The number of home-schooled children in the U.S. more than doubled from 1999 to 2012 from 850,000 to 1.773 million, says a study released this week by the National Center for Education Statistics. Researchers estimate that 31 percent of all home-schooled children live in rural areas, though such areas account for 15 percent or less of the U.S. population. The study found that 3.6 percent of all rural children are home-schooled, compared to 1.6 percent in suburban areas and 1.5 percent in cities. (NCES graphic: Sources of curriculum and books for home schoolers)
Researchers used data from the 2012 NCES Parent and Family Involvement in Education Survey of parents of 17,563 school-age students. They found that among all home-schooled children, 31 percent of parents had a high-school education or less, 30 percent had some vocational or technical college education, 25 percent a bachelor's degree and 14 percent a graduate degree.
Among home schoolers, 91 percent said concern about school environments, such as safety, drugs and negative peer pressure, was an important reason why they home-schooled; 25 percent said it was the most important reason. Being able to provide religious instruction was cited by 17 percent as the most important reason, and by 61 percent as an important reason. Dissatisfaction with academic instruction at schools was the most important reason for 19 percent and an important reason for 74 percent.
Among home schoolers, 91 percent said concern about school environments, such as safety, drugs and negative peer pressure, was an important reason why they home-schooled; 25 percent said it was the most important reason. Being able to provide religious instruction was cited by 17 percent as the most important reason, and by 61 percent as an important reason. Dissatisfaction with academic instruction at schools was the most important reason for 19 percent and an important reason for 74 percent.
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