The Rise of Homeschooling Post-Pandemic: A Permanent Shift or Temporary Trend?

The Rise of Homeschooling Post-Pandemic: A Permanent Shift or Temporary Trend?

BY: NATASHA JASPERSON

homeschool

When the COVID-19 pandemic forced schools into remote learning in 2020, millions of families found themselves navigating the unfamiliar territory of schooling from home, while others found themselves opting for homeschooling. For many, what began as a necessity has become a preferred long-term option as parents discovered a flexible, personalized option for education. By the close of the 2022-2023 school year, there were 3.62 million homeschooled students, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey. As the world returns to a semblance of normalcy, many wonder if homeschooling enrollment will continue to increase or if many will revert to traditional schooling. 

A 2023 report by The Washington Post found, “In states with comparable enrollment figures, the number of homeschooled students increased 51 percent over the past six school years, far outpacing the 7 percent growth in private school enrollment. Public school enrollment dropped 4 percent in those states over the same period, a decline partly attributed to homeschooling.” This trend shows a shift in how families view education and their ability to seek alternatives. 

The National Home Education Research Institute reported, “The homeschool population has grown at an estimated 2% to 8% per year over the past several years.” This report shows that the annual number of homeschooled students continues to grow. There were “an estimated 3.135 million school-age (K-12) homeschool students in the United States during the 2021-2022 school year.” These numbers represent a 16% decline in homeschooled students from the preceding year, but the numbers are still higher than in the prior two years.

A New Norm for Many Families

For many families, the decision to continue homeschooling beyond the pandemic was influenced by their positive experiences. They found a significant advantage in crafting their child’s curriculum to fit their specific needs and interests. They also found they could provide a safer environment, free from bullying and the threat of school shootings. Parents discovered that homeschooling offered a way to engage more directly with their child’s education and that they could foster closer family bonds. 

Tiffany Burcham, a homeschool mom of four from Decatur, Illinois, said, “All four kids have drastically changed. They used to always be arguing and fighting and didn’t want to really do anything. I also find myself less stressed and more patient. They never wanted to go to school, but they are eager and excited to do school work at home.” Mrs. Burcham chose to homeschool due to safety concerns with traditional schools. Her children range in age from 6 to 10 years old.

Many parents have discovered the advantages of homeschooling, from an individualized curriculum to the flexibility of setting their own schedules. This newfound appreciation for homeschooling is one reason families have chosen to stick with it. Many homeschoolers test above average on standardized testing when they are used. The NHERI reported, “The home-educated typically score 15 to 25 percentile points above public-school students on standardized academic achievement tests.” Parents have found their children learn better in the comfort of home.

The Impact on Traditional Schools

Many fear that the increase in homeschool enrollment will impact public school funding. However, homeschooling advocates believe this fear is largely unfounded. The shift towards homeschooling is not sufficient enough to greatly affect public school funding. Despite the dramatic increase in homeschooling in 2020, the numbers still aren’t large enough to impact public school decisions. Many homeschooling families do not receive public funding and, therefore, are not diverting resources away from traditional schools.

Chelsea Waite with the Center on Reinventing Education said, “Many school district leaders I’ve spoken to have bigger fish to fry than to address enrollment loss due to homeschooling or to question what might make homeschooling families stay.”

Homeschooling’s growth does offer traditional schools the opportunity to reassess and improve their offerings. This could lead to innovations that would enhance education quality. Traditional schools have been encouraged to integrate more personalized learning options, technology, and flexible schedules. Many public schools are working towards hybrid options for students and families. The presence of a homeschooling community can foster collaboration between public schools and homeschoolers through shared resources, extracurricular activities, and part-time enrollment options. 

Waite said, “There are some district and school leaders who are very tuned into the idea that some families would like more flexibility in their schedules and their student’s learning experiences. I’m starting to see some schools offer hybrid schedules and/or virtual learning options that allow for a mix of learning at home and learning at school, as well as accessing school curriculum. And overall, I do see a lot of public schools with a more “innovative” orientation that are trying to create more personalized, interest-driven, community-embedded learning experiences, such as those that many homeschooling families value.”

A Growing Market for Homeschooling Resources

The market for homeschooling resources has expanded rapidly as homeschooling gains in popularity. The options available for homeschooling families have never been more varied or accessible. There are local co-ops that offer personalized group learning and peer interaction and online curricula that can be tailored to individual students. The industry is set to provide for families exponentially, making it a viable option for many. Micro-schools offer a small learning community option for homeschooling families where multiple ages learn together through project-based learning.

According to a 2023 report by Adroit Market Research, “The market for homeschooling is expected to expand from 5.41 billion in 2019 to 10.14 billion in 2029.”

Education companies have tapped into the market and offer various options designed for homeschooling. Some of the key companies include Abeka, BrainPOP, Compass, Duolingo, Khan Academy, IXL, and Sonlight. The increase in online learning platforms has made it easier for many families to transition to homeschooling.  

The Future of Homeschooling

Whether homeschooling will continue to expand or the numbers recede as traditional schools stabilize remains to be seen. The reports show growth to continue exponentially; however, the numbers still remain low enough that homeschooling’s growth will not detrimentally affect public school funding. For some families, the flexibility, personalization, and safety of homeschooling will continue to outweigh the decision to return to a conventional school setting.

Others are beginning to return to traditional schools as they implement new safety measures and expand options like hybrid learning. For some families, the social aspects of traditional schools are a big reason to return. The level of peer interaction continues to be seen as more prominent in conventional schools.

The rise in homeschooling represents a significant shift in how education is viewed in the United States.

As families continue to explore and define what works best for their children, the educational landscape will become more diverse. Whether this rise in homeschooling represents a permanent shift or a temporary trend, its impact on traditional education systems will be felt for years to come. 

homeschooling
Scroll to Top