Homeschooling Gifted Learners: An Australian Perspective

Homeschooling has been a growing movement worldwide since the 1970s and a research topic for the last 30 years in Australia. Despite this body of knowledge, no studies have focused specifically on gifted homeschooling in this country. Using a qualitative approach, 10 mothers of 10 gifted children were interviewed; data were analysed using qualitative content analysis methodology. Five major themes emerged: (1) homeschooling motivations, (2) giftedness challenges, (3) homeschooling provision, (4) facilitators for homeschooling, and (5) barriers to homeschooling. In the findings, it was suggested that homeschooling is chosen for the majority of families as a healing process from a school system that has damaged them emotionally and cognitively. Families of gifted children value the freedom and flexibility of the homeschooling option to encourage their gifted children’s abilities and interests. The outcomes of this study present a clearer understanding of the decisional and implementation processes of home schooling carried out by families of gifted learners and its effect on their lives.