More city kids are schooled at home | Teachers College Columbia University

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More city kids are schooled at home

There was a 32% increase in the number of New Yorkers who educated their children at home between 2003 and 2007, Luis Huerta comments.
There was a 32% increase in the number of New Yorkers who educated their children at home between 2003 and 2007, close to the 36% increase nationwide.

A growing number of city parents are home-schooling their kids, joining a group whose ranks are growing nationally.

Home-schooled children here aren't required to take uniform state exams, but they must choose from a list of acceptable ones at least every other year from fourth to eighth grade.

The percentage of those citing religion and morality as reasons for home-schooling jumped to 83% from 72% nationally.

Researchers suspect that religion is not the primary motivator for the increase in the city.

"It seems to be a more affluent, progressive group of parents choosing to home-school in New York City," said Luis Huerta of Teachers College, who stressed that there were no hard data to support that conclusion.

Parents say online courses and Internet communities have made home-schooling easier.


Published Friday, Jan. 23, 2009

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