Trends in Homeschooling Numbers

It is a fairly constant theme in media reports that homeschooling is experiencing "explosive growth." In fact, OHEC believes that homeschooling has peaked in growth in several states and may be declining in some others. Certainly, there was growth during the decade between the mid-1980's to the mid-1990's. (As an aside, the decline trends of the numbers began before the introduction of cyber charter schools so that is not a factor in the impetus for the trend changes.)

The growth of homeschooling during that decade was most likely attributable to the growing realization on the part of many parents that homeschooling works. Parents were also encountering a growing number of homeschoolers out and about in the world and saw the benefits of homeschooling first hand.

As most homeschoolers will admit, it takes a deep commitment to homeschool. Although it has been an extremely welcoming community over the years, we doubt that anyone believes that homeschooling is for everyone. We are not surprised that a leveling of the numbers or slight declines would be experienced at this point in time. For those who want to homeschool, the opportunity will remain. But, we believe one would be foolish to categorize homeschooling as a "growth industry."