In my last Family Freedom Caller, I asked the question of whether those who had begun homeschooling would continue doing so.
Now we have a definitive answer to that question.
The greater question is: “Will the surge of homeschooling that began last year due to COVID-19 continue this year?”
The answer is YES!
Here are the 4 reasons the surge of homeschooling is continuing into the Fall 2021 semester:
1. Fear related to the Delta variant of COVID-19 is motivating parents to evaluate their schooling choices for fall.
According to the The Wall Street Journal, “the CDC on Tuesday issued murky new guidance, without backup evidence, recommending that vaccinated people resume wearing masks indoors in some cases because unpublished studies suggest they could transmit the virus. But on Thursday the Washington Post ran an alarmist story on an internal CDC slide presentation with the unpublished evidence, which triggered a media panic that could undermine vaccinations. Only on Friday afternoon did the agency release some of its evidence and offer a calmer explanation.”
The Wall Street Journal went on to say: “The CDC should be a source of fact and reason, not a hair-on-fire spreader of fear. The agency could start by explaining that Covid cases have been increasing across the U.S. and that more vaccinated individuals are testing positive. But most of these ‘breakthrough’ cases are mild or asymptomatic.”
As happened last year, fear and uncertainty regarding the new variant of the virus is driving many parents to take the homeschool plunge.
2. Most Texas public schools will not be offering online teaching as they did last year.
While many found online programs less than optimal, and even more said that trying to have students sit in front of a computer for six hours a day was unrealistic, it was at least a short-term functional option for some who are concerned about the virus’ impact on children.
Funding for online teaching died during the legislative session. For many families who have fear and uncertainty about in-person public school, their only alternative may be to homeschool.
3. The debate over Critical Race Theory that has become a heated topic in many school districts.
While many parents are working to get school districts to drop such curricula, some parents are simply bailing on the system and choosing to teach their children at home.
Parents are also viewing the effort to rewrite history through the 1619 Project (which has been opposed by many on both sides of the political spectrum) as an attack on not only our country but upon the founding documents of the country: the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
4. Many families who chose to homeschool their children last year have found it a good academic fit and a positive experience for their families.
In a recent poll of over 2,000 families who began homeschooling after January 2020, 72.2% of the families said they would continue doing so. Only 19% said they planned to send their children back to in-person school and 9% said they had not yet made a decision. Many of these parents who had such a positive experience are sharing their experiences with others, who may in turn choose to try homeschooling as well.
For these and a myriad of other powerful reasons, the homeschooling surge continues! Join THSC in our mission of Keeping Texas Families Free today!
In my last Family Freedom Caller, I asked the question of whether those who had begun homeschooling would continue doing so.
Now we have a definitive answer to that question.
The greater question is: “Will the surge of homeschooling that began last year due to COVID-19 continue this year?”
The answer is YES!
Here are the 4 reasons the surge of homeschooling is continuing into the Fall 2021 semester:
1. Fear related to the Delta variant of COVID-19 is motivating parents to evaluate their schooling choices for fall.
According to the The Wall Street Journal, “the CDC on Tuesday issued murky new guidance, without backup evidence, recommending that vaccinated people resume wearing masks indoors in some cases because unpublished studies suggest they could transmit the virus. But on Thursday the Washington Post ran an alarmist story on an internal CDC slide presentation with the unpublished evidence, which triggered a media panic that could undermine vaccinations. Only on Friday afternoon did the agency release some of its evidence and offer a calmer explanation.”
The Wall Street Journal went on to say: “The CDC should be a source of fact and reason, not a hair-on-fire spreader of fear. The agency could start by explaining that Covid cases have been increasing across the U.S. and that more vaccinated individuals are testing positive. But most of these ‘breakthrough’ cases are mild or asymptomatic.”
As happened last year, fear and uncertainty regarding the new variant of the virus is driving many parents to take the homeschool plunge.
2. Most Texas public schools will not be offering online teaching as they did last year.
While many found online programs less than optimal, and even more said that trying to have students sit in front of a computer for six hours a day was unrealistic, it was at least a short-term functional option for some who are concerned about the virus’ impact on children.
Funding for online teaching died during the legislative session. For many families who have fear and uncertainty about in-person public school, their only alternative may be to homeschool.
3. The debate over Critical Race Theory that has become a heated topic in many school districts.
While many parents are working to get school districts to drop such curricula, some parents are simply bailing on the system and choosing to teach their children at home.
Parents are also viewing the effort to rewrite history through the 1619 Project (which has been opposed by many on both sides of the political spectrum) as an attack on not only our country but upon the founding documents of the country: the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
4. Many families who chose to homeschool their children last year have found it a good academic fit and a positive experience for their families.
In a recent poll of over 2,000 families who began homeschooling after January 2020, 72.2% of the families said they would continue doing so. Only 19% said they planned to send their children back to in-person school and 9% said they had not yet made a decision. Many of these parents who had such a positive experience are sharing their experiences with others, who may in turn choose to try homeschooling as well.
For these and a myriad of other powerful reasons, the homeschooling surge continues! Join THSC in our mission of Keeping Texas Families Free today!
