For Interview Scheduling
Contact: Stephen Howsley
Phone: (469) 759-0375
Email: Stephen.Howsley@thsc.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Public School Withdrawals to Homeschool Rise 40%

LUBBOCK, TEXAS – According to the most recent data released by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) in an open records request to the Texas Home School Coalition (THSC), withdrawals from public school to homeschool in the spring of 2021 were 40% up over the prior year.

More recent accurate data from the TEA, including withdrawal rates from the fall of 2021 and spring of 2022, will not be available until next spring.

We fielded 1,702 inquiries from new homeschoolers this past August. That is below the August 2020 numbers (3,500 inquiries) and 2021 peak numbers (13,000 inquiries) but still within the range of pre-covid August numbers, which averaged between 1,500 and 2,000 inquiries each August.

So far, the data shows that the rate of homeschooling families going back to public school has not increased.

While we don’t have any definitive data on how the tragedy in Uvalde is driving decisions to homeschool, we do often see a spike in homeschooling following mass shootings. We also know that concern about safety and the school environment are the reasons that parents cite as the most important reasons they chose to homeschool.

Based on U.S. Census data, we estimate that there are currently 750,000 homeschool students in Texas; this is more than all private and charter school students combined.

Statistically, homeschooled students significantly outperform their public school peers on standardized tests. This remains true regardless of the education level of the parent, the income level of the family, or the level of state regulation on homeschooling.

THSC remains ready to serve and be a resource for all Texas prospective, new and veteran homeschoolers as we have been since 1986.

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Stephen Howsley, THSC Assistant Manager of Public Policy

Currently the Assistant Manager of Public Policy for the Texas Home School Coalition, Stephen has been working with THSC since 2014. A homeschool graduate himself, he passionately believes in fighting for families’ rights to homeschool. Stephen joined the THSC team as an intern during the second legislative session that THSC had Watchmen in Austin. In addition to having had campaign and mock legislature experience before this, the 2015 Texas Legislature is where Stephen really found his passion for public policy and lobbying. Stephen and his beautiful wife Emma live in Austin, Texas, with their children. In their free time, they love spending time in their community, discovering new restaurants and coffee shops, and exploring the outdoors with their children. Stephen and his family worship and serve at The Austin Stone Community Church in downtown Austin.