I am a new voice to New Hampshire but not to homeschooling. Just a short time ago I chose to move my family from the Midwest to the East Coast because I choose to live empowered versus dictated by fear. As my family and I settle into the granite state, I am excited to become a part of the conversation that is at the forefront of homeschoolers’ minds, government-funded school choice.
As a second-generation homeschooler, I have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to home education. Homeschoolers have a long and sorted past with the government, a past that is more than a little colored with fear. That fear has bled through and now colors every issue put before home-educating parents. Homeschool parents see the words “House Bill,” and they already have their hackles up. But opinions and choices based in fear are weak choices. It is with this picture in mind that I would like to lend my voice to a conversation that looks very one-sided so far.
Homeschooling is nothing new, but there are constantly new challenges that mothers face as they find what works for their families. Determining the right educational philosophy, pace, curriculum and communities is no easy task. This is why a thriving community of homeschool mothers is vital for the success of families choosing this form of education. One of the greatest benefits I have experienced from homeschooling is the parents, specifically the mothers, are always readily available to come alongside each other to encourage and support. This is something that I am concerned is rapidly disappearing in wake of the conversation surrounding EFA. There has been no tolerance for differing opinions and ideas.
When homeschool mothers are not allowed to ask genuine questions in places like the Granite State Home Educators Facebook group without being censored and banned, it is pretty clear that there is no interest in supporting the mothers. Instead there is a clear goal of polarizing people on this topic and creating an intolerance for alternative decisions.The parents who have opted into the EFA program seem to be treated as traitors and pariahs. The leading voices in opposition to the EFA program have set themselves up as the penultimate freedom fighters, the judge and jury on who is a real homeschooler or not.
I respect and agree with the idea that the two pathways (funded and unfunded) need to be legally separate. But it is with great sadness that I have seen them separated by more than legal jargon. The commonality and encouragement that are the hallmark of homeschool communities is being lost. Does the EFA money come with strings attached? Not yet, but down the road it is possible that an elected official, unfriendly to homeschoolers will use the money as a way to leverage power against homeschool families. And we will be ready for that. It is with wisdom that the homeschool community has advocated to keep traditional, unfunded homeschooling separate from the EFA funded homeschooling. This is a foresightful and important precaution. That I will continue to advocate for. But I will advocate for the rights of the EFA homeschool parents too. The government may not always act with our best interest in mind, but they do work for us and it is not wrong to expect the government to contribute to the education of its citizens. The government answers to the people, not the other way around. Our Country’s laws are built on the belief that Freedom is a God-given right that belongs to all equally. A common idea I have seen permeating the conversation is that if someone chooses EFA, they in some capacity forfeit their freedoms. This is a very narrow view that will benefit no one long term. Freedom is not exclusive, it should be for all.
Homeschoolers, no matter what their stance is on EFA, should care about the freedoms of everyone. Not just their own. In actuality, creating division and fractures in a community can only serve to decrease our ability to fight for our freedoms whenever they are threatened and undermined. A house divided can not stand.
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We’d like to thank Elizabeth Beyer for the Op-Ed. As a reminder, authors’ opinions are their own and may not represent those of Grok Media, LLC, GraniteGrok.com, its sponsors, readers, authors, or advertisers. Submit Op-Eds to steve@granitegrok.com
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