Homeschooling popularity ‘soars’ across the U.S.

The popularity of homeschooling is exploding across the United States, far outpacing enrollment growth in public schools and other educational options. The National Home Education Research Institute contends homeschooling is the fastest growing form of education in America, with an estimated 2.3 million students now learning at home, according to the organization’s website.

KTHV recently documented the exponential growth of homeschooling in Arkansas:

According to the State Department of Education, during the 1995-1996 school year, there were 5,755 students enrolled in home schooling. 10 years ago, that number more than doubled, with 13,814 students home-schooled. 20 years later, it has nearly quadrupled, with 19,229 students being home-schooled last school year.

Cindy Hogue, director of the state’s Office of Educational Options, told the news site the growing popularity of homeschooling shouldn’t come as a surprise.

“There is a lot of curriculum out there. There are so many support groups to help parents now. So they feel more secure doing it,” she said. “They aren’t all on their own like they used to be.”

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