WESTFORD, Vt. (AP) - Students aren’t just back to hitting the book at Vermont’s public schools this month.

Thousands of Vermont children are being taught at home as well.

Last year the Department of Education said there were more than 2,500 Vermont children being educated at home.

That figure is up from 92 home schooled students in 1981.

Some families home school to emphasize religious values, others reject public school methods, while others want their children’s special education needs met at home.

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