Homeschooling Offers Oklahoma Families Flexibility, Connection

Chances are, if you have school-aged children, you’ve considered homeschooling once or twice. For many, the thought of teaching their children at home can feel daunting. For others, it’s intriguing.

Tulsan Kathryn Johnson, a mother of four, didn’t grow up as a homeschooler but now homeschools her two older children.

“I thought homeschooling was kind of weird growing up,” Johnson said. “I bought into the stereotype that homeschool kids were weird.”

After extensively researching homeschooling, Johnson decided it was the right choice for her family when her oldest child was 2.

Now, seven years later, Johnson shares homeschooling resources and encouragement through her Instagram account, @homewithmytinies.

Why families homeschool

Families typically choose to homeschool for four reasons, said Jonathan Bartlett, president of Homeschool Oklahoma, an organization dedicated to promoting, protecting, encouraging and equipping homeschoolers in the state.

The first reason is extended family time.

“Homeschooling gives you 10,000 more hours with your kids,” Bartlett said.

The second reason is religious.

“People want to raise their family in the faith that they hold, and they sometimes feel that’s undermined at school,” he said.

Third, special circumstances prompt some families to homeschool.

“If your kid has an illness or trouble at school, homeschooling gives you the freedom to educate however you need,” Bartlett said.

Finally, distrust of government leads some families to choose homeschooling, he said.

For Johnson, the decision was about spending more time with her children.

“We homeschool so that we can have slow mornings and time together. We can have quiet evenings together, not rushing around,” she said.

Grace Gunn, 12, just finished her second year of homeschooling. Before that, she attended a private school in Tulsa. She said her favorite aspects of homeschooling are flexibility and “sleeping in.”

Her mother, Rebecca Gunn, said homeschooling has benefited Grace because it allows her to focus on her individual needs.

“She can spend time on what she needs to focus more on and less where she doesn’t,” Gunn said. Gunn also enjoys that she gets to spend more time with her kids.

For Johnson, whose oldest child is 9, one of the highlights of homeschooling has been watching her children learn to read.

“We have time to read books together, and I can tailor each child’s education to their strengths and weaknesses,” she said.

What about socialization?

While homeschooling offers numerous perks, critics sometimes raise concerns about socialization.

Bartlett said homeschooling has evolved significantly since he was a kid in the 1990s.

“The homeschooling community has grown and built its own momentum,” he said. “Now, homeschoolers have every opportunity that kids in public and private schools have.”

For example, the Northeast Oklahoma Association of Homeschools Jaguars, a large sports organization, recently had its football season opener at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. Additionally, homeschoolers swept several categories in the 2024 Discovery Awards for musical theater.

“We have an incredible homeschool community, and that itself is drawing people,” Bartlett said.

Homeschooling in Oklahoma

Freedom is another major factor drawing families to homeschooling. Homeschool Oklahoma advocates for minimal government interference with home education.

Oklahoma law places no restrictions or requirements on homeschooling. It is the only state with a constitutional provision guaranteeing the right to homeschool. If families teach for 180 days, they can legally operate a homeschool program according to their own guidelines.

A homeschool tax credit exists in Oklahoma. Beginning with tax year 2024, taxpayers may claim a refundable income tax credit of up to $1,000 per homeschooled student for qualified expenses. However, Homeschool Oklahoma would prefer to have no tax credit in Oklahoma.

“We’ve been trying to get that removed from legislation since it was enacted,” Bartlett said. “We don’t want anything from other people. We just want freedom to operate in a manner consistent with our families’ values.”

Is homeschooling right for you?

Each family must make its own decision about education. While homeschooling offers more family time, less rushing and freedom to customize education, it also has challenges.

“I don’t have as much time to myself, and my house is always messy because we’re literally here all the time,” Johnson said.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many parents were forced to educate their children at home due to school closures.

“That wasn’t homeschooling; it was crisis schooling,” Johnson said. “That put a bad taste in some people’s mouths about homeschooling.”

If you’re interested in homeschooling, many resources can help you decide if it’s the right fit for your family. While it isn’t the best choice for everyone, it can enhance a child’s education and strengthen family dynamics.

“I realize it isn’t the best fit for every family,” Johnson said. “It’s the best fit for our family. I always try to encourage people: If homeschooling is something you want to do, I’m confident that you could do it.”

Resources

The Tulsa City-County Library website offers a number of homeschooling resources, from co-ops to extracurricular activities to local resources and tutors: tulsalibrary.org/homeschooling-tulsa-area

Homeschool Oklahoma offers virtual seminars: homeschooloklahoma.org/homeschooling/basic-steps/you-can-homeschool-virtual-seminars

Recommendations from Kathryn Johnson:

• Homeschool Sisters Podcast
• The Peaceful Press curriculum

Lindsay Morris is a native Tulsan, mom, writer and full-time marketing/communications professional. She is the founder of Tulsa Places, where she highlights local businesses and fun things to do.