‘Counting On’: Jill Duggar Just Broke Duggar Protocol by Enrolling Her Son in School

It has finally happened, a Duggar kid has broken one of the family’s biggest rules. Jill Duggar announced that she and her husband Derick Dillard have decided to enroll their son, Israel Dillard, in traditional school. Jill, who was notoriously homeschooled alongside her 18 siblings, had taken it upon herself to educate Israel during his preschool years, but things are about to change in a big way, and fans are totally here for it.

Why did Jill and Derick choose traditional schooling over homeschooling?

While homeschooling does have some serious benefits when done correctly, according to research, Duggar family critics have been concerned that the Duggar kids were not properly educated by their parents. To educate the family, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar used a homeschooling program endorsed by the IBLP. The program focuses heavily on faith and seems to avoid any educational topic that breaks from its ultra-conservative belief system.

Several fans reached out to Jill to ask her about her decision to walk away from homeschooling, at least for now, but she’s yet to comment. Some fans believe the decision was primarily Derick’s, who, unlike Jill, spent all of his academic years inside a traditional classroom. Derick, who is currently enrolled in law school, appears to take education seriously. Before enrolling in law school, Derick attended Oklahoma State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree. Derick has been outspoken about his desire for his sons to also attend the school.

This is not the first decision Jill has made that bucks family tradition

While Israel’s enrollment in school is a massive deal inside the Duggar’s circle, it’s not the first decision Jill has made that proves she’s trying to distance herself from her family. Jill made the decision to pierce her nose and wear pants, both are choices that defy the rules set out by Jim Bob and Michelle. She also appears to be spending time with friends that wouldn’t have been considered acceptable by the family’s standards.

The Duggar family has been outspoken about their beliefs when it comes to alcohol. They do not partake and don’t believe others should partake, either. Jill has a few friends who clearly enjoy a glass of wine or two every now and again. While Jill has never mentioned if she drinks wine or not, some fans are starting to think she has, at the very least, given it a try. Being in the same room as someone drinking, according to the Duggar family, is verboten.

Which Duggars are currently homeschooling?

While the Duggar family is growing at breakneck speed, very few of the Duggar grandchildren are old enough to attend school. With that being said, several Duggars have shown an interest in continuing to homeschool. Anna Duggar, who is married to Josh Duggar, is currently homeschooling several children.

Mackynzie Duggar, who turned 10 in October 2019, is being homeschooled, as is Michael and Marcus Duggar, who are both old enough to attend school. Anna shows no signs of changing directions with her children’s education anytime soon. It can be assumed the family’s three younger children will also be educated at home.

Jessa Duggar has not mentioned her educational plans just yet. Her son, Spurgeon, will turn five in November, making him old enough to enroll in kindergarten. Jessa seems likely to choose to homeschool, as she hasn’t deviated much from the family’s belief system since her 2014 marriage to Ben Seewald.

Fans assume that Joseph Duggar and his wife, Kendra Caldwell, will make the decision to homeschool when their children are old enough, too. Both Kendra and Joseph were homeschooled. Fans believe Josiah Duggar and Lauren Swanson will make the same decision for their daughter, Bella, although they have several years to decide. Bella was born in November 2019.