Challenging the School Boundaries: Exploring Challenges and Opportunities in Homeschooling Engineering Education

Authors

Luis Montero-Moguel, University of Texas at San AntonioFollow
Cynthia Lima, University of Texas at San AntonioFollow
Guadalupe Carmona, University of Texas at San AntonioFollow
Verónica Vargas-Alejo, University of GuadalajaraFollow

Author ORCID Identifier

orcid.org/0000-0002-9009-1377

Abstract

Homeschooling sparks controversy regarding the quality of education when compared to the traditional schooling system. However, homeschooling rates have doubled nationwide since the pandemic, especially among minorities. Funding and curricular material resources may be limited for homeschooling families, especially those from diverse backgrounds. Therefore, this essay discusses the need to expand the current boundaries of engineering education to include homeschooling communities. Drawing from our homeschooling experience, we present three recommendations that respect the cultures and unique characteristics of homeschooling to promote engineering practices in these communities. Our proposal challenges negative perceptions of homeschooling, enhancing our understanding of its unique characteristics to foster a strong engineering education preparation for all students.

Recommended Citation

Montero-Moguel, L., Lima, C., Carmona, G., & Vargas-Alejo, V. (2025). Challenging the School Boundaries: Exploring Challenges and Opportunities in Homeschooling Engineering Education. Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research (J-PEER), 15(1), Article 2.
https://doi.org/10.7771/2157-9288.1414