I’m glad to see you covering this issue. From what I’m seeing, there is a breathtaking naïveté among many younger homeschooling parents. When we veteran homeschool moms voice opposition to so-called “school choice” bills and “vouchers” for the reason you’re describing, they argue “it’s not compulsory, so if you don’t like it then just don’t take the money.” They have convinced themselves that the extra money is necessary to provide for things like extracurricular activities, but are blind to the creeping control and manipulation that comes with government strings. The government is salivating at the prospect of getting to tell families what curricula they can and can’t use, what standardized tests must be taken, etc. And if they can buy that much control just by throwing some money at them, they will. Then watch the regulations gradually tighten until the education you’re allowed to administer at home is no different from the one in every government school. I’m personally not willing to sell my freedom, but evidently the new generation of parents are.
I would like to stop using the phrase " government money". The government doesn't have any money. That is tax payers money...OUR money. It is time to give it back.
Amen…! Stay Alert! YOU Parents/Grandparents ARE RESPONSIBLE for YOUR Children’s EDUCATION. Period. End of story. Oppose All Efforts of Statist/Elitists disguised [Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing] to “Educate”/INDOCTRINATE Your kiddos! Thank You!
You bring up one point in this piece that more than jumped out: The entire handouts for school choice mantra. Something to be aware of here is that those who oppose or have opposed homeschooling will always try to make some sort of "concession," and there's a reason I quoted that word, to entice parents and families.
Often, these proposals look good on the surface, but they're just clever ways to disguise and push through new regulations. This is where digging deep becomes paramount. It's easy to scroll through any social media, see 'school choice,' and think it's great. But it's something else to look deeper into it, where the strings are attached.
I do talk about Homeschooling in one of my NYC monthly public speaking segments as part of the fight against the "transmafia" (the agenda to promote kids couching discomfort in terms of "being in the wrong body).
I am Linking below to specifically my segment. It's about 2 minutes long, and I say that the failure of NYC public schools to embrace reality is part of the reason for the uptick in homeschooling. I am also including my private email below in case you, or anyone reading this, wants to reach out.
I agree with some of the other comments. Watch out when the government wants to help. Homeschooling wasn't really an option when we were growing up but our schools where run by the local school boards when input from the parents and teachers.
So this is happening now Under Trump...hmmm. Interesting... I have a soft spot for the kids. Bigtime... I will need to dig into this topic. I need facts... Thank you for bringing this to our attention... I want to know what the hell is going on... This sounds terrible.
This is not new to this administration. In Arizona, funds have been available to families with special needs whose treatment goes beyond the average family’s financial abilities. I don’t have a problem with this. However, after Covid the program was expanded to include every child not in public school. People say it’s money with no strings attached. The government is finally found a good thing. Etc.
One change: using the funds changes your legal category. You are no longer legally a home schooler, but have your kids educated privately. Because people are still doing what they want, they don’t see this as problematic especially since they have more money that enables them to do more.
As a teacher, I cannot receive payment from the funds without registering with the government. Effective teachers without degrees can’t register. Essentially, those who teach who do not register with the government aren’t being hired.
Most people are unaware that parents fought VEHEMENTLY AGAINST forced homeschooling at the end of the 19th century. And they lost. I homeschool my kids and I will never accept government funds to "help" me educate them. I do that just fine without their stolen taxpayer money.
Correct, the HSLDA has been putting out warnings lately that the government is on the attack. I used to belong to a homeschool charter where you receive your state money to buy supplies, classes, and equipment (that had to be returned for some reason). Every year the government encroached more and more via testing, mandatory internet supplements, sexual education, etc. which is what would happen if the funds were given to independent homeschoolers also.
Our state used to require sending a letter to the state listing what curriculum was being used for what subjects (I had some friends who would put "miscellaneous library books" for each, so it wasn't strict.) This requirement was just removed by the legislature. They also just passed bills to provide some funds for homeschooling or private funds. I know the legislators who wrote the bills and they are truly pro-homeschool. I do fear that conditions and requirements could be added later, but for the moment they aren't there.
None of this effects me personally because I already homeschooled both my kids and my youngest is about to turn 18.
I’m glad to see you covering this issue. From what I’m seeing, there is a breathtaking naïveté among many younger homeschooling parents. When we veteran homeschool moms voice opposition to so-called “school choice” bills and “vouchers” for the reason you’re describing, they argue “it’s not compulsory, so if you don’t like it then just don’t take the money.” They have convinced themselves that the extra money is necessary to provide for things like extracurricular activities, but are blind to the creeping control and manipulation that comes with government strings. The government is salivating at the prospect of getting to tell families what curricula they can and can’t use, what standardized tests must be taken, etc. And if they can buy that much control just by throwing some money at them, they will. Then watch the regulations gradually tighten until the education you’re allowed to administer at home is no different from the one in every government school. I’m personally not willing to sell my freedom, but evidently the new generation of parents are.
Thank you for the warning. If the government wants to help with homeschooling, run the other way!!
"The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help." = Ronald Reagan.
I would like to stop using the phrase " government money". The government doesn't have any money. That is tax payers money...OUR money. It is time to give it back.
With the DoE reportedly on life-support at best, where are these deranged notions emanating from?
Onward, Christian soldiers!
This is a very good question...
"The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help." = Ronald Reagan.
YES. KEEP THE GOVERNMENT OUT OF SCHOOLS AND HEALTH CARE.
Amen…! Stay Alert! YOU Parents/Grandparents ARE RESPONSIBLE for YOUR Children’s EDUCATION. Period. End of story. Oppose All Efforts of Statist/Elitists disguised [Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing] to “Educate”/INDOCTRINATE Your kiddos! Thank You!
You bring up one point in this piece that more than jumped out: The entire handouts for school choice mantra. Something to be aware of here is that those who oppose or have opposed homeschooling will always try to make some sort of "concession," and there's a reason I quoted that word, to entice parents and families.
Often, these proposals look good on the surface, but they're just clever ways to disguise and push through new regulations. This is where digging deep becomes paramount. It's easy to scroll through any social media, see 'school choice,' and think it's great. But it's something else to look deeper into it, where the strings are attached.
Yes, Unskool, Homeschooling is where it's at.
I do talk about Homeschooling in one of my NYC monthly public speaking segments as part of the fight against the "transmafia" (the agenda to promote kids couching discomfort in terms of "being in the wrong body).
I am Linking below to specifically my segment. It's about 2 minutes long, and I say that the failure of NYC public schools to embrace reality is part of the reason for the uptick in homeschooling. I am also including my private email below in case you, or anyone reading this, wants to reach out.
LINK:
https://www.youtube.com/live/bIXjROLwkaM?si=0fAzOcPsBOv-2W2p&t=4868
EMAIL: JoannaVitalHealth@protonmail.com
I agree with some of the other comments. Watch out when the government wants to help. Homeschooling wasn't really an option when we were growing up but our schools where run by the local school boards when input from the parents and teachers.
So this is happening now Under Trump...hmmm. Interesting... I have a soft spot for the kids. Bigtime... I will need to dig into this topic. I need facts... Thank you for bringing this to our attention... I want to know what the hell is going on... This sounds terrible.
This is not new to this administration. In Arizona, funds have been available to families with special needs whose treatment goes beyond the average family’s financial abilities. I don’t have a problem with this. However, after Covid the program was expanded to include every child not in public school. People say it’s money with no strings attached. The government is finally found a good thing. Etc.
One change: using the funds changes your legal category. You are no longer legally a home schooler, but have your kids educated privately. Because people are still doing what they want, they don’t see this as problematic especially since they have more money that enables them to do more.
As a teacher, I cannot receive payment from the funds without registering with the government. Effective teachers without degrees can’t register. Essentially, those who teach who do not register with the government aren’t being hired.
So it goes…
Most people are unaware that parents fought VEHEMENTLY AGAINST forced homeschooling at the end of the 19th century. And they lost. I homeschool my kids and I will never accept government funds to "help" me educate them. I do that just fine without their stolen taxpayer money.
Correct, the HSLDA has been putting out warnings lately that the government is on the attack. I used to belong to a homeschool charter where you receive your state money to buy supplies, classes, and equipment (that had to be returned for some reason). Every year the government encroached more and more via testing, mandatory internet supplements, sexual education, etc. which is what would happen if the funds were given to independent homeschoolers also.
For a long time, like the Roemhild’s of Georgia well know.
Our state used to require sending a letter to the state listing what curriculum was being used for what subjects (I had some friends who would put "miscellaneous library books" for each, so it wasn't strict.) This requirement was just removed by the legislature. They also just passed bills to provide some funds for homeschooling or private funds. I know the legislators who wrote the bills and they are truly pro-homeschool. I do fear that conditions and requirements could be added later, but for the moment they aren't there.
None of this effects me personally because I already homeschooled both my kids and my youngest is about to turn 18.
This is very true.