ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Until recently, Bruce Hirsch hadn't seriously considered home schooling. Content sending his 7-year-old son, Jonathan, to public school at Haw Creek Elementary in Asheville, the retired doctor doubted whether he'd have the patience to facilitate his son's at-home curriculum.

But after seeing North Carolina's proposed school reopening plans for next school year, he has begun exploring his options.

"I would really love my kid to go to public school this year, but from a variety of things I've read from the governor and his staff, what they're doing I think is basically abs...