Thank you to the candidates who shared their views about home education. Homeschoolers appreciate you took the time to answer our survey.
A number of responses were submitted without names. We believe the comments would be of interest to home educators, so we compiled them under Anonymous. If a candidate would like to claim a response, contact us at info@iaheaction.net, and we will move the answers to the proper location.
NOTE: a few candidates missed questions 4-6 on the back of the first page.
Candidate Questionnaire
- Do you support homeschooling?
- Yes, I support homeschooling as currently regulated.
- Yes, I support homeschooling, but with more oversight and regulation.
- No, I do not support homeschooling regardless of regulations or oversight.
- I don’t know.
Other:_____________________________________________________________________
- With whom does the responsibility of educating a child lie?
- The parent is responsible for their child’s education and should make appropriate choices accordingly.
- The parent is responsible with oversight from the state.
- It is the state’s responsibility to ensure each child is adequately educated.
- I don’t know.
Other:_____________________________________________________________________
- Do you support voucher or Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) for homeschoolers?
- No, homeschooling should remain an option independent of the state and the strings attached from the government.
- No, I do not support vouchers or ESAs in any instance.
- Yes, homeschoolers should be eligible for any state money like those in public school, charters, private or public online schools.
- I don’t know.
Other:_____________________________________________________________________
- Are you familiar with the difference between traditional homeschooling and education provided by a virtual public charter school?
- Yes, traditional homeschooling is parent-directed, parent-funded and home-based; whereas, a VPCS student fails to meet the traditional standard by utilizing a state employed instructor and tax-payer funding.
- No, I didn’t realize there was a difference. I no longer believe the two are the same and would treat the two differently in policy matters.
- No, I didn’t realize the difference nor does it matter. Both categories should be held accountable to the state.
- I don’t know.
- Would you ever consider it appropriate to threaten parents transferring a child from public school to homeschool with truancy charges or further action when withdraw forms or reporting enrollment is not legislatively mandated?
- It is never appropriate to threaten parents who choose to homeschool with disciplinary action when they are following the law.
- Not usually, but there may be instances when it may be needed.
- Yes, it is reasonable for the school to ensure parents are providing instruction in writing even though it is not required.
- I don’t know.
Other:_____________________________________________________________________
- Do you support state registration for all traditional homeschool students?
- No, parents are responsible for educating their children. Those who choose to educate their children without government money should be respected by the State.
- Yes, the state is responsible for educating children and should hold parents accountable.
- Yes, parents should be involved in their children’s education, but the state has an interest in knowing what parents are doing to educate their children.
- I don’t know.
Other:_____________________________________________________________________
- Do you support homeschool participation in school district band, art or athletic teams, especially when alternatives are not readily available in rural districts?
- Yes, homeschoolers add value to our sporting and music programs.
- Yes, but only if the students submit to standardized testing and assessments.
- No, homeschool families have chosen to withdraw from the public system and should remain separate in all circumstances.
- I don’t know.
Other:_____________________________________________________________________
Do you have anything further to add or would like to more fully answer a question above?
Locate your current elected officials here.
Senate District map.
House District map.
Candidate’s name is in red if he has additional responses.
All candidates’ additional responses are on the same county page. Be certain to scroll down to make sure you see them all.
