The Left’s new attack strategy to dismantle homeschooling

 Instead of putting the appropriate government authorities under a microscope, they’re looking to punish homeschoolers with draconian restrictions

Connecticut lawmakers, citing recent instances of publicized child abuse cases, are proposing new limits on homeschoolers, even though the cases have nothing to do with them, United States Parents Involved in Education (USPIE) is warning.

“Instead of putting the appropriate government authorities under a microscope, they’re looking to punish homeschoolers with draconian restrictions,” said Melanie Kurdys, USPIE’s Michigan PIE president and board member. “You might call it a bait and switch strategy.”

Currently, Connecticut parents have a strict law protecting their right to homeschool their children, but that could change. Some liberal legislators want to put the state’s homeschooling under the same burdensome regulations as their neighbors, like in Massachusetts, where families must notify state officials annually of their intent to homeschool, tell officials what books will be used, and have children sit for state testing.

“Imposing additional academic restrictions on all homeschool families does not address the despicable intentions of the few parents who have evil intentions,” said Heritage Foundation Senior Research Fellow Jonathan Butcher, noting that the Department of Children and Families had not fully investigated complaints in the case over several years.

The Home School Legal Defense Association warns that some school district officials may interpret the law differently and impose even stricter regulations.

Parents have the inalienable right to raise their children as they see fit. Homeschooling is an incredible example of parents taking that right and responsibility seriously. Frankly, we don’t believe the stated motives of lawmakers who seek to punish homeschoolers for the failures of government agencies to protect children from abuse. They obviously care more about requiring homeschool parents to use their pornographic books and common core aligned assessments.

A 2023 study found that abuse is more closely linked to known risk factors, like prior Child Protective Services involvement or demographics, than to homeschooling.

“Laws like these that seek to control homeschooling are examples of an intrusive state, not the type of government envisioned by our Founding Fathers 250 years ago,” Kurdys said. “Homeschooling has become the last stronghold where parents have total autonomy to educate their children in the way they see fit.”

In a recent episode of USPIE’s podcast, “Unmasking Government Schools with Sheri Few,” Emily Fort, executive director of the Homeschool Freedom Coalition, explains why the fight for homeschooling rights is about to get very heated.

To hear more from USPIE’s Founder and President, Sheri Few, tune in to the latest episode of USPIE’s podcast, “Unmasking Government Schools with Sheri Few,” on Tuesday, March 24, where Few is joined by special guest Robert Bortins. He is the CEO of Classical Conversations, the world’s largest homeschool organization, and a nationally recognized thought leader on biblical worldview in education and culture. Bortins is also the co-author, with Alex Newman, of “Woke and Weaponized” and hosts the “Refining Rhetoric” podcast, featured on major platforms across the country. Listen to “Unmasking Government Schools with Sheri Few” on YouTube, Facebook, Spotify and X.