Johns Hopkins Homeschool Research Lab

That's a wrap ! The Johns Hopkins Homeschool Research Lab had a great time in Chicago for this year's Association for Education Finance and Policy conference.

Alanna Bjorklund-Young, Angela R. Watson, and Norman P. Gibbs presented "Recapturing Students and Funding: How Districts Use À La Carte Courses to Recoup Enrollment Losses," exploring how school districts are responding to enrollment shifts through flexible course offerings. We appreciated the thoughtful questions and engaging discussion that followed.

One of our favorite parts of the conference was gathering with colleagues for dinner after a packed day of sessions — a reminder of how much this community of researchers and practitioners strengthens the work we all do in education policy.

Thank you to AEFP for another excellent conference. We're already looking forward to next year!

Nearly three-fourths of homeschoolers would use public funds for education if they could, new Rand data shows https://www.the74million.org/article/exclusive-many-homeschoolers-want-esas-but-texas-awards-more-funds-to-private-school-kids/

New data from the Johns Hopkins Homeschool Research Lab challenge a common narrative about homeschooling families and public funding.

In partnership with RAND Corporation's American Life Panel, we surveyed a nationally representative sample of over 2,400 parents of K–12 students to better understand who homeschools and why. Among our first findings:

➡️ 68% of homeschooling parents either currently use or would use public funding — such as education savings accounts (ESAs) or tax credits — to homeschool their child.
➡️ 71% of homeschooling parents who do not currently have access to public funds say they would use them if available.
➡️ Just over 22% of homeschooling parents report having access to public funding, while over half say they do not.

Data collection with RAND is ongoing, with surveys of adults and students planned for 2026. We'll publish new results as they become available.

Explore the full findings: https://education.jhu.edu/edpolicy/policy-research-initiatives/homeschool-hub/new-data-us-homeschooling/

In the newest episode of the Johns Hopkins Homeschool Connections Podcast, Nina Buchanan, professor emerita at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and a leading voice in school choice research, reflects on decades of work in the field and what's still needed to move homeschool research forward.

Nina shares how her own experience navigating the traditional school system with a gifted child opened her eyes to homeschooling and other educational alternatives. She discusses the evolving state of the homeschool research field, the importance of methodological rigor, and offers insights from her local homeschool community on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Subscribe and listen:

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1g3oZwdaX4FlssFxxaswkg?si=3hPtjok2RMi-cFzNCefzcg
🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-5-the-state-of-the-homeschool-research/id1869266362?i=1000756142937
🎧 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muIs5qzJL8U&t=19s

South Carolina's homeschool population has tripled over the past 15 years and is growing faster than in any other state, according to the Homeschool Hub at Johns Hopkins University.

The Post and Courier's in-depth report features insights from Johns Hopkins Homeschool Research Lab Director Angela Watson on what's driving homeschool growth, why families choose it, and why rigorous data matters for this evolving sector.

Read more: https://www.postandcourier.com/education-lab/homeschooling-surged-sc-who-tracks-kids/article_0feca51b-d9e7-407c-a95e-72f166dd12ca.html

In the latest episode of the Johns Hopkins Homeschool Connections Podcast, Dr. Timberly Baker explores the nuanced landscape of rural home education, with a particular focus on the experiences of Black families in the American Southern Black Belt.

The conversation examines how limited resources, local school district dynamics, and the intersection of race and educational policy shape the realities of rural home educators. Dr. Baker also connects her work to broader systemic issues, including the school-to-prison pipeline, and makes a compelling case for more inclusive, representative research in the field of home education.

Subscribe and listen:

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4XOuQBHxIj2mHdU4oCGJpa?si=C7DYOrFuRFyywM6v66l3pw
🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-4-contexts-of-rural-home-education-with/id1869266362?i=1000753384607
🎧 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phmF7TAPsto

The University of Arkansas College of Education and Health Professions has announced the recipients of its 2026 Outstanding Departmental Alumni Awards, and we're thrilled to share that 's own Angela Watson is among the distinguished honorees!

https://news.uark.edu/articles/80732/college-of-education-and-health-professions-names-departmental-alumni-award-winners

In honor of Black History Month, the latest episode of the Johns Hopkins Homeschool Connections Podcast highlights the rich history and evolving landscape of Black home education.

In Episode 3, we sit down with Cheryl Fields-smith, professor and department head at the University of Georgia, to explore the diversity and dynamics of Black home education. Dr. Fields-Smith shares universal lessons, challenges, and opportunities within the community, as well as the evolution of the homeschool research field. The conversation also examines the use of intersectionality and phenomenology in research, implications for minority communities in homeschooling, and Dr. Fields-Smith's upcoming projects — including plans for a documentary on Black home education.

Subscribe and listen:

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3CSykGUpvPHlbUqAuvRoGJ?si=ZjLx6WdZSIG4uJDn1ueLdA
🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-3-lessons-to-learn-from-black-home-education/id1869266362?i=1000750347676
🎧 YouTube: https://youtu.be/b6R53-myMY8

Episode 2 of the Johns Hopkins Homeschool Connections Podcast is here! In this episode, we sit down with Brenda Rosa, founder of the Homeschool Clinic, to explore the growing Latino homeschooling movement.

Brenda shares her journey in the homeschooling community, the pandemic's impact on families choosing to homeschool, and the unique needs of Latino homeschooling families. The conversation also examines representation and leadership within the community, as well as the role of Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) in making homeschooling more accessible and equitable.

Subscribe and listen:

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0XUsFSx3qVyw6igzIDMGmR?si=Cd_PKLJiR1OEuiElPrrFig&t=276
🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-2-truly-latino-homeschooling-with-brenda-rosa/id1869266362?i=1000748394907
🎧 YouTube Podcasts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmrJSsjRRj0&list=PLH3_QeyvgBzkBG2rsJFtmq-YQFTwF0pWi&index=2

We're excited to introduce the Johns Hopkins Homeschool Connections Podcast — a new miniseries from the Johns Hopkins Homeschool Research Lab that explores homeschool research, policy, and practice through data-driven conversations.

In our inaugural episode, Lab Director Angela Watson discusses the Lab's mission, the evolution of homeschool research, and the current dynamics of the homeschool population across the United States.

Whether you're a researcher, policymaker, educator, parent, or simply interested in understanding this growing segment of the education landscape, this podcast offers evidence-based perspectives on homeschooling today.

Subscribe and listen:

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2ny0ebxSXoL2oR7WRl0sRV?si=OZwMuYD1Sv28khbLb01fwQ
🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/johns-hopkins-homeschool-connections/id1869266362
🎧 YouTube Podcasts: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH3_QeyvgBzkBG2rsJFtmq-YQFTwF0pWi

What an incredible way to begin the new year by joining fellow academics in Rome, Italy, to share our knowledge on current research projects. While we may examine different educational topics, locations, and populations, what unites us is our shared commitment to using high-quality research evidence to drive policy. We look forward to collaborating with researchers across institutions and across the globe on future studies.

Tomorrow, our team will present their panel at the 2026 International School Choice and Reform Conference titled, "A Survey of Homeschool Policy and Participation." They will cover paper topics such as policy factors on homeschool participation, public resources available to homeschoolers, and the use of EFA funds. If you're in attendance, be sure to check it out from 9:30 to 11:00 AM Saturday, January 10, in Vittoria + Diana.

Download the full conference program:https://internationalschoolchoiceconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2026-ISCRC-Program-WEB.pdf

Learn more about ISCRC here: https://internationalschoolchoiceconference.org/