El Paso Standard

Enrollment in Texas public schools has dropped significantly and one analysis shows almost 250,000 students in the state are not in school. El Paso area schools have also seen a decrease in enrollment.

Texas 2036 reported on the decline in enrollment and indicated that a large number of students are no longer receiving in-person instruction. 

"According to a new analysis of public data by Texas 2036, almost 250,000 students, representing 4% or more of all Texas students, are missing from Texas schools, and only two out of every five Texas students are receiving in-person instruction," Texas 2036 reported.

El Paso’s three largest school districts saw their enrollment drop by 5% last fall, El Paso Matters reported. The El Paso, Socorro and Ysleta districts saw their combined enrollment drop by 7,000 students. 

El Paso ISD anticipated last May that 54,000 students would be enrolled this year, but its enrollment was approximately 50,700 in mid-October, El Paso Matters reported. That reflects an 8% decrease.

The Ysleta ISD had planned for 500 students to un-enroll, but that number rose to 2,000 students, El Paso Matters reported. The district could potentially lose $8 million in state funds as funding is tied to student enrollment.

The Socorro ISD also saw a decline in enrollment and has 500 fewer students than it anticipated. El Paso Matters reported the district could see its funding decrease by $5.4 million.

Statewide and nationwide, the trend toward other education options in the midst of the pandemic has gained ground. Texas Home School Coalition, which tracks how many students are withdrawing from public schools and are being home schooled reported the trend is growing.

"Early numbers indicate that the growth in home schooling nationwide and in Texas due to COVID-19 is substantial," the coalition reported. "A recent survey from Real Clear Opinions found that 40% of registered voters were more likely to enroll their children in a home school or a virtual school after the coronavirus."

The coalition also indicated a Gallup survey found the number of families that would home school their child doubled from 5% in 2019 to 10% in 2020. 

"Applied to Texas, Gallup's data would translate to more than 670,000 home-school students in Texas and more than $7 billion in savings to the state per year from students who the state was not paying to education in public school," its website states.

That Gallup survey released in August showed home schooling gaining momentum as parents' satisfaction with their child's K-12 public education decreased.