Solutions for Military Homeschoolers

Military families homeschool their children at nearly twice the rate of civilian families and face unique challenges associated with military life. State policies that streamline homeschool requirements, expand access to educational resources such as extracurricular activities and sports, and clarify federal requirements for Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, or JROTC, eligibility can contribute to greater stability for military families, which supports retention efforts.

Military families face unique education challenges due to frequent relocations and inconsistent state homeschooling laws, which disrupt learning and strain family stability — impacting mission readiness. These families homeschool at nearly twice the civilian rate, and they must navigate varying state requirements with each PCS move, from minimal oversight to strict standards. While the War Department provides comprehensive homeschooling support to military families, we also recognize associated challenges families may face, which can cause service members to choose between military service and their children’s education. The fiscal year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act highlighted support gaps, and while more than 30 states offer homeschool access policies, expanding military-specific provisions could ease stress, improve retention and better support these families.