A recent observation by a casual observer that homeschooling may be coming under increasing attacks by opponents could turn out to have some basis in fact. With the number of homeschooled students now approaching 4 million, it is no surprise that losing control of this many children has the education establishment worried.

Homeschooled students have outperformed their brick-and-mortar peers for decades, and Education Reporter has long chronicled the phenomenon. But because it’s so hard to argue with proven academic success, particularly when the National Assessment for Education Progress (NAEP) scores have sunk to ever more discouraging lows, opponents of homeschooling continue to raise the specter of “abuse and neglect” as reasons to exert more state control over homeschooling.

While studies show “there is little evidence” that homeschooled students are more or less likely to be abused, neglected, or otherwise maltreated than public or private school students—albeit studies also show that those who attend public schools are 2.57 times more likely to be sexually abused than homeschooled students—the enemies of homeschooling are using a terrible incidence of abuse in West Virginia as an opportunity to campaign for more restrictions.

Last month, the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) reported that an increase in homeschool regulation is possible in the state in response to the starvation death of 14-year-old Kyneddi Miller. According to HSLDA, public officials, including West Virginia Governor Jim Justice, are attempting to shift blame for the tragedy from the failure of government agencies to homeschooling assessment laws.

HSLDA wrote:

• Many state officials and media outlets are using Kyneddi’s death to further a false narrative about homeschooling, claiming that homeschooling puts children at risk by distancing them from individuals who are required by law to report suspected abuse and neglect, such as public-school officials, medical professionals, and law enforcement officers. Yet the facts demonstrate that Kyneddi’s situation was already known to child protective agencies, a familiar pattern in such cases.

HSLDA further contends there is no evidence that homeschooled students “are at a greater risk for abuse or neglect than any other demographic or that they are generally isolated from people who could help them. This false narrative, however, casts all homeschooling parents under suspicion based on the heinous acts of a few.”

At least one state senator, Patricia Rucker, agrees with HSLDA. Rucker notes: “It is wholly inappropriate and unacceptable to attribute this tragic death to homeschooling, which unfairly maligns the thousands of West Virginia families who are responsibly and effectively educating their children.” She questioned why Child Protective Services (CPS) and local police failed to intervene despite “multiple contacts” with Kyneddi’s family.

West Virginia already regulates homeschooling at what HSLDA labels a “moderate” level by requiring families to file “Notice of Intent” forms to the superintendent of their child’s public-school district. The state allows for religious exemptions, as well as homeschooling with a “certified tutor” or under what is called “the private school option,” whereby the private schooling takes place at home.

While “deeply troubled by the death of Kyneddi,” HSLDA vows to monitor developments in West Virginia and any other state where the freedom of families to direct the education of their children appears threatened. Currently pending in New Hampshire, for example, is Senate Bill 459, which the organization believes would significantly expand the definitions of child abuse and neglect in a way that could harm families. HSLDA writes:

• New Hampshire currently has robust and effective laws to protect children from abuse and neglect. HSLDA supports these laws.... S.B 459, however, makes changes to New Hampshire law, all of which threaten children and families with unnecessary government intrusion by broadening the criteria for launching investigations.

The bill also opens the door to the concept of “risk to a child’s psychological or emotional well-being ... or mental health,” which is unexplained. As HSLDA points out: “This ambiguity leaves the interpretation of what constitutes psychological care to individual investigators, each of whom may have their own subjective biases.”

Other ‘concerns’

Homeschool proponents often make the case that homeschooled students are less likely to attend college than their traditionally schooled peers. However, homeschooled students have been shown to be more academically prepared for college than their peers. A simple online search reveals that on both the SAT and ACT tests, homeschooled students score higher; with homeschoolers achieving 22.8 points out of 36 on the ACT while the average score is 21. On the SAT, homeschoolers score an average of 72 points higher than their public-school peers.

Another gripe is that homeschooled students are often lacking in advanced math classes, which is ironic coming from public-school proponents when Algebra I is being pushed back until high school and when the NAEP results show that just slightly more than a third of all students score proficient or higher in math.

But although a lack of academic ability may not be the issue for homeschoolers in higher education, the shock of finding that their moral beliefs are severely challenged at the university level may well be. For example, a study of seven homeschooled graduates in Pennsylvania found that they struggled to “to maintain their existing moral beliefs related to drinking, drug use, and sexual norms, with the majority admitting they changed some beliefs and practices.”

Parents who have struggled for years to properly educate their children sans the woke propaganda, bullying, and indoctrination at public and many private schools, might discourage their children from attending a typical four-year institution of higher education for the same reasons. These parents often find that a community college, trade school, or online university are viable alternatives for their kids.

Homeschooling outside the U.S.

Homeschooling has not only become more popular in the U.S., but is trending upward in other countries as well. Sources in the United Kingdom, for example, report that homeschooling figures jumped from approximately 57,800 children in 2018 to 86,000 in 2023.

Interestingly, parents in the U.K. give similar reasons as American parents for educating their children at home, such as “dissatisfaction with the school system, bullying, freedom from school timetables and dates, and the special education or health needs of their children.”

Homeschooling has also increased in popularity in India, again, for similar reasons. In India, however, the lack of central authority means parents must take on significant responsibility for their children’s education, which doesn’t mean that anything goes. According to an article on Edexlive: “The legality of homeschooling in India is still a grey area. Parents should be aware of the legal requirements before they decide to homeschool their children.... They must also be able to access resources and support networks, which can be difficult in India.”

For U.S. parents, homeschooling has offered a lifeline for decades; a means of overseeing the upbringing and education of their children in a comprehensive and overarching way, in accordance with their religious beliefs and educational preferences. More children than ever are now learning at home, so parents must remain vigilant in order to safeguard this priceless educational option.

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