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Why Constitutional Home Educators Alliance Doesn’t Support EdChoice

Constitutional Home Educators Alliance gives a myriad of reasons why they don’t support EdChoice. They cite these reasons and more:

  1. EdChoice raises questions regarding funding
  2. Inevitable lawsuits will cost taxpayers
  3. EdChoice attracts fraud
  4. Government funding extends government reach
  5. EdChoice leads to unintended consequences
  6. Real educational liberty “only comes when the government has no control at all”

Read more here.

Are you still confused, or would you like to learn more? Did you happen to see the video they produced?

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Colorado Legislative District Connection – Maybe You Could Do This in Your State?

Christian Home Educators of Colorado (CHEC) is facilitating a personal connection between homeschooling families and their elected state representatives and senators through their Legislative District Connection.

“When each House Representative and Senator has a positive, personal, ongoing connection with a family in their district, they’ll have a clear understanding of how potential legislation may negatively (or positively) affect homeschoolers.”

We all have the potential to impact our freedom to homeschool for generations to come, and it starts with getting involved today.

Coloradans can sign up to commit to being your district’s personal connection to homeschooling.

Not a Colorado resident? Can you envision this in your state? Reach out to your state homeschool organization to find out if you have something like this in your state or if you can help start something similar.

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Should We Reform the Public School System?

“People say that public schools are broken. They are not broken. They are doing exactly what they were created to do. You hear people say, ‘Oh, they’re failing.’ No, they’re not failing. They are succeeding beyond the wildest hopes and dreams of their founders.” – Israel Wayne

In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, Robert Bortins is joined by Israel Wayne, a homeschool dad of eleven children, the director of Family Renewal Ministries, and the author of multiple books. Robert and Israel discuss the origins of the public school system in America, the foundational principles on which this system is built, and ultimately, why we should be concerned about the government funding of private and home schools. If you are a parent, this episode is a must-listen!

To learn more about government-funded private education, click here.

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Get Ready! March & April Homeschool Days at the Capitol!

Capitol Days, Legislative Days, Homeschool Day at the Capitol, Pie Day, and other similar events foster communication between parents and their elected representatives. This is a great opportunity for you to teach your children the importance of the legislative process and help them mature into civic leaders who will help protect American freedoms.

The chart below lists March and April Capitol Days; you can also check your state’s dates here if it’s not listed below.

ArizonaMarch 3 2023
ColoradoApril 23, 2023
ConnecticutApril 5, 2023
FloridaMarch 23, 2023
IowaMarch 13, 2023
MarylandMarch 9, 2023
Minnesota Legislative DayMarch 31, 2023
MissouriMarch 7, 2023
North DakotaMarch 13, 2023
South DakotaMarch 2, 2023
South CarolinaMarch 15, 2023
Tennessee Capitol Hill Rally & ReceptionMarch 28, 2023
Texas Lobbying Workshop
Texans for Homeschool Freedom
March 2 & April 5, 2023
March 6, 2023
WashingtonMarch 17, 2023
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Minnesotans, Quick Action is Needed —Oppose HF 1269!

HF 1269 will impose restrictions on Minnesota homeschoolers.

On February 3, 2023, Minnesota introduced HF 1269, a bill that would require homeschool parents in Minnesota to submit:  

  • a copy of the actual test scores sent from the testing provider of the annual nationally normed achievement test from the previous school year, unless exempt from the testing because of school accreditation; (2) evidence that any protocols agreed to with the superintendent’s office were followed; and (3) any changes to the information required in paragraph (a) for each student. 

These requirements would force parents to maintain additional paperwork for no justifiable reason while creating the potential for friction between parents and school districts.  

Because the bill was submitted Friday afternoon, parents were only given two and a half days (including the weekend) to sign up to testify before the House Education Policy Committee to express their thoughts on these proposed changes. That opportunity has passed, but you can still write and call your legislators.  

You can find out who represents you and obtain their contact information here. Please feel free to use our template to structure your letter, email, or phone call. Furthermore, HSLDA and MÂCHÉ both offer great talking points for your convenience.

And, above all, Minnesota and your fellow homeschoolers could use your prayers.  

Together, we can protect our liberties. Please take action today!

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Homeschool Organizations Ally to Protect Homeschooling Freedoms & Offer More Help Understanding EdChoice, ESAs, Vouchers

Constitutional Home Educators Alliance has been helping parents navigate the nuances of EdChoice, ESAs, parent/school choice, vouchers, and special scholarships. Visit their site for information and research on the topic, and read why they support Education Liberty over EdChoice and similar policies.

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Parent Rights Erosion Continues

Even if you aren’t a Colorado resident, it is important to keep abreast of the political climate in other states because it won’t be long before it’s in your state. Be prepared for what’s coming your way.

Carolyn Martin, the Director of Government Relations for Christian Home Educators of Colorado, sounds the warning on HB23-1003, a bill currently under consideration that represents an outright assault on parental rights.

The question we need to ask is: “Where does the civil government’s authority and jurisdiction stop?

“This year an introduced bill, HB23-1003 School Mental Health Assessment, grants children twelve years or older the ability [to] override a parent’s wishes concerning a mental health assessment given in a public school. Although the bill allows parents to opt their child out of the assessment, it also authorizes the school to ignore the opt-out when the child dictates. Children can also keep parents from seeing the results of the assessment. Note: If your child participates in a part-time public-school program, this bill applies to you as well!

Keep reading here.

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Confused by ESAs, Vouchers, and EdChoice?

Education policy jargon is enough to make anyone’s head spin! What in the world is the difference between school vouchers and ESAs? How does taxpayer-funded education threaten your educational freedom? And how does so-called parent choice (or school choice) actually eliminate your educational options?

The Constitutional Home Educators Alliance has created a fantastic video to answer these questions and more. And have you read our blog post, All That Glitters Isn’t Gold, published on December 28, 2022? Be sure to check it out!

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Tips For Contacting Your Lawmakers

“Don’t wait until you are ready to take action. Instead, take action to be ready.” —Jensen Siaw

Perhaps you’d love to start communicating with your elected officials on a regular basis but are at a loss for what to discuss. Consider these possible topics:

  • Research School/Parent Choice or ESAs
  • Parental rights regarding medical decisions or general parental rights
  • First and Second Amendment rights

You can also check this website and your state government’s website for updates and additional suggestions.

Also, keep in mind:

  • Always speak graciously.
  • They work for you. They want to hear from you.
  • Be brief. Be clear.
  • Open communication and relationship-building takes time. Leave them with a good impression and let them know you appreciate their time and will contact them again.
  • If they ask you a question that you don’t have the answer to, be honest. If you are able, find the answer and provide it in your follow-up. You can say something like, “That’s a very good question. I would like to investigate that and get back to you. Thank you for asking.”