Serving Homeschoolers - United States Department of Education's report on homeschooling - Brief Article - Statistical Data Included

School Administrator, Jan, 2002

A new report on homeschooling by the U.S. Department of Education found that public school districts sometimes offer support for homeschoolers by providing a curriculum, books and materials, places to meet, and the chance to attend classes and participate in extracurricular activities.

The study estimated 850,000 students nationwide were being educated at home.

"Homeschooling in the United States: 1999" describes characteristics of homeschooled children and their families and parents' reasons for homeschooling.

The study's findings on public school support for homeschoolers were based on parents' reports, not what schools or districts actually offer. The findings included these:

* 28 percent said their public schools offered extracurricular activities;

* 21 percent reported curriculum support;

* 23 percent said books and materials were offered;

* Between 15 and 38 percent of homeschoolers' parents did not know whether various types of support were provided.

Copies of the 23-page report are available by calling toll-free 877-4ED-PUBS or online at nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2001033.