The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live, work, and learn. With the closure of schools and universities, many parents have had to make the difficult decision to homeschool their children. But will homeschooling return after the pandemic?According to Susan Dantoni, a former homeschooler and advocate who runs the Facebook page for homeschooling students in the greater Rochester, New York area, the group has received more than 1000 new requests from members interested in homeschooling since the start of the pandemic. The group has nearly 5,000 members from across Upstate New York.
Another homeschooling advocate believes that this year's homeschooling rate will exceed 10%, due to society during the pandemic. There are many reasons why people choose homeschooling. For one, it allows families to be comfortable at home and have a flexible schedule. It also allows them to spend more time together as a family. Kailey, a homeschooler, said that another benefit is the growth her younger brother learns because both siblings learn at home. When it comes to participating in activities outside of school, children can participate in city travel sports teams, homeschool cooperatives, and church activities.
Parents can also take more control of their children's education by working with an independent microschool or tutor, or by educating themselves at home. The Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), a national nonprofit organization that helps homeschooling families who want to exercise their right to teach their children outside the traditional school environment, examined available data on the number of American households that were studying in the household and found that it had peaked at 19.5 percent in May of this year, compared to 3.3 percent before the pandemic. Kvyatkovsky turned his kitchen into a classroom, created home student cards, and called his school Home Sweet Homeschool. The one-hour meeting turned into nearly four, a sign of the growing interest in homeschooling after the pandemic changed typical school schedules and forced many children to learn remotely during the lockdown. Bradley decided to homeschool his 7-, 10- and 11-year-old children. The increase in homeschooling comes as New York City's public schools have already lost tens of thousands of students during the pandemic. The rising numbers have reduced public school enrollment in ways that affect future funding and have renewed debates about how strictly homeschooling should be regulated. Thomas Schmidt, senior counsel for the Homeschool Legal Defense Association, said that while homeschooling wasn't as popular decades ago, many families who tried the option during the pandemic have decided to stick with it. The increase in the number of urban parents opting for homeschooling coincides with a national trend caused by the pandemic, which has continued even with the return of face-to-face classes.
Of the 18 states whose enrollment data included the current school year, all but one said that homeschooling declined from the previous year, but remained well above pre-pandemic levels. The Hudson Valley Homeschoolers Facebook group saw interest rise from an average of 10 new members per week to 10 per day since the pandemic, said group administrator Willow Keeler, who has been homeschooling his children for more than 10 years. Queens mother Carolina Brinkman will begin homeschooling her fourth child this fall when her oldest son enters sixth grade. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of students studying at home in New York City has more than doubled to about 12,900 children. You must make a statement of intent to homeschool your child before July 1 or within 14 days after starting a homeschooling program. Enjoy the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn more Get hyperlocal forecasts, weather and radar alerts. Overall, it is not surprising that there has been an uptick in homeschooling last school year due to COVID-19. Even so, parents should recognize that they can take more control of their children's education by either working with an independent microschool or tutor or by educating themselves at home. As we move forward into 2021 and beyond, it is clear that homeschooling will remain an important part of our educational landscape.
With its many benefits and advantages over traditional schooling methods, it is likely that more parents will choose this option for their children's education.
