Homeschooling has experienced a rise in popularity over the past several decades. During the 2019–20 school year, an estimated
9 million or 7 percent of U. S.
K–12 students reported being homeschooled. As the public school system continues to be challenged and as educational technology advances, homeschooling could become even more mainstream.
The rise in homeschooling could also have a positive impact on families that are facing financial hardship. This article will explore the possible reasons for the increase in homeschooling, the potential effects of this trend, and the potential implications for traditional school systems.
1. Reasons for the Increase in Homeschooling
Parents are increasingly turning to homeschooling as an educational option, and there are several factors that may contribute to this trend. For example, increased availability of educational resources, improved educational technology, and greater flexibility may prompt parents to consider homeschooling. In terms of educational resources, homeschooling parents have much more access to information and support than ever before.
There are books, online courses, educational websites and apps, and an array of online support groups geared towards homeschoolers. As a result, parents may feel more confident that they can meet the educational needs of their child without sending them to school.
Educational technology has also become more advanced, which has enabled parents to more easily provide a rich educational experience to their children. Online tutor programs, Virtual Reality simulations, and robotics kits have allowed parents to set up their homeschooling to match the demands of the 21st-century job market.
Flexibility is another likely factor in the rise of homeschooling. According to the National Home Education Network, over 90% of homeschooling families listed “flexibility in scheduling” as one of their top three reasons for homeschooling. This has allowed parents more freedom to customize their children’s education and to tailor it to their own family’s unique life circumstances.
2. Potential Effects of the Increase in Homeschooling
The rise in homeschooling could have a range of effects. First, it could lead to greater parental involvement in children’s education.
With homeschooling, parents are able to take a more hands-on role in their child’s education, which could lead to improved academic performance. Second, the rise in homeschooling could also lead to greater opportunities for students who may not be able to attend traditional school. For families who are facing financial difficulties, homeschooling may be an attractive option because it does not require parents to pay for supplies or school fees.
Homeschooling could also be beneficial for students with physical or mental disabilities, as parents can tailor their homeschooling curriculum to their child’s individual needs. Third, homeschooling could also lead to greater cultural, religious, and racial diversity in schools. As parents have greater control over what their children learn, they may be more likely to introduce their children to a wider range of cultural and religious teachings.
This could have a positive impact on students’ understanding of people of different backgrounds and could help them become more open-minded and accepting.
3. Impact on Traditional School Systems
The trend of an increasing number of families choosing homeschooling could potentially have an effect on traditional school systems. With fewer students attending traditional schools, districts may be forced to reduce their budgets.
This could lead to teacher and staff layoffs, less funding for extracurricular activities and supplies, and an overall decline in the quality of education. Additionally, homeschooling could also further widen the achievement gap between wealthy and low-income school districts. Low-income districts may not have the resources to adequately support the students who remain in their schools after many have chosen to homeschool, leading to a decrease in the overall educational quality in these areas.
Finally, homeschooling could create access issues for students who may not have access to the technology and resources needed for homeschooling. These students may end up not getting an education at all, leading to a greater inequity in education across the country.
Conclusion
Homeschooling has experienced a rise in popularity over the past several decades, and there may be several reasons why this trend is occurring. However, this trend could potentially have a number of implications for traditional school systems, including reducing budgets, widening the achievement gap between wealthy and low-income school districts, and creating access issues for students who may not have access to the technology and resources needed for homeschooling.
It remains to be seen how the increase in homeschooling will impact traditional school systems, but it is clear that the trend could have a wide-reaching effect on the future of education.