Is Online School Really Homeschooling? A Conversation We Need to Have

Where does online school fit into the homeschooling conversation? In this week's episode, I sat down with Mindy to explore that question while unpacking the similarities and differences between public online education and traditional homeschooling. We discuss educational gaps, socialization, student safety, and why the rapid growth of homeschooling is forcing us to rethink how we define home-based education.We also dive into the broader cultural and political influence of the homeschooling movement, the role of regulation, and why nuanced conversations are essential if we want to improve educational outcomes without losing the flexibility that makes alternative education valuable. Whether you were homeschooled, attended online school, or are simply interested in education policy, this episode offers plenty to think about.Resources we mentionedLifetime Prevalence of Investigating Child Maltreatment Among US Children: https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/abs/10.2105/AJPH.2016.303545?journalCode=ajphHow a true believer’s flawed research helped legitimize home schooling: https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2023/12/11/brian-ray-homeschool-student-outcomes/The Christian home-schooler who made ‘parental rights’ a GOP rallying cry: https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/aug/31/the-christian-home-schooler-who-made-parental-righ/Ten Homeschooling Parent Myths Debunked: https://rlstollar.com/2025/06/06/ten-homeschooling-parent-myths-debunked/Online schools 'worse than traditional teachers': https://www.bbc.com/news/business-34671952Coalition for Responsible Home Education: https://crhe.orgHomeschooled by Stefan Merrill Block: https://bookshop.org/p/books/homeschooled-a-new-york-times-bestselling-memoir-and-read-with-jenna-pick-stefan-merrill-block/7e9b1465fdf608ff?ean=9781335000989&next=tConnect with MeNewsletter: https://exhsclub.beehiiv.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Ex-HomeschoolersClubInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/exhsclub/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exhsclubEmail me at [email protected]: https://exhsclub.substack.comChapters00:00 Welcome and Introductions01:14 Mindy’s Early Schooling01:47 Middle School Pressures05:23 Bullying and High School Fears07:57 Homeschool vs Online School10:28 Online School Day to Day11:21 Tutoring Center Realities13:11 Did Online School Work15:55 Why Study Homeschooling Now22:15 Guardrails and Learning Gaps26:22 Homeschooling Political Pipeline30:45 Shiny Happy People Connections32:54 Homeschool Political Grooming33:24 Lobby Days And Fake Scores35:14 HSlda And Child Safety Gaps39:20 Online School Under Homeschooling40:44 Mandated Reporters And CPS Fear43:32 Bullying And Queer Panic46:58 Unlearning Homophobia51:31 Defining Laws And New Models55:51 Parental Rights And Anti Vax Roots01:02:06 Research Myths And Data Needs01:04:29 Former Homeschoolers Speak Up01:07:37 Wrap Up And Community Invite