TX Students Withdrawing From Public School at a Shocking Rate

Hey everyone, welcome back to the Family Freedom Project Podcast! Today, I want to talk about  some really interesting new data coming out of the Texas Education Agency. It highlights a major trend in education, and it’s all about parents taking the reins when it comes to their kids’ education and choosing the path that best fits their family’s needs.

Transcript

TX Students Withdrawing From Public School at a Shocking Rate

Introduction:

Hey everyone, welcome back to the Family Freedom Project Podcast! Today, I want to talk about  some really interesting new data coming out of the Texas Education Agency. It highlights a major trend in education, and it’s all about parents taking the reins when it comes to their kids’ education and choosing the path that best fits their family’s needs.

Segment 1: TEA Report

So, the Texas Education Agency has released some eye-opening stats. It turns out that more than 50,000 students each year in 2022 and 2023 withdrew from public schools to pursue homeschooling. This doesn’t even count students who are pursuing other forms of education outside of the public school system! And during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, that number actually jumped to over 83,000!

Segment 2: What the Numbers Mean

Now, those are some big numbers, and they really tell a story about what’s happening in education right now. More and more parents are exercising their rights to guide and direct their children’s education. And honestly, as a parent, who wouldn’t want to have a say in what their child’s education looks like? We all want what’s best for our kids, and who better to decide that than us - the parents?

Segment 3: Not Just a Covid Trend

What’s really striking about this trend is that it’s not just a temporary response to the pandemic. Even now, the number of students withdrawing from public schools, in order to homeschool, remains about 50% higher than it was before. We’re seeing more and more families embrace the idea of educational freedom—whether that means private school, online learning, hybrid models, or other alternatives.

And here’s the thing: this trend is deeply rooted in something fundamental—parents’ rights. We’ve always had the right to make decisions about our children’s education. It’s about knowing our kids, understanding their needs, and being able to choose the path that’s going to help them thrive.

Between 1997 and 2023, nearly 800,000 7-12th grade students in Texas alone have withdrawn from public schools to pursue homeschooling. That’s a huge number, and again, it doesn’t even capture the full number of students withdrawing to pursue alternative forms of education or K - 6th grade.. This really highlights just how important parental choice is.

Segment 4: Parental Rights are at the Core of Educational Freedom

But it’s not just about the numbers. It’s about the principle that parents are in the best position to decide what’s right for their kids. We should have the freedom to choose an educational path that aligns with our values, beliefs, and the unique needs of our children.

And remember, while this data focuses on students who have withdrawn from public schools, there are likely even more families who chose alternative education from the start. It’s a powerful reminder that parental rights are at the core of educational freedom.

Conclusion: It’s Your Call to Make

So, what’s the takeaway here? If you’re a parent, know that you have the right to make informed decisions about your child’s education. Whether that’s public school, private school, homeschooling, or another option, it’s your call to make. And that’s something we should all celebrate and protect.

End of Podcast

Thanks for tuning in today. I hope this information was helpful and gave you something to think about when it comes to your own child’s education. Keep exploring the best options for your kids, and I’ll catch you on the next episode of the Family Freedom Project Podcast!