• Between 1 July 20010 and 1 July 2011 the number of homeschoolers decreased by 265 students – a 3.9 per cent decrease.

Figure 1: Number of Homeschooling Students 1998-2011

For more statistics: http://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/statistics/schooling/homeschooling/homeschooling-as-at-1-july-2011

I have had many comments from families concerned about the decrease in the numbers of home educators over the period July 2010 to July 2011. It would seem that it could be related to the number of home educators who are now doing 3 or more papers with the Correspondence School. It would seem that these students are no longer counted as home educators but as being included on the Correspondence School roll.

Here are some of the comments:

Can we find out how many were homeschooling then went to doing 3 subjects at Correspondence school – so not legally homeschooling but still at home studying with their families?

and another this email shows the heart of the matter

Just wondering where these figures come from?

When teenagers join the Correspondence School as full time students – we return our exemptions and stop receving the allowance – and are classified as not home schooling.  This is simply not true – although I am classed as my daughter’s supervisor now, I am definitely just, if not more involved in her education – including hands on learning – day to day, and every day I ‘teach’, I just don’t get paid for it, or recognised as such.

We have just completed our 10th year of homeschooling.  The only difference between being at the Correspondence school or not, is that I no longer have to ‘source’ my curriculum, but we spend many many hours ‘supplementing’ and ‘researching’ to fill in the ‘bones’ of the Correspondence School curriculum, I am definitely teaching! G………. is certainly still being home educated!

Just wondered if many students were being classed as no longer homeschooling when they join the correspondence school from the MOE’s perspective, and if so, I certainly challenge these figures.

Kind regards to your family from ours.  May you know the Lord’s continued peace and joy and may this Christmas be very special for you as a family.  You are still in our thoughts and prayers.

Blessings

P……………

Proud to be a homeschooling mum for 10 years!

To God be the glory

I will contact the MoE to see if this can be made clearer.

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Almost all (98.3 per cent) of homeschoolers reported their ethnicity. Of these:

• 81.6 per cent identified as European/Pakeha
• 10.4 per cent identified as Maori
• A lower proportion of homeschoolers were identified as being Maori, Asian or Pasifika than compared to students attending regular schools

Figure 5: Comparison of School Students and Homeschoolers by Ethnic Group at 1 July 2011

For more statistics go to: http://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/statistics/schooling/homeschooling/homeschooling-as-at-1-july-2011

• Nelson, Northland and West Coast regions had the highest proportions of homeschoolers compared to the total school populations in those regions.
• Gisborne, Otago  and Hawkes Bay had the lowest proportions of homeschoolers in relation to their total school populations
• The majority of homeschoolers (73.3 per cent) reside in the North Island, with 23.2 per cent in Auckland

Figure 4: Percentage of Homeschoolers by Region at 1 July 2011

Note: Not applicable includes Not applicable, Chatham Islands and Correspondence School

For more statistics: http://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/statistics/schooling/homeschooling/homeschooling-as-at-1-july-2011

Of those being homeschooled, 61.3 per cent were in the primary school age range (5-12 years old).

For more statistics: http://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/statistics/schooling/homeschooling/homeschooling-as-at-1-july-2011

These figures have always been a concern to us:

Between 1 July 2010 and 30 June 2011, 1,106 students commenced homeschooling

Between 1 July 2010 and 30 June 2011, 1,371 students finished homeschooling.

Number of Students Commencing Homeschooling

Between 1 July 2010 and 30 June 2011, 1,106 students commenced homeschooling – a decrease of 11.4 per cent compared with the number starting during the previous year.

Of those starting in the 12 months ending 30 June 2011:
•    38.5 % were aged six years old
•    82.5 % were aged within the primary school age range (5-12 years old)

Figure 2: Number of Homeschoolers Commencing between July 2010 and July 2011

Number of Students Finishing Homeschooling

Between 1 July 2010 and 30 June 2011, 1,371 students finished homeschooling. Of these:
•    210 students (15.3 %) finished their homeschooling within a year of starting
•    843 students (61.5 %) finished within four years
•    513 students (37.4 %) had been homeschooled for 5 or more years

Figure 3: Duration of Homeschoolers Finishing between July 2010 and July 2011

For more statistics go to: http://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/statistics/schooling/homeschooling/homeschooling-as-at-1-july-2011