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News Library to celebrate 15 years of service on Thursday Greenways project moving forward Rich history at Hanks House State sees growth in homeschools |
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State sees growth in homeschools By David Joy - Staff Writer Posted: Tuesday, Aug 25, 2009 - 05:24:45 pm EDT
The Annual Home School Statistical Report, from the N.C. Division of Non-Public Education, shows home schooling is on the rise. Across the state, 41,042 home schools were operated during the 2008-2009 school year, a seven percent increase from the previous year. Of these schools, 66 percent classified themselves as religious schools. In the past five years, N.C. has experienced a 24.7 percent increase in the number of home schools, with 9,512 new schools, and an increase of 31 percent in the number of home school students, with 18,285 new students. Home schools are defined by the state as, “a non-public school in which one or more children of not more than two families or households receive academic instruction from parents or legal guardians, or a member of either household.” Over the past five years, Jackson County has seen an even more dramatic increase in the number of home schools. Since the 2004-2005 school year, Jackson County has had a 26.3 percent increase in the number of home schools, 38 new schools, and an increase of 47.7 percent in the number of home school students, 104 new students. The statistics may seem skewed due to the small populations of Jackson County, but when considered that there are only 3,600 students in Jackson County public schools and 322 in Jackson County home schools, nearly one out of ten students are being home schooled in Jackson County. The state is unsure why there has been a sudden increase in the number of home schools. This rise could represent a loss in faith for public education, or perhaps ongoing state budget cuts are affecting parents’ decisions. Cashiers resident, Lise Dews has home schooled both of her daughters, while living in Cashiers. She says that, at least in Cashiers, the rise in home school has less to do with a loss in faith for public education and is based more on other factors. “We have really good schools in the Cashiers area,” Dews said. “But our family just saw more benefits with home schooling.” Some of the benefits Dews reports are tighter family bonds, the ability to teach a Christian curriculum, and more time for children to excel in their personal interests. “One of my daughters loves to dance and the other is into equestrian riding,” Dews explains. “Home schooling allows our children to get their work done and devote more time to their own interests.” “There were two major factors that led to our decision to home school,” Dews continues. “One was the ability to teach Christian materials to our children and the other was the freedom and flexibility to school our children while running a local business.” Some opponents of home schooling argue that home-schooled children never get a chance to develop the social interaction skills that a public school student is exposed to. However, Dews disagrees. “I feel that home school students are better socialized because they are constantly exposed to all age groups,” she said. “You’re not going to walk into any job and only be with people your own age.” Lise Dews is the director of the Cashiers Highlands Christian Home Schools group. For more information on home schooling in and around the Cashiers area call 828-743-5300 or email dews@dnet.net.
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