Throwing Homeschoolers Under Bus, States Advance Tax-Funded “Choice”
Despite almost universal opposition to government-funded “school choice” programs from state and national homeschooling organizations, more and more Republican-controlled states are opening up the tax-money floodgates. Homeschoolers, whose numbers rival those in private schools, are feeling betrayed.
Numerous states are expanding their existing “choice” programs into “universal” government funding of education. The goal of key forces pushing those schemes such as the United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization is to rope private schools and homeschools into the government system, UNESCO’s own documents show.
Idaho, one of the most conservative states in America, just passed a major “school choice” bill this year despite strong opposition from the homeschooling community. Signed into law by “moderate” Republican Governor Brad Little in late February, the program will offer $5,000 “refundable tax credits” to cover non-government education expenses.
Homeschool leaders in the state told The Newman Report that the passage of the bill was a devastating and demoralizing blow to the home-education community across the state. But the battle is not over, as leaders try to warn home educators not to take the bait while pushing for a full repeal in the next session.
In Tennessee, lawmakers recently approved universal “ESA” funds for families with up to $7,000 per student, despite strenuous opposition from the homeschooling community. Wyoming, meanwhile, expanded its ESA program this year by eliminating income restrictions for eligibility. But opposition is growing.
One reason people are so concerned: President Ronald Reagan famously warned about government schemes to “help” people. “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help’,” he said in a 1986 press conference.
The next big prize for the “choice” movement is Texas. The only state with a major homeschool association that supports government funding of home education, the Lone Star State is close to passing a major “choice” bill known as SB2/HB3. The bill would also send billions more to government schools.
But homeschooling forces are rallying hard to stop it. In a major email blast to home-educating grassroots, Emily Fort, executive director of the Homeschool Freedom Coalition, sounded the alarm and outlined some of the battle plan. Among other efforts, the group is buying ads exposing the legislation and urging voters to get involved in pushing back.
“These bills weren’t pushed by homeschoolers,” explained Fort in the letter. “They didn’t originate from homeschooling. They’re not organic to our movement because they’re the OPPOSITE of what homeschooling has been about for the last 50 years!”
“They’re about controlling homeschoolers,” she continued. “It’s a scheme to funnel taxpayer money to state-approved curriculum providers and testing companies, while politicians pat themselves on the back for ‘helping’ homeschoolers!”
She also singled out the Texas Home School Coalition, the only major state association backing government funding for home education, for special criticism. She accused them of “pushing profit-driven agendas, while claiming this is a ‘win’ for homeschooling!”
“Of course, that’s a lie,” she added, blasting the “terrible” bill and urging calls to lawmakers. “Government strings, testing, state-approved curriculum, etc are the opposite of ‘winning.’ Their compromise is a deep betrayal of Texas homeschooling families.”
Lawmakers are hearing the fury. Some 700 Texans showed up at the Capitol in person, with 70 percent of those speaking against the bill. Written testimony was even more lopsided, with over 90 percent of the 12,000 written submissions urging lawmakers to oppose the bill.
Florida and Arizona led the way in recent years by adopting massive “school choice” programs that are already getting thousands of homeschool families dependent on their state government. Ironically, just as critics warned, the governor and state authorities in Arizona are already working hard to impose massive regulations on those taking the funds.
According to FutureEd, there are close to 100 bills in 29 states so far this year that would create, expand, revise, or change “school choice” programs. There are several federal efforts to create federal tax-funded “school choice” schemes as well. And advocates hope to see more GOP states join the club this year and next.
But critics are sounding the alarm and fighting back. As The Newman Report documented, UNESCO is encouraging governments everywhere to offer tax funding to “non-state” education providers. The reason is simple: With government money comes government control, as UNESCO itself admits.
Conservatives instinctively understood that “universal healthcare” and “universal basic income” were dangerous. And yet, when it comes to universal government funding for education — just as dangerous, and for the same reasons — there has been a shocking degree of naivete among Republicans and conservatives.
