Cynicism, Trust, and Internal-External Locus of Control Among Home Educated Students

Home education, also known colloquially as home schooling, has been on the rise for the past two decades. Estimates of the number home educated students range from 1.7% to 3% of the student population (Blok, 2003). It has gained legitimacy as noted by its evolution from being prohibited in 30 states in 1980 to now being legal in all fifty states (Blok, 2003). Probably the greatest sign of this new legitimacy is its general acceptance and positive coverage in the media where home education is presented as a viable alternative to traditional schooling. Often stories present some exceptional and phenomenal successes, which are portrayed against a backdrop of public school failings (Medlin, 2000)