Protecting Homeschool Freedom for the Next Generation
Educational Scholarship Accounts (ESAs) are the hottest form of “school choice” nationwide. While they can go by different names, they operate with the same premise – government funding dispersed to parents to spend on educational expenses. As homeschooling families are increasingly enticed by access to “free money,” there are important considerations to acknowledge. Often, we…
In the wee hours of Friday April 29th, the 123rd Indiana General Assembly came to a close. Many bills now await Governor Holcomb’s signature, signing the bill into law, or veto. The Governor has 7 days to complete this process. If he does not move on the bill, on day 8, it automatically becomes a…
Recently, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Jennifer McCormick, was on a panel at the annual meeting of the Coalition for Public Education with former Superintendents, Glenda Ritz and Suellen Reed. Dr. McCormick called for increased accountability measures for charter and private schools that accept taxpayer funded vouchers. Her hope is that all schools that…
It has come to our attention that some believe HB 1591 does not affect homeschoolers. They said they have read the bill, but do not understand why IAHE Action has concerns because they do not see homeschoolers mentioned. We can understand their confusion. At first glance, it does not appear to include homeschoolers. Fortunately, we…
This is a continuation of a multi-part series. 11. ESA’s (Education Subsidy Accounts) more Behavioral Conditioning, deception, theft and cognitive dissonance. Education Subsidy Accounts (ESA’s,) Education Scholarship Accounts, and Education Savings Accounts (the deception label,) expand the role of government regulation, funding, dependency, and inflation into the lives of recipients, vendors, service providers, taxpayers, and…
Since homeschooling became legal in Indiana, Hoosier homeschoolers have enjoyed very limited regulation. We’ve also accepted full financial responsibility for the operating costs of our own homeschools, even though that financial burden comes in addition to the income and property taxes that we pay to support Indiana’s public schools. Back in 2011, the Indiana state…
This is part five of a five-part series. Read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4. 5. We’re going to tell ourselves that ESAs won’t affect us if we don’t take them. What if you decide that you don’t want to take the ESA? What if you want to remain independent? Will…
This is part four of a five-part series. Read Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. We’re going to tell ourselves that we’ll be able to maintain most of our freedom and choice. Again, it’s important to understand that by taking government funds, even an ESA, you will no longer be schooling independently from the government….
This is part three of a five-part series. Read Part 1 and Part 2. 3. Would ESA funds help low-income families afford homeschooling? No. The barrier to homeschooling is usually that either both parents work, or one parent in a single-parent household must work. ESA funds are not going to provide a second salary….
This is part two of a five-part series. Part 1 may be read here. 2. Is the government doing this to help us? No. More money will not give our children a better education. Our average homeschool educational results are already far ahead of government schools. There is no academic reason to increase…