• Chinese

• O ther languages – Specify:

84. Is this house…

Mark ONE only.

• Owned or being bought by someone in this household,

• Rented by someone in this household, or

• Occupied by some other arrangement?

8 5. Other than this address does anyone in this household currently receive mail at another address including P.O. Boxes?

• No

• Yes

86. In the past 12 months, did your family ever receive benefits from any of the following programs?

M ark ONE box for each item below.

		No ▼	Yes ▼
a.	Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF
b.	Your state welfare or family assistance program
c.	Women, Infants, and Children, or WIC
d.	Food Stamps
e.	Medicaid
f.	Child Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
g.	Section 8 Housing assistance

87. Which category best fits the total income of all persons in your household over the past 12 months?

Include your own income.

Include money from jobs or other earnings, pensions, interest, rent, Social Security payments, and so on.

• $0 to $10,000

• $10,001 to $20,000

• $20,001 to $30,000

• $30,001 to $40,000

• $40,001 to $50,000

• $50,001 to $60,000

• $60,001 to $75,000

• $75,001 to $100,000

• $100,001 to $150,000

• $150,001 or more

88. How many years have you lived at this address?

Write ‘0’ if less than 1 year.

years at this address

89. Do you have access to the internet at this address?

• No

• Yes

90. Is there at least one telephone inside this home that is currently working and not a cell phone?

• No

• Yes

9 1. Do you have a working cell phone?

• N o

• Y es

92. Of all the telephone calls that you receive are…

• all or almost all calls received on cell phones,

• some received on cell phones and some on regular phones, or

• very few or none on cell phones?

Commonly Asked Questions

Q: How did you get my address?

A: Your address was randomly selected from among all of the home addresses in the nation. It was selected using scientific sampling methods to represent other households in the U.S.

Q: Why should I take part in this study? Do I have to do this?

A: You represent thousands of other households like yours, and you cannot be replaced. Your answers and opinions are very important to the success of this study. You may choose not to answer any or all questions in this survey. In order for the survey to be representative it is important that you complete and return this questionnaire.

Q: How will the information I provide be used?

A: Your responses will be combined with those of others to produce statistical summaries and reports. Your individual data will not be reported. Your answers may be used only for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed, or used, in identifiable form for any other purpose except as required by law (Section 9573, 20 U.S. Code).

Q: How will my response help the Department of Education?

A: The Department of Education wants to understand the condition of education in the United States. This survey is the only way that the Department of Education can learn about homeschooling from your perspective. It is the Department of Education’s primary source of information on homeschooling in America. Your responses will be combined with those from other households to inform educators, policy makers, schools and universities about changes in the condition of education in the United States.  Reports from past surveys can be found at http://nces.ed.gov/nhes.

Q: I have more than one child in my household. Will I receive additional surveys for the other children in my household?

A: No, each household will receive a survey for only one child, even if there are multiple children living in the household. In households with multiple children, one child was randomly selected to be included in the study.

Q: Who is sponsoring the study? Is this study conducted by the Federal Government?

A: The National Center for Education Statistics, within the Department of Education, is authorized to conduct this study (Section 9543, 20 U.S. Code). Westat has been contracted to conduct this study. This study has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget, the office that reviews all federally sponsored surveys. The approval number assigned to this study is 1850-0768. You may send any comments about this survey, including its length, to the Federal Government. Write to: Andrew Zukerberg, National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, 1990 K Street NW, Room 9036, Washington, DC 20006-5650. You may send e-mail to [email protected].

Q: Who is Westat?

A: Westat is a research company located in Rockville, Maryland. Westat is conducting this survey under contract to the U.S. Department of Education. If you have any questions about the study contact Westat toll-free at 1-888-880-3033.