Homeschooling Spikes Thanks to the Pandemic

John Stonestreet, Radio Host and Director of the Colson Center

Recently, the US Census bureau reported, somewhat diplomatically, “It’s clear that in an unprecedented environment, families are seeking solutions that will reliably meet [the needs] of their children.” That’s an understatement.

The New York Times reports that just last year, more than 1 million children did not enroll in kindergarten. The impact of learning loss from missed school time has parents worried across every grade. After years of the nationwide percentage of homeschool families hovering around 3.3 percent, that number jumped to 11.1 percent in the fall of 2020.

If all of this means a renewed emphasis on parental involvement, that’s a good thing. Whether homeschooled or otherwise, involved parents consistently predict far better educational outcomes for kids. Which makes sense, because parents are the primary, God-given guardians of their children’s future.

Education begins in the home. Or, as Tina Windebank put it over at Citizenlink, “Relax! Your kids are already homeschooled.”

Copyright 2021 by the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. Reprinted from BreakPoint.org with permission.

Three Home Schoolers From Arkansas Named National Merit Scholar Semifinalists

Recently the National Merit Scholarships named 141 high school students from Arkansas as National Merit Scholar Semifinalists.

Of those students, three were home schoolers:

  • Margaret Stiritz from Russellville
  • Josiah Linderman from Searcy
  • Christian Wilson from Sherwood

To be named as a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist is a tremendous honor.

Students vying for the National Merit Scholarships apply by taking the PSAT exam.

The Arkansas Department of Education has taken steps this year to increase home schoolers’ access to the PSAT.

Please join us in congratulating these students on their achievement!

Photo by Joshua Hoehne on Unsplash