Facts on Homeschooling
More than two million children in the United States were being homeschooled in 2010, according to a new study released January 4, 2011 by the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI).
Active and Visible in American Life
Dr. Brian Ray, in the most in-depth nationwide study on home education across the United States, collected data on 5,402 students from 1,657 families. Homeschool students’ academic achievement, on average, was significantly above that of public-school students. In addition, the home educated did well even if their parents were not certified teachers and if the state did not highly regulate homeschooling. *3
There were an estimated 1,700,000 to 2,100,000 children (grades K-12) home educated during 2002-2003 in the United States. Homeschooling appears to still be the fastest-growing form of education. *1
Home education families are not dependent on public, tax-funded resources – they likely save American taxpayers over $10 billion per year. *2
Social Activity and Emotional Development
- Studying actual observed behavior, Dr. Shyers (1992) found the home educated have significantly lower problem behavior scores than do their conventional school agemates *5
- Multiple studies show that the home educated have positive self-concepts *2
- Homeschool students are regularly engaged in field trips, scouting, 4-H, and community volunteer work, and their parents (i.e., their main role models) are significantly more civically involved than are public school parents *2
The Home Educated as Adults
- A study of adults who were home educated found that none were unemployed and none were on welfare, 94% said home education prepared them to be independent persons, 79% said it helped them interact with individuals from different levels of society, and they strongly supported the home education method.*7
- Regarding the critical thinking skills of college students, researchers found no significant differences among high school graduates of private schools, public schools, and homeschooling. *6
Two Million Children Homeschooled in US
More than two million children in the United States were being homeschooled in 2010, according to a new study released January 4, 2011 by the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI).
Estimates of the number of homeschooled students have been difficult to figure due to different state’s laws and other factors. This new study demonstrates that the growth of homeschooling in the past 30 years has been significant, growing from an estimated 20,000 homeschooled children to the present-day number.
Susan Beatty, general manager and co-founder of Christian Home Educators Association (CHEA) responds, “Widespread reaction to homeschooling has gone from ‘What is that? Is that legal?’ thirty years ago to, ‘I have a friend/relative who homeschools’ today. The growth of homeschooling has us in the mainstream category, and our graduates have proven that it works.”
“CHEA of California was pleased to participate with NHERI and HSDLA in this study. While homeschooling is widely accepted today, we need to continue our diligence with on-going research and supporting NHERI,” Beatty concludes.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau (2008) there were an estimated 54 million K–12 children in the U.S. in spring 2010, which means homeschoolers account for nearly 4% of the school-aged population, or 1 in 25 children.
The NHERI study used data from both government and private sources in order to arrive at the 2 million figure. View the entire study, including methods, at their website.
End Points
1. Lines, Patricia M. (1994, February). Homeschooling: Private choices and public obligations. Home School Researcher, 10(3), 9-26..
2. Ray, Brian D. (2002). A quick reference worldwide guide to homeschooling: Facts and stats on the benefits of home school, 2002?2003. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, Publ.
3. Ray, Brian D. (1997). Strengths of their own—Home schoolers across America: Academic achievement, family characteristics, and longitudinal traits. Salem, OR: National Home Education Research Institute.
4. Duvall, Steven F. (1994, August 30). The effects of home education on children with learning disabilities. A paper presented to the Home School Legal Defense Association..
5. Shyers, Larry E. (1992). A comparison of social adjustment between home and traditionally schooled students. Home School Researcher, 8(3), 1-8.
6. Oliveira (de Oliveira), Paulo C. M., Watson, Timothy G., & Sutton, Joe P. (1994). Differences in critical thinking skills among students educated in public schools, Christian schools, and home schools. Home School Researcher, 10(4), 1-8.
6. Oliveira (de Oliveira), Paulo C. M., Watson, Timothy G., & Sutton, Joe P. (1994). Differences in critical thinking skills among students educated in public schools, Christian schools, and home schools. Home School Researcher, 10(4), 1-8.
6. Knowles, J. Gary. (1991). Now we are adults: Attitudes, beliefs, and status of adults who were home-educated as children. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, April 3-7, Chicago IL. (facts01.d6,)