Homeschooling oversight: What needs to be fixed and what is missed?

GHENT, WV (WVNS) – Homeschooling is becoming a more popular form of education around the nation and in the Mountain State. Since the death of 14-year-old Kyneddi Miller, a homeschooled teen who was found in an emaciated state in her Boone County home in April, concerns are growing surrounding the system.

Depending on the household, homeschooling is sometimes preferred over public schools.

In some instances, oversight can be an issue, and this raises an important question.

What issues do oversight bring to the table for homeschooled students and homeschooling in general?

Gary Hough, Superintendent of Fayette County Schools, said in many situations, people do not follow the rules, but hopes these concerns can be addressed soon.

“We also have people that do attempt to scoot around the system. We’re actually meeting on the 25th with the legislative delegation, our board is, to talk about what concerns we have with what I consider, someone who is trying to escape or go through loopholes,” said Hough.

Kyneddi Miller’s case raises concerns about homeschooling, especially how something like this could fly under the radar in West Virginia’s education system.

Jamie Buckland, Founder of West Virginia Families United for Education, said these concerns need to be addressed and it needs to happen immediately.

“I think that the conversation is necessary and I’m glad at that we are having the conversation about homeschooling and accountability in alternative methods to education. I think that it’s an important conversation and that we should be having it. I think it’s sad we are having it because of a tragedy in Kynnedi’s situation,” said Buckland to 59News.

Buckland said homeschooling can be a great opportunity, but it depends on the household.

She said now is the time for those experienced in homeschooling and stakeholders to come together to educate on how this is not an issue with the homeschool code, but rather an issue with the other government agencies who failed to enforce the code as it is.

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