United States and North Carolina homeschool population continues to grow

The population of homeschoolers in the United States continues to grow according to new research and the report,2.04 Million Homeschool Students in the United States in 2010, recently published by the National Home Education Research Institute. By their calculations, the growth rate from 2007 to the present has been 8.3% per year. Because some states do not require homeschool registration, some estimates include the conjecture that up to 2, 346,000 students could be homeschooled as of 2010.

According to their website, their mission is to:

• “Produce high-quality homeschool research (e.g., statistics, facts, findings on home-based education or homeschooling).


• Serve as a clearinghouse of research for the public, researchers, homeschoolers, the media, and policy makers.


• Educate the public concerning the findings of all research on home education (i.e., homeschooling).”

The non-profit Institute’s founder and president Dr. Brian D. Ray, Ph. D. has published articles in journals such as the Journal of Academic Leadership as well as his own books and videos.

This particular report examines only the population growth of homeschooling in the United States over the past few years.More encompassing research in the past has detailed the demographics of homeschooling families and parents and the success found in Homeschool, including continuously higher than average standardized test scores when compared to the general public school population.

North Carolinais mentioned in this recent report as being one of a small group of the most credible states for homeschool statistics. Some states do not require reporting of homeschool intent, while others offer other evaluation opportunities other than standardized tests.

Statistics provided by the North Carolina Division for Non-Public Education support the conclusion of the NHERI that homeschooling is indeed growing each year.

The 2010 North Carolina Home School Statistical Summarystates the total home school enrollment at 81,509 for the 2009-2010 school year.

The 2011 North Carolina Home School Statistical Summarystates the total home school enrollment at 83,609 for the 2010-2011 school year, showing a growth of 2,100 additional students over one year.

For Wake County, the growth in the number of students is 143 from the 2009-2010 school year to the 2010-2011 school year. In contrast, Mecklenburg County showed a decrease in the number of students enrolled in homeschool during those respective years.

Homeschooled students have grown to adulthood and are beginning to Homeschool their own children. Those affected by the economy may suspend homeschooling to reenter the job market, while others who had children in private school and can no longer afford it choose to bring their children home to begin homeschooling them. Regardless of the numbers, homeschooling has proven itself to be an effective means to educating children and it’s popularity continues to grow.

This article was originally posted at http://www.examiner.com/homeschooling-in-raleigh/united-states-and-north-carolina-homeschool-population-continues-to-grow