Trends in Homeschooling Rates Following Elimination of Nonmedical Exemptions to Childhood Immunizations, 2012-2020

Abstract

STRUCUTRED ABSTRACTIntroductionIn 2015 California passed Senate Bill No. 277 (SB 277) and became the first state in over 30 years to eliminate nonmedical exemptions to mandatory childhood immunizations for school entry. One concern that emerged was that the law created an incentive for parents to remove children from brick-and-mortar schools to bypass the immunization requirements.ObjectiveTo assess the impact of eliminating nonmedical exemptions to childhood immunizations on homeschooling rates.DesignPre-Post Intervention study. We calculated homeschooling rates as the number of K-8 students enrolled through each of California’s three homeschooling mechanisms (Independent Study Program, Private School Affidavit, and Private School Satellite Program) divided by all K-8 students enrolled in the same academic year. Data on homeschooling rates was obtained from the California Department of Education. We then conducted an interrupted time series analyses in which the outcome variable was percent of students enrolled in a homeschool program pre- and post-SB 277.SettingCalifornia homeschoolsParticipantsK-8 students enrolled through each of the state’s three homeschooling mechanisms (Independent Study Program, Private School Affidavit, and Private School Satellite Program)InterventionPassage of SB 277 which eliminated nonmedical exemptions to childhood immunizations for school entryMain OutcomeK-8 homeschooling ratesResultsThe homeschooling enrollment for K-8 students in California increased from 0.8% (35,122 students) during SY 2012-13 to 1.9% (86,574 students) during SY 2019-20; however, we found no significant increase in the percent of students enrolled in homeschooling programs in California following the implementation of SB 277 beyond the secular trend.Conclusions and RelevanceLegislative action to limit nonmedical exemptions to compulsory vaccination for school entry is not associated with removal from classroom-based instruction in brick- and-mortar institutions.KEY POINTSQuestionWhat is effect of California Senate Bill No. 277, which eliminated nonmedical exemptions to childhood immunizations for school entry, on the homeschooling rates?FindingWe found no evidence that elimination of nonmedical exemptions to mandatory childhood immunizations for school entry was associated with an increase in homeschooling rates for K-8 in California.MeaningLegislative action to limit nonmedical exemptions to compulsory vaccination for school entry is not associated with removal from classroom-based instruction in brick-and-mortar institutions.