Your Voice Matters

Iowa is currently
one of the most
homeschool-friendly states in America. 

We have five different legal options, and whether you want complete independence or some level of connection to public school resources, Iowa law gives you choices.

This freedom didn’t just happen.

In fact, in the 1980s, Iowa was one of the most unfriendly states in America for homeschooling families. This transformation was fought for and preserved by homeschool families who came before you.

Now it’s your family’s turn to join efforts to protect homeschool freedom in Iowa. Will you step up and make sure that your voice matters?

 The 2026 Iowa Legislative Session (January-April 2026)
Hundreds of education bills will be filed, some of which could directly affect your homeschooling family, with content like curriculum mandates, reporting requirements, and/or Educational Savings Account (ESA) programs.

 The 2026 Iowa Governor Election (November 2026)
The governor appoints the director of the Department of Education (DE), which writes and interprets rules that implement how our homeschool law works. The DE could attempt to rewrite and/or reinterpret the rules at any time.

✅  In the 2026 Iowa Legislative Session 
As your Homeschool Iowa lobbyist, I will be at the Capitol monitoring every bill, attending hearings, and advocating for your freedom. But, my single voice can be incredibly amplified if it is backed by the voices of hundreds of homeschooling families across the state. When you become a Homeschool Iowa member, you partner in a statewide community that demands our legislators' attention.

✅ In the 2026 Iowa Governor Election 
I've made a commitment, as your lobbyist, to meet with the candidates running for governor to verify their commitment to homeschool freedom and parental rights. It's evident that some are strongly support homeschool freedom; others have concerning positions. Homeschool Iowa cannot endorse candidates, but we can inform you on candidate positions so your voice can respond.

The truth is that many of these politicians do not personally know a homeschooling family. When they meet you and listen to your story, your voice matters to them. And they'll listen later when you reach out to them about homeschool  and parent rights issues.

Here are simple and practical ways to make this happen,
first locally and also at the Capitol.

 FIND Your Legislators
– Go to legis.iowa.gov and enter your address
– You have one state senator and one state representative.

 IDENTIFY the Gubernatorial Candidates
– Search for the current list of candidates (click here for an example)
– This list will likely continue to develop as we near the election. 

   FOLLOW Your Legislators and Candidates for Governor
– Follow their official social media pages and watch for their events.
– When they post about education or family issues, engage positively.

 ATTEND Legislator and Candidate Local Town Halls
– Bring your kids so they can see our well-behaved, engaged students.
– This makes a lasting impression, and it’s a great civics lesson, too.

  SHARE Your Story – In Person, By Email, and By Phone
– You don’t need to be a policy expert. Personal stories are more powerful to communicate that your voice matters.
– Tell why you homeschool, what it’s like, and what your kids are learning. Make homeschooling real to them.

If you're able, join us for
Homeschool Iowa Capitol Day
in Des Moines on March 2.

 ENJOY Family Activities
– Visit the displays, watch the legislative sessions from the galleries, and go on a scavenger hunt.

   MAKE Legislator Contacts
– Meet with your legislators in the Capitol. We provide you with easy  training and basic talking points. 

 TOUR Our Beautiful Capitol
– Sign up in advance for guided Capitol tours (limited openings available), or use the handy self-guided tour resources. 

  PARTICIPATE in the Rally
– Join the homeschool crowd at the scheduled rotunda rally so legislators can see our impressive numbers.

It's true! Your Homeschool Iowa membership amplifies your voice, partnering you with hundreds of other Iowa homeschooling family voices across the state.

Your membership helps fund my efforts as lobbyist, providing you with onsite, daily monitoring and advocacy during the legislative session – and all year long.

Some homeschooling families think, "Hey, the Homeschool Iowa lobbyist will advocate for us regardless of whether or not we become members."

Well, I have to admit, they're right. Homeschool Iowa is committed to these efforts to protect homeschool freedom regardless of whether or not every homeschooling family in Iowa joins us. 

But I hope families like this consider what would happen if all Iowa homeschooling families decided to benefit from our advocacy protections without becoming members to support them.

Legislators pay attention to organizations with members—real families who financially support the work. When I am able to tell a legislator or candidate, “I represent thousands of member families,”  that carries weight. Our collective voices really do matter!

Homeschool Iowa membership doesn't just support our advocacy and lobbying efforts. It provides you with many more benefits, including:

Homeschool Iowa Conference Discounts
Homeschool Iowa Website Member Portal Resources & Discounts
Capitol Day Early Registration & Perks Access
Regional Representative Support in Your Area
Special Needs Advisor Access
Weekly Legislative Updates During Session
Homeschool Iowa Graduation Participation
and Much More!

But remember, membership isn’t just about the many benefits YOU receive—it’s about protecting freedom for ALL Iowa homeschool families, including your kids and grandkids.

Here are the action steps to make sure that your voice matters:

Identify Your Legislators & the Iowa Gubernatorial Candidates
Follow Them on Social Media
Go to Their Local Events & Bring Your Kids
Attend Homeschool Iowa Capitol Day on March 2
Join Homeschool Iowa!