A Threat to Homeschool Freedom!

Here are some of the details! The CRHE has already established a database (the Invisible Children database) that includes 400 cases of abuse/neglect that the CRHE has determined were connected to homeschooling. This database is used to propagate the idea that homeschooled children aren’t safe. Using comments and articles from prominent educators and organizations, HSLDA reports that the CRHE seems to be gaining traction across the United States with state governments and the media. This includes states that have traditionally been very homeschool friendly.

Based on the idea that homeschooling places the rights of children in jeopardy, CRHE proposes to establish barriers to entry to homeschooling by controlling who may be “allowed” to homeschool. These barriers include:

1. Requiring a high school diploma/GED/state certification/post-secondary education program for parents OR monthly in-person supervision by a qualified education professional chosen from a list supplied by the local superintendent of schools.
2. No disqualifying criminal convictions. These convictions include the expected crimes of abuse, assault, kidnapping, etc. However, these convictions may also include “any other crime not listed” at the discretion of the local superintendent of public schools.
3. If a CPS (Child Protective Services) investigation has been opened for a family at any time in the last 3 years, parents must enroll their children in public school or submit to an open access plan with CPS; these restrictions would be in place regardless of the finding of CPS, including a finding of no evidence of neglect or abuse.

In addition to gatekeeping access to homeschooling, the CRHE hopes to establish a regulatory framework for homeschooling in the United States. This framework currently includes three major categories: notification, assessment, and record-keeping.

1. Notification: CRHE’s model bill would require annual notification 30 days before beginning homeschooling; failure to comply after 30 days may be followed by a CPS notification at the discretion of the local superintendent.
2. Assessment: CRHE’s model bill would require annual assessments be submitted to local superintendents (portfolio review by a qualified education professional from the superintendent’s curated list or a standardized or norm-referenced test); lack of progress may result in homeschooling families being put on “probation” (details of what “probation” may mean in this context remain unclear).
3. Record-keeping: CRHE’s model bill would require all homeschoolers to comply with vaccination requirements that are in place in public schools; families are also obligated to provide proof of medical and dental visits for each child; superintendents may keep this medical information for 3 years, and HIPAA privacy laws do not apply to schools.

Like the Coalition for Responsible Home Education, all of us, including HOME, are concerned about abused and neglected children, wherever they may be. However, the CRHE’s model bill presumes homeschooling families are guilty unless proven otherwise, which establishes an unlawful and dangerous precedent. It also presumes that children are safer in public institutions than at home with their families, which is debatable to say the least. The CRHE would like to remove the freedom of the homeschooling family and replace it with governmental authority. The CRHE is actively lobbying local legislatures, and there is concern that their model bill (the “Make Homeschool Safe Act”) may be presented to legislators in some states as a new session prepares to meet in early 2025.

What can homeschoolers do? Here are some concrete suggestions:

1. Pray!
2. Develop relationships with other homeschoolers, including those who may not be in your current social circle.
3. Join HOME and help with HOME’s legislative committee; attend workshops and events that promote homeschooling in the state of Maine.
4. Use Facebook to connect with homeschoolers from different groups and areas.
5. Promote bills that would be beneficial for homeschooling families.
6. Develop relationships with lawmakers by writing letters and visiting their offices.
7. Attend Homeschool Day at the Capitol to help create relationships and bring positive attention to Maine’s homeschooling population.
8. Write letters to the editor of local publications.
9. Prevent schism within homeschool groups by focusing on collaboration and shared goals.
10. Keep up with current homeschooling research, which shows homeschooled students are consistently measuring above their peers on every metric.
11. Develop a press release and distribute it if bad bills come before the legislature.
12. Own our homeschool freedom and use the rights that we have to educate our children in the ways that are best for them!

Download and print a copy of this list! (Scroll down on the page to find.)

As always, HOME is here to help. Please reach out to HOME for answers to your questions, support, and encouragement!