Homeschoolers:

Estimating Numbers and Growth

National Institute on Student Achievement, Curriculum, and Assessment

Office of Educational Research and Improvement

U.S. Department of Education
Homeschoolers:

Estimating Numbers and Growth

by

Patricia M. Lines

National Institute on Student Achievement, Curriculum, and Assessment

Office of Educational Research and Improvement

U.S. Department of Education

Web Edition, Spring 1999

(previously released as a paper in Spring 1998)

 

This paper is intended to promote the exchange of ideas among researchers

and policymakers. The views expressed in it are part of ongoing research

and analysis and do not necessarily reflect the position of the U.S.

Department of Education.

This technical paper provides an estimate of the number of children in

homeschooling. For general background on homeschooling, the reader

should consult the earlier working paper: P. Lines, “Homeschooling: An

Overview for Education Policymakers,” revised March 1997; a version of

this paper will appear in Private Education and Educational Choice, edited

by James G. Cibulka (Greenwood Press, forthcoming). A single copy of

this paper may obtained by contacting Dorothy Yates at

Dorothy_Yates@ed.gov or by phone at (202) 219–2079.

 
Acknowledgments

Many persons read earlier drafts of this paper and provided valuable advice. Hopefully, the

author improved the paper on following their suggestions, but if she did not, the fault is hers,

not theirs. They include Judith Anderson, Senior Research Associate, National Institute on

Student Achievement, Curriculum, and Assessment at the U.S. Education Department (ED);

Stephen P. Broughman, Statistician, National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), ED;

Michelle Doyle, Director, Office of Non-Public Education, ED; Patrick Farenga, Publisher of

Growing Without Schooling; Jack Klenk, Special Advisor, Office of Non-Public Education;

Chris Klicka, Executive Director, Home School Legal Defense Association; Brian D. Ray,

President, National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI); Thomas D. Snyder, Senior

Research Analyst, NCES, ED; Lisa Towne, Presidential Management Intern, Planning and

Evaluation Service, ED; the many individuals in State Education Agencies (SEAs) who

helped by examining the paper, particularly for insights into their states; and the

homeschooling leaders in various states who were willing to provide insights into the

practices in their states. They are too many to mention, but the debt is greatest to these last

two groups.
Homeschoolers:

Estimating Numbers and Growth

Overview

Homeschooling is the education of school-aged children under their parents’ general monitoring, and it

replaces full-time attendance at a campus school. Some homeschooling children enroll part time at a campusbased school, or share instruction with other families, but most of their educational program is under the direct

oversight of parents. While many activities take place in the home, parents often draw on their community,

neighboring institutions, and travel opportunities to complete the program. The definition used for this paper

includes families who self-identify as homeschoolers, even if they utilize part-time school enrollment.

Homeschooling has more than doubled—possibly tripled—in the 5 years between the 1990–91 school

year and the 1995–96 school year. By the 1995–96 school year, from 1 to 2 percent of the total school-aged

population were in homeschooling. Within the private education world, it has become a major sector, where it

represents approximately 10 percent of the privately-schooled population. In some states homeschooling may

exceed 20 percent of the privately-schooled population.1

Given the evidence provided here, the total number of homeschoolers in the 1990–91 school year seems

to have been between 250,000 to 350,000 children nationwide; and around 700,000 to 750,000 in 1995–96. 

Based on limited evidence from four states, the number is still growing; the rate was between 7 and 15 percent

from the 1995–96 school year to the 1996–97 school year.2 Assuming the larger growth rate, which is more

consistent with past growth,3 the number could have reached about 1,000,000 children by the 1997–98 school

year.

Growth has persisted over three decades. Earlier estimates, based on different methodologies, suggested

60,000 to 125,000 school-aged children for the fall of 1983; and 122,000 to 244,000 for fall of 1985; between

150,000 to 300,000 for fall of 1988; and between 250,000 to 350,000 for fall of 1990. A retroactive estimate

done in 1988 suggested 10,000 to 15,000 children received their education at home in the late 1970s and early

1980s, close to an estimate made at the time by an early leader of the homeschooling movement, educator and

author, John Holt.

 

1

This seems likely in the western states, where the private school population usually is less than the national average and homeschooling is

relatively popular.

2Nebraska, South Carolina, Wyoming, and Pennsylvania sent the author their most recent data as it became available. Growth in Pennsylvania

and South Carolina increased about 15 percent from one year to the next. It was closer to 7 percent in Nebraska and Wyoming. The data are

provided in appendix A, third column.

3

The growth rate from the 1990–91 to the 1995–96 school years appears to be between 20 and 25 percent per year.
2

The Raw Data

The data collected by State Education Agencies (SEAs) show a steadily growing homeschooling

movement. Thirty-two states and the District of Columbia have released data on documented children in

homeschooling for both years examined in this study. These data account for over 76,000 documented

children in 1990–91 and almost 214,000 in 1995–96. This represents a fraction of the total, as it includes only

children in families that have filed papers indicating that they are in homeschooling. Many families do not file

papers, although it is required. Nor does the documented number include children enrolled in distance

learning programs unless their parents have also filed papers with state or local officials indicating that theirs is

a homeschooling program. Appendix A presents these data for each state.

States usually collect these data from local districts, although some collect it directly. Often the local

education agency (LEA) collects the data in late fall or early winter and forwards it to the SEA by spring. 

Some states continuously monitor the number, and adjust it when families return to school, and publish only

the year-end number. There is neither uniformity among states in procedures, nor in the dates for collection.4

States With Near Universal Filing

Based on discussions with state officials and homeschooling leaders familiar with the state, and on a

nationwide survey (discussed more fully below), it is possible to identify three states where both

homeschoolers and the SEA believe that filing rates approached 100 percent by 1995–96: Maine, New

Mexico, and Wisconsin. In 1995–96, the total number of documented homeschooling children in the three

states was 24,369 or 1.52 percent of the school-aged population in these states. The distribution within each of

these states was approximately the same percentage.

Even here, the official filings make for a conservative statement of the number of homeschoolers in these

states. There will be a small number of homeschoolers in these states who do not file papers, but we have no

basis for estimating their numbers. In Maine, in particular, some homeschooling families operate as

unapproved private schools and do not file papers with the state or local government.5 If these states represent

the country as a whole, there would be over 250,000 children in homeschooling, nationwide, in 1990–91; and

almost 750,000 by 1995–96.

Other States: Estimating Non-filers

Except in states with near 100 percent filing, the state’s documented data do not account for all

homeschooled children. Many families do not file any paperwork with state or local officials because their

homeschooling child is not old enough to come under the state’s compulsory education law, and the state’s law

does not require filing. Some families are homeschooling under a state constitutional or statutory provision

that excuses religious-based homeschoolers from filing requirements. In other states, some families may

choose to follow the state’s laws for private schools, and in a few of these states, these family-based schools do

not file paperwork. In addition, the state data may be missing reports from some districts or be missing late-

 

4One reader of an early draft of this paper suggested the state number is inflated because students drop out of homeschooling and go back to

school during the year. This may be true, but it seems that, given the growth curve for homeschooling, it is more likely that others will begin

homeschooling after the count has been made for the year.

5

Interview with Edwin N. Kastuck, Maine Department of Education, May 14, 1998.
3

filed data.

It is possible to estimate the non-filers, based on a survey by Brian Ray, of the National Home Education

Research Institute (NHERI). In 1990 and 1995 Ray surveyed a sample of the membership of the Home School

Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), which had commissioned the survey. In both survey years about 63

percent6 of respondents nationwide reported that they had filed “any kind of” paperwork with the state or local

district.

As filing rates vary considerably from state to state, and depend on the state legal and policy

environment, it is necessary to consider each state separately. Appendix B provides an estimated percentage of

filers by state, based on the survey, and used with appendix A, provides the basis for the calculations given

here. These appendices allow those knowledgeable about their state to make individual state-level estimates. 

Those using appendix B to estimate the number for a single state must have a good sense of whether the survey

results for non-filers represents all homeschoolers in the state.

For most states it is necessary to estimate non-filers to get an accurate picture of homeschooling numbers.

 For a national estimate, one can minimize bias due to the survey by using data only from states with high

filing rates. There are 14 states where 80 percent or more of the parents responding to the 1995 Ray survey

said that they filed some kind of paperwork: Arkansas, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana,

Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, South Dakota, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and

Wyoming.7

The analysis of this group must omit two states where the state-level data is incomplete: Pennsylvania

and New York. In Pennsylvania, most children under age 8 are missing from the state data reports.8 As the

age of compulsory education in that state does not begin until age 8, parents may file papers on older children

(and are treated as filers based on the survey), but would not provide information on their children under age

8.9 In New York state, the SEA believes it is missing data on documented children for New York City for

1995–96; it received no data at all from New York City in 1990–91.10

 

6

These are weighted averages computed by dividing the documented number of homeschoolers by the total estimated homeschooling population.

 The estimated total is the documented number divided by the filing rate. The filing rates were taken from a data run provided by Brian Ray for the

instant analysis; they are the percentage who responded “yes” to a question about filing paperwork. The question in both years was: “Have you

submitted any type of paperwork to State or Local authorities?” See Ray, 1997, p. 108, Q. 2. In the 1995 survey, respondents were asked to

answer for the 1994–95 school year. Given the near constant weighted average for filing rates in 1990 and 1995, it should not introduce much

error when the instant study applies the filing rates for the 1994–95 school year to the 1995–96 data. Note the unweighted filing rate average is

lower, reflecting a larger number of respondents from states with lower filing rates. This may be because those states have a less favorable legal

climate, and respondents, mostly members of the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), are more likely to come from these states.

7Only states with 12 or more respondents on the survey are included.

8

The state data show for 1995–96, 104 children age 5; 339 at age 6; 981 at age 7; and 1,768 at age 8 in homeschooling. The jump from 7 to 8

suggests that most parents are not providing information on their children below age 8.

9

E-mail correspondence with Susan Richman, a Pennsylvania homeschooling leader, April 16, 1998.

10For 1990–91, interview with Rachel Smith, Program Manager for Home Instruction, New York State Education Department, c. 1991. 

Officials believe that the reports for 1995–96 are too low, indicating that the 32 community school districts in New York City are not fully

informed on their responsibilities for nonpublic education, and are overwhelmed by the needs of the children in public schools. Thomas E. Hogan,

Supervisor, Nonpublic School Services, New York State Education Department, interview, June 15, 1998. Homeschooling leaders believe that

Local Education Agencies (LEAs) in New York City do not uniformly forward the data to the SEA. E-Mail correspondence with Seth

Rockmuller, director, AllPIE, April 17, 1998. (AllPIE is an association supporting parental involvement in schooling, including homeschooling.) 
4

The remaining 12 states accounted for 88,581 documented children in 1995–96. These documented

homeschoolers are 1.2 percent of the total school-aged population in these states. The weighted filing rate in

the Ray survey indicates 87.7 percent of homeschoolers filed papers in these states in 1995–96. If the survey is

an accurate indicator of the percentage of filers, we can estimate about 101,000 homeschooling children, or 1.4

percent of the total school-aged population in these states. This would be consistent with a national

homeschooling population of around 691,000 children. The calculations used to arrive at this conclusion

appear in appendix C, and illustrate the method for calculating all subsequent estimates of homeschooling

numbers. For both 1990–9111 and 1995–96, the percentage estimated for these states is slightly lower, but

close to the percentage computed for the three states where the filing rate was assumed to be 100 percent.

The range of estimated percentages of homeschoolers in these states varies. The most popular

homeschooling states in this group appear to be South Dakota and Montana, where an estimated 2.1 percent of

the population were in homeschooling in 1995–96. Arkansas, Georgia, Maryland, and North Carolina have

the smallest estimated percentage of homeschoolers, at 1.3 percent. Minnesota had 1.4 percent; Maine,

Nebraska and Wisconsin had 1.5 percent; and New Hampshire and Wyoming both had an estimated 1.6

percent of the population in homeschooling.

A third estimate uses all 19 states that in 1990 met the criterion that there be at least 12 respondents to the

Ray survey for that state.12 In this estimate, potential bias due to selection of states decreases, while bias in the

estimate of non-filers based on the survey increases. Of the total in the 19 states, an estimated .42 percent

were in homeschooling in 1990–91. For all 28 states that in 1995–96 met the criterion, an estimated 1.26

percent were in homeschooling. If typical of all states, this suggests about 211,000 homeschooling children

nationally for 1990–91; and about 611,000 in 1995–96. However, these estimates include New York and

Pennsylvania, which are missing children for whom parents filed papers. If we exclude these two states, the

remaining 17 states had an estimated 106,350 children in homeschooling, or 1.43 percent of the school-aged

population in 1995–96. This is consistent with 701,000 children in homeschooling nationwide in that year.

 

Rockmuller finds the data, showing 275 homeschoolers from New York City, “ridiculous.” Hogan agrees that the number is much too low.

11There were about 33,751 children for which these same 12 states had data in 1990–91. Ignoring for the moment the lower response rate on the

survey for 1990–91, estimating non–filers brings the total to an estimated 43,805 children homeschooling in these states, or .67 percent of the total

in that year.

12See appendix B for the number of respondents for each state.
5

Possible Under-estimation of Non-filers, Based on Survey

As noted, the accuracy of the estimated number of non-filers depends on the representativeness of the

Ray survey.13 In 1990, Ray drew a random sample from the membership of HSLDA. In 1995, he repeated this

step, and to broaden the base of his survey, he sent questionnaires to other homeschooling organizations with a

request that the organization distribute the surveys to a sample of membership, following the enclosed

instructions for drawing the sample. The response rate in 1990 was good—at approximately 70 percent. In

1995, he could not find out how many questionnaires were mailed by cooperating organizations, or even the

number of cooperating organizations. As a result, he could not compute a response rate. He believes the

response rate was around 30 percent.14 It seems likely that the reduction in response rate was due to a large

nonresponse from the organizations outside the HSLDA network, and that his survey continues to reflect

HSLDA membership or those sympathetic to the HSLDA principles.

It is hazardous to generalize to an unknown population, based on a sample from only a portion of that

population. At least, one must understand the origins and limitations of the sample, and proceed with caution.

 HSLDA supports Christian homeschooling, and members pay an annual fee of $100 for prepaid legal services

for assistance in the event that they face problems with their homeschooling program. HSLDA does not accept

members who utlize public school programs for homeschoolers. This sets its members apart from other

homeschoolers in both predictable and unpredictable ways.

An important source of underestimation lies in the structure of the survey itself. While it elicits separate

data for each homeschooled child, there is only one question about filing papers with state or local officials. In

some families, parents may file papers for one child, and so answer “yes,” but for children above or below the

age of compulsory education, the answer would have been “no,” had there been a question for each child. 

Again, the Ray survey will overstate filing rates as a result. In a state such as Pennsylvania, where the state has

data on only a handful of children under the age of 8, this can produce a large underestimate of the actual

number of children in homeschooling.

Another issue involves whether nonresponders on any survey will differ from responders in their

compliance with state laws requiring filing of paperwork. It seems reasonable that nonresponders may be less

organized, less punctual, or more cautious about revealing their homeschooling status. Thus, it seems likely

that families that respond to a survey include a disproportionately high number that would respond to filing

requirements.

Another difference might arise if HSLDA members have different filing rates than other homeschoolers. 

In some states, such as New York, where large numbers of families who homeschool for philosophical

reasons, and who, also for philosophical reasons reject standardized testing, the HSLDA members may not be

representative, and actual filing rates will be lower than assumed for purposes of this paper.

All things considered, it seems likely that the estimate of non-filers is low. For that reason, this paper

 

13The author is very grateful to Brian Ray and the HSLDA for continuing to conduct and make available this valuable research. It remains

the only source on which to estimate filing rates nationwide.

14He mailed 5,995 copies of the instrument to individual families and to organizations in early 1996. He received 249 returned but

uncompleted surveys, presumably from families that were not homeschooling; and 1,657 completed surveys. He assumes that some of the

organizations did not redistribute the surveys. Ray, Strengths of Their Own (Salem, Oregon: NHERI Publications, 1997), p. 20.
6

relies on the survey in limited ways. It is used only to help identify states with high filing rates; and to estimate

non-filers only in such states. By limiting the use of the survey in this way, a relatively small percentage of the

total is based on an estimate of non-filers. The examination of the three states believed to have near 100

percent filing rates does not rely on the survey at all, and is probably a better indicator of the experience

nationwide than the subsequent two estimates.

Testing the Estimates

Loose corroboration of the estimates can be made in a variety of ways. For example, one could test the

evidence by attempting to predict the homeschooling population in a state, based on the estimates, and

compare this with what is known about the state. California is a special case, because of its size. California

was not included in the estimates provided above because the legal context is ambiguous, and the

interpretation of the Ray survey is hazardous, given the special circumstances of California.15 Instead,

incidence of homeschooling in California, for purpose of the national estimate above, is inferred from the

average in other states.

This inference can be tested. In California, with almost 6 million school-aged children, one would expect

90,000 children in homeschooling, if the 1.5 percent average is an accurate predictor. If one tallies up the

known number of children in homeschooling in California, one can account for almost 62,000 children.16 This

includes children in private schools with less than five children—generally assumed to be homeschools. 

HSLDA in fact encourages its members to file as private schools in California. It also includes children

enrolled in independent study in a public program.17 The SEA regards this as something other than

homeschooling, while the families and the local public schools appear to regard it as homeschooling with

curricular assistance from a public school teacher.18 Finally, it includes children enrolled in public school

home study programs. As the SEA regards this last option as the only legal option for homeschooling under

state law,19 many California homeschoolers may prefer to remain underground. If just one-third or more are

underground, then the estimates based on experience in states with good filing rates does help predict, but only

loosely, the incidence in California.20

 

15For philosophical reasons, HSLDA does not admit members who utilize public programs. Most of the data from California represent children

in public programs, and so the HSLDA survey is of no help in interpreting this data.

16See appendix A, column 3.

17These would not include HSLDA families, as the organization, for philosophical reasons, does not admit families that enroll in public

homeschooling programs.

18Promotional materials from the public schools that offer independent study often refer to it as “homeschooling,” and a number of the local

officials running these programs have indicated that their parents would self-identify as homeschoolers. A teacher at the school provides curricular

supervision, while the parent has day-to-day responsibility for oversight of activities (e.g., e-mail from Tom Cosgrove, CEO of Cato Charter

School in Victorville, Dec. 13, 1997; and e-mail from Sheree Dennee, principal of Orange County Department of Education Home Education

Program (CHEP), Dec. 16, 1997). For purposes of this technical paper, all three methods seem to meet the definition of homeschooling.

19E-mail correspondence with Lynn P. Hartzler, Ph.D., Consultant, Alternative Education and Independent Study, California Department of

Education, December 8, 1997.

20In fact, I suspect that the incidence of homeschooling in California resembles the incidence in Oregon and Washington, at 2 percent or more of

the total school-aged population. This would mean about half of California homeschoolers have not filed any papers or enrolled in a public school

independent study or homeschooling program. The HSLDA survey indicates 45 percent did not file any papers in 1995–96.
7

Other studies also help corroborate the estimate offered here. In 1990, I triangulated the approach and

made three independent estimates. The high estimate was based on curricular sales, and the low estimate

based on information from state homeschooling associations.21 The estimate based on state data, with its

middle position made it attractive as a single estimate. Since then, moreover, more states have been able to

provide data.

In a separate study, Ray recently estimated numbers based on the sale of complete, graded curricular

packages by four popular providers of such packages. Based on the percentage of survey respondents that said

that they used such a package (4.88 percent),22 he computed 1.2 million for 1996, but he also estimated that

this contained a large margin of error.23 Some of the difference will be due to growth from 1995–96 (the date

for the estimate here) to 1996–97, the date for which Ray made his estimate. The remainder of the difference

will be due to bias in the samples informing both our estimates. The bias in the estimate offered in this paper

has been discussed above. For an estimate based on curricular packages, there is a possibility of severe

upward bias if any of the four curriculum providers rounded the number upwards when providing data on their

sales.24 There could also be an upward bias if many families accelerate a child through more than one package

a year. It is our mutual impression that the estimate presented here is low, and Ray’s is high.25

An alternate way to assess the extent to which Americans have turned to homeschooling would be a

household survey. The United States Census and the U.S. Department of Education's National Center on

Education Statistics (NCES), have begun to include questions about homeschooling in household surveys. 

The 1994 Current Population Survey, for example, included a series of questions about homeschooling. 

Analysis of these data is expected in about a year.26 When complete, the analysis will serve as a useful check

on the analysis presented here.

Discussion

What to make of this growth? If one is considering the size of the constituency, one might note that the

total number of individuals with some homeschooling experience will be much greater than the number

 

21Lines, Estimating the Home Schooled Population, Office of Research Working Paper, 91–537 (Washington DC: USED/OERI, October,

1991) (available from ERIC, ED337903; Clearinghouse No. EA023430); a version of this paper is reprinted as “Home Instruction: Characteristics,

Size and Growth,” Home Schooling: Political, Historical and Pedagogical Perspectives, edited by Jane VanGalen and Mary Anne Pitman, pp.

9–41 and appendix (Norwood, New Jersey: Ablex Publishing Corporation, 1991).

22This is the percentage who responded that they had purchased and used the curricular package in the 1994–95 year for an individual child. See

Ray 1997, p. 110–11. This eliminates the possibility of an underestimate due to use of second hand curricular material. 

23HSLDA, Home Education Across the United States: Family Characteristics, Student Achievement, and Longitudinal Traits (NHERI,

1997). See http://www.hslda.org for an abridged copy of this report.

24Because the percentage of families using packages is so low, chances of a large error in the estimate increase. For example, if it is only 2

percent off, it would yield almost a 50 percent difference in the estimate.

25Personal communication, November 12, 1997.

26As of late 1997, the Census Bureau had no plans to analyze or report on this data. Conversation with Wendy Bruno, (202) 547–2464,

August 12, 1997. However, NCES has indicated interest in analyzing the data. Conversation with Stephen Broughman, February 28, 1998.
8

homeschooling in any single year. Some observers think that the turnover rate is about 2 years per child.27

True, many families homeschool their children for their entire school–aged years, but many others try it for a

shorter time. If the average turnover rate is 2 years, then the number of children with some homeschooling

experience, by age 18, would be around 6 to 12 percent of the population.

The general size and direction of the homeschooling movement is beyond doubt. Policymakers needing

more precise knowledge, such as planning for teacher hiring, should consult the estimates only with great care.

 Only those states with high filing rates can make accurate calculations based on their documented data. On

the other hand, the estimates should help policy decisions that need a general, broad picture. For example, a

district interested in starting a public school program for homeschoolers can be reassured that there is probably

a constituency for the program in the district. As a second example, districts interested in including

homeschoolers in planning can make some rough estimates of the number in their district.

 

27An informal study by Marie Della Bella, a long–time school approval consultant for the Connecticut Department of Education (retiring in

1997), indicated a duration of 2 years. On the other hand, parents responding to Ray’s survey indicated that the average duration for

homeschooling had been 5 years for a child, since age 5, with plans to continue (Ray 1997, p. xii). However, those who are in it for the long–

term may be more likely both to become members of HSLDA and to respond to the survey.
Appendix A, p. 1

Appendix A

State Education Agencies

Summary of Available Data on Homeschooling*

 Reported number of

homeschooling children

State

1990–91 1995–96

Notes on data, additional information on the state and name of SEA

contact

Alabama LEAs have sole responsibility. Casandra Ramey, (334) 242–8165.

Alaska The Alyeska Distance Learning program had about 1,000 enrolled in

1990–91 and 2,000 in 1995–96. Virgie L. Fryrear, Alyeska Central

School, (907) 465–2835. Data are from Chris Yates, registrar.

Arizona The state collects data from local education agencies (LEAs) when a

family withdraws a child from a public school. Families who never

enrolled would not be included. In 1995, Paul Street, (907) 465–2835,

estimated 8,000 children homeschooling in Arizona.

Arkansas 2,500 5,755 LEAs report children in homeschooling to the state as of December for

each school year. Yvette Billingham, (501) 682–4233.

California One can estimate 6,000 children in 1990–91 and 13,849 in 1995–96

based only a count of students in private schools of 5 or fewer children

(generally assumed to be homeschools). In 1995–96 there were 7,349

such private schools filing affidavits. (Data are from statistical reports.)

 A popular way to homeschool is to qualify as a private school, although

the state does not regard this as homeschooling. Carolyn Pirillow, (916)

657–2453 (not contacted directly). Independent study, considered by

many who do it as homeschooling, but not so by the state, accounted for

39,350 children in 1990–91 and 46,519 children in 1995–96, according

to California’s Web site. California enrolled home study (those who

qualify because they have a certified tutor), accounted for 8,242 children

in 1995–96; there were no data for 1990–91 for this category. California

posts this data on its Web site.

Colorado LEAs have sole responsibility. Don Watson, (303) 894-2155.

Connecticut 289 1,615 States collect reports from LEAs. The 1995–96 data is an average of

data for the 1994–95 and the 1996–97 school years. Sheila Brown,

(860) 566–8263.

Delaware 367 1,087 Families report to the SEA. Carole D. White, Education Specialist,

Delaware SEA. Ron Meade, (302) 739–4676.

Dist. of Columbia 10 77 Families request and receive approval from the District education

agency. Sharon Dunmore, (202) 724–4790.

Florida 7,555 16,623 Estimated based on number of families who self–report as

homeschoolers. The estimate, based on a survey of these families at a

59 percent rate of return, assumes an average of 1.4 school aged children

in homeschooling in each family. Mary Lou Carothers, (850) 414–1289.

Georgia 5,581 1,5356 Reports from LEAs. Amy C. McMurtrey, (404) 656–2446.

Hawaii 272 1,543 Families are required to inform schools about homeschooling whenever

they change schools (elementary to secondary or geographic relocation).
Appendix A, p. 2

 Reported number of

homeschooling children

State

1990–91 1995–96

Notes on data, additional information on the state and name of SEA

contact

 Schools report this initial data to SEA. Those in their second and

subsequent year and those who never inform the schools are

not reported. Joanne Swearingen, (808) 733–9895. Data are from Karl

Yoshida, (808) 832–5880.

Idaho LEAs have sole responsibility. Ann Fox, (208) 332–6800. Robert M.

Forrey provided the data for the 1995–96 estimate.

Illinois 529 1,200 Parents voluntarily report to the SEA. 1989-90 given. Connie J. Wise,

(217) 785–7207.

Indiana 1,462 9,000 Families report to the SEA. Prior to 1996–97 the SEA recorded the

number of active homeschooling sites, but did not record enrollment. 

The number for 1995–96 is reported children plus an estimate for

families who filed papers but did not report the number of children who

were homeschooling. There were 4,430 documented sites. The number

for 1990–95 is for sites only. By 1997–98, efforts had been made to

obtain the number of children, including an on–line registration option. 

The state has greatly increased the number of sites for which it has data

on children, but it still has records for only 8,800 enrolled children in

9,244 active homeschooling schools. Gaylon J. Nettles, (317) 232–

9132; and Lora Miller, (317) 232–9135.

Iowa In 1995–96, Iowa counted 3,529 children in either the state’s Dual

Enrollment Program or the Home School Assisted Program. There are

additional ways to legally conduct homeschooling in Iowa. Iowa did not

have data for 1990–91. Jim Tyson, (515) 281–5001.
Appendix A, p. 3

 Reported number of

homeschooling children

State

1990–91 1995–96

Notes on data, additional information on the state and name of SEA

contact

Kansas 2,700 8,000 The data are estimated from the number of unaccredited schools

reporting to the state as of February 1991 (1,350 schools) and fall 1995

(4,000 schools). An October 1997 survey indicated that of the 5,186

unaccredited schools surveyed, 73 were campus schools; another 2,223

were deemed inactive, as they did not return the survey (instructions

indicated that no response meant the school was inactive). Of those who

responded, 55 percent voluntarily provided the number of children in

homeschooling: an average of two. Maria Collins, (913) 296–2198. As

of the 1997–98 school year, Kansas counted 6,245 unaccredited schools,

including the 73 campus schools.

Kentucky LEAs have sole responsibility. In 1990–91, the Non-public School

Advisor estimated between 1,500 and 5,000 homeschooled students in

Kentucky. David X. Thurmond, (502) 564–4770.

Louisiana 2,121 6,271 Reports from LEAs. Parishes had reported the 1990–91 number as of

Feb. 1991. The 1995–96 data was reported differently. 4,686 families

filed as “home study” programs; Another 1,585 filed as homeschoolers.

 Dean Frost, (504) 342–3475.

Maine 1,566 3,400 Families report to the SEA. Edwin N. Kastuck, (207) 287–5922.

Maryland 2,296 9,529 LEA coordinators report numbers of students for whom a parent has

requested homeschooling. Richard Scott, (410) 767 0288.

Massachusetts LEAs have sole responsibility. Juliane Dow, (617) 338–3300.

Michigan 822 2,980 Families report to the SEA. In the 1996–97 school year, the number

dropped to 2,361, and from preliminary reports for 1996–97, it will be

lower still. In 1996 the Michigan legislature enacted an exemption to

the compulsory education law that allows homeschooling without filing

papers. Jean Shane, (517) 373–0796.

Minnesota 5,086 10,519 Families report to the SEA. Barry Sullivan, (612) 296–6595.

Mississippi 600 6,335 LEA officials relay the data to the state. The 1990–91 data are from

1989–90. Kevin Merry, (601) 359–3598.
Appendix A, p. 4

 Reported number of

homeschooling children

State

1990–91 1995–96

Notes on data, additional information on the state and name of SEA

contact

Missouri LEAs have sole responsibility. The state uses data from homeschool

associations. School Law and Legislation Section, (573) 751–7602.

Montana 1,446 3,159 Families report to county superintendents. The first column data are

from 1989–90. Gail Gray, (406) 444–3095.

Nebraska 2,147 4,137 A homeschool is considered a private school. Families report their

schools to the SEA. Data for 1995–96 include two categories combined:

single–family and multi–family homeschooling and are analyzed in a

study by Sue Roberts, (402) 471–2784. She also notes that the number

of children in 1996-97 was 4,407, and for the 1997-98 school year was

4,573.

Nevada 792 3,077 The 1990–91 data are the number of homeschooling children taking

achievement tests. This practice was discontinued in the 1995–96

school year. Holly Walton-Buchanan, (702) 687–9134.

New Hampshire 711 3,025 The 1990–91 number are those who filed with LEAs. The 1995–96

number represents notices of intent filed with the SEA, through the

LEA. It represents children who homeschooled 1 or more days in 1995–

96. Jacke Teague, (603) 271–3739.

New Jersey New Jersey had a 1985 census indicating about 1,000 homeschooling

children. Peter B. Contini, (609) 292–4442; John Lally, (609) 984–

7814.

New Mexico LEAs have responsibility. The SEA recently began to collect the

information from the LEAs. As of December, 1995 it counted 5,337 K–

12 children in homeschooling. Lorraine

Sanchez, (505) 827–6582.

New York 4,975 11,473 The 1990–91 data do not include data from New York City (Rachel

Smith, now retired). The 1995–96 data are from Thomas E. Hogan,

(518) 474–3879. Note that a testing requirement in New York may

disuade many homeschoolers not to file.

North Carolina 4,127 13,801 Data are based on enrollment reports filed with the state. In the 1996–97

school year, the number grew to 15,785. Rod Helder, (919) 733–4276.
Appendix A, p. 5

 Reported number of

homeschooling children

State

1990–91 1995–96

Notes on data, additional information on the state and name of SEA

contact

North Dakota 483 698 At the end of the year, LEAs file a report with the SEA. Its chief

purpose is to determine how many homeschooled children enrolled part

time in school, for purposes of state assistance. However, LEAs also

report the number of children whose parents notified the LEA that they

were homeschooling. Joan Estes, (701) 328–2295.

Ohio Ohio received a one–time only authorization to collect data from

homeschoolers in 1989–90. This accounted for 2,729 children. Abdinur

S. Mohamud, (614) 466–2937.

Oklahoma No data available. Ron R. Roblyer, (405) 521–3333.

Oregon 4,578 10,764 The SEA gathers reports from education service districts. Leon

Fuhrman, (503) 378–5585, ext. 682.

Pennsylvania 2,152 15,457 The SEA gathers reports from the LEAs. John Creason, (717) 787–

7289; Marion K. Gray, (717) 783–3750. The published data for 1996–

97 indicated 17,861 documented children, a 15.5 percent increase.

Rhode Island LEAs have sole responsibility. Sharon Osborn, (401) 277–2031, ext.

2003.

South Carolina 790 4,284 This is the total of reports from school districts or from state and local

private homeschool associations. Parents have a choice of filing papers

through either the district or through a homeschooling association. 

Note, the LEAs receive 25 percent of state per pupil support for reported

home schoolers. For the 1997–98 school year, the state received papers

for 5,595 children from districts and the homeschool associations

(averaging 15.3 percent increase per year since 1995–96). Fred Grieb,

(803) 734-8331; Mary Jo Ferriter (data office), (803) 734–8263.

South Dakota 1,458 2,724 Families file with the LEA which forwards a copy to the SEA. Dean

Buchanan, (605) 773–3553.

Tennessee 1,248 2,513 The SEA believes an additional 1,400 children in 1990–91 and possibly

as many as 20,000 in 1995–96 were homeschooling legally, through

enrollment in a private school. Parents do not have to file papers with

the state for these children. James Abernathy, (615) 532–4711.

Texas No data available. Jim Davis, (512) 463–9354.
Appendix A, p. 6

 Reported number of

homeschooling children

State

1990–91 1995–96

Notes on data, additional information on the state and name of SEA

contact

Utah LEAs have sole responsibility. The state relies on the homeschool

association estimate. Douglas F. Bates, (801) 538-7832.

Vermont 680 1,526 Parents file a report with the SEA. Natalie Casco, (802) 828–5406.

Virginia 3,746 10,862 Reports from LEAs. The 1990–91 data are an average of data from

September 1989 (2,934) and 1991 (4,558) and do not include

homeschooled students who have obtained a religious exemption from

the compulsory education law through the LEA. The 1995–96 data

includes both regular filings (8,678) and religious exemptions (2,184). 

Charles W. Finley, (804) 225–2747.

Washington 7,046 18,074 Families file with the LEA, which reports to the SEA. Melinda Dyer,

(206) 753–7389.

West Virginia The last year for which data are available is 1989–90. The SEA reported

that 399 families had filed papers with the LEA as of the spring of 1989.

 The SEA staff at the time multiplied this by an estimated number of

compulsory school aged children per family and estimated that 684

children were homeschooling in the state. The SEA has no readily

available data for 1995–96. David Perine, (304) 558–3788.

Wisconsin 6,298 15,632 Parents file reports with the SEA. The 1990–91 data are from February

1991. Sally Sarnstrom, (608) 266–7475.

Wyoming 535 1,544 Parents file reports with the SEA. For 1996, the state had papers

accounting for 920 families, and 1,648 children. Jim Lendino, (307)

777–6268.

TOTAL 76,968 222,040

*Table Notes

This table presents numbers of homeschooled children where state education agencies (SEAs) have published their documented data for 1990–91 and

1995–96. Data often include children only of compulsory school age. These data do not include children enrolled in a public school distance learning

program or independent study. These data are not collected according to any uniform format among states, and time frames vary considerably. In some

cases a different method is used in the same state for the two points in time. Most often the local education agency (LEA) collects the data, and forwards it

to the state. When the LEA collects the data, the SEA often does not receive it until late in the year.

The SEA contact listed is the person believed to be most knowledgeable about homeschooling in the SEA. In most cases, this person is also the source

of data, and was contacted by telephone, postal mail or e–mail. In other cases the source of data was a staff assistant or staff colleague, or a published

report.
Appendix B, p. 1

Appendix B

Families Who File Paperwork

State 1990 n 1995 n

Alabama 64.8% 54 *

Alaska 38.5% 13 50.0% 18

Arizona 60.0% 10 61.5% 13

Arkansas * 92.3% 13

California 41.1% 319 55.1% 89

Colorado 28.6% 14 68.2% 22

Connecticut 60.0% 25 58.8% 17

Delaware 55.6% 18

Florida 46.4% 28 48.8% 41

Georgia 90.0% 10 87.5% 32

Hawaii * * *

Idaho * 5.6% 18

Illinois 34.5% 29 20.0% 35

Indiana 46.2% 26 30.0% 20

Iowa 51.6% 31 94.4% 18

Kansas 63.0% 27 69.0% 29

Kentucky * 80.0% 30

Louisiana * *

Maine * 100.0% 17

Maryland 68.4% 19 83.3% 36

Massachusetts 66.7% 12 84.6% 13

Michigan 36.8% 152 17.1% 35

Minnesota * 80.6% 31

Mississippi * 78.9% 19

Missouri * 21.7% 23

Montana * 82.6% 23

Nebraska 100.0% 13 81.5% 27

Nevada * *

New Hampshire 100.0% 13 85.7% 14
Appendix B, p. 2

State 1990 n 1995 n

New Jersey * 46.7% 15

New Mexico 100.0% 6 96.8% 31

New York 96.2% 79 88.7% 53

North Carolina * 84.2% 19

North Dakota * *

Ohio 75.2% 105 81.0% 63

Oklahoma 14.3% 14 3.3% 30

Oregon 62.5% 16 68.4% 19

Pennsylvania 86.7% 45 86.4% 44

Rhode Island * *

South Carolina 69.0% 29 21.1% 19

South Dakota * 83.3% 18

Tennessee 21.1% 19 31.3% 48

Texas 6.8% 132 8.4% 95

Utah 63.6% 22

Vermont * 77.8% 18

Virginia 59.8% 82 68.1% 69

Washington 55.6% 18 74.6% 67

West Virginia * 93.8% 32

Wisconsin * 100.0% 41

Wyoming * 91.9% 37

Source: Unpublished data from Brian Ray, National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI), Salem, Oregon.

Table Notes: 

“n” is the number of respondents in the Ray survey for each year.

* The percentage of filers for these states was deemed somewhat unreliable, as less than 12 families responded to the survey

in these states in any one of the two years. An exception was made for two states where at least 12 families responded to the

survey in a year and it corroborated the other year’s results (the results were within 10 percent of each other).
Appendix C

Appendix C

Estimate of Homeschooling Children in 1995–96

Based on 12 states with Highest Filing Rates

State

SEA Data for

1995–96

filing rate from

survey

Estimate of all

homeschoolers

Total Population

age 5 to 17

Arkansas 5,755 92.3% 6,235 477,000

Georgia 15,356 87.5% 17,550 1,372,000

Maine 3,400 100.0% 3,400 230,000

Maryland 9,529 83.3% 11,435 904,000

Minnesota 10,519 80.6% 13,044 925,000

Montana 3,159 82.6% 3,824 179,000

Nebraska 4,137 81.5% 5,077 329,000

New Hampshire 3,025 85.7% 3,529 219,000

North Carolina 13,801 84.2% 16,389 1,285,000

South Dakota 2,724 83.3% 3,269 154,000

Wisconsin 15,632 100.0% 15,632 1,009,000

Wyoming 1,544 91.9% 1,680 104,000

12–state totals 88,581 101,063 7,188,000

homeschoolers, percentage

of 12-state population

1.41%

National Population, 1995,

age 5 to 17

49,149,000

Estimated number

homeschooling nationally

(1.41 % x nat’l population)

691,023

Source: Homeschooling data are from appendices A and B, and from unpublished data from Brian Ray, National Home Education

Research Institute (NHERI), Salem, Oregon. National data are from NCES, Digest of Education Statistics, table 16 (1996). The

data were estimated by NCES for July of 1995. The newer 1997 Digest re–estimates the July 1995 data at 48,974,000. Use of

this lower number would make the estimated homeschool percentages increase slightly (but less than .2 percent in the aggregate). 

But more importantly, the July date comes early in the year. Given national trends, this number would be expected to grow by the

time of the data collection on homeschoolers for the 1995–96 school year. Therefore, the 1996 estimates were retained.