A recent article in USA Today cites a profound shift in those who are homeschooling their children. In brief, the article states that there is now a higher percentage of girls, than boys, being homeschooled, and that a greater number of those homeschooling are white, wealthy, and well-educated.
While I am no statistician or expert on homeschooling trends, I must admit my first impression was to doubt some of the conclusions drawn. Apparently someone else has doubts as well. Dr. Brian Ray of the National Home Education Research Institute has responded to the USA Today article with some statistics of his own.
I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts as you interact with the homeschooling community. Do you really think that more girls than boys are being homeschooled? If yes, why? How about the claim that homeschoolers are increasingly more white, wealthy and higher educated?
I recently had the opportunity to join a radio interview with the president of the New York state homeschool organization (LEAH). The topic of the interview was the USA Today article. Take a few moments to listen to our conversation and decide if our thoughts are any more accurate than the article. (Click when the floating headline reads "The Rise of Homeschooling").
We've been home educating for over 14 years now and the face of homeschooling has definitely changed over time. What changes have you observed? What will the homeschool climate be like when our children begin homeschooling?
~Judy
