Homeschool Leaders – Dr. Brian Ray

Dr. Brian Ray is one of the founders of the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) and currently president of the non-profit research organization. Founded in 1990, some of the work that NHERI does includes working with legislators on issues relating to parental rights and children’s rights and serving as conference speakers for groups interested in homeschooling.

About Dr. Brian Ray

To the role of president at NHERI, Dr. Brian Ray brings experience as a classroom teacher in middle school and high school in both public and private schools and an undergraduate college professor and a university professor at the graduate level. His educational qualifications include a Ph.D. in science education from Oregon State University, an M.S. in zoology from Ohio University, and a B.S. in biology from the University of Puget Sound. Dr. Ray “...is a leading international expert with regard to homeschool (home school, home education) research. Dr. Ray executes and publishes research (see list below), speaks to the public, testifies before legislators, and serves as an expert witness in courts.” (https://www.nheri.org/about-nheri/)

Dr. Ray and his wife, Betsy, have been married 42 years and have eight children, all of whom have been homeschooled.

Published works by Dr. Brian Ray

As a researcher, Brian Ray has the influence of the data he compiles on homeschooling to be equipped with an opinion about various aspects of home education and the benefits of parents educating their children. Here is a short list describing some of the many published articles and books by Dr. Ray which shows his vast knowledge of educational approaches.

An overview of the worldwide rise and expansion of home education homeschooling
A systematic review of the empirical research on selected aspects of homeschooling as a school choice
African American homeschool parents’ motivations for homeschooling and their black children’s academic achievement
A description and brief history of homeschooling in America
Academic achievement and demographic traits of homeschool students: A nationwide study
Homeschooling in Canada
Home schooling for individual’s gain and society’s common good

In addition to researching and writing on homeschooling and related topics, Dr. Ray has also been interviewed on podcasts including:

Homeschooling Research

Whether someone is new to homeschooling, has been homeschooling for many years, or is simply interested in learning more about the latest information on homeschooling research, there is sure to be something to learn from Dr. Brian Ray. Dr. Ray regularly provides updates about homeschooling facts and figures on Facts on Homeschooling on NHERI. Another resource that is available to learn more about homeschooling research is the Home School Researcher Journal.

What does NHERI do?

From the organization’s website, these are the reasons NHERI exists:

To research, study, and understand those who teach their children at home
To publish the peer-reviewed research journal called the Home School Researcher, which chronicles the current research being done about homeschooling
To speak to the media, legislators, and national organizations about the homeschooling movement, showing factual evidence-based research about those who teach their children at home
To serve as conference speakers and teachers for groups interested in homeschooling
To work with legislators on issues related to parental rights and children’s rights, freedom that parents — internationally and globally — have to teach their children at home, and homeschoolers coordinating with local school officials

Articles and Publications in The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine

Dr. Brian Ray is a regular contributor to The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, bringing his perspective of parent-led education and how the institutional settings of public education fall short in many ways.

Homeschooling Skyrockets During Government Lockdowns, Summer 2021

Comparing Two Forms of Public Schooling: What Relevance to Homeschooling?, Spring 2021

What Does Forty Years of Research Say to New Homeschool Families?, Winter 2020

30 Years of Helping Homeschool Families, Fall 2020

Homeschool leaders, like Dr. Brian Ray, are important in supporting the research of the benefits of homeschooling and advocating for and working with legislators to help protect and guarantee the rights of parents and children to homeschool. To learn more about Dr. Brian Ray and NHERI and sign up for free research updates, visit https://www.nheri.org/.

This article has been written by homeschooling staff writers of The Canadian Schoolhouse (TCS). Enjoy more of our content from TCS contributors and staff writers by visiting our Front Door page that has content on our monthly theme and links to all our content sections.