REPORT: Homeschooling on the rise after teachers’ unions exposed during covid

A recent study from John Hopkins Institute for Education Policy showed that homeschooling is on the rise. Prior to the pandemic only a couple of states like Louisiana, South Carolina, and South Dakota had a steady increase, while most states showed a decline in homeschooling; the COVID pandemic changed schooling.

States that were once on the decline, such as North Dakota, Rhode Island and Wyoming, rebounded. Rhode Island showed a 67% increase while Wyoming rose 8%, hitting an all-time high. Georgia, Louisiana, and South Carolina, although impacted by the pandemic, continued to have a steady increase.  

An explanation for this trend is the increasing political fervor of teacher unions. In 2020, the Chicago Teachers’ Union believed reopening schools was “rooted in sexism, racism and misogyny.” In addition, teachers' unions, such as the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers, have donated to radical campaigns advocating for the destruction of school choice, such as Harris and Walz. The policies elected officials enacted and teacher’s unions supported drove students and parents out of public schools and into homeschooling  

As teachers' unions move forward with their agenda, it is important for parents to recognize they still have a say over their child’s education and have options: homeschooling and taking back the school boards. Legislators should provide more support to parents who choose to homeschool. Providing tax credits will be an effective way to support homeschooled students in attaining a quality education. In public schools, School board elections should be moved to “on cycle” years so parents can easily elect school board members that value their children’s education and wellbeing, not indoctrination.  

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