40 Percent of Parents Are ‘More Likely’ to Homeschool after Lockdown Ends

Around four in 10 families say they are “more likely” to homeschool their children after the lockdown ends, according to a new survey that also found widespread support for school choice.

The Real Clear Opinion Research poll was conducted April 18-21 and asked 626 parents if they are “more or less likely to enroll your son or daughter in a homeschool, neighborhood homeschool co-op, or virtual school once the lockdowns are over?” 

A total of 40.8 percent of parents said they are more likely, while 31.1 percent said they are less likely. A majority of Asians (53.8 percent) and blacks (50.4 percent) said they are more likely to homeschool, while more than a third of Hispanic parents (38.2 percent) and whites (36.3 percent) also answered “more likely.” 

The question for parents was part of a larger survey of 2,122 registered voters.

John Schilling, president of the American Federation of Children, said the poll should inform policy decisions. 

“Every single family with kids in school has been incredibly disrupted by the lockdowns,” Schilling said. “With 55 million students no longer in their normal educational setting, families are clearly considering new options and many are seeing the benefits of homeschooling and virtual schooling.”

Meanwhile, 64 percent of registered voters said they support school choice. Voters were asked, “School choice gives parents the…