Home Ed post-grad research

[spottycloud]

My LA's EHE officer has asked me to take part in some post-grad research which he's currently supporting and which he says could influence government decision-making regarding HE in the future. We had a bit of a bad start when I dereg-ed my daughter, as the first 2 letters from the LA were rather threatening and mentioned the "duty" to monitor education provision, but that issue was sorted eventually with them coming back to me saying that they didn't have the duty to monitor the education, nor review our provision annually. I'm quite happy for now, but still feeling a bit wary of having to deal with them more than I should...

I've not been told what taking part would involve, but am wary of taking part in case it would take up a lot of my time and commitment as we're already very busy on most days. I've heard on another HE group that there are currently a few EHE post-grad research studies going on. I wonder if any HE-ers here on Mumsnet are already helping out with any ongoing EHE research studies and what taking part would/might involve?

Most of all I'm concerned about whether there might be any issues I should take into careful consideration before agreeing to take part in such a thing? I would love to be able to help better the HE situation in UK, if my taking part would do just that... but on the other hand, I'm just wondering if now is too early... and maybe I should wait a bit until I feel comfortable with my LA to do it. I think perhaps what I'm uncomfortable with is that the LA's EHE person is now acting as the go-between - sort of, even though I've been assured they would not be party to any of the discussions I'll have with the post-grad students doing the research. Perhaps I am being paranoid?!

Would like to hear any of your thoughts or experiences with this sort of thing.

[julienoshoes]

I'd want to know who is doing this research and why they think it will affect Government policy before I went anywhere near anything being promoted by a LA.

SOOOOOOOO many people want to do research on HE-I suppose we are relatively different from other people.
I tend now only to support research being done by actual home educators..........other people don't seem to understand and ask questions that simply don't fit with HE as I know it.
Sounds selfish I know but I have done so many now and got so frustrated.

[Saracen]

"I tend now only to support research being done by actual home educators..........other people don't seem to understand and ask questions that simply don't fit with HE as I know it."

That's an excellent point. I find that my responses often consist of just telling the researchers why they are asking the wrong questions!! Which I don't mind doing, because some of them may take the message on board, but it's discouraging to think that there may be a load of c**p results appearing in due course from researchers who have committed to producing something in this area and aren't able/willing to go learn the basics first.

Some non-HE people do seem to "get" home education, but it's rare for anyone to understand it at all if they haven't read up a fair bit or else spent quite a lot of time with HE famiiles.

It could be worth asking the researcher what experience he or she already has of home education. If the answer is little or none, you could point out to the LA that it's difficult to do proper research without a suitable background in the area. A general "education" background is likely to be unsuitable.

[milou2]

I'd send a carefully thought out list of resources you have found to be helpful as you have explored home education.

Respectfully ask the LA and the researcher to do their own reading rather than rely on other people. While they are at it they could home educate their own children if that is appropriate.

I'm feeling annoyed as I have put in so many hours to get to my present understanding. The info I relied on is right here on Mumsnet, home ed magazines, books, websites and blogs. It is not some sort of private mystery.

If the researchers want to really push the boat out, why don't they do all their reading online in French, German or other language. They will get to the same answers whichever path they choose.

[spottycloud]

Thank you all! I get the impression, from all who've responded, that most HE research done by non-HEors tend to be a bit of a waste of time and a frustrating experience. I don't think I'll be doing it now. Currently I'm signed on to a HE research conducted by a Cambridge PhD student. I don't think I'll be getting involved in any more HE researches for the time being.