Podcaster Calls Homeschooling a “Crazy Christian Problem” — and the DOE Fires Back

What Happened?

Imagine a chat show on the internet (called a podcast) where two friends complain about things that annoy them. One of those friends, Jennifer Welch, recently said some strong words about homeschooling.

• Welch said homeschooling is a “Crazy Christian problem.”
• She also called it “trickle down stupidity” and “MAGA on steroids.” (MAGA stands for "Make America Great Again," a political slogan.)
• She was talking after a listener called in saying they were tired of watching former classmates—who they thought were not very smart—decide to teach their own kids at home.

Important Point: Welch is a liberal (left-leaning) podcaster. She co-hosts a show called I’ve Had It with Angie Sullivan. The show is built around the two of them venting about stuff that bugs them.

The Department of Education Responds

The U.S. Department of Education (a big government group that handles schools) did not like those comments. They wrote on X (the social media site formerly called Twitter):

• “The proven value of homeschooling should never be dismissed as ‘trickle-down stupidity.’”
• “The only thing that is stupid is your ignorance.” (Ignorance just means not knowing something.)

They also added that homeschoolers, like a winner of a special “Presidential 1776 Award,” have shown they can succeed at the highest levels again and again.

Others Who Spoke Up

Many people and groups disagreed with Welch’s take:

1. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (a Republican) wrote: “Not true. Also, in my experience homeschool students tend to be noticeably well-behaved.”
2. Ivan LaBianca, who was homeschooled, told Newsweek:
   • Homeschoolers “are definitely not a monolith” (meaning they are not all the same).
   • His family homeschooled for flexibility and other reasons—not just politics or religion.
   • He loved doing “side quests” like woodworking, ceramics, and building remote-control airplanes.
   • His mom (a teacher with a master’s degree) and dad (an archaeologist with a PhD) taught him.
   • He says homeschooling helped him learn on his own and get comfortable with adults and a wide mix of kids.
3. Benjamin Domenech, an editor at Daily Wire, posted that his homeschooled siblings got full college rides, wrote speeches for presidents, and became officials and war heroes—while Welch “has a podcast.”

Important Point: Welch has sparked criticism before—like when she called Erika Kirk (widow of Charlie Kirk) a “grifter.” Her podcast is known for bold left-wing views and swear words.

Homeschooling Is Growing

Since the COVID-19 pandemic (the big sickness that kept kids home in 2020), more families teach kids at home.

• A Johns Hopkins study of U.S. Census data found:
  • 2023–24 school year: 5.92% of school-aged kids were homeschooled.
  • 2019 (before pandemic): only 2.8% were homeschooled.
• So the number has almost doubled.

Studies Show Homeschooling Benefits

Most published research says homeschooled kids do as well or better than regular-school kids on tests and in college.

• A University of Minnesota study looked at 732 homeschooled students in 140 colleges:
  • Homeschoolers had higher SAT scores and high school GPAs on entry.
  • Once matched with similar traditional students, their first-year college GPA was about the same.
• Researcher Brian Ray found homeschool students score 15 to 30 percentile points above public-school students on standard tests.

But not everyone agrees on why:

• Some researchers say the boost may come from family traits (like involved parents, income, education)—not homeschooling itself.
• Critics note many studies use volunteers, so the homeschool families who share scores may be extra engaged.

Important Point: The proof is mixed, but many studies show homeschooling can work well when done with care.

Summary

A podcaster named Jennifer Welch said homeschooling is a “Crazy Christian problem” and “trickle-down stupidity.” The Department of Education and others (like Gov. DeSantis and a homeschooled man named Ivan) pushed back hard. Homeschooling has grown since COVID, and most studies show homeschooled students perform well—though experts debate the exact reasons.

FAQ

Q: Who is Jennifer Welch?
A: She is a liberal podcaster who co-hosts I’ve Had It, a show where she and Angie Sullivan complain about things that annoy them.

Q: What did the Department of Education say?
A: They said homeschooling’s value is proven and should not be called “stupidity,” and they said the only stupid thing was Welch’s ignorance.

Q: Is homeschooling becoming more common?
A: Yes. About 5.92% of school kids were homeschooled in 2023–24, almost double the 2.8% in 2019 before the pandemic.

Q: Do homeschooled kids do well in school?
A: Most research says they score as well or better on tests and college outcomes, though some say family background plays a big role.