Preserving homeschool freedom for the next generation is vital. Some are trying to use recent tragedies to label all homeschool families as abusive. What is the truth?
Earlier this week, I enjoyed the incredible blessing of spending time with my 4-month-old granddaughter, including the precious moments while she fell asleep in my arms.
I can’t even begin to comprehend harm ever coming to her – or fathom someone purposely hurting her in any way.
“But Jesus called them to him, saying,
Let the children come to me,
and do not hinder them,
for to such belongs the kingdom of God.”
Luke 18:16
The recent tragic death of West Des Moines teenager Natalie Finn and the reported abuse of Malayia Knapp from Urbandale both serve as heart-rending reminders that each of us has a responsibility to look out for vulnerable children in our communities..
However, one of our state senators is trying to use these two youths and their heartbreaking cases as "examples of homeschooling gone wrong," suggesting that ALL home educating parents should be uniformly suspected as abusers and, therefore, their children should be subjected to individual investigation.
The senator recently introduced a bill that would require school districts to conduct quarterly "health and safety visits for the protection of children placed under competent private instruction or private instruction.” Please see our Legislative Updates page for more information.
Homeschool Iowa is opposed to this bill, based upon reasoned principles and documented research. Read more.
We, at Homeschool Iowa, believe that parents have the God-given mandate and responsibility to oversee the discipleship and education of their children
“You shall teach them diligently to your children,
and shall talk of them when you sit in your house,
and when you walk by the way,
and when you lie down,
and when you rise.”
Deuteronomy 6:7
During this, our 25th anniversary year for Homeschool Iowa , I encourage each of you to recognize the dedication and efforts that homeschooling pioneers in our state devoted to gain the legal recognition of our constitutionally protected rights and freedoms to home educate in our state. Further, I urge you to commit to do what it takes to continue preserving homeschool freedom – for our children, and for our children's children.
In His service,
Tom Krueger
NICHE President