This Is Our Ground

My husband and I started homeschooling our children in 1995. We have only heard stories about what many families faced in the early 1980's. A time when battles were waged and won and laws were passed to clarify a parents right to home-educated their children. We have had the privilege to know two families who faced the court system because of their conviction to homeschool their children. We never saw the smoke of the battlefield; just heard the stories. We never knew the fear some faced with no laws, no Home School Legal Defense (HSLDA), no support groups. There were so many unknowns. We have only known the freedom that these “pioneers” brought to the cause. Not only did laws get passed in every state, but an abundance of resources became available. The future looked bright and homeschooling seem much easier.

In the next few years a silent enemy was about to surface. I began hearing from other homeschoolers about programs offered by the local school district called Alternative Learning Programs (ALP). The programs were obvious market-driven money- makers for the government schools. After some digging, I discovered that these programs were an attempt by the local school district and the OSPI (Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction) to control homeschooling. Weren’t these the same forces that tried to stop homeschooling? Why would parents want to join the same bureaucracy that tried to stop them from homeschooling? When Goals 2000 (HB 1209),the education reform act of 1994, was presented to the legislature, homeschoolers fought to be exempt. Within a few years some are now willing to accept the same standards that they fought to be separate from. Another puzzling thing, especially as someone who became a Christian later in life, is why would people of a great faith turn to the government to supply their needs. My husband and I understood that the worldly system we were educated in almost destroyed us. We did not want this system involved in the education of our children. Why would other Christians?

In 1998 I wrote an article with another homeschooling mom called “Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing.” We started a campaign to inform other homeschoolers of the dangers of these programs. We joined the board of the Washington Association of Teaching Christian Homes (WATCH). We poured over mounds of paperwork, state laws and codes. We met with state auditors, OSPI, and the legislature. We pleaded with homeschool leaders to join us in opposing the programs. We recognized that as long as the programs existed, and as long as participants called themselves homeschoolers, they would be a threat to independent homeschoolers and the freedoms we enjoy.

Washington state law allows three ways to educate children; government public schools, private-school, and home-based instruction (homeschooling). An ALP is a government school program that comes into existence by a contract or proposal with a local school district. According to the National Education Association (NEA), this is also the definition of a charter school. There are several models of ALPs. This article focuses on the programs that market specifically to homeschool students. Each ALP is different, but there are some fundamental guidelines they must meet in order to comply with state rules (WAC 392-121-182). Some parents have enrolled their children in an ALP thinking they are still homeschooling. Do not be deceived. These programs are government school programs. They may have more flexibility than a traditional public school, but they must comply with state standards and laws required of all public schools.

These programs offer a variety of services. Most require that you must have homeschooled at least 90 days before you can enroll. The ALP requires the student to be on-site one to five hours a week. The parents can provide some teaching or supervision at home. The parent/student turns in a weekly time sheet for any off-site hours. The ALP claims these hours, and receives full-time funding for this student. Your home has now become an extension of the government schools. Once enrolled, the parent/student works with a certified teacher to develop a student learning plan, set goals and approve the curriculum. The student goals must comply with the state learning goals (EALRS). The ALP staff must approve all curriculum or may require that the student use the district’s curriculum. ALPs offer a variety of services; distance learning, large fully equipped computer labs, classes ranging from academic to enrichment, free field trips, free testing, and transcripts and credits for graduating students. Some ALPs offer $400 to $1500 per student for educational supplies. Sounds like a dream come true to some homeschoolers, but is it? Each year the NEA passes a resolution that condemns independent homeschooling. They think all homeschools should be under the direct supervision of a state certified teacher, meet all the state standards, and use a curriculum approved by the state. These programs sound more like a dream come true for the NEA! The state superintendent’s office (OSPI) says an ALP program and course curriculum should be controlled by the school district. A program controlled by the parent or guardian is considered home-based instruction and does not qualify for state funding (RCW 28A.320.230)

Parents who support these programs send a message that homeschoolers need help and do not mind more control. I have talked to staff at several ALP sites. The most common reason I was given for why they started was “homeschoolers need help.” This does not represent the majority of homeschoolers, most have opted to stay independent of government school programs.

An ALP is also a more familiar style of education than traditional homeschooling. ALPs threaten to become the standard by which homeschooling will be understood by school officials, the general public, and lawmakers. This is counter to current research that shows homeschoolers are thriving regardless of government regulations or programs. I do not mean to imply that there are not some legitimate needs. However, there are several options available in the private sector to help meet these needs such as support groups, homeschool cooperatives, private school extension programs, and private tutors. It is common knowledge that homeschool and private school students score higher on academic tests. How could anyone think that the government schools could offer a higher quality program? Isn’t the real issue that some just do not want to pay for services they can get free from the government? Actually, these programs have increased the cost of education in Washington State an estimated $60 to $90 million a year. My husband and I have opted out of the ‘free system’ and realize it is our responsibility to pay for the education of our children. We are proud of the fact that along with other homeschoolers, we save the taxpayers of Washington State an estimated $100-$140 million a year.

The local school districts want more money, educrats want more control over their monopoly, and education reformers want all children to live with their humanistic world view. They see homeschoolers as a roadblock in meeting their goals. They know the very essence of our success is our freedom. Our opponents need a government infrastructure in place to regulate and control homeschoolers. We could still homeschool, if you call it that, as long as they were in control, and we conformed. In order to build this infrastructure, they would need government funds, create a need for the program, develop a dependency on the program, and then change laws to secure future funding of the programs. This is exactly the direction of ALPs and charter schools. Today there are an estimated 80 sites, with more than 12,000 students enrolled. There are ALP sites in 27% of school districts. This gives school districts the potential of reaching about 90% of the homeschool population. Those who support ALPs are helping to develop this government infrastructure, which will be used to create more regulations, or at worst mandate them. We can blame the usual opponents of homeschoolers; state agencies, school districts, educational unions, etc. School districts get state and local funds based off of enrollment. Then who is really to blame? The parent who has their child enrolled in an ALP helps create funding and justification for the program. If there were no children enrolled, than there would be no program.

I may not have been in the initial battle for homeschooling in the 1980's, but I have come to realize that the battle never really ended. “Pioneers” broke new ground and claimed a territory. Then “settlers” would follow. They helped grow and secure the new land. Their success blessed many around them. Their failure left the territory unused or it was lost to an enemy. This is our calling as “settlers” to grow and secure this new territory. We must do everything we can to succeed. Our success will bless many. Our failure will only surrender the ground back to the enemy. This territory is not only the future of the church, but is an inheritance for our children and grandchildren.

About the author: DiAnna and her husband Scott live in Kent, Washington. They have homeschooled their two children for nine years. They have served on the state Christian board, WATCH, and are currently Legislative Liaisons for WATCH. They also serve on the board of a local homeschool co-op, where they teach. The Brannans have developed a workshop that covers this issue in more detail, and offers insightful suggestions to help strengthen homeschoolers in Washington state. They can be contacted at chnow@msn.com.