By Carolyn Martin

According to a recent article by the America First Policy Institute, “Currently, there are 75 school choice programs in 34 states with 18 states offering Education Savings Accounts (ESAs)”. School choice, in this case, is not just about a parent’s right to direct the education of their child, but the implication is that the government funds that choice. Unsurprisingly, there aren’t any articles telling you about all the bills attempting to increase regulation on all these newly created school choice programs.

At a recent conference for homeschool leaders, those fighting for homeschool freedom in Arizona revealed that over twenty-five bills were brought last year alone that sought to regulate homeschoolers using government funding. There were many other testimonies of legislative fights against increased oversight and regulation from states across the nation. HSLDA revealed that both red and blue states are seeing an uptick in legislation seeking to regulate homeschoolers. There are many factors that have contributed to this rise in legislation, but one thing is for sure – government funding always brings additional regulations to all homeschoolers.

As I talk to homeschoolers across the state, it is pretty clear that, as a community, we are divided on the issue of using government funding for homeschooling. One of the more overlooked fallouts of this issue is the fact that as more homeschoolers use the government-funded programs offered by the state, causing greater division amongst us, the easier it will be for the government to increase the regulatory burden on homeschoolers. Few will be willing to push back against the hand that feeds them, and they will have little power to do so.

CHEC and all the other Christian homeschool state organizations who stand against government funding are not doing it because we lack compassion or don’t see the need. We do it because we believe that God’s plan and design for the family is not to be controlled by the civil government and because we understand that liberty comes at a cost and requires sacrifice. We also remember the sacrifice of the homeschool pioneers that came before us who fought for years to gain the freedom we enjoy today to home educate our children without fear, and we desire for our children’s children to be able to do the same.

The fallout from funding causes great concern for those of us who can see the larger landmines and battles ahead. Pray with me that God will unite us so we can stand together to preserve our God-given right to educate our children for Him.

Trusting in the mighty power and grace of Jesus,

Carolyn Martin, CHEC Director of Government Relations

carolyn@chec.org

About the Author: Carolyn Martin

Carolyn Martin serves as CHEC’s Director of Government Relations, working for you and other liberty-loving families to protect homeschool freedom, parental rights, and religious liberty at the state capitol. Subscribe to the CHEC blog for Carolyn’s regular updates here, learn more about legal issues in Colorado here, and donate to support Homeschool Freedom here. Contact Carolyn directly at carolyn@chec.org.