Homeschooling/Unschooling in Gifted Education

This chapter discusses the lived experiences of one parent of a profoundly gifted student. Parental perceptions of gifted programming in the public school system, parental reasons for leaving the public school system, and the alternative schooling designs of homeschooling and unschooling are discussed. Further discussed is the parental perception of the general lack of knowledge teacher educators possess in regards to highly, exceptionally, and profoundly gifted students. Parent recognition and discussion of the incompatibility between the traditional schooling system and their child's personal characteristics is a main theme. Parental design of new educational experiences to meet the unique needs of their individual child is shared. Insights into the alternative education practices of homeschooling and unschooling for highly and profoundly gifted students, as well as one parent's perspective of the current school system, are shared with teacher education faculty preparing new teachers to work with gifted students.