Imagine our homeschooling freedom as a pristine lake. We enjoy its clear waters, but hidden pipelines are draining it. These pipelines represent regulations that slowly erode our freedom. A new proposal, the “Make Homeschooling Safe Act” (MHSA), threatens to install more pipelines, overwhelming us with regulations.
What Is MHSA Exactly?
It is a model act or template piece of legislation that can be used by any of the state legislators to help “make homeschooling safe” by enacting further homeschooling regulation.
The organization behind this proposed act is focused on the families who should not be allowed to homeschool. MHSA sets up several barriers making it harder for families to homeschool. It also confines what homeschooling ought to look like, allowing parents and home educators the freedom to homeschool so long as it fits the government’s requirements. Simply put, these measures would grant the government more control over our homeschooling, limiting options and rights.
Who’s Behind This?
The Coalition for Responsible Home Education (CRHE) is pushing for these restrictions. CRHE is a non-profit organization created by a very convincing set of voices: concerned homeschool alumni. They advocate for additional governmental protection and oversight of homeschoolers. The CRHE team consists mostly of homeschool graduates who personally had positive homeschooling experiences, but a few unfortunately experienced parental and educational neglect. It is these experiences of poor education and even hidden abuse that drive the organization towards seeking further government protection. While many of their arguments may sound reasonable, their goal is further government control. Because they believe parents don’t actually have the best interest of their children in mind, they believe the state should have the ultimate say in children’s education.
“At a fundamental level, the MHSA is a misguided attempt to convert homeschooling into public school at home.”
MHSA’s Impact
Require parents to have a high school diploma, GED, or state certificate to homeschool.
If homeschooling parent(s) or the designated home educator does not have either of these degrees, their children would be required to meet with a “qualified educational professional” (QED). This would be a state certified teacher that the family chose from a pre-set list of teachers provided by the superintendent. The homeschooling family would be required to meet in-person monthly with the teacher whose job is to evaluate the children’s progress.
Restrict homeschooling after any abuse investigation, regardless of the outcome.
“No person may withdraw a child from enrollment in a public or nonpublic school to operate a homeschool following an investigation by the [Department of Social Services/Child Welfare] of potential abuse or neglect of a child, within the past 3 years, regardless of the outcome of the investigation, unless the following requirements are met…”
Families under any abuse investigation—even unfounded and unsubstantiated ones—would be restricted from homeschooling without state-mandated risk assessments for three years requiring monthly CPS assessments. However, existing processes are already in place for dealing with parental abuse.
Enforce mandatory immunizations.
Under this act, immunizations would be mandatory just as they are in the public school system. This would remove the rights of the parents to decide what immunizations they would or would not like their children to receive. MHSA mandates that the documenting of immunization be submitted to the state. Presently, even though vaccines are not required for children enrolled in a home-based private school (including PSPs), an Immunization Record (form CDPH 286) should be kept on file with each student’s school records.
Mandate annual notifications, waiting periods, and evaluations.
Additional record keeping and maintenance will also be required by the homeschooling parent/educator. An educational portfolio, up-to-date immunization records, and academic records must be submitted to the state superintendent for review by an “educational professional.” Homeschool students would face heavy government testing and mandatory annual evaluations.
Key Impacts:
- Parents would be forced to have a high school diploma or GED to homeschool their children.
- Homeschool students would face heavy government testing and mandatory annual evaluations.
- Families under any abuse investigation—even unfounded ones—would be restricted from homeschooling without state-mandated risk assessments for three years.
- Homeschool students would be required to get all public school vaccines, with very little or no ability to opt out.
- A 30-day waiting period would be required before parents could start homeschooling their child.
The bill moves decision-making power away from families and hands it over to government bureaucrats, threatening the future of homeschool freedom.
What Can We Do?
We must be proactive. Here are some ways to protect our homeschooling community:
- Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date on proposed legislation and its potential impact. Follow organizations like CHEA, HSLDA, and FPM for reliable information.
- Communicate: Talk with other homeschooling families. Share concerns, ask questions, and support each other.
- Build Relationships: Contact lawmakers, write letters, and participate in advocacy efforts. Support organizations fighting for our homeschooling rights.
- Stay Vigilant: Remain alert to legislative changes. Sign up for newsletters and email alerts from advocacy groups.
- Stand Together: Foster a strong homeschooling community. We are stronger together.
Not only does this proposed piece of legislation undermine the responsibility of parents, but it also promotes an entirely new philosophy of the education system. CRHE knows that this act will be costly, but they argue that it is worth the cost.
The “Make Homeschool Safe Act” would massively expand government control over homeschooling. It would burden families with rigid requirements like forcing parents to have a high school diploma, mandatory vaccines for all homeschoolers, and constant oversight through evaluations and investigations. Even families cleared of abuse allegations would face long-term restrictions. This bill treats all homeschool families with suspicion and undermines the fundamental right of parents to direct their children’s education and upbringing, shifting that authority to the government instead.
The future of homeschooling in California depends on our actions. We cannot afford to be complacent. Let’s act now, before it’s too late. Remember, God has been faithful to homeschooling families, and He will continue to guide us.
Let’s raise our voices to protect our freedom to educate our children according to our values. Together, we can ensure that homeschooling thrives in California for generations to come!
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