For Immediate Release: New Regulations Could Help Prevent Identification Abuse of Homeschooled Students
Canton, Mass., 3/19/15—Texas House Bill 2794 could benefit homeschooled children and alumni, according to Rachel Coleman, Executive Director of the Coalition for Responsible Home Education. The bill, which was introduced by Rep. Marsha Farney (R) in response to a social media push by Alecia Pennington, will make it easier for individuals to apply for delayed birth certificates and will provide criminal penalties for parents who refuse to sign an affidavit attesting to their child’s birth. “The filing of this bill is an important step for victims of identification abuse, particularly those in the homeschool community who may lack corroborating records,” Coleman said.
“Identification abuse” refers to a parent or guardian’s deliberate refusal to supply their child with vital identification documents such as birth certificates, social security cards, driver’s licenses, etc., generally as a way of limiting the child’s ability to live as an independent adult. In a 2014 survey of 3,700 homeschool alumni, approximately one in ten of those who reported experiencing abuse as children also reported that their caregiver had committed identification abuse, defined as “not providing you with, withholding, or destroying any of your identification documents.” “Though identification abuse can happen to anyone, homeschooled children are disproportionately affected as a result of inadequate legal oversight of homeschooling,” Coleman said.
Texas law requires parents to file birth certificates for their children; this paperwork is typically handled by hospitals or, in the case of homebirth, midwives. However, when Alecia Pennington was born in 1996, her parents allegedly sought out a midwife who agreed not to file the required paperwork. Because Texas does not require homeschooling parents to submit a copy of their child’s birth certificate to the local school district, Alecia’s lack of identifying documents was not addressed until she left home as an adult. The Coalition for Responsible Home Education believes the homeschooling requirements in Texas should change. “Homeschooling should not serve as a loophole to allow children’s lack of identifying documentation to go unnoticed,” said Coleman.
Applying for a delayed birth certificate conventionally involves producing medical or school documents, but some homeschool graduates may not have either of these—homeschooling parents in Texas are not required to turn in documentation of their children’s academic progress, and state-mandated medical exams do not apply to homeschooled students. “If we want to protect homeschool graduates from identification abuse, we need to change our documentation and medical requirements for homeschoolers,” Coleman noted. “While this bill does not secure homeschoolers against the possibility of identification abuse, it is a step in the right direction and has the potential to benefit homeschool graduates like Alecia Pennington.”
“We appreciate Rep. Farney’s attention to the rights of those filing for delayed birth certificates,” Coleman concluded. “Parents who have a moral objection to government-issued identification should not be able to deprive their children of the ability to work, attend higher education, obtain housing, and live independently.”
The Coalition for Responsible Home Education is a national organization founded by homeschool alumni and dedicated to raising awareness of the need for homeschooling reform, providing public policy guidance, and advocating for responsible home education practices.
Last Updated: 26 October, 2023 by Rachel Coleman
Resources for Homeschooling Parents!
As August approaches, parents across the country are thinking about school again, and for homeschooling parents, that means curriculum planning and/or activity scheduling! At the Coalition for Responsible Home Education, we work to support homeschooling parents in providing the best education possible for their children. With this in mind, we have created a variety of resources for homeschooling parents.
First and foremost is our guide to Getting Started Homeschooling. While this article is geared toward the first-time homeschooler, it includes advice and information of interest to returning homeschooling parents as well. Also of interest is our classic article, Advice from a Homeschool Grad Turned Public School Teacher. In this piece, CRHE board member Giselle Palmer gives positive and upbeat advice for the homeschooling parent.
We picked the brains of three homeschool graduates (myself, Arielle, and Jeremy) about what their parents did right and what made their homeschooling experiences academically successful. In addition to providing a retrospective analysis and practical ideas for homeschooling parents, these posts may offer encouragement and inspiration. You can read all three below.
Finally, we offer several resources that may push homeschooling parents to consider blind spots and avoid problem areas that negatively impact some homeschool graduates. We have two articles on the homeschool math gap—“The Data” and “The Stories“—and two articles on socialization—“What About Socialization” and “Homeschooling and Social Interaction Q&A.” We encourage all homeschooling parents to pay special attention to their children’s math education, as homeschooled students often have a deficiency in that area, and to take their children’s socialization and and need for social interaction seriously.
As the new school year begins, we’d like to encourage homeschooling parents of all stripes to invest in their children without reserve and to carefully carry out the responsibility they have taken on as their children’s educators. Your children are depending on you to prepare them for adulthood and everything that entails. Listen to your children, value your children, and uplift your children, and don’t be afraid to take a break for some me-time as needed. Good luck!
Last Updated: 26 October, 2023 by CRHE
So You Have a Deficient Homeschool Education. What Next?
If you were homeschooled, but have reached adulthood with a deficient education, you should know that this is not your fault—and that you are not alone. Don’t give up hope! You can get through this. Josh Powell reached adulthood with a deficient homeschool education and went on to attend Georgetown University. The path ahead of you may be difficult, but it is not impossible.
Here are some options you may want to think about as you consider your future:
In some cases, homeschooled students may find ways to self educate but their parents may fail to create a high school transcript and diploma for them. If this describes your situation, you may be able to create your own transcript and diploma and have your parents sign them. We have heard from many alumni who have done this. You can find information on how to create both documents here and here.
Every state makes adult basic education classes available, usually for free or for a small fee. Taking these classes will allow you to make up the material you missed and prepare you to take a high school equivalency test, or GED, which can be used in place of a high school diploma in the workforce and in college. You can also study to take the GED on your own; this page offers free GED practice tests.
Most community colleges do not require a high school transcript or GED to take classes. This can give you a chance to make academic progress and gain college credits even with a deficient educational background. However, be aware that you may later find that an employer or university (in case of a transfer) requires a high school transcript or GED even for those with community college coursework under their belts.
Once you are an adult, your education is in your own hands. This can be intimidating, but also exciting! Whether you get your GED, take community college courses, or join the workforce, all of that is up to you. A deficient homeschool education may slow you down or make your path more challenging, but it does not have to hold you back permanently.
Last Updated: 25 March, 2021 by CRHE
CRHE Statement on Sex Offenders and Homeschooling in the Wake of the Duggar Tragedy
May 30, 2015
Over the last two weeks, much has been written about revelations that Josh Duggar, the oldest child in the Duggar family of 19 Kids and Counting fame, sexually assaulted five young girls, four relatives and one family friend. What has received comparatively less attention is the fact that had his crimes been properly reported and investigated before the statute of limitations ran out, his parents could have lost the ability to homeschool while he was in the household. Arkansas is one of two states that prohibits homeschooling in households that include registered sex offenders.
Because homeschooling removes children from the regular contact with mandatory reporters other school-aged children receive at school, we support laws that restrict homeschooling when a registered sex offender resides in the home. Given their relative isolation, homeschooled children are more vulnerable to exploitation. Last week, four homeschooled brothers from North Carolina pled guilty in court to sexually assaulting their younger sister for over a decade, beginning when she was four. Because they knew of the abuse and failed to take appropriate measures, the children’s parents have also been charged. Our Homeschooling’s Invisible Children database contains numerous entries involving sexual abuse, sometimes perpetrated by household members already on their state’s sex offender registry. While sexual abuse occurs to children in a wide variety of educational settings, homeschooled students may lack safeguards afforded other school-age children, such as contact with mandatory reporters.
In many cases, homeschooling parents fail to require background checks for homeschool tutors and homeschool co-op instructors. In fact, in 2013, homeschool lobbying groups opposed a New Hampshire bill on the grounds that it might require homeschool co-op instructors to have criminal background checks. Homeschooling parents often mention a desire to protect their children from external threats as one of their motivations for homeschooling, but they need to remember that the vast majority of sexual abuse is perpetrated by someone the child knows and trusts, often a family member or close friend. Homeschooling parents are teachers as well as parents, and as such need to be held to the same standards as other teachers in areas like background checks and mandatory reporting.
The homeschooling community needs to take sexual abuse seriously and take internal steps to protect homeschooled children from child sexual abuse. However, we also need public policies that ensure the protection and safety of children in households with registered sex offenders. Children in such households should have access to regular contact with mandatory reporters for the sake of their own safety and to provide accountability for the offending individual. Homeschooling should not be allowed to endanger children’s physical or sexual safety.
As homeschool alumni and board members of CRHE, we stand in solidarity with the victims of the Duggar tragedy and hope they can receive whatever healing and support they need. It is our hope that future victims of sex abuse within homeschooling families will be treated with the dignity and respect that they deserve.
Signed,
The board of the Coalition for Responsible Home Education
Kathryn Brightbill
Rachel Coleman
Alisa Harris
Kierstyn King
Giselle Palmer
Ryan Stollar
The Coalition for Responsible Home Education is a national organization founded by homeschool alumni and dedicated to raising awareness of the need for homeschooling reform, providing public policy guidance, and advocating for responsible home education practices.
Last Updated: 26 October, 2023 by Rachel Coleman
Summer Internships Available!
ETA: Summer internship positions have been filled! Thanks to all who applied!
We appreciate all of the help and volunteer time our supporters have given us over the past year and a half. We have several exciting opportunities available this summer! We are looking for individuals willing to serve as interns for CRHE on a part-time as-available basis. While we cannot fund these positions (i.e. you will not be paid), these internships will provide you with valuable experience and can be listed on a resume or job application.
We have two internship positions available: social media intern and research intern. To apply, please fill out our CRHE Internship Application. We will be accepting applications through Monday, May 25th. All internships will take place remotely, so a strong internet connection is required.
Social media intern
As social media intern it will be your job to update our Facebook and Twitter accounts, flag any questionable material, and participate in social media events. You will gain experience in managing social media that may be attractive to a future or current employer. Some familiarity with Facebook and Twitter is recommended.
Duties:
Time commitment: 5-10 hours a week, 1-2 hours per weekday
Research intern
As research intern it will be your job to assist with a variety of research projects as guided by your interests. We are interested in taking on more than one research intern, so you will have some input in what projects you’ll be working on. You will gain experience with research, data entry, and working both independently and as part of a team that may be attractive to a future or current employer. Some familiarity with using google drive is recommended but not required.
Duties:
Time commitment: 5-15 hours a week, flexible schedule
Last Updated: 31 July, 2015 by Rachel Coleman
Statement Regarding California’s Senate Bill 277
For Immediate Release: Homeschooled Students Should Not Be Left Out of State Vaccination Requirements
Canton, Ma., 4/28/15—California currently allows parents to exempt their children from the state’s vaccination requirements if they have personal objections to vaccination. Senate Bill 277 would eliminate this exemption and require all California schoolchildren to be vaccinated except for those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons. However, the bill explicitly exempts homeschooled students from this requirement. “It is irresponsible to exempt homeschooled children from medical requirements designed to protect children’s health,” said Rachel Coleman, executive director of the Coalition for Responsible Home Education, a nonprofit founded by homeschool alumni to advocate for the interests of homeschooled children.
In recent years, many California schools have reported increasingly low rates of vaccinations as parents concerned about the safety of vaccines have opted their children out of immunizations altogether, taking advantage of California’s broad personal exemption law. A measles outbreak beginning in December of 2014 infected 136 Californians, raising questions about the relationship between vaccination rates and public health and prompting the legislature to act. “We applaud the legislature’s efforts to protect public health,” said Coleman. “We urge them not to leave homeschooled students behind.”
Mississippi, one of only two states that does not offer philosophical or religious exemptions but exempts homeschooled students from its vaccination requirements entirely, is home to a network of parents who homeschool solely to keep their children from being vaccinated. If the California legislature tightens the state’s vaccination requirements while exempting homeschooled students, such networks will likely appear in the Golden State as well. Indeed, NBC News recently quoted a California mother saying that she would homeschool her daughter rather than allow her to be vaccinated. “Creating a system where parents can homeschool to evade medical requirements, rather than because they believe homeschooling promotes their children’s educational or social well-being, does children a disservice,” said Coleman. “Homeschooling is a serious commitment.”
The vast majority of California’s homeschooled children interact freely with children in their neighborhoods and in the community at large. When unvaccinated homeschooled children do cluster, there is increased risk of an outbreak. Over the past few years, outbreaks of measles and whooping cough have taken place in homeschool communities with low rates of vaccination. “We cannot afford to leave homeschooled children out of discussions of vaccinations and public health,” said Coleman. “Homeschooled children are as much a part of our communities as any other child.”
The Coalition for Responsible Home Education is a national organization founded by homeschool alumni and dedicated to raising awareness of the need for homeschooling reform, providing public policy guidance, and advocating for responsible home education practices.
Last Updated: 23 March, 2021 by CRHE
Statement Supporting Stoni Blair and Stephen Berry and Michigan’s HB 4498
For Immediate Release: Michigan Takes a Step Forward in Protecting Homeschooled Children
Canton, Ma., 4/21/15—Last month, Stoni Blair, 13, and Stephen Berry, 9, were found dead in a Detroit freezer, and their two remaining siblings bore signs of severe maltreatment. The children were allegedly subject to long-term abuse by their mother, Mitchelle Blair, who pulled them out of school to homeschool them. Rep. Stephanie Chang has introduced House Bill 4498 in an effort to prevent parents from abusing Michigan’s homeschooling law to hide child abuse, as Blair allegedly did. “This bill is a step forward for the freedom and safety of Michigan’s homeschooled children,” said Rachel Coleman, executive director of the Coalition for Responsible Home Education, a group that advocates for homeschooled children.
Michigan is one of 11 states that does not require homeschoolers to have any contact with state or local officials. Current Michigan law does not require homeschooling parents to register with the state. Homeschooling parents are not required to inform their school district that they are withdrawing a child to be homeschooled, need not show any proof that they are educating their children, and cannot be reported to social services for educational neglect. In 2012, Kalamazoo County attendance officer Jerry Jansma told the Kalamazoo Gazette that the state’s lax homeschooling law made compulsory education extremely difficult to enforce. “You’ll have a parent who is clearly neglectful and we can’t get resolution, and they’ll say, ‘I’ve decided to home-school my child’ and there’s nothing I can do about it,” he explained. “As long as home schooling is as lax as it is, it’s an avenue for parents to hide,” he added.
HB 4498 would require homeschooling parents to provide their local school district with the name and age of each child being homeschooled, along with the address of the parent or guardian. Homeschooling parents would also need to ensure that each homeschooled child meets twice a year with a mandatory reporter such as doctor, teacher, or member of the clergy, and maintain signed records of these meetings, making them available upon request. “Currently, abusive parents who use homeschooling to isolate their children from any contact with mandatory reporters aren’t breaking any law,” said Coleman. “HB 4498 would change this, and would offer some hope to Michigan homeschooled children who are currently living this nightmare. Far from than punishing homeschooling parents, HB 4498 reflects what responsible homeschooling parents already do and allows the state to identify abusive and negligent parents shielding themselves under Michigan’s homeschooling laws.”
With the passage of HB 4498, Michigan would join the ranks of the few states that offer protections for at-risk homeschooled children. “Our preliminary research suggests that homeschooled children are at a greater risk of dying from child abuse than traditionally schooled children are,” said Coleman. “This is likely because homeschooling puts at-risk children at greater risk by giving abusive parents the ability to isolate their children from contact with mandatory reporters and hide abuse, neglect, and even child fatalities.” The Coalition for Responsible Home Education maintains the Homeschooling’s Invisible Children website, which documents dozens of child abuse and neglect fatalities in homeschool settings. “Most homeschooled children are not isolated from contact with mandatory reporters,” added Coleman. “But we’re concerned about the ones who are. Every homeschooled child’s life matters.”
The Coalition for Responsible Home Education is a national organization founded by homeschool alumni and dedicated to raising awareness of the need for homeschooling reform, providing public policy guidance, and advocating for responsible home education practices.
Last Updated: 26 October, 2023 by CRHE
Statement Supporting Texas’ House Bill 347 and Senate Bill 391
For Immediate Release: Public School Sports Access Benefits Texas Homeschooled Students
Canton, Ma., 3/19/15—The University Interscholastic League (UIL) requires student athletes to be full-time students in regular attendance at the school they represent, thus effectively barring homeschooled students from participation in athletics at their local public schools. House Bill 347 and Senate Bill 391 could change this, requiring the UIL to change its criteria to allow homeschooled students to compete for their local schools. “Granting homeschooled students access to public school extracurriculars is one of the most important ways lawmakers can support homeschooled students,” said Rachel Coleman, executive director of the Coalition for Responsible Home Education, a group that advocates for homeschooled children.
Participation in public school athletics and other extracurriculars has been found to have pronounced benefits for children’s socialization, self-esteem, and leadership skills. A recent study of homeschool alumni found that those who participated in public school athletics rated their homeschooling experience more highly than did other respondents. Further, researcher Joseph Richard Barno found that college admissions officers weighted extracurriculars more heavily for homeschool graduates than for traditionally-schooled graduates, suggesting that extracurricular participation is especially important for homeschooled students who are college-bound. “Excluding homeschooled children from this important aspect of physical and personal development puts them at a profound disadvantage with respect to their peers,” Coleman said.
Texas’ House Bill 347 and Senate Bill 391 are part of an ongoing trend toward increasing homeschooled students’ access to extracurriculars in their local public schools. Over half of all states provide homeschooled students some form of participation in athletics or other extracurriculars through their local public schools, and that number is growing. Many states also allow homeschooled students to take individual courses at their local public schools. In fact, in 2007, the most recent year for which we have data, 16% of homeschooled students were enrolled in school part time. “Cooperation between homeschoolers and local school districts benefits homeschooled students and creates a positive relationship between schools and families,” said Coleman.
The Texas Homeschool Association supports legislation to open public school athletics to homeschooled students. While there are often a variety of community athletic leagues available to younger children, these options tend to narrow as children grow older, and also vary from region to region. “If you’re a middle class home schooler and you live in Alpine, Texas or the rural areas of West Texas you don’t have any choices,” Tim Lambert, President of the Texas Homeschool Association, told reporters. Homeschooled children should have the opportunity to participate in athletics regardless of how old they are or where they live.
“Discriminating against homeschooled children based on the educational choices their parents make for them is detrimental to these children’s development and prevents them from accessing the same opportunities as their peers,” said Coleman. “Children of all educational backgrounds should be able to play together.”
The Coalition for Responsible Home Education is a national organization founded by homeschool alumni and dedicated to raising awareness of the need for homeschooling reform, providing public policy guidance, and advocating for responsible home education practices.
Last Updated: 26 October, 2023 by CRHE
Statement Supporting Texas House Bill 2794
For Immediate Release: New Regulations Could Help Prevent Identification Abuse of Homeschooled Students
Canton, Mass., 3/19/15—Texas House Bill 2794 could benefit homeschooled children and alumni, according to Rachel Coleman, Executive Director of the Coalition for Responsible Home Education. The bill, which was introduced by Rep. Marsha Farney (R) in response to a social media push by Alecia Pennington, will make it easier for individuals to apply for delayed birth certificates and will provide criminal penalties for parents who refuse to sign an affidavit attesting to their child’s birth. “The filing of this bill is an important step for victims of identification abuse, particularly those in the homeschool community who may lack corroborating records,” Coleman said.
“Identification abuse” refers to a parent or guardian’s deliberate refusal to supply their child with vital identification documents such as birth certificates, social security cards, driver’s licenses, etc., generally as a way of limiting the child’s ability to live as an independent adult. In a 2014 survey of 3,700 homeschool alumni, approximately one in ten of those who reported experiencing abuse as children also reported that their caregiver had committed identification abuse, defined as “not providing you with, withholding, or destroying any of your identification documents.” “Though identification abuse can happen to anyone, homeschooled children are disproportionately affected as a result of inadequate legal oversight of homeschooling,” Coleman said.
Texas law requires parents to file birth certificates for their children; this paperwork is typically handled by hospitals or, in the case of homebirth, midwives. However, when Alecia Pennington was born in 1996, her parents allegedly sought out a midwife who agreed not to file the required paperwork. Because Texas does not require homeschooling parents to submit a copy of their child’s birth certificate to the local school district, Alecia’s lack of identifying documents was not addressed until she left home as an adult. The Coalition for Responsible Home Education believes the homeschooling requirements in Texas should change. “Homeschooling should not serve as a loophole to allow children’s lack of identifying documentation to go unnoticed,” said Coleman.
Applying for a delayed birth certificate conventionally involves producing medical or school documents, but some homeschool graduates may not have either of these—homeschooling parents in Texas are not required to turn in documentation of their children’s academic progress, and state-mandated medical exams do not apply to homeschooled students. “If we want to protect homeschool graduates from identification abuse, we need to change our documentation and medical requirements for homeschoolers,” Coleman noted. “While this bill does not secure homeschoolers against the possibility of identification abuse, it is a step in the right direction and has the potential to benefit homeschool graduates like Alecia Pennington.”
“We appreciate Rep. Farney’s attention to the rights of those filing for delayed birth certificates,” Coleman concluded. “Parents who have a moral objection to government-issued identification should not be able to deprive their children of the ability to work, attend higher education, obtain housing, and live independently.”
The Coalition for Responsible Home Education is a national organization founded by homeschool alumni and dedicated to raising awareness of the need for homeschooling reform, providing public policy guidance, and advocating for responsible home education practices.
Last Updated: 26 October, 2023 by CRHE
Statement Supporting West Virginia’s House Bill 2749
For Immediate Release: Sports Access Benefits Homeschooled Students
Canton, Ma., 3/13/15—The West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission requires student athletes to be enrolled in the public school they represent, thus barring participation by homeschooled students. House Bill 2749 could change this, opening the door to homeschooled students who meet certain eligibility requirements. “Granting homeschooled students access to public school extracurriculars is one of the most important ways lawmakers can support homeschooled students,” said Rachel Coleman, executive director of the Coalition for Responsible Home Education.
Participation in public school athletics and other extracurriculars has been found to have pronounced benefits for children’s socialization, self-esteem, and leadership skills. A recent study of homeschool alumni found that those who participated in public school athletics rated their homeschooling experience more highly than did other respondents. Further, researcher Joseph Richard Barno found that college admissions officers weighted extracurriculars more heavily for homeschool graduates than for traditionally-schooled graduates, suggesting that extracurricular participation is especially important for homeschooled students who are college-bound. “Excluding homeschooled children from this important aspect of physical and personal development puts them at a profound disadvantage with respect to their peers,” Coleman said.
West Virginia’s House Bill 2749 is part of an ongoing trend toward increasing homeschooled students’ access to extracurriculars in their local public schools. Over half of all states provide homeschooled students some form of participation in athletics or other extracurriculars through their local public schools, and that number is growing. Many states also allow homeschooled students to take individual courses at their local public schools. In fact, in 2007, the most recent year for which we have data, 16% of homeschooled students were enrolled in school part time. “Cooperation between homeschoolers and local school districts benefits homeschooled students and creates a positive relationship between schools and families,” said Coleman.
While there are often a variety of community athletic leagues available to younger children, these options tend to narrow as children grow older, forcing parents to choose between homeschooling and athletic participation. “Discriminating against homeschooled children based on the educational choices their parents make for them is detrimental to these children’s development and prevents them from accessing the same opportunities as their peers,” said Coleman. “Children of all educational backgrounds should be able to play together.”
The Coalition for Responsible Home Education is a national organization founded by homeschool alumni and dedicated to raising awareness of the need for homeschooling reform, providing public policy guidance, and advocating for responsible home education practices.
Last Updated: 26 October, 2023 by CRHE
Statement Supporting Virginia’s House Bill 1626
For Immediate Release: Public School Sports Access Benefits Homeschooled Students
Canton, Ma., 3/13/2015—The Virginia High School League (VHSL) requires student athletes to be regular students at the school they represent, thus barring homeschooled students from participation. House Bill 1626 could change this, requiring the VHSL to change its criteria to include student who are being homeschooled and opening the door to homeschoolers. “Granting homeschooled students access to public school extracurriculars is one of the most important ways lawmakers can support homeschooled students,” said Rachel Coleman, executive director of the Coalition for Responsible Home Education. The bill passed the Virginia General Assembly in February, but Governor Terry McAuliffe has until March 29th to decide whether to sign it into law.
Participation in public school athletics and other extracurriculars has been found to have pronounced benefits for children’s socialization, self-esteem, and leadership skills. A recent study of homeschool alumni found that those who participated in public school athletics rated their homeschooling experience more highly than did other respondents. Further, researcher Joseph Richard Barno found that college admissions officers weighted extracurriculars more heavily for homeschool graduates than for traditionally-schooled graduates, suggesting that extracurricular participation is especially important for homeschooled students who are college-bound. “Excluding homeschooled children from this important aspect of physical and personal development puts them at a profound disadvantage with respect to their peers,” Coleman said.
Virginia’s House Bill 1626 is part of an ongoing trend toward increasing homeschooled students’ access to extracurriculars in their local public schools. Over half of all states provide homeschooled students some form of participation in athletics or other extracurriculars through their local public schools, and that number is growing. Many states also allow homeschooled students to take individual courses at their local public schools. In fact, in 2007, the most recent year for which we have data, 16% of homeschooled students were enrolled in school part time. “Cooperation between homeschoolers and local school districts benefits homeschooled students and creates a positive relationship between schools and families,” said Coleman.
The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers has led the charge for sports access for homeschoolers in recent years, promoting sports access bills in Virginia and conducting a survey of state athletics associations. Homeschooling parents and students across the state have spoken in favor of the bill. “I just look at it as giving all kids in Virginia a chance to play and a chance to experience being part of a sports team,” said homeschooling mother Jennifer Miller in an interview with the Daily Progress. “I think it’s just a great opportunity—as homeschooling becomes more mainstream—to see those kids as part of the community.”
While there are often a variety of community athletic leagues available to younger children, these options tend to narrow as children grow older, forcing parents to choose between homeschooling and athletic participation. “Discriminating against homeschooled children based on the educational choices their parents make for them is detrimental to these children’s development and prevents them from accessing the same opportunities as their peers,” said Coleman. “Children of all educational backgrounds should be able to play together.” We thus urge Governor Terry McAuliffe to sign Virginia House Bill 1626 into law.
The Coalition for Responsible Home Education is a national organization founded by homeschool alumni and dedicated to raising awareness of the need for homeschooling reform, providing public policy guidance, and advocating for responsible home education practices.