Teachers Are Quitting: Is It Time to Homeschool Your Child?

by Aja McNair

Why are teachers quitting, and what does it mean for your child's education? Across social media, teachers are sharing their experiences with student behavior problems, Gen Alpha classroom challenges, academic struggles, and teacher burnout.

Some of these viral teacher videos are difficult to watch.

Educators are describing students who seem uninterested in learning, children struggling with basic reading skills, and classrooms where meeting every student's individual needs can feel nearly impossible.

And as more teachers speak out, parents are asking an important question:

Should I homeschool my child?

I'm Aja, Ed.S., an educational consultant with more than 15 years of experience in education. I help parents and teachers make teaching reading simpler, more systematic, and more effective.

And while I believe parents should pay attention to what educators are saying, I want to make something very clear:

Don't make educational decisions based on fear. Make them based on information.

Not every public school is failing. Not every teacher is quitting. And homeschooling isn't automatically the best choice for every family.

But if you've already been wondering whether your child's current educational environment is meeting their needs, this is a conversation worth having.

Let's look at what teachers are saying, what parents should be paying attention to, and how to determine whether homeschooling might be the right next step.

Why Are Teachers Quitting? What Educators Are Saying About Public Schools

If you've been following the viral teacher videos circulating online, you've probably noticed several recurring concerns.

Teachers are discussing student apathy, classroom behavior, academic gaps, and the emotional demands of teaching.

These experiences don't represent every classroom in America, but they raise questions that parents shouldn't automatically dismiss.

1. Student Apathy: Why Are Some Children Disengaged From Learning?

One concern teachers have been discussing is student apathy.

This goes beyond a child having an occasional bad day or not enjoying a particular assignment.

Some educators describe students who consistently avoid completing work, seem unconcerned about failing grades, or show little interest in participating in classroom instruction.

You may have also seen these concerns discussed in viral videos about Gen Alpha students.

However, I want to be careful here.

We cannot watch a handful of TikTok videos and conclude that an entire generation doesn't want to learn.

There are many reasons a child may become disengaged, including academic frustration, unmet learning needs, stress, or a lack of connection to what they're being taught.

But as a parent, there's a question I want you to consider:

Is your child becoming disengaged from learning?

Ask yourself:

• Does my child still enjoy discovering new things?

• Do they ask questions and demonstrate curiosity?

• Do they seem frustrated or defeated by schoolwork?

• Are they completing assignments without understanding what they're learning?

• Do they believe they're capable of learning difficult things?

Your child's relationship with learning matters.

One potential benefit of homeschooling is the opportunity to create an educational environment that responds more directly to your child's interests, pace, and individual needs.

You can slow down when something is difficult, spend additional time developing a skill, or explore a topic that sparks genuine curiosity.

But remember, the goal isn't simply to remove your child from public school.

The goal is to help your child become an engaged, confident learner.

2. Teacher Burnout and Classroom Behavior Problems

Another major conversation surrounding teachers quitting is the reality of classroom management.

Imagine teaching 25 or 30 children at once.

One child understands the lesson immediately.

Another needs the directions repeated.

Someone needs help staying focused.

Another child is ready to move ahead.

And another student may need intensive academic intervention.

Now imagine trying to meet all those needs while managing classroom behavior, completing assessments, communicating with families, and meeting instructional expectations.

That's a lot.

And as someone who has worked in education for more than 15 years, I understand that many teachers are doing the absolute best they can with the resources available to them.

A struggling classroom doesn't automatically mean there's an ineffective teacher.

Sometimes the challenge is simply that one educator is responsible for meeting the needs of many children simultaneously.

How Homeschooling Can Provide More Individualized Instruction

One advantage of homeschooling is the ability to provide more individualized attention.

Let's use reading instruction as an example.

Imagine you're teaching your child the sound represented by the letter M.

You show the letter and ask your child to produce the sound.

If they respond incorrectly, you can immediately model the correct sound, guide them through another attempt, and check their understanding.

That interaction might take only ten seconds.

But those ten seconds matter.

Effective foundational reading instruction includes explicit modeling, guided practice, opportunities to respond, corrective feedback, and continued assessment.

At home, you may have more flexibility to recognize an error and respond immediately.

Of course, homeschooling still requires planning, patience, and effective teaching practices.

But it can create opportunities to tailor instruction to the child sitting directly in front of you.

3. Teachers Are Warning Parents About Students Who Can't Read

Of all the concerns educators are raising, this is the one that concerns me the most.

Children struggling with foundational reading skills.

Reading difficulties don't automatically disappear as children get older.

And when a child hasn't developed the skills needed to decode unfamiliar words, simply assigning more difficult books won't necessarily solve the problem.

What the National Reading Data Shows

According to the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), fourth-grade reading performance declined compared with both 2022 and 2019.

The results showed that:

• 31% of fourth-grade students performed at or above NAEP Proficient in reading.

• 40% of fourth-grade students performed below NAEP Basic in reading.

NAEP Proficient is a specific achievement standard and should not be interpreted as simply meaning that a student is reading at grade level.

Nevertheless, these results highlight the importance of monitoring children's reading development.

Source: The Nation's Report Card — 2024 Reading Results

How to Know Whether Your Child Is Actually Learning to Read

When teachers say they're seeing children who struggle to read, I don't want parents to panic.

I want parents to check.

Can your child:

• Recognize letters and connect them with their corresponding sounds?

• Blend individual sounds together to read words?

• Separate spoken words into individual sounds?

• Decode unfamiliar words without guessing?

• Read connected text with increasing accuracy?

• Explain what they've read?

There's a difference between a child who has memorized familiar books and a child who can independently decode unfamiliar words.

And that difference matters.

If your child is struggling, your next step should be to identify which skills they have mastered and which skills need additional instruction.

Test. Don't guess.

Should I Homeschool My Child Because Teachers Are Quitting?

Now, here's where I may surprise you.

I'm not going to tell every parent reading this article to remove their child from public school tomorrow.

Because I don't know your child.

I don't know your family.

I don't know your school.

And I don't know what resources or support systems are available to you.

But I will tell you this:

If you've been feeling that something isn't working with your child's education, don't ignore it.

Before making a decision, take time to investigate what's actually happening.

Five Questions to Ask Before Deciding to Homeschool

1. Is my child making academic progress?

Look beyond report card grades. Review actual assignments, assessments, reading performance, and areas where your child may need support.

2. Does my child receive appropriate instructional support?

If your child is struggling, find out what interventions are being provided and how progress is being monitored.

3. Is my child becoming frustrated or disengaged?

Pay attention to your child's attitude toward learning, confidence, motivation, and emotional well-being.

4. Have I communicated my concerns with the school?

Schedule a conversation with your child's teacher. Ask specific questions about their performance and the support available.

5. Can I realistically provide the instruction and support my child needs at home?

Consider your schedule, financial situation, homeschool requirements, teaching confidence, and access to appropriate resources.

These questions can help you determine whether your child needs additional school-based support, a different educational environment, or a transition to homeschooling.

Need Help Deciding Whether to Homeschool?

You don't have to figure out every decision on your own.

If you're seriously considering homeschooling, I invite you to schedule a FREE Discovery Call with me.

We'll discuss your concerns, where your child is academically, and what your next step could look like.

BOOK YOUR FREE HOMESCHOOL DISCOVERY CALL

Homeschool vs. Public School: What Should Parents Consider?

When comparing homeschooling and public school, it's important to look beyond viral social media discussions.

Both educational environments can offer benefits and challenges.

Public schools may provide access to experienced educators, specialized services, extracurricular activities, peer relationships, and structured academic programs.

Homeschooling can offer flexibility, individualized pacing, more direct parental involvement, and opportunities to connect education with a family's values.

For Christian homeschool families, that may also include intentionally incorporating Scripture and biblical principles into daily instruction.

But here's something I want you to remember:

Homeschooling by itself does not fix an educational problem. Instruction does.

You can bring your child home and still struggle if you don't know how to teach the skills they need.

That's why I don't want your first question to be:

Which homeschool curriculum should I buy?

I want your first question to be:

What does my child actually need to learn?

Once you understand your child's starting point, you can begin making more intentional decisions about curriculum, instruction, and learning activities.

Can Parents Afford Homeschooling? Understanding Education Funding Changes

One of the biggest questions parents ask when considering homeschooling is:

Can we actually afford this?

Homeschooling may involve curriculum purchases, learning materials, technology, educational activities, and changes to a family's work schedule.

There have also been changes to federal education-related tax policies that families should understand.

The Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Beginning in 2027

Federal legislation created a new Scholarship Tax Credit beginning in 2027.

Under the program, eligible taxpayers may receive a federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for qualifying cash contributions to Scholarship Granting Organizations.

Those organizations may then provide educational scholarships to eligible students, subject to applicable rules and state participation.

Let me make something very clear:

This is not the federal government sending every homeschool family a $1,700 check.

The tax credit applies to qualifying contributions, not simply to a family's decision to homeschool.

Whether a family may receive scholarship assistance depends on the program's requirements, participating organizations, and applicable state rules.

Changes to 529 Plans and K–12 Education Expenses

Federal rules have also expanded certain permitted uses of 529 education savings plans.

The federal annual limit for qualifying K–12 distributions increased to $20,000 per beneficiary.

However, not every homeschool expense automatically qualifies, and state tax treatment may differ.

Before making financial decisions, verify current eligibility rules and consult a qualified tax professional when appropriate.

The important takeaway: Educational funding opportunities are changing, but families need accurate information about which programs and expenses actually apply to them.

How to Start Homeschooling When You Don't Know Where to Begin

If you've been researching homeschooling for beginners, you may already feel overwhelmed.

There are curriculum choices, schedules, state requirements, learning materials, and decisions about how to organize your day.

But you don't have to figure out everything at once.

Start with these practical steps.

Step 1: Identify Why You're Considering Homeschooling

Are you concerned about your child's reading development?

Are they struggling academically?

Are you looking for more individualized instruction?

Or do you want an educational environment that better aligns with your family's values?

Your reason for homeschooling should help shape your decisions.

Step 2: Understand Your Child's Academic Starting Point

Before choosing curriculum, identify what your child already knows and what they need to learn next.

This is especially important for reading.

If your child struggles with blending sounds, purchasing a more advanced reading curriculum won't automatically address that foundational gap.

Step 3: Research Your State's Homeschool Requirements

Homeschool laws vary by state.

Before withdrawing your child from school, research the legal requirements that apply to your family, including any applicable notification, attendance, recordkeeping, or assessment obligations.

Step 4: Create an Instructional Plan

Think about what your child needs to learn, how you'll teach it, and how you'll determine whether they're making progress.

You don't need an elaborate schedule immediately.

You need a realistic plan built around your child's needs.

Step 5: Get Support Before You Become Overwhelmed

One of the biggest mistakes parents can make is assuming they must figure out every part of homeschooling alone.

Support can help you avoid unnecessary curriculum purchases, identify learning gaps, and make more confident instructional decisions.

Ready to Start Your Homeschool Journey? Let's Talk.

If you're reading this because you've been watching teachers quit, hearing concerns about Gen Alpha classroom behavior, or wondering whether your child is receiving the education they need, I want you to know something.

You have options.

But the right next step depends on your family.

Maybe your child needs a reading assessment.

Maybe you need to better understand homeschool requirements.

Maybe you're ready to begin homeschooling but don't know what curriculum to choose.

Or maybe you need help deciding whether homeschooling is the right decision at all.

That's exactly why I offer a FREE Discovery Call.

During our conversation, we'll discuss:

• Where your family is right now

• What's happening with your child's education

• What's concerning you most

• What you hope to accomplish

• What your immediate next step could look like

BOOK YOUR FREE DISCOVERY CALL WITH AJA

Frequently Asked Questions About Teachers Quitting and Homeschooling

Why are so many teachers quitting?

Teachers have described challenges involving workload, classroom behavior, student disengagement, academic needs, and burnout. Individual experiences vary, and viral videos alone cannot establish how widespread each concern is.

Is Gen Alpha struggling in school?

Some teachers have publicly discussed concerns about student motivation, behavior, and academic performance among Gen Alpha students. However, individual children vary considerably, and social media experiences should not be used to characterize an entire generation.

Should I homeschool my child if they're struggling in public school?

Not necessarily. First, identify the specific academic or environmental challenges your child is experiencing. Talk with their teacher, review available support, and consider whether homeschooling would realistically help address those needs.

Is homeschooling better than public school?

Neither option is automatically better for every child. The best educational environment depends on your child's needs, the quality of instruction, available resources, family circumstances, and support systems.

Can I homeschool if I don't have teaching experience?

Parents without professional teaching experience can homeschool, subject to their state's requirements. However, effective instruction still requires preparation, appropriate materials, ongoing assessment, and a willingness to seek support when needed.

What should I do first if I want to start homeschooling?

Start by identifying your child's educational needs and researching your state's homeschool requirements. If you're unsure where to begin, book a free Discovery Call to discuss your situation and potential next steps.

Final Thoughts: Don't Let Fear Make the Decision for You

Teachers are sharing their experiences.

Parents should listen.

But then we need to look at our own children and make decisions based on what they actually need.

Don't homeschool because a viral video scared you.

And don't remain in an educational situation that isn't meeting your child's needs simply because you're afraid you can't teach them.

Get the information. Identify the need. Then make your next decision.

And if you're ready to talk through that decision, I'm here to help.

SCHEDULE YOUR FREE HOMESCHOOL DISCOVERY CALL

About the Author: Aja, Ed.S., is an educational consultant with more than 15 years of experience in education and the founder of Everything Aja. She helps teachers and homeschool parents simplify reading instruction through practical, systematic teaching strategies and educational support.