How common is unschooling aka autonomous education in the US?

No one really knows how many unschoolers there are in the US; we don't even know for sure how many homeschoolers there are. In many states, we're not required to notify the state or the district - we just homeschool. (However, there are likely well over 2,000,000 homeschoolers in the US; 1 - 1,500,000 is the number that are registered.) However, unschooling as a form of homeschooling is becoming more and more popular; as with almost any form of homeschooling, the parents determine requirements for graduation and evaluate when those requirements are met. Unschooling students can receive a diploma just like anyone else - though it's really transcripts and test scores that will matter. Quite frankly, in the 16 years since I graduated, I've never had to show my diploma to anyone. A diploma just indicates that you finished your coursework for graduation - that can be earned in any form of homeschooling. And honestly, there are a lot of methods of homeschooling besides school at home and ...  more