Homeschooling Versus Public Schooling Statistics – As the decision to homeschool or send children to public school has become a more common discussion among parents, it’s essential to access reliable data that can help inform those decisions.
In this article, we’ll look at the numbers behind homeschooling and public schooling, including how many children are affected by each and their respective success rates. Read on to find out more!
Table of Contents
Introduction to Homeschooling and Public Schooling
There are many different types of schooling available for children these days. Some parents opt to send their kids to public school, while others choose to homeschool them. So, what’s the difference between the two?
Public schools are government-funded and typically follow a set curriculum. Children usually attend public school from kindergarten until they graduate high school. On the other hand, homeschooling is when parents teach their children at home instead of sending them to school. Homeschooling is much more flexible than public schooling, as parents can tailor the curriculum to their child’s needs and interests.
So, which option is better? It depends on each family’s unique situation. Some families prefer homeschooling because it allows for more personalization and parental involvement. Others find that public schooling provides their children with a more well-rounded education and social experience. Ultimately, it’s up to each family to decide what’s best for their kids.
Statistics on Number of Children in Homeschool vs. Public School
| Topic | Homeschooling | Public Schooling |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Parents teaching their children at home | Government-funded schools that follow a set curriculum |
| Number of Children (2017-2018) | 1.7 million | 50 million |
| Average Number of Children per Homeschooling Family | 2.5 | N/A |
| Academic Success Rates | Higher than public school students on average | Lower than homeschooled students on average |
| Cost | $300 to $600 per year | $10,000 to $12,000 per year |
| Number of Homeschooled Children in the US (2007-2008) | 1.5 million | N/A |
| Number of Public School Children in the US | 50.7 million | N/A |
| Public School Children Background | Varies, with almost half considered low-income and almost a quarter being English language learners | N/A |
| Public School Academic Performance | Varies by state | N/A |
Several homeschooling versus public schooling statistics is worth taking a look at. Perhaps the most important thing to consider is the number of children in each type of school setting. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in the school year 2017-2018, approximately 1.7 million children were homeschooled in the United States.
This source reports that, during that same school year, almost 50 million students were enrolled in public elementary and secondary schools throughout the country.
When looking at these numbers, it is essential to remember that homeschooling families tend to have more than one child being homeschooled. The average homeschooling family has 2.5 children being homeschooled.
This means that while homeschooling represents only 3% of the total number of school-aged children in the United States, it accounts for more than 6% of all elementary and secondary students when considering how many students each family has.
So, what does this all mean? Well, for one thing, it suggests that homeschooling families are more likely to have multiple children than public school families. It also indicates that homeschooling is growing faster than public schooling – something that is borne out by other data as well.
Academic Success Rates for Homeschooled vs. Public Schooled Students
Many studies suggest that homeschooled students outperform their public school counterparts academically. A 2009 National Home Education Research Institute study found that the average homeschooler scored 37 points higher on standardized tests than the average public school student.
Other studies have found similar results. A 2013 Home School Legal Defense Association study found that homeschoolers outperformed public schoolers on standardized tests by an average of 30 points. And a 2015 study by the American Education Research Association found that homeschooled students scored, on average, 15 points higher on standardized tests than their public school counterparts.
So what explains these higher academic achievement rates for homeschoolers? Part of it may be because homeschoolers are typically more engaged in their learning than public schoolers.
Homeschoolers also often have more opportunities to customize their learning experiences to fit their unique needs and interests. And because a one-size-fits-all curriculum does not constrain them, they can move at their own pace and spend more time on areas that interest them most.
Cost Comparison between Homeschooling and Public Schooling
The average cost of homeschooling is $300 to $600 per year, while the average cost of public schooling is $10,000 to $12,000 per year. Homeschooling can be done for less than 1% of the cost of public schooling.
Number of Homeschooled Children in the United States
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in the school year 2007-2008, there were 1.5 million homeschooled students in the United States. This number represents a slight increase from the 1.1 million homeschooled students in the 1999-2000 school year. The percentage of total school-age children who were homeschooled increased from 2.2% in 1999-2000 to 3.4% in 2007-2008.
Number of Public School Children in the United States
There are approximately 50.7 million public school children in the United States. This number has remained relatively steady over the past few years, with a slight increase of about 1 million children between 2013 and 2014. Most public school children attend traditional brick-and-mortar schools, although the number of students attending public charter and virtual schools is on the rise.
Public schoolchildren come from a variety of backgrounds and socioeconomic levels. According to the most recent National Center for Education Statistics data, almost half of all public school students are considered low-income, meaning they qualify for free or reduced-price lunch programs. Additionally, almost one-quarter of public school students are English language learners.
The academic performance of public school students in the United States varies widely by state. Students in states with higher incomes and lower poverty rates tend to score better on standardized tests and have higher graduation rates than their counterparts in other states.
However, there are many exceptions to this rule. For example, some high-poverty states, such as Massachusetts and New Jersey, have outperformed wealthier states on measures of student achievement.
Summary – Homeschooling Versus Public Schooling Statistics
A few key homeschooling versus public schooling statistics is worth considering. First, homeschooled students consistently outperform their public school counterparts on standardized tests. Homeschoolers typically score between 15 and 30 points higher on these tests, regardless of their socioeconomic status.
Second, homeschoolers are more likely to go on to college than their public school counterparts. Nearly 80% of homeschoolers pursue post-secondary education, compared to just over 50% of public school graduates.
Finally, homeschoolers are less likely to drop out of high school. The dropout rate for homeschoolers is just 2%, compared to the national average of 7%.
So, what does these homeschooling versus public schooling statistics tell us? They suggest that homeschooling may be a more effective educational option than traditional public schooling, at least in academic achievement and post-secondary success.