Update (9/30): Colleges Coveting Homeschooled Students
——————————————————
I am extremely pleased to know that the number of homeschooling black families is increasing.
Before I elaborate on the race issue, let’s look at class. According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, half of homeschooling families have incomes of $50,000 or less. Three quarters earn $75,000 or less.
Contrary to popular opinion, homeschooling is not a phenomenon of “the rich.” Well-off families often opt to send their kids to private and parochial schools. A high income is not a prerequisite to homeschooling. Having an intact family is more likely the key to successful homeschooling. Somebody has to be the breadwinner. I can’t imagine one parent working and homeschooling.
What I’m about to say next is controversial, though it shouldn’t be. Married people with children tend to have different priorities and values than unmarried people with children.
For example, a woman who goes to the “trouble” of getting married before procreating for whatever reason (Christian values, fear of stigma, etc.) creates a more stable environment for her offspring. The children’s biological father has more investment interest, so to speak, in his offspring if he’s living with them and married to their mother. Consequently, he’s more willing to do what’s necessary to support them. An intact family has the option to forgo two full-time incomes so the mother can remain at home with the children.
Unmarried mothers have much fewer options. Homeschoolers also tend to be jaded with government schools for religious and/or moral reasons. In that regard, homeschooling will likely remain a phenomenon of religious-minded, intact families of any color.
Now, on to race. From the San Francisco Chronicle:
Although homeschoolers often are stereotyped as white and evangelical Christians, in 2003 about 9 percent of homeschooled students were black, and 77 percent were white, compared with a total student population nationwide that was 16 percent black and 62 percent white. Homeschoolers numbered 1.1 million in 2003, compared with about 49.5 million students in public and private schools, according to the most recent federal statistics from the U.S. Department of Education.
…
The growth among African Americans can be seen in the increasing number of networking groups, blogs and Internet sites directed at black homeschoolers — and in who is showing up at conventions.
The National Home Education Research Institute reported in 2003 that homeschooling saw its largest increase in Prince George’s County, Maryland, touted as the largest and wealthiest predominantly black county in the U.S.
If parents of any color and creed want more educational options for their kids (and tax dollars), the first thing they need to do is stop voting for Democrats. 
Are you a homeschooling black parent? Let us know.
Homeschooling bloggers:
- Victoria Carrington, black homeschooling mother
- Spunky Homeschool
- The Homeschooling Revolution
- Why Homeschool
- Homeschool Blogger Directory
