In the United States, the mainstream textbook publishing industry centers around three publishing giants--Houghton Mifflin, McGraw-Hill and Pearson Education. Public schools are the target market for these publishing companies, but their textbooks are highly adaptable to the needs of homeschoolers, too. The main advantage for opting with a mainstream publisher is the built-in assurance that your textbooks meet your state's homeschool requirements. Many homeschoolers also opt for mainstream publishers in an effort to keep their children in tune with the most widely used educational methods.
A 2007 National Household Educational Survey revealed that 36 percent of homeschools in the United States claim the most important reason for homeschooling is to "provide religious or moral instruction." Go to the average homeschool conference and you will see that Christian publishers are sensitive to this trend, and have a good corner of the homeschool market. The three largest Christian homeschool textbook publishers are A Beka Book, Alpha Omega Publications and BJU Press. A Beka Book was one of the first homeschool textbook publishers in the Christian market and offers an accredited homeschool program. Alpha Omega offers several lines of textbooks, each devoted to different methods of homeschooling. BJU Press offers textbooks with appealing visuals and strong biblical integration. All three offer complete curriculum for Kindergarten to grade 12 as well as distance-learning options.
When it comes to homeschooling children with special needs, many homeschool parents choose to write their own curriculum or adapt curriculum to meet their child's special needs. However, many smaller publishing companies offer high-quality textbooks and resources dedicated exclusively to special education. Two examples of these are Remedia Publications and Super Duper Publications. If you choose to adapt your curriculum, keep in mind that some publishers offer access to complimentary homeschool consultants who are more than happy to show you how to adapt their curriculum for special needs.
Textbook publishing companies are no strangers to controversy. In a 2004 "Edutopia" article, Tamim Ansary, a former textbook editor, claimed that the strict guidelines and political struggles within the textbook industry result in the "blanding of American textbooks." A 2009 Fox News report by Tucker Carlson, "The Trouble With Textbooks," further expressed that view. When choosing your homeschool textbooks--whether mainstream, Christian or eclectic--remember that there is an agenda of some sort behind all textbooks.
Don't let the large quantity of homeschool textbook options overwhelm you. If you are new to homeschooling, consider joining a homeschool support group. The friends you make there will offer insight that only homeschoolers who use the textbooks can know.
Research the strengths and weaknesses of homeschool textbook publishing companies and then choose your textbooks accordingly. Only you know your educational philosophy, goals of your homeschool and needs of your children.