As I have noted recently, the interest in homeschooling across the country has exploded, even above the amazing increase last year. While many of us thought there might be a drop-off in the growth of homeschooling, it looks like the opposite is happening.
The number of families choosing to homeschool also indicates the growing acceptance of homeschooling in general. As news stories and anecdotes relate over and over, many families who were forced to homeschool by the pandemic say they would not have done so otherwise, but now say it was the best thing they have done.
It’s exciting to see the growing public enthusiasm for homeschooling. Today’s atmosphere is far different from the 1980s when Texas homeschool families were being prosecuted for simply homeschooling. In those days, local and state officials were actively harassing families simply for choosing to teach their children at home, including the Attorney General of Texas at the time.
As I contemplate the growth of homeschooling in Texas and across the country, three things stand out to me about the importance of homeschool families going to vote:
- The Impact of Voting on Homeschool Families
Decades ago Texas homeschoolers began to understand how critical it was to participate in the election process because these officials could have a direct impact on homeschool families.
In the 1980s and 1990s, the Texas Legislature considered legislation that would have severely restricted homeschooling and it was critical to the freedom of families that we killed those measures.
Years ago, a UIL official told me in surprise that support among the legislature for homeschool participation was far greater than that for traditional private schools. That was simply because so many homeschoolers had participated in the election process and helped elect many of these officials.
- Elected Officials Make a Difference!
The passage this year of the UIL Equal Access bill for homeschoolers shows elected officials make a difference. . Now homeschooled students can participate in extracurricular activities in the public school district in which they live – provided the elected local school board approves that policy.
So, again, elected officials at the local level have a direct impact on homeschoolers. More homeschooling families in the local school board would be game changing. .
- Voting Is a Great Way to Teach Good Citizenship
Participation in the election process is an amazing opportunity to teach your children about good citizenship.
All schools in Texas, including homeschools, are required to teach “a course in good citizenship” which has been defined by the courts as civics. While in many schools this is a dry and boring course, for many homeschooled students it is a hands-on process of learning how our government works and how officials are elected.
Homeschool students as a group are far more likely to participate in their communities and the election process than other groups because of this focus on good citizenship and that has been a lifesaver for the homeschool community on multiple occasions.
THSC provides many resources about teaching good citizenship, the major resource being the exclusive course we created for THSC members, called the Lone Star Study.
Not registered to vote? Don’t worry, we can help! Just click here.
In addition, you may hear from THSC in the coming days as we reach out to families to help them in that process.
Join THSC in our mission of Keeping Texas Families Free today!
As I have noted recently, the interest in homeschooling across the country has exploded, even above the amazing increase last year. While many of us thought there might be a drop-off in the growth of homeschooling, it looks like the opposite is happening.
The number of families choosing to homeschool also indicates the growing acceptance of homeschooling in general. As news stories and anecdotes relate over and over, many families who were forced to homeschool by the pandemic say they would not have done so otherwise, but now say it was the best thing they have done.
It’s exciting to see the growing public enthusiasm for homeschooling. Today’s atmosphere is far different from the 1980s when Texas homeschool families were being prosecuted for simply homeschooling. In those days, local and state officials were actively harassing families simply for choosing to teach their children at home, including the Attorney General of Texas at the time.
As I contemplate the growth of homeschooling in Texas and across the country, three things stand out to me about the importance of homeschool families going to vote:
- The Impact of Voting on Homeschool Families
Decades ago Texas homeschoolers began to understand how critical it was to participate in the election process because these officials could have a direct impact on homeschool families.
In the 1980s and 1990s, the Texas Legislature considered legislation that would have severely restricted homeschooling and it was critical to the freedom of families that we killed those measures.
Years ago, a UIL official told me in surprise that support among the legislature for homeschool participation was far greater than that for traditional private schools. That was simply because so many homeschoolers had participated in the election process and helped elect many of these officials.
- Elected Officials Make a Difference!
The passage this year of the UIL Equal Access bill for homeschoolers shows elected officials make a difference. . Now homeschooled students can participate in extracurricular activities in the public school district in which they live – provided the elected local school board approves that policy.
So, again, elected officials at the local level have a direct impact on homeschoolers. More homeschooling families in the local school board would be game changing. .
- Voting Is a Great Way to Teach Good Citizenship
Participation in the election process is an amazing opportunity to teach your children about good citizenship.
All schools in Texas, including homeschools, are required to teach “a course in good citizenship” which has been defined by the courts as civics. While in many schools this is a dry and boring course, for many homeschooled students it is a hands-on process of learning how our government works and how officials are elected.
Homeschool students as a group are far more likely to participate in their communities and the election process than other groups because of this focus on good citizenship and that has been a lifesaver for the homeschool community on multiple occasions.
THSC provides many resources about teaching good citizenship, the major resource being the exclusive course we created for THSC members, called the Lone Star Study.
Not registered to vote? Don’t worry, we can help! Just click here.
In addition, you may hear from THSC in the coming days as we reach out to families to help them in that process.
Join THSC in our mission of Keeping Texas Families Free today!
