Hello everyone! Let’s dive into a topic that’s becoming increasingly important for parents across the United States: homeschooling.
Now, homeschooling has been around for quite a while—Florida, for instance, first legalized it back in 1985. At that time, it was mostly conservative and Christian families who were drawn to the idea, largely to provide religious or moral instruction in line with their beliefs.
Fast forward to today, and the homeschooling landscape looks very different. It’s no longer just about religious education; homeschooling has exploded in popularity for a wide range of reasons, especially in Florida. To give you some perspective, from 2017 to 2022, Florida’s homeschool population grew nearly 70 times faster than public school enrollment in the state! That’s one of the highest rates in the entire country.
So, what’s driving this surge? Well, a lot of it has to do with parents wanting more control over their children’s education. The COVID-19 pandemic played a huge role in this shift. When public schools closed and switched to remote learning, many parents saw an opportunity to take their children’s education into their own hands. And it’s not just homeschooling that’s seen a rise—private school enrollment has also been on the upswing.
According to a national survey by the Cato Institute, private school enrollment continued to grow from the 2022-23 school year to the 2023-24 school year, although not as rapidly as during the peak of the pandemic. Nearly half of private schools reported an increase in enrollment last year, and while some schools saw no change or even a decline, the overall trend shows a growing interest in alternatives to public education.
Homeschooling, in particular, has seen remarkable growth. The National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) notes that the number of homeschooled students in grades K-12 has been growing by 2% to 8% per year in recent years. But between 2019 and 2021, that number jumped significantly. By the 2021-2022 school year, there were approximately 3.1 million homeschooled students across America.
This surge in homeschooling is part of a broader movement towards giving parents more options when it comes to their children’s education. There’s a big push to expand taxpayer-funded voucher programs and education savings accounts, which would give parents the financial flexibility to choose the best educational setting for their kids, whether that’s a private school, a charter school, or homeschooling.
Of course, not everyone is on board with these changes. Teachers unions, in particular, have pushed back against the expansion of school choice programs, arguing that they divert much-needed funds away from public schools. But it’s not just a liberal versus conservative issue. Even in conservative districts, there’s concern about the cost of expanding these programs.
With students heading back to class, it’s clear that the conversation around education is more dynamic than ever. Parents are demanding a bigger say in how and where their children are educated, and they’re exploring all their options. Whether it’s through homeschooling, private schools, or other alternatives, families are looking for the best fit for their needs in an ever-evolving education landscape.
As the demand for educational freedom continues to grow, we’ll likely see even more changes on the horizon. Stay tuned—this is one conversation that’s far from over!
