during the day , so the kids get plenty of interaction with other kids . Even private school athletic leagues allow homeschoolers to enter their league .
One of the greatest benefits of homeschooling is that it only requires a few hours a day . When you subtract all the non-academic activities at a public school , you are left with only two to three hours of real academic learning . Without interference and noise , homeschools can cover the same ground in just a few hours , and families can use free time to go on educational field trips to local museums , factories , etc .
Parents can fight for change by getting involved with efforts to pass statewide educational choice laws or initiatives . The cost of private schools and homeschooling may be prohibitive for some families . Since our constitution never granted monopoly status to public schools , every state should have some form of educational freedom in place . Still , most don ’ t because teacher unions typically block such programs .
Most conservative states have passed educational choice legislation . However , be wary of school choice programs where government money follows the student . The government can control curriculum , hiring , and classroom instruction in these scenarios . In liberal states , the only option to encourage educational freedom may be to place an initiative on the ballot by collecting signatures , assuming a state allows that process . However , this major effort requires millions of dollars with little chance of success in a liberal state .
One form of educational choice is the voucher system . Every parent in the state is given a voucher representing a specific amount of public money that can be redeemed at any public or private school . Again , use caution when state money is directly involved , as the state government could eventually use the voucher system to further regulate private schools that accept such vouchers . If that occurs , private schools could simply refuse this money , but it is a threat we all need to be mindful of .
Another system of educational choice is commonly referred to as educational tax credits , whereby a family is allowed to write off on their taxes the cost of private school tuition or homeschooling costs . Since this is not a direct government subsidy like vouchers , the government ’ s likelihood of using this process to further regulate private schools and homeschoolers is remote . It ’ s no different than the tax write-off used by charities .
The task before us is no small undertaking , but together , with God ’ s help , we can effectively change the state of education for our children and the generations to come . ■
Steve Baldwin is a former member of the California State Assembly , former chairman of the Assembly Education Committee , and former member of the California Curriculum Commission . He is the author of From Crayons to Condoms , the Ugly Truth about America ’ s Public Schools .
LAUNCH a
Christian School !
HELP CHILDREN AND YOUTH :
UNDERSTAND AND ARTICULATE A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW
FIND THEIR PURPOSE AND CALLING IN LIFE
Is God calling you to launch a Christian school in your church or community , but you don ’ t know where to begin ? RenewaNation can guide you through the process by helping you understand and implement the key components necessary to start a Christian school successfully .
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For more information , please contact Ron Gordon : � ron @ renewanation . org � RENEWANATION 540-890-8900 . ORG 37