Hey all, Its getting to be that time.....NV LEGISLATURE TIME!! Time when our homeschooling freedoms could be messed with, or not! Its up to a COLLECTIVE us to make sure they remain as free as they currently are. There is a very real threat coming up...the inclusion of homeschoolers in Educational Savings Accounts, or vouchers. On the surface, ask any homeschooler if they want $7,000 per kid and theyre going to say YES! Ive talked to quite a few of you already. Heres where I need you to stop and listen and see what WILL happen to our homeschooling freedom, not this year, not next year, but within the next 2-3 legislative sessions IF we allow homeschoolers to be included in this. An initial bill would say something about allowing homeschoolers, if they choose, to get this money. Ok, sounds ok...not mandatory.... It will also likely say something like for use for textbooks....RED FLAG RED FLAG Now youre going to say how we can use it.......Lets say you still want to go for it..... Next legislative session......legislators realize theyve given the Smith Family, with 4 school age kids, 7x4=$28,000 last year, and over 4 years the Smith family will be given over $196,000...and the conversation will go like this, Homeschoolers in NV dont have to teach an equivalent education?!?! Why are we giving them this money? What are they doing with it? We need to KNOW what theyre doing with it. We need to KNOW if their kids are getting educated!! Drumroll...testing, required to meet state standards, etc. If youre an optimist youre going to: 1) Assume Nevada Homeschool Network is still around 2) That were going to want to fight for these homeschoolers who CHOSE to take the money against our advise 3) That were going to win an argument for continued least restrictions, when theyre giving YOU/The Smith Family $196,000!! I dont like these odds!!!!!!! Fast forward 2 or 3 legislative sessions (4-6 years) The number of homeschoolers has tripled, quadrupled, people everywhere say, I homeschool using the Educational Savings Account....just like many people today still say , I homeschool using Odyssey, I homeschool using Nevada Virtual Academy THESE ARE CHARTER SCHOOLS, HELD ACCOUNTABLE BECAUSE THEY USE OUR TAX MONEY!! WHY DO YOU THINK YOULL BE DIFFERENT?!?! Public perception is not an informed perception! When THIS type of homeschooler is the mainstream, little old me, wanting nothing from the government except to be left alone to direct my childs education as I see fit, will lose. The laws will be made for this type of homeschooler. I will lose my freedom. In case you cant read my feelings, Ill tell you them. Fear and anger. Anger at YOU who wants this money above freedom and who will jeopardize MY ability to homeschool in the manner that I, personally, have fought so hard for. Fear, that its a reality because money sounds good! Will YOU think beyond the money, think to the years to come and the repercussions of this? We need to be educated on this topic, we need to educate our neighbors, our friends, our homeschooling peers...we need to see the very big threat to our homeschooling freedoms and be ready to say , I want to homeschool, free from government interference!. I encourage you, when the time comes, please dont let it be just me saying this. I hope we can all realize the value of our freedom to homeschool in the manner we see fit. ------------------------------------------------ By way of introduction, Nevada Homeschool Network (NHN) has advocated for Nevada families who have chosen to direct the education of their children since 2002. Whereas, the mission of NHN is to advocate for the parental right to direct the education of their child, free from governmental oversight; and Whereas, NHN believes that it is the duty of our government officials to be accountable to tax payers for money spent, and this governmental oversight includes auditing, the purchase of government approved materials, and performance based outcomes that meet state educational standards; and Whereas, the term “homeschool” is legally defined in Nevada whereby parents take full responsibility for the education of the child, without provision of governmental services or materials; and Whereas, homeschooling is an alternative to government controlled school choice; and Whereas, NHN is concerned that alternative education funding programs intending to benefit a student with a government controlled “choice in education” will jeopardize homeschool autonomy from government oversight; now, therefore, NHN is opposed to adoption of any alternative education program in this state that utilizes tax-payer funding, either directly or indirectly, on behalf of a child who is being homeschooled pursuant to NRS 392.070, including government controlled voucher programs and Education Savings Accounts. NHN supports Scholarship Organization plans that do not utilize or require governmental funding or control. Signed, Frank Schnorbus, Chairman Elissa Wahl, Vice-Chair D. Raymond Poole, Secretary Barbara Dragon, Treasurer Kelley Millard Radow, Officer Aaron Sutherland, Officer What about homeschools and… Vouchers? No, government regulations always accompany vouchers. hslda.org/docs/nche/Issues/S/State_Vouchers.asp Education Savings Accounts? May benefit homeschooling but must follow federal law. hslda.org/docs/news/201003190.asp hslda.org/docs/nche/Issues/T/Tax_Ed_Savings.asp finweb/financial-planning/education-savings-accounts-compared-1.html#axzz3P8KZq8DO Scholarship Organization? There are favorable Scholarship Organization Laws in a few states. hslda.org/hs/state/nh/201304110.asp cato.org/blog/another-winn-educational-freedom-new-hampshire
Posted on: Mon, 19 Jan 2015 19:32:54 +0000
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