by Rebecca Kocsis

Capitol Day in Sacramento was a great success. We were able to visit every state legislator’s office and talk to them about private homeschooling and/or leave an introductory packet.

Again working in cooperation with Family Protection Ministries, we are now seeking homeschool families with their well-behaved, well-dressed homeschooled students who are willing to schedule a visit with their state representatives in their home district offices. Maintaining these relationships is key. Legislators have a completely separate staff in their district offices, so it’s vital that we visit the district offices, too. This way, when the subject of homeschooling comes up, they will already have a proper understanding of what private home education is and know real live homeschoolers. If we have another situation pop up like the Turpin family, legislators and their staff will know that “those aren’t real homeschoolers.”

Families and articulate students should be willing to introduce themselves and give their representatives an “Introduction to Homeschooling” packet, which will be provided to you.

We need families from each district for all 40 state senators and 80 state assembly members. It sounds like a tall order doesn’t it? However, I am believing that the Lord will raise up a small army of homeschoolers to meet the challenge.

A few people have suggested that these visits aren’t necessary; that last year’s legislation was so soundly defeated that they wouldn’t dare come back with another piece of legislation this year. Maybe not this year, but what about next?

Let’s not wait until we have a threat to take action. All one needs to do is stay on top of the national news to see that opponents of homeschool freedom and parental rights are busy in several states. As in the Turpin case, they are using horrendous abuse cases as their excuse to regulate private home education. Georgia, Iowa, Connecticut, Illinois. These are the states that are battling homeschool legislation because of child abuse. There are more states dealing with legislation that deals with data collection and forced immunization.

Did you know that last year, California was not the only state that battled threatening legislation? Kentucky, Hawaii, and New Hampshire also fought bills proposing homeschool regulation and won. Homeschool freedom across the nation is being challenged. Your rights as parents to direct the upbringing and education of your own children is under attack.

Homeschoolers, I realize you might never have done anything like this before. I realize I am asking many of you to step out of your comfort zone and quite frankly, the thought of doing this may be a little scary. I say it’s time to get out of your comfort zone and step out in faith. Our freedoms need to be protected and this is one tangible way to do that–before we are in full emergency mode.

HAVE QUESTIONS?
Nathan Pierce of Family Protection Ministries and Rebecca Kocsis of CHEA of California will address common questions about visiting your representatives’ offices in a video on CHEA’s Facebook page on Friday, March 15.

Please send inquiries to [email protected]. You will receive a link to a Google form to complete. More detailed information on how to do a district office visit will then be provided.