• Contact: Kashia Davis, Outreach Director
• Email: Kashia@CHEC.org
• Phone: 303-358-7918 | CHEC Office: 720-842-4852

By Kashia Davis

The battle over the Illinois Homeschooling Act (HB2827) caught national attention, and for good reason. At its core, this legislation represents a growing trend: legislators across the country are seeking to expand government control over homeschooling families under the guise of child protection. The mindset driving this trend assumes that parents are guilty before proven innocent and therefore need more government scrutiny. But as many concerned parents have pointed out, there is no evidence linking homeschooling to increased abuse or neglect. Instead, this bill appears to be part of a broader effort to undermine parental rights and increase government oversight! Homeschool parent or not, all parents should be concerned. 

A recent Wall Street Journal editorial put it plainly: “Child abuse is horrific wherever it happens, and public schools aren’t immune. But there is no evidence of a connection between homeschooling and abuse or neglect, and it is unclear what purpose the new law advances other than piling on onerous and costly regulation that will result in less homeschooling. That may be the point, as unions that run the public schools back the Homeschool Act.” This statement highlights an inconvenient truth, education policy is often driven by political and financial interests rather than what is best for families. One only need look at the results from the failing public education system to see this. 

For Colorado parents, this fight should serve as a wake-up call. The recent passage of the H.R.20251312 bill in the House of Representative of Colorado is a prime example of this overreach. Despite significant public outcry, the House of Representatives passed the bill using Rule 16 to prevent testimony during the 3rd reading. They even called a special session on Sunday to push the bill through the House. This bill effectively criminalizes parenting contrary to their forced ideology. All Colorado parents need to beware. This is tyranny at its worst. 

The best way to push back against such overreach is to stay informed and engaged. Send letters to your legislators today. It is time for the silent majority to be loud again! Let your representatives know they are not representing you. Though you may not be a homeschool parent, join the Homeschool Day at the Capitol this April! What a divine coincidence that we are gathering to let our leaders know we want them to protect our parental rights when they are meeting to enact a bill that criminalizes parents. When our legislators dare to tell us how to parent our children, trample on our conscience, our convictions, and weaponize our children we need to unite.  By showing up in large numbers, all families can send a clear message: parental rights must be respected!

About the Author: Kashia Davis

As the Outreach Director of CHEC, Kashia Davis encourages families to pursue Christ-centered, parent-directed homeschooling. A longtime homeschool mom and ministry leader, she views her work with CHEC as a calling to equip and inspire families across Colorado. She is available to answer your questions via email, Kashia@CHEC.org.