The Best Department of Education

Homeschooling is under attack in Virginia. Janet Parshall will tell you more in this week’s commentary.

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Episode Transcript

S1 (00:02):
When parents consider what's the best educational choice for their child,
many will choose homeschooling. But homeschooling is a choice that's
often under attack.

S2 (00:10):
Here to unpack present day issues from a biblical perspective
is Janet Parshall.

S1 (00:16):
Consider the state of Virginia, where thousands of families have
decided that homeschooling is the best option for their child.
This year, 6755 Virginia students are being homeschooled under the
religious exemption provided by state statute. Virginia is the only
state that grants parents the ability to exempt their children
from public education altogether. If they say that their religious

(00:38):
beliefs conflict with public school attendance. But now, a Virginia
state senator has introduced a bill that will, according to
the homeschooling community, dismantled the religious exemption for home instruction
and infringe on their First Amendment rights. A statement put
out by the Home School Legal Defense Association states, to
protect freedom, we must keep the coercive power of government

(00:58):
as far as possible away from the family unit, especially
when the freedom of conscience is at stake. If the
religious exemption is abolished and only home instruction remains for homeschoolers,
the stakes in such conflicts increase dramatically because of the
encroachment of government power on the free exercise of religion.
The bill, if passed, would require parents to seek governmental

(01:18):
approval first if they use a religious exemption as their
reason for homeschooling. Parents would also have to prove that
they could in fact educate their children, show the child
is making educational progress, and get the approval of the
local school district superintendent. As of right now, parents who
homeschool are only required to provide documentation to the local
school district regarding the curriculum used and evidence that the

(01:41):
child is progressing academically, according to the Homeschool Educators Association
of Virginia. The legislative proposal eliminates and replaces all current
evidence of progress laws, removes the probationary period, gives new
broad and undefined authority to the superintendent to determine neglect
in education or care. Brings the courts into the fold

(02:01):
and removes all privacy protections for all homeschooled and religiously
exempt minors and their families. Fortunately, the legislative machinery in
the state Assembly has slowed the bill down for now.
The even better news is that Governor Glenn Youngkin has
left no doubt as to where he stands on the bill.
I am a strong supporter of homeschooling and will always
support the rights of parents to homeschool their children, Youngkin

(02:24):
said in a statement to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, where in
a short session and out of courtesy to my friends
in the Senate. Let me be clear that I will
veto this bill. Parents are and always will be, the
best Department of education. Choosing to homeschool a child for
religious reasons is a sacred right. Parents should always be afforded,
and it is a right that must always be protected.

(02:47):
Those are my thoughts. I'm Janet Parshall.

S2 (02:49):
For more information or to connect with us, go to.
In the market with Janet Parshall.