Research Hub

On the left side of this page, you'll discover a curated collection of articles from leading researchers in the homeschooling field, including insights from Dr. Brian Ray (NHERI.org) and valuable resources from HSLDA.org, among others. Be sure to revisit often, as we are continuously expanding this list with the latest research and information to support your homeschooling journey.

Homeschooling Through the Years:
A Statistical Journey

The homeschooling movement has come a long way since its humble beginnings in the 1980s. Here's a timeline that highlights some of the key statistics and research milestones that have shaped the growth and acceptance of this alternative educational approach:

1980s: The Early Years

  • In 1983, the U.S. Department of Education estimated that there were approximately 10,000 to 15,000 homeschooled children nationwide (HSLDA, n.d.).
  • By the late 1980s, this number had grown to around 300,000 homeschooled students, reflecting the movement's steady rise (Ray, 2016).

1990s: Gaining Momentum

  • In 1994, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reported that there were approximately 345,000 homeschooled children in the United States (Ray, 2016).
  • By 1999, this number had nearly tripled, with an estimated 850,000 homeschooled students, according to the NCES (Ray, 2016).

2000s: Continued Growth and Research

  • In 2003, the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) estimated that there were around 1.1 million homeschooled children in the United States (Ray, 2016).
  • By 2007, the NCES reported that the homeschool population had grown to approximately 1.5 million students (Ray, 2016).
  • In 2009, NHERI's research revealed that homeschooled students scored higher than their public school peers on standardized academic achievement tests (Ray, 2009).

2010s: Unprecedented Expansion

  • In 2012, NHERI estimated that there were approximately 1.8 million homeschooled students in the United States (Ray, 2016).
  • By 2016, this number had risen to an estimated 2.3 million homeschooled children, according to NHERI (Ray, 2016).
  • A 2019 study by NHERI found that homeschooled students typically scored 15 to 30 percentile points above public school students on standardized academic achievement tests (Ray, 2019).

2020s: The COVID-19 Impact

  • During the COVID-19 pandemic, homeschooling experienced a significant surge, with NHERI estimating that the homeschool population grew by between 5% and 10% in 2020 alone (Ray, 2022).
  • As of 2022, NHERI estimated that there were approximately 3.7 million homeschooled students in the United States, representing a remarkable growth trajectory (Ray, 2022).

As these statistics demonstrate, the homeschooling movement has evolved from a niche phenomenon to a widely accepted and rapidly growing educational alternative. With its emphasis on personalized learning, academic achievement, and family values, homeschooling continues to attract families seeking a tailored approach to education.

Sources:

HSLDA. (n.d.). A Brief History of Homeschooling. Home School Legal Defense Association. Retrieved from https://hslda.org/post/a-brief-history-of-homeschooling 

Ray, B. D. (2016). Research Facts on Homeschooling. National Home Education Research Institute. Retrieved from https://www.nheri.org/research-facts-on-homeschooling/ 

Ray, B. D. (2009). Academic Achievement and Demographic Traits of Homeschool Students: A Nationwide Study. National Home Education Research Institute. Retrieved from https://www.nheri.org/research-reports/academic-achievement-and-demographic-traits-of-homeschool-students-a-nationwide-study/ 

Ray, B. D. (2019). Homeschool Student Academic Achievement: Evidence from 2019 and Previous Years. National Home Education Research Institute. Retrieved from https://www.nheri.org/research-reports/homeschool-student-academic-achievement-evidence-from-2019-and-previous-years/ 

Ray, B. D. (2022). COVID-19 and Homeschooling: An Early Look at the Data. National Home Education Research Institute. Retrieved from https://www.nheri.org/covid-19-and-homeschooling-an-early-look-at-the-data/

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