As I mentioned a few weeks ago, Parental Choice has become “a thing” in the media. However, that is not a “new thing” for homeschoolers from the 1980s and 1990s in Texas.
When the state began to prosecute homeschoolers in those years, saying it was not legal and parents were “not qualified to do so,” we responded by saying that as parents, we had a God-given responsibility and a fundamental constitutional right to direct the care, control, and upbringing of our children.
Eventually, the state of Texas was forced to agree with us when the Texas Supreme Court sided with parents in the Leeper case, clarifying that homeschooling was indeed legal in Texas.
Today there is a growing movement that agrees with us, and more and more legislators are acknowledging that parents should have a greater say in how their children are educated.
In May, Governor Abbott said, “Empowering parents means giving them the choice to send their children to any public school, charter school, or private school with state funding following the student.”
Last year, we were successful in passing legislation that allows homeschool students to participate in UIL activities in local public schools, if the public school board of trustees votes to allow it. Many are taking that step and giving parents more choices for their children.
In June, the Republican Party of Texas adopted a plank in its platform supporting this as well. “Parents are the primary decision-makers for their children in all matters.”
“This authority shall be protected as an inalienable right. This shall include the choice of schooling where the money follows the child without strings attached, and enforcement and penalty mechanisms when parents’ rights are violated. The right to education shall be free from any social theories.”
That is a very powerful position on parental choice.
The more we can empower parents, the better it will be for the children and families of Texas and the better for our society as well.
We will be working to help elect legislators in the upcoming general election to support the pro-family agenda outlined by Governor Abbott.
Of course, “the devil is in the details.” We are well aware that everytime the legislature is in session, our rights and freedoms are at risk, and we will be there next year to work hard to see pro-family legislation enacted and make sure that our freedoms are protected.
Help us in our mission of not only Keeping Texas Families Free but in keeping you updated as to all the latest news in the legislative front.
If you agree with us and support our mission to support parents, join THSC or become a supporter and help us stand in the gap for this father and the families of Texas.
Subscribe to our newsletters to receive important updates.
Tim Lambert, THSC President
Tim Lambert, has been the president of the Texas Home School Coalition since 1990 and involved in homeschool leadership since 1984. He and his wife Lyndsay taught their four now-grown children at home for 16 years, graduating the last two in 2000. As the head of the organization for the leading home school state in the country, he is recognized as an authority on home education issues.
Tim has testified before numerous Texas legislative committees on issues related to homeschooling and often deals with state government agencies, including the Texas Education Agency and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. He has also addressed such conferences as the Texas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers on the topic. He holds a B.A. in political science from Texas Tech University and is active in the political arena, serving eight years as Republican National Committeeman for Texas. Tim is committed to serving the homeschooling community and to protecting parents’ right to choose the method of education of their children.
As I mentioned a few weeks ago, Parental Choice has become “a thing” in the media. However, that is not a “new thing” for homeschoolers from the 1980s and 1990s in Texas.
When the state began to prosecute homeschoolers in those years, saying it was not legal and parents were “not qualified to do so,” we responded by saying that as parents, we had a God-given responsibility and a fundamental constitutional right to direct the care, control, and upbringing of our children.
Eventually, the state of Texas was forced to agree with us when the Texas Supreme Court sided with parents in the Leeper case, clarifying that homeschooling was indeed legal in Texas.
Today there is a growing movement that agrees with us, and more and more legislators are acknowledging that parents should have a greater say in how their children are educated.
In May, Governor Abbott said, “Empowering parents means giving them the choice to send their children to any public school, charter school, or private school with state funding following the student.”
Last year, we were successful in passing legislation that allows homeschool students to participate in UIL activities in local public schools, if the public school board of trustees votes to allow it. Many are taking that step and giving parents more choices for their children.
In June, the Republican Party of Texas adopted a plank in its platform supporting this as well. “Parents are the primary decision-makers for their children in all matters.”
“This authority shall be protected as an inalienable right. This shall include the choice of schooling where the money follows the child without strings attached, and enforcement and penalty mechanisms when parents’ rights are violated. The right to education shall be free from any social theories.”
That is a very powerful position on parental choice.
The more we can empower parents, the better it will be for the children and families of Texas and the better for our society as well.
We will be working to help elect legislators in the upcoming general election to support the pro-family agenda outlined by Governor Abbott.
Of course, “the devil is in the details.” We are well aware that everytime the legislature is in session, our rights and freedoms are at risk, and we will be there next year to work hard to see pro-family legislation enacted and make sure that our freedoms are protected.
Help us in our mission of not only Keeping Texas Families Free but in keeping you updated as to all the latest news in the legislative front.
If you agree with us and support our mission to support parents, join THSC or become a supporter and help us stand in the gap for this father and the families of Texas.
Subscribe to our newsletters to receive important updates.
Tim Lambert, THSC President
Tim Lambert, has been the president of the Texas Home School Coalition since 1990 and involved in homeschool leadership since 1984. He and his wife Lyndsay taught their four now-grown children at home for 16 years, graduating the last two in 2000. As the head of the organization for the leading home school state in the country, he is recognized as an authority on home education issues.
Tim has testified before numerous Texas legislative committees on issues related to homeschooling and often deals with state government agencies, including the Texas Education Agency and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. He has also addressed such conferences as the Texas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers on the topic. He holds a B.A. in political science from Texas Tech University and is active in the political arena, serving eight years as Republican National Committeeman for Texas. Tim is committed to serving the homeschooling community and to protecting parents’ right to choose the method of education of their children.
