Carrying Homeschool Freedom Forward (part 3 of 4)
IS HOMESCHOOLING REALLY AT RISK?
Key Takeaways:
- Parents have the fundamental right to direct the upbringing and education of their children.
- The homeschool movement in Arizona and at large has always maintained that the financial responsibility of homeschooling lies with parents, not the government.
- Introducing government funding into private home education can be expected to negatively impact the homeschool marketplace and the cost of higher education.
- Evidence does not suggest increased spending leads to improved academic or holistic outcomes.
- Dependency on the public system creates hidden vulnerabilities that parents may not immediately recognize.
It is tempting to think the success and growth of homeschooling have rendered it immune to the kind of threats faced over the last 40-50 years. However, many homeschool advocates and observers assert we are now facing the greatest threat we have yet encountered: a growing expectation for all education options to be funded by the government. Are these observers overreacting? And why would that expectation be concerning?
It is important to understand that AFHE supports the right of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children, including the right to utilize a taxpayer-funded education option. AFHE offers information, resources, events, and support to any Arizona parent who wants to take greater responsibility for their child’s educational experience. And yet when AFHE identifies potential harms to homeschool freedom and the welfare of homeschoolers throughout our state, it is our duty to inform our members and subscribers and defend against these threats.
The universal expansion of Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program intensifies several factors which can undermine the homeschool movement. Here are some of AFHE’s concerns.
It is important to understand that AFHE supports the right of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children, including the right to utilize a taxpayer-funded education option. AFHE offers information, resources, events, and support to any Arizona parent who wants to take greater responsibility for their child’s educational experience. And yet when AFHE identifies potential harms to homeschool freedom and the welfare of homeschoolers throughout our state, it is our duty to inform our members and subscribers and defend against these threats.
The universal expansion of Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program intensifies several factors which can undermine the homeschool movement. Here are some of AFHE’s concerns.
1. PRIVATE OR PUBLIC RESPONSIBILITY? As explained in the second article in this four-part series, Arizona’s homeschool definition7 unites the parent’s freedom to conduct their child’s education with the responsibility for educating their child independently, without public funding. Parents exercised this freedom and responsibility long before any public system existed, demonstrating the fundamental right of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children.8
On the contrary, advocating for the use of taxpayer funds for all education models perpetuates a belief that society at large is responsible to provide for every child’s education, including education conducted in the home. Accepting this premise increases the likelihood that our society and our government will claim a role in deciding what should be included in the education of ALL children. Homeschool freedoms and parental authority will be lost, one step at a time.
2. DOLLARS ≠ QUALITY Does history show us that money is correlated with the quality of academic outcomes? Must families depend on government funding to afford home education? The simple answer to these questions is “No.”
Detailed studies of homeschool families have shown that the level of a family’s education-related spending has little or no relation to academic outcomes.9 Most homeschool families have achieved exemplary results even when spending private dollars at only 5-10% (or less) of public school per-student expenditures. Other factors are much more important than dollars spent. It must be so; otherwise, what can account for the admirable academic achievements of decades (actually, centuries!) of homeschoolers who did not have access to thousands of taxpayer dollars per child each year?
Parents naturally want to provide abundant opportunities for their kids and doing so without straining the family budget seems like a win. The evidence simply doesn’t show that dollars provide the key ingredient to an effective education, or that home education is unaffordable without taxpayer support. Homeschooling can be designed to fit any budget, and because it is an entirely different paradigm it usually costs a mere fraction of what is required in a public school setting.10 Actually, with ever-increasing digital content and the explosion of interest in home education, it has never been easier to find affordable, high-quality curriculum and material. It is also true that, with government dollars added to the mix, high-priced educational materials and instructional services are marketed to homeschoolers and home educators more than ever before.
One of the long-recognized hallmarks of the growth of homeschool communities nationwide has been the unmatched value of volunteerism by parents in cooperative enterprise. Their donations of time, commitment, and unique contributions in their areas of interest and expertise have provided a relationship-based resource that powers a wealth of opportunities: academic co-ops, tutoring, sports teams, park days, group activities of all sorts, contests, field trips, and interpersonal interaction and support for parents and children. The monetization of previously volunteer-led models has diminished the community-driven nature and value of these networks.
On the contrary, advocating for the use of taxpayer funds for all education models perpetuates a belief that society at large is responsible to provide for every child’s education, including education conducted in the home. Accepting this premise increases the likelihood that our society and our government will claim a role in deciding what should be included in the education of ALL children. Homeschool freedoms and parental authority will be lost, one step at a time.
2. DOLLARS ≠ QUALITY Does history show us that money is correlated with the quality of academic outcomes? Must families depend on government funding to afford home education? The simple answer to these questions is “No.”
Detailed studies of homeschool families have shown that the level of a family’s education-related spending has little or no relation to academic outcomes.9 Most homeschool families have achieved exemplary results even when spending private dollars at only 5-10% (or less) of public school per-student expenditures. Other factors are much more important than dollars spent. It must be so; otherwise, what can account for the admirable academic achievements of decades (actually, centuries!) of homeschoolers who did not have access to thousands of taxpayer dollars per child each year?
Parents naturally want to provide abundant opportunities for their kids and doing so without straining the family budget seems like a win. The evidence simply doesn’t show that dollars provide the key ingredient to an effective education, or that home education is unaffordable without taxpayer support. Homeschooling can be designed to fit any budget, and because it is an entirely different paradigm it usually costs a mere fraction of what is required in a public school setting.10 Actually, with ever-increasing digital content and the explosion of interest in home education, it has never been easier to find affordable, high-quality curriculum and material. It is also true that, with government dollars added to the mix, high-priced educational materials and instructional services are marketed to homeschoolers and home educators more than ever before.
One of the long-recognized hallmarks of the growth of homeschool communities nationwide has been the unmatched value of volunteerism by parents in cooperative enterprise. Their donations of time, commitment, and unique contributions in their areas of interest and expertise have provided a relationship-based resource that powers a wealth of opportunities: academic co-ops, tutoring, sports teams, park days, group activities of all sorts, contests, field trips, and interpersonal interaction and support for parents and children. The monetization of previously volunteer-led models has diminished the community-driven nature and value of these networks.
3. MARKET INTERFERENCE & PRICE INFLATION Injecting government funding into private markets always changes the balance of supply and demand. Because ESA dollars originate from taxpayers and the government must approve how these dollars are used, the government actually becomes the largest consumer. The largest consumer in any market wields the greatest influence. Businesses operating in a government-funded marketplace will eventually have to serve the government’s interests.
It will take several years or even a couple of decades to accurately assess the effects of ESA funds used for private school tuition and fees and home education expenses. Current reports and analyses are examining limited data of a new scenario, and groups on all sides are claiming proof for their positions. However, we can draw lessons about the effects of government funding by looking at public education itself. The supply of taxpayer dollars is a huge lever used by policymakers and bureaucrats to influence the content and design of instructional materials. This lever also causes continual upward pressure on the prices for instructional services and materials, and fuels the growth of government and its increasing presence in the private lives of citizens. If government funding becomes the dominant force driving the (formerly) private education market, we can expect that private schools and home educators will experience the same detrimental effects.
For a large-scale example that does have a long history to analyze, consider college and university tuition rates. Virtually all post-secondary institutions are dependent on government dollars, which arrive as direct funding to the institution, payouts from tuition grant programs, and government-backed student loans. The well-documented result has been that tuition rates have far outstripped the overall rate of inflation.11 What’s more, this problem will be compounded in the coming years as universal ESA funds also impact the higher education market.
4. POLITICAL STABILITY vs. SHAKY GROUND In stark contrast to Arizona’s long history of bipartisan support for independent homeschooling, the universal ESA is a high-value target at the legislature. The ESA expansion bill was fast-tracked through the legislative process in June of 2022 and signed by the governor with little opportunity for public scrutiny, media coverage, or attempts for bipartisan support, and it passed on a party-line vote with an extremely slim majority. In subsequent legislative sessions, an increasing number of bills have been introduced to regulate and even end the entire ESA program. The governor has also indicated her willingness to use executive actions to restrict the program if the legislature does not take action.12
This is especially concerning when AFHE also sees bills introduced with language that does not carefully maintain the distinction between homeschool and ESA-funded home education. All Arizonans who care about homeschool freedom should be on high alert against legislative measures that would diminish the distinctions between homeschooling and government funded educational models. It is part of AFHE’s mission to protect the stable, bipartisan, longstanding definition of “homeschooling.”
It will take several years or even a couple of decades to accurately assess the effects of ESA funds used for private school tuition and fees and home education expenses. Current reports and analyses are examining limited data of a new scenario, and groups on all sides are claiming proof for their positions. However, we can draw lessons about the effects of government funding by looking at public education itself. The supply of taxpayer dollars is a huge lever used by policymakers and bureaucrats to influence the content and design of instructional materials. This lever also causes continual upward pressure on the prices for instructional services and materials, and fuels the growth of government and its increasing presence in the private lives of citizens. If government funding becomes the dominant force driving the (formerly) private education market, we can expect that private schools and home educators will experience the same detrimental effects.
For a large-scale example that does have a long history to analyze, consider college and university tuition rates. Virtually all post-secondary institutions are dependent on government dollars, which arrive as direct funding to the institution, payouts from tuition grant programs, and government-backed student loans. The well-documented result has been that tuition rates have far outstripped the overall rate of inflation.11 What’s more, this problem will be compounded in the coming years as universal ESA funds also impact the higher education market.
4. POLITICAL STABILITY vs. SHAKY GROUND In stark contrast to Arizona’s long history of bipartisan support for independent homeschooling, the universal ESA is a high-value target at the legislature. The ESA expansion bill was fast-tracked through the legislative process in June of 2022 and signed by the governor with little opportunity for public scrutiny, media coverage, or attempts for bipartisan support, and it passed on a party-line vote with an extremely slim majority. In subsequent legislative sessions, an increasing number of bills have been introduced to regulate and even end the entire ESA program. The governor has also indicated her willingness to use executive actions to restrict the program if the legislature does not take action.12
This is especially concerning when AFHE also sees bills introduced with language that does not carefully maintain the distinction between homeschool and ESA-funded home education. All Arizonans who care about homeschool freedom should be on high alert against legislative measures that would diminish the distinctions between homeschooling and government funded educational models. It is part of AFHE’s mission to protect the stable, bipartisan, longstanding definition of “homeschooling.”
5. WHO DECIDES? Many parents are withdrawing their children from district schools for a variety of reasons, including their dismay over the state of public education. Parents may not realize there are powerful voices saying government funding is a tool to be used to advance their policy goals even in private educational settings, including the home.
For example, Betsy DeVos, former US Secretary of Education, is seeking to shape a public perspective that could threaten private home education. In advocating taxpayer funding for all education options, she promotes the idea that all education (“every way and every place a student learns”) should be absorbed into our understanding of public education.13
Consider that the federal Department of Education has recently sought to withhold federal funding from public schools that permit or encourage disfavored activities or lines of thought.14 With more students leaving the public school system but remaining tethered by public funding, the chances are greater that states will be pressured by the federal government to implement oversight and accountability for what is being taught in publicly funded settings, including home-based education. The provision of funding sets up a public claim to oversee what is taught.
Many opponents of homeschooling share the attitude expressed by the late Dr. John Goodlad, a prominent educational researcher and theorist and founder of the Center for Educational Renewal: “Most youth still hold the same values of their parents . . . if we do not alter this pattern, if we don’t resocialize, our system will decay.”15 [emphasis added] This is in direct opposition to our understanding of what is best for children and society.
The truth is that parents are best equipped to direct the upbringing and education of their children and have the fundamental right to do so as a function of the family, independent of the state’s interests.
For example, Betsy DeVos, former US Secretary of Education, is seeking to shape a public perspective that could threaten private home education. In advocating taxpayer funding for all education options, she promotes the idea that all education (“every way and every place a student learns”) should be absorbed into our understanding of public education.13
Consider that the federal Department of Education has recently sought to withhold federal funding from public schools that permit or encourage disfavored activities or lines of thought.14 With more students leaving the public school system but remaining tethered by public funding, the chances are greater that states will be pressured by the federal government to implement oversight and accountability for what is being taught in publicly funded settings, including home-based education. The provision of funding sets up a public claim to oversee what is taught.
Many opponents of homeschooling share the attitude expressed by the late Dr. John Goodlad, a prominent educational researcher and theorist and founder of the Center for Educational Renewal: “Most youth still hold the same values of their parents . . . if we do not alter this pattern, if we don’t resocialize, our system will decay.”15 [emphasis added] This is in direct opposition to our understanding of what is best for children and society.
The truth is that parents are best equipped to direct the upbringing and education of their children and have the fundamental right to do so as a function of the family, independent of the state’s interests.
Questions we must consider: Does political philosophy actually work its way through legislation and policy to affect our day-to-day lives? What is the track record of privately funded education versus education that depends on public funding, and what is actually required for successful learning? Are there economic and political principles that can provide insights about what to expect in the years ahead? These are some of the questions that must be reckoned with for the sake of protecting homeschool freedom for the future.
With over 40 years of advocating on behalf of homeschool families seeking freedom from government regulation and jurisdiction, AFHE offers this brief assessment of risks that have been introduced or amplified by the universal ESA expansion. In our final article, we will review where things stand and state AFHE’s resolve for the future.
With over 40 years of advocating on behalf of homeschool families seeking freedom from government regulation and jurisdiction, AFHE offers this brief assessment of risks that have been introduced or amplified by the universal ESA expansion. In our final article, we will review where things stand and state AFHE’s resolve for the future.
Articles in this series:
Part 1: AFHE's Mission and History
Part 2: Homeschool is Distinct
Part 3: Is Homeschooling at Risk?
Part 4: Maintaining Freedom Requires Clear Boundaries
Part 1: AFHE's Mission and History
Part 2: Homeschool is Distinct
Part 3: Is Homeschooling at Risk?
Part 4: Maintaining Freedom Requires Clear Boundaries
ENDNOTES
[7] A.R.S. section 15-802(G)(2).
https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https://www.azleg.gov/ars/15/00802.htm
[8] A.R.S. section 1-602.
https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https://www.azleg.gov/ars/1/00602.htm
In the Arizona Revised Statutes, the Parents’ Bill of Rights recognizes “the fundamental right of parents to direct the upbringing, education, health care and mental health of their children.”
[9] Ray, B. D. (2011). Academic achievement and demographic traits of homeschool students: A nationwide study. Academic Leadership Live: The Online Journal, 8(1).
https://www.nheri.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Ray-2010-Academic-Achievement-and-Demographic-Traits-of-Homeschool-Students.pdf
[10] Sonlight. (2021, October 6). How much does homeschooling cost? Why it is worth the investment. Sonlight.
https://blog.sonlight.com/how-much-does-homeschooling-cost.html
[11] Pell grants are not effective at making higher education more affordable for low-income students. Rather, they have incentivized colleges and universities to raise tuition rates. Additionally, student aid expansion via increased limits on student loans has also resulted in increased tuition rates.
Cox, H. (2020, December 23). How big government broke higher education: The Student Loan Bubble, explained. FEE Freeman.
https://fee.org/articles/how-government-broke-the-higher-education-model/
Hauptman, A., & Blew, J. (2023, August 4). Don’t double pell grants. Disconnect them from tuition. RealClearEducation.
https://www.realcleareducation.com/articles/2023/08/04/dont_double_pell_grants_disconnect_them_from_tuition_970685.html
Kempema, T. (2017, August 14). Fact check: Does research show that federal student aid increases tuition. Ballotpedia.
https://ballotpedia.org/Fact_check/Does_research_show_that_federal_student_aid_increases_tuition
Lucca, D. O., Nadauld, T., & Shen, K. (2015, July; revised 2017, February). Credit supply and the rise in college tuition: Evidence from the expansion in federal student aid programs. Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
https://www.newyorkfed.org/medialibrary/media/research/staff_reports/sr733.pdf?mod=article_inline
[12] Schutsky, W. (2023, August 25). Wrap up with Katie Hobbs. Arizona Capitol Times. Retrieved January 9, 2024, pg 3.
https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2023/08/25/august-25-2023/
[13] Young America’s Foundation. (2019, May 17). Empowering students and parents [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nv7KguMfag&t=1262s (21:02)
[14] Harper, C. (2023, December 1). Biden rule takes lunch money from schools that reject progressive gender, sexuality agenda. The Center Square.
https://www.thecentersquare.com/national/article_d19aeb72-8fc9-11ee-9ac0-97e018719444.html
Mueller, J. (2022, July 26). GOP-controlled states sue over LGBT- inclusive policy to get school lunch funds. The Hill.
https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/3575160-gop-controlled-states-sue-over-lgbt-inclusive-school-lunch-fund-policy/
Poff, J. (2023, July 31). Biden blocks federal funds from schools with archery and hunting programs. Washington Examiner.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/2403414/biden-blocks-federal-funds-from-schools-with-archery-and-hunting-programs/
Schimke, A. (2023, November 28). Proposed ban on religious instruction in Colorado’s state-funded preschools may spark legal fight. Chalkbeat.
https://www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/2023/11/28/potential-religious-education-ban-in-state-funded-preschools/
USDA promotes program access, combats discrimination against LGBTQI+ community. Food and Nutrition Service U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2022, May 5).
https://www.fns.usda.gov/news-item/usda-0100.22
[15] Goodlad, J. (1971). Schooling for the Future, (9).
[7] A.R.S. section 15-802(G)(2).
https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https://www.azleg.gov/ars/15/00802.htm
[8] A.R.S. section 1-602.
https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https://www.azleg.gov/ars/1/00602.htm
In the Arizona Revised Statutes, the Parents’ Bill of Rights recognizes “the fundamental right of parents to direct the upbringing, education, health care and mental health of their children.”
[9] Ray, B. D. (2011). Academic achievement and demographic traits of homeschool students: A nationwide study. Academic Leadership Live: The Online Journal, 8(1).
https://www.nheri.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Ray-2010-Academic-Achievement-and-Demographic-Traits-of-Homeschool-Students.pdf
[10] Sonlight. (2021, October 6). How much does homeschooling cost? Why it is worth the investment. Sonlight.
https://blog.sonlight.com/how-much-does-homeschooling-cost.html
[11] Pell grants are not effective at making higher education more affordable for low-income students. Rather, they have incentivized colleges and universities to raise tuition rates. Additionally, student aid expansion via increased limits on student loans has also resulted in increased tuition rates.
Cox, H. (2020, December 23). How big government broke higher education: The Student Loan Bubble, explained. FEE Freeman.
https://fee.org/articles/how-government-broke-the-higher-education-model/
Hauptman, A., & Blew, J. (2023, August 4). Don’t double pell grants. Disconnect them from tuition. RealClearEducation.
https://www.realcleareducation.com/articles/2023/08/04/dont_double_pell_grants_disconnect_them_from_tuition_970685.html
Kempema, T. (2017, August 14). Fact check: Does research show that federal student aid increases tuition. Ballotpedia.
https://ballotpedia.org/Fact_check/Does_research_show_that_federal_student_aid_increases_tuition
Lucca, D. O., Nadauld, T., & Shen, K. (2015, July; revised 2017, February). Credit supply and the rise in college tuition: Evidence from the expansion in federal student aid programs. Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
https://www.newyorkfed.org/medialibrary/media/research/staff_reports/sr733.pdf?mod=article_inline
[12] Schutsky, W. (2023, August 25). Wrap up with Katie Hobbs. Arizona Capitol Times. Retrieved January 9, 2024, pg 3.
https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2023/08/25/august-25-2023/
[13] Young America’s Foundation. (2019, May 17). Empowering students and parents [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nv7KguMfag&t=1262s (21:02)
[14] Harper, C. (2023, December 1). Biden rule takes lunch money from schools that reject progressive gender, sexuality agenda. The Center Square.
https://www.thecentersquare.com/national/article_d19aeb72-8fc9-11ee-9ac0-97e018719444.html
Mueller, J. (2022, July 26). GOP-controlled states sue over LGBT- inclusive policy to get school lunch funds. The Hill.
https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/3575160-gop-controlled-states-sue-over-lgbt-inclusive-school-lunch-fund-policy/
Poff, J. (2023, July 31). Biden blocks federal funds from schools with archery and hunting programs. Washington Examiner.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/2403414/biden-blocks-federal-funds-from-schools-with-archery-and-hunting-programs/
Schimke, A. (2023, November 28). Proposed ban on religious instruction in Colorado’s state-funded preschools may spark legal fight. Chalkbeat.
https://www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/2023/11/28/potential-religious-education-ban-in-state-funded-preschools/
USDA promotes program access, combats discrimination against LGBTQI+ community. Food and Nutrition Service U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2022, May 5).
https://www.fns.usda.gov/news-item/usda-0100.22
[15] Goodlad, J. (1971). Schooling for the Future, (9).
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