Homeschooling: «Learning in a special context»
Mr Klauser, what conditions must unschoolers fulfil?
Authorisation for home schooling is granted if certain guidelines are largely met or will be met. We are aware that there must be a certain amount of leeway for home schooling in terms of organisation, content and design. Incidentally, we do not speak of «unschoolers»; learning takes place in a special context.
How do you test the academic abilities of unschoolers, and are there grades?
Performance is assessed by means of arranged tests, primarily in maths and German (secondary level I also in foreign languages). No grades are awarded. The test results are only one element of monitoring and are intended to support parents in determining where they stand. In addition, the Office for Primary Education periodically takes a look at learning diaries, student work, etc. and students are visited on site once a year if possible.
How would you rate the children's learning progress and level of education?
The children with home schooling represent a very heterogeneous group in terms of learning progress and performance. Some children reach a very high level, others can only just fulfil the basic expectations. Without being supported by empirical results, there are no systematic differences in this respect.
Why is Appenzell more liberal than other cantons when it comes to education?
The Office for Primary Education is committed to ensuring that as many children as possible attend primary school in an inclusive manner. However, the home-schooling options are alternatives defined by law. It is only in the last ten years that the number of children with home schooling has increased, in the majority of cases due to parents moving in. As part of the upcoming revision of the law, the authorisation criteria will be discussed politically. The current «liberal» solution respects the particularly high degree of responsibility of parents who, on the one hand, accompany their children in their learning and, on the other hand, promote the social and emotional development of their children in home schooling.
Information on authorisations: www.ar.ch
