In response to a public information request from THSC, the Texas Education Agency announced its latest numbers of students who disenrolled from Texas public schools in order to homeschool.

For the spring of 2021, TEA data shows that withdrawals from public school to homeschool had increased over 40% from the previous year. 

That number was undoubtedly lower than reality since the TEA only tracks those withdrawing in grades 7-12.

Public schools in Texas and across the country have seen an actual decrease in enrollment for the last two school years with many school officials attributing this to more families choosing to teach their children at home.

While the closing of schools during the pandemic was a major factor in this growth of homeschooling, more families now cite concern over the public school environment and the quality of academics as a reason they chose to homeschool. 

Many families cite concern over controversial topics being taught in the schools like critical race theory and modern gender theory.

A recent report regarding lesson plans in an Austin elementary school is an example of this. According to The Texas Scorecard, The day’s lesson plan included points such as “Black people have less and white have more,” “Whites make it harder for black people,” “Whites boss [people of color] around,” and “NY has more freedom to vote than TX.”

Parents turning to homeschooling increasingly report that they prefer for their children to be taught academics in school and for schools to leave more political topics for families to discuss themselves.

This issue is related to the push for transparency of curriculum in Texas public schools.

Many parents are frustrated when they find that public schools refuse to give them access to the curriculum their children are being taught. 

Another issue that has caused much opposition in the public school system is the many reports of pornographic books in libraries of some Texas public schools.

Librarians in Texas public schools have purposefully chosen these types of books to be available for students to read and sometimes even promote these books to students.

Parents who have taken this issue to their local schools have had mixed responses. While some schools have reacted quickly, others have been less than responsive, and this has caused unhappiness from local parents with their local school boards.

All of these issues are leading to more and more parents saying “enough is enough” and beginning the exciting journey of homeschooling. 

While the TEA only reports numbers of withdrawals a year after the fact, every indication is that homeschooling continues to explode as parents take control of their children’s education directly.

Help us in our mission of not only Keeping Texas Families Free but in providing everything they need – guidance, one-on-one help, resources, and ideas – to get started homeschooling and to stay homeschoolers throughout their students’ careers.

If you agree with us and support our mission to support parents, join THSC or become a supporter and help us stand in the gap for this father and the families of Texas.

Subscribe to our newsletters to receive important updates.

Tim Lambert, THSC President

Tim Lambert, THSC President

Tim Lambert, has been the president of the Texas Home School Coalition since 1990 and involved in homeschool leadership since 1984. He and his wife Lyndsay taught their four now-grown children at home for 16 years, graduating the last two in 2000. As the head of the organization for the leading home school state in the country, he is recognized as an authority on home education issues.

Tim has testified before numerous Texas legislative committees on issues related to homeschooling and often deals with state government agencies, including the Texas Education Agency and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. He has also addressed such conferences as the Texas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers on the topic. He holds a B.A. in political science from Texas Tech University and is active in the political arena, serving eight years as Republican National Committeeman for Texas. Tim is committed to serving the homeschooling community and to protecting parents’ right to choose the method of education of their children.