The U.S. Department of Education has released
new data showing an increase in home schooling, particularly among families that are wealthy, white and well-educated.
USA Today summarized the study, saying:
"As of spring 2007, an estimated 1.5 million, or 2.9 percent of all school-age children in the USA, were home-schooled, up from 1.7 percent in 1999.
"The new figures come from the U.S. Department of Education, which found that 36 percent of parents said their most important reason for home schooling was to provide 'religious or moral instruction'; 21 percent cited concerns about school environment. Only 17 percent cited 'dissatisfaction with academic instruction.'
"Perhaps most significant: The ratio of home-schooled boys to girls has shifted significantly. In 1999, it was 49 percent boys, 51 percent girls. Now boys account for only 42 percent; 58 percent are girls."
