In a number of school districts, from central Florida to San Diego county, Christian rightists have blocked Head Start programs, sex education, and multicultural curricula. Most, though certainly not all, home schoolers are born-again Christians, and estimates of their numbers range widely. The most recent Department of Education study estimates between 248,500 and 353,500 home schooled students, which is less than 1 percent of the total school-age population. Department of Education researcher Patricia Lines says Farris's figures are high because he includes pre-school aged children and an unknown number of students who, though officially enrolled in private Christian academies, spend part of their school week learning at home. Lines also says Farris's figure reflects the growth of home schooling just in the past few years.
Home schooling is common in rural areas, and it's perfectly legal.
Most states require only a high school diploma from parents who teach at home. Existing data show that home-schooled students perform better than average on achievement tests in basic subjects. The drive for higher academic achievement is probably the least salient reason why thousands of Christian parents have dropped out of public schools. For the ranks of the Christian Right, home schooling is more than a private choice. It is a trend with profound political implications.