Homeschooling on the Rise During COVID-19 Pandemic

America Counts: Stories Behind the Numbers

A mother looks at one of her daughters' schoolwork during a homeschooling session.

Homeschooling on the Rise During COVID-19 Pandemic

Homeschooling is a legal instructional option in all 50 states and national homeschooling rates grew rapidly from 1999 to 2012 but had since remained steady at around 3.3%.

However, the global COVID-19 pandemic has sparked new interest in homeschooling and the appeal of alternative school arrangements has suddenly exploded.

So, how significantly have homeschooling rates increased during the pandemic?

The U.S. Census Bureau’s experimental Household Pulse Survey, the first data source to offer both a national and state-level look at the impact of COVID-19 on homeschooling rates, shows a substantial increase from last spring — when the pandemic took hold — to the start of the 2020-2021 school year.

Continue reading to learn more about:

Meeting education, health needs
Differences by race and Hispanic origin
Differences by state
Differences by metro area

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