3 Takeaways from the Latest Home Education Surveys

The National Center for Education Statistics recently released the results of its quadrennial home education surveys. Featuring information gathered from 2015-16, the report offers the most comprehensive statistical information on homeschooling in the United States. Check out three of the most significant takeaways from the latest home education surveys as summarized by Rachel Coleman, the executive director of the Coalition for Responsible Home Education.

1. The number of homeschooled children dipped from 3.4% to 3.3%.
Overall, the number of homeschooled children declined from 1,770,000 in 2011-2012 to 1,704,000 in 2015-2016.

2. The rate of high school students being homeschooled is on the rise.
It is possible that the rise in virtual education has led to an increase in the number of high school students being homeschooled. In 2011-2012, at least one-fifth of all homeschooled students were enrolled in online courses through a public school.

3. Only 16% of homeschoolers reported a desire to provide religious instruction as the most important reason for homeschooling.
Parents who selected religion as a reason to homeschool overall declined from 64% to 51%. When asked to select the reasons they decided to homeschool, the highest percentage of parents mentioned a concern about the environment of other schools, such as safety, drugs, or negative peer pressure.