Homeschooling is on the rise in the U.S., according to two new studies. The studies found that many families changed how they thought about education during the pandemic and are sticking with that new approach. National Center for Education Statistics investigation A survey released this month by the Department of Education found that 5.2% of U.S. children (ages 5-17) are receiving classes from home in the 2022-23 school year, up from 3.7% who fell into the same category in the 2018-19 school year.
The data includes homeschooling and full-time virtual education: In 2022-23, 3.4% of children were homeschooled and 2.5% were in full-time virtual education, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Reasons cited as important by homeschooling parents included “concerns about the environment at other schools” (83%), “desire to provide moral education” (75%), “desire to prioritize family life” (72%), “dissatisfaction with academic instruction at other schools” (72%), and “desire to provide religious education” (53%).
A separate survey released this summer by the U.S. Census Bureau found that about 6% of U.S. children were homeschooled in 2022-23, up from an estimated 2.8% in 2019, before the pandemic. EducationNext The same 2022-23 census data revealed that 10% of U.S. students attend private schools and 84% attend public schools, according to the report.
This is the first federal report on homeschooling in the U.S. since the pandemic began. There's no doubt that homeschooling has increased significantly. It also shows staying power: Parents are trying it and finding that it works for their kids. https://t.co/97rKIUEjw1
— Will Estrada (@Will_Estrada) September 18, 2024
“Alaska has the highest rate of homeschooling at 12.6 percent, followed by Tennessee (9 percent) and West Virginia (8.9 percent),” Education Next reports. “Conversely, Rhode Island (2.9 percent), Massachusetts (3.1 percent), and New York (3.2 percent) have the lowest rates of homeschooling in the nation.”
Kelly D. Ingraham, a senior fellow at the Discovery Institute and director of its Center on Reforming American Education, said many parents want their children to “escape the far-left political indoctrination that dominates K-12 public education classrooms today.”
“Of course, the transition to homeschooling is not without challenges,” Ingraham wrote. Discovery Institute Column Investigating the rise of homeschooling: “But the benefits of parents exercising their right to decide what their children learn are enormous. Parents have witnessed firsthand the renewed enthusiasm, curiosity and excitement their children have about learning. Restored family time is an added benefit.”
“The bottom line is that families pushed out of public schools are reaping the benefits of homeschooling,” Ingraham added. “While homeschooling isn't for everyone, more families than ever before are finding it transformative for their children and teens. This rise in attractive education options is sure to continue.”
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Michael Faust He has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years, and his work has appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Chronicle, Toronto Star and Knoxville News Sentinel.
