Census Bureau: Significant increase seen in home schooling in Texas during pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on the Texas education system, a state where an increase in home schooling has been reported.

A Household Pulse Survey by the U.S. Census Bureau revealed a notable home school increase between the 2019-2020 academic year and 2020-21.

“Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey shows significant increase in home-schooling rates in the U.S. in fall 2020," the bureau reported. In a chart that breaks the numbers down by state, Texas showed a 7.8% increase, growing from 4.5% in spring 2020 to 12.3% in fall 2020.

Education Week reports that with rising concerns over the safety of children in school during the pandemic, 9% of parents who were not home schooling their children expressed an interest in doing so this year. The numbers could rise further with statistics showing parents might want to continue home schooling even after the pandemic.

Early numbers indicate that the growth in home schooling nationwide and in Texas due to COVID-19 is substantial, the Federation for Children reported. A recent survey from Real Clear Opinions found that 40% of registered voters were more likely to enroll their children in a home school or a virtual school after the coronavirus.

There has been a spike in withdrawals from public schools, as reported by The Texas Home School Coalition (THSC). It noted withdrawal increase spikes of 1,700% in July 2020, 400% in August 2020, and 400% in September in comparison to the previous year.

Home schooling is expected to provide a major boost to the economy and Texas could save an estimated $7 billion annually if about 670,000 students are home schooled in the state, according to Gallup.

Besides reducing the risk of spread of the coronavirus, home schooling has proven to be beneficial over the years. The Texas Homeschool Coalition points to benefits such as academic excellence and independent growth. 

Although all 50 states offer the home school option, home-schooling percentages vary from state to state due to the differences in COVID-19 regulations, the number of cases reported as well as in-person learning restrictions.