Nevada Homeschool Network

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  • Hello world!

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  • Homeschooling Takes a Community Like YOU!

    As we approach a new school year, we see YOU and hear your questions/concerns in getting started and the love of the community and support groups that have offered sanctuary and wisdom in this unique year online and in person. Thank you for whatever role you played in that communication! While many have found the joy of homeschooling and are happy to stick with it, some are pleased that their schools have re-opened, even amongst social distancing and mask mandates and have returned to their in-person school of choice (public, private, or charter). The reality of school choice in Nevada is that PARENTS have a GOD GIVEN right to do what they think is best for their child and that homeschooling is a separate and legal choice from the others!  We are pleased to have offered support to many this last year as homeschooling became a household norm. We are committed to keep fighting for homeschooling rights as a different and  separate option from what is outlined in the public sector. We believe in your abilities as parents to homeschool your kids! Please continue to reach out if you have questions, concerns, or feedback to how we can improve homeschooling in Nevada. Let the 2012-2022 school year begin!


    Please share in the comments ways that you have been supported or have helped this last year within the homeschool community. Let the record show that Nevada is amazing when it comes to homeschool choice and community.

  • AB19 out of committee

    AB19 was PASSED and voted out of committee yesterday.  It will be heard this morning and voted on by all the assembly members.

    Please contact YOUR assembly members ASAP and ask them to vote NO on AB19. You can find your assembly rep HERE.

    You can say something simple like, “AB19 was passed out of the Assembly Committee on Education on April 8, 2021, in spite of overwhelming opposition to the inclusion of homeschoolers in this bill.  Please correct this by voting NO on AB19. Homeschoolers across the state are relying on you to legislate for them.”

  • AB19 workshop scheduled TODAY 4/8

    AB19 is being voted on today at 1pm. You may remember, this is the bill the Dept of Ed brought forth and used as a stance that they are over homeschoolers. The assembly committee bought in! Meanwhile, this same thing was tried over on kijk hier the senate side, and THEY listened and struck out the homeschool section.

    Action Alert- call the assembly ed committee, email them TODAY and tell them to strike out section one in AB19 before they vote on it.
    Write to the Assembly Education Committee:Shannon.BilbrayAxelrod@asm.state.nv.usBrittney.Miller@asm.state.nv.usbeatrice.duran@asm.state.nv.usEdgar.Flores@asm.state.nv.usMichelle.Gorelow@asm.state.nv.usElaine.Marzola@asm.state.nv.usrochelle.nguyen@asm.state.nv.usSelena.Torres@asm.state.nv.usAlexis.Hansen@asm.state.nv.usMelissa.Hardy@asm.state.nv.usLisa.Krasner@asm.state.nv.usRichard.McArthur@asm.state.nv.usJill.Tolles@asm.state.nv.us

    Example Email:I am a homeschooling parent and am opposed to any changes to the homeschooling laws. AB19 seeks to change both homeschool and public school laws, with no understanding or accommodation of the differences between the two. Further, no homeschoolers were consulted prior to this proposed change.The Nevada homeschool community does NOT want the verbiage changed and would like to be removed from this bill all together. Please leave our laws alone.
  • Urgent Action Needed on SB194

    March 17, 2021

     

    NV Homeschoolers- There is now a second bill threatening the constitutional rights of parents choosing to homeschool their children separate from public school law.   For the most current information see NHN’s SB194 information page.  

     

    SB194 Section 6 needs to be struck!  SB194, as with AB19, proposes to add content to the core academic subjects, INCLUDING TO HOMESCHOOLERS!  This is, again, with no input from homeschoolers and usurps our parental rights. They are really trying hard to conform homeschoolers to public school standards.

     

    Please do the following NOW! The bill will be heard on FRIDAY!
    Use the opinion poll https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/Opinions/81st2021/

    Against SB194 – Section 6 seeks to  “homogenized” homeschoolers  to public school statutes. No thanks

     

    This bill will be heard on Friday at 1pm. You can call in to testify AGAINST or Watch the hearing. For more information on how to participate, please see the Help page in NELIS at: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/81st2021/SessionInformation/Help

     

    Please Email the Senate Ed Committee
    Moises.Denis@sen.state.nv.us,

    Marilyn.DonderoLoop@sen.state.nv.us,

    Roberta.Lange@sen.state.nv.us,

    Fabian.Donate@sen.state.nv.us,

    Joe.Hardy@sen.state.nv.us,

    Scott.Hammond@sen.state.nv.us,

    Carrie.Buck@sen.state.nv.us

     

    If you would like your letter submitted for the record, please also email it to: SenEDU@sen.state.nv.us


    With the message: Please strike section 6 of SB194. Homeschooling is not governed by the public school system and should not be “homogenized” to public school statutes.

     

    Please also email the Sponsors of the bill asking them to strike section 6, pertaining to homeschoolers

    Roberta.Lange@sen.state.nv.us, Moises.Denis@sen.state.nv.us, Fabian.Donate@sen.state.nv.us, Scott.Hammond@sen.state.nv.us, James.Ohrenschall@sen.state.nv.us, Heidi.Gansert@sen.state.nv.us

    Be aware: you need to voice your opinion by using the opinion poll and emailing the above legislators no later than this Fiday morning.

  • Letter to Senate Committee on Education in opposition of SB194

    PDF VERSION


    March 17, 2021

     

    RE: Opposition to SB194

     

    Dear Senator Denis and members of the Senate Committee on Education;

     

    By way of introduction, Nevada Homeschool Network (NHN) advocates for Nevada families who have chosen to direct the education of their children. We are Nevada’s only advocacy group pertaining to homeschooling, established in 2000 and maintaining a major online, statewide presence. In this capacity, we are writing today to oppose SB194 as introduced, specifically Section 6.

     

    Of primary purpose, SB194, Section 6,  will modify the required areas of instruction for homeschool students with the addition of civics. While this may seem innocuous, Nevada Homeschool Network contends that:

    1. The state has no obligation or responsibility to determine what is taught to children outside of the public school system, and to do so violates the due process clause of the 14th amendment.

      In 1923, the Nebraska state court, in Myer V Nebraska,  declared the Nebraska law prohibiting any language other than english being taught, as  unconstitutional. The reasoning – it violated the liberty protected by Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Liberty, the Court explained, means more than freedom from bodily restraint. It also includes the right of a teacher to teach German to a student, and the right of parents to control the upbringing of their child as they see fit. While the state has a legitimate interest in encouraging the growth of a population that can engage in discussions of civic matters, the means it chose to pursue this objective was excessive.

      In 1925 the US Supreme  Court ruled in Pierce v. Society of Sisters that children are not  mere creatures of the state but rather the prodigy of their parents. This ruling allowed private schools and later homeschools to operate separate from the public school system.

      In the Nevada 2007 homeschool freedom bill parents agreed to the courses that were included in the multi decade framework of a basic K-12 education. These were English language arts, math, science, social studies which is divided into history, geography, economics, and government. Senate Bill 404 was passed unanimously in both the Senate and Assembly.

      During constitutional hearings regarding Education Savings Account (ESA) legislation in 2016, the Nevada Supreme Court concluded that “debates surrounding the adoption of Article 11, show that Section 1 was meant to apply only to public education.”  The court also referencing the constitutional convention of 1864, recognized in “the establishment of a system of public education and its funding, they also noted the importance of parental freedom over the education of their children.  This freedom is the foundation of homeschool education.

      https://www.edchoice.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Nevada-Supreme-Court-ESA-Ruling.pdf

      SB194 attempts to homogenize all Education options in the state of Nevada. Homeschool parents are standing on their constitutional right as acknowledged in NRS 388D.020(4(c)):

      The parent has “the legal right to direct the education of the child, and assumes full responsibility for the education of the child while the child is being homeschooled”.

    2. Inclusion of Stakeholders.

      As with AB19 in the Assembly, this portion of the bill regarding homeschooling did not include any stakeholder discussion. Instead, we are being told, after the inclusion, that this is merely conforming language. The idea of “conforming language” is not referenced or defined anywhere in statute.

    3. Historical Context and Precedent of “conforming language”:

     

    It is important to note the historical context in the argument for “conforming language” as a basis to include homeschoolers in SB194.  

    • SB25 in 2015 made what seemed like an innocuous change to subject language from “English, including reading, composition and writing” to “English language arts”.  While this included homeschool law, it did not modify subject matter but merely adjusted terminology. Homeschoolers were not included in this discussion.
    • SB249 in 2017, however, was a more direct change to subject matter and included significant change to subjects being removed and added.  Homeschoolers were not included in this legislation and were not subject to any changes in scope or inclusion of subject matter.

    Any claim that historically homeschooling has been included in subject matter changes is not accurate. Arguably, in 2015 they overreached by including homeschooling.  The changes implemented in 2017 were done correctly, regulating requirements for public/private institutions, but leaving homeschooling alone.  

    Attached please find the Legislative Counsel’s Digest for each of these bills (Addendum A) which demonstrates the actual language used in the introduction of each of these bills and the intent of each bill.  You will clearly see there is no precedent to include homeschoolers in SB194.

    Nevada Homeschool Network maintains that core subjects as currently included in the statute provide a suitable means to promote the intellectual and moral improvement of our children as outlined in the Nevada Constitution.  

     

    Nevada Homeschool Network respectfully requests that Section 6 be removed from the bill 

     

    Cordially,

     

    Elissa Wahl

    Nevada Homeschool Network, Chair

    Addendum A

    Contrast of Legislative Counsel’s Digest – intent of bill

     

    2015 SB25 – Relevant Excerpt

    Homeschool included, not consulted, no opposition from homeschool community.

     

    Sections 4, 10, 11-13, 15, 17 and 18 of this bill replace references to the terms “English” and “foreign language” with references to “English language arts” and “foreign or world language” for consistency with currently accepted terminology.

     

    2017 SB249 – Relevant Excerpt

    Homeschool NOT included, no opposition from homeschool community.

     

    Existing law requires a pupil enrolled in a public high school to enroll in a certain number of credits in certain subject areas. (NRS 389.018) Section 2 of this bill requires a pupil enrolled in a public high school to enroll in one-half unit of credit in economics and limits American government to one-half unit of credit, but allows a school district to authorize a school to offer a combined course in American government and economics for one unit of credit in certain circumstances. Section 7 of this bill makes those provisions effective on July 1, 2022. Existing law requires instruction in financial literacy for pupils enrolled in high school in each school district and in each charter school that operates as a high school. (NRS 389.074) Section 3 of this bill additionally requires instruction in financial literacy for pupils enrolled in grades 3 to 12, inclusive. Section 3 requires the Council to Establish Academic Standards for Public Schools to include the standards of content and performance for instruction in financial literacy in the standards of content and performance established by the Council. Section 3 also requires that instruction in financial literacy: (1) be age-appropriate; (2) include certain topics; and (3) be provided within a course of study for which the Council has established the relevant standards of content and performance. Section 1 of this bill creates the Account for Instruction in Financial Literacy in the State General Fund and provides that money in the Account generally may be used only for providing the instruction in financial literacy required by section 3

     

  • Prayer Warriors Needed

    This past week we have seen the efforts of so many during a call to action in regards to AB19. We surpassed our goal of 500 oppositions by over 300 and flooded the inboxes of state legislators statewide. They heard us loud and clear as one of the most opposed bills in the state. But many are trying to usurp our rights as homeschoolers and directors of our child’s education. Their (Department of Education or DOE) reasons for the change are not consistent with their treatment (they don’t accept our discretion to the standards) and they fail to recognize parents as a voice kijk hier in the matter. This week is very important and your prayers are needed. Specifically for:


    1) Homeschoolers to be removed from AB19

    2) Recognition of current standing laws that give homeschoolers the legal right to be the voice that changes current mandates.

    3) Our Nevada homeschool leaders and respective legal council to be guided and directed by Him in this work to protect our freedoms.



    Here’s the thing, we already won this battle in 2007 when the Homeschool Freedom bill removed us from the public school system completely. Because of THAT bill parents only answer to the court in the cases of educational neglect NOT the DOE. Because of THAT bill the parents (or a group who represents homeschool parents) get to decide on the changes to our current mandates. We already won that battle but some in power are refusing to recognize it and trying to blur that line with ambiguity. It is time to remind them of what we already won in 2007 by vehemently opposing this current bill based on legalities of bills past.

    Your prayerful consideration to this cause is vital. God is willing, sometimes he just needs to hear us ask for it. Let our prayers find their way to Him as loudly as our pleas to our respective assembly leaders but this time with definitive power to make a difference.

     



    If you haven’t already, please keep up the work of opposing this bill here:

    *************************************************
    Here is an example of what you could write:
     
    I am a homeschooling parent and am opposed to any proposed changes to the homeschooling laws as suggested in AB19.  The latest homeschooling regulations were written by homeschoolers in 2007 because that is our legal right. The Department of Education DOES NOT have the authority to make core standards for us and we don’t approve their reasoning.  We were not consulted, involved, or otherwise part of drafting this bill and do not wish to be a part of it moving forward. Please remove homeschoolers from AB19 and inform DOE of their overreach. 
  • AB19 Update

    Your voice has been heard at the Capitol. NHN leadership has met with the chair of the education committee and the homeschool community is being listened to. We are working diligently to keep YOU the parent in charge of your child’s education.
    We’ve also received some media attention that has brought to light the overwhelming opposition to AB19 from the homeschooling community. If you’ve been keeping track of the legislative poll you’ll see that AB19 is far and away the most active and most strongly opposed bill with over 95% of votes being opposed.
    The next step for AB19: NHN will be meeting with the sponsors of the bill to ensure that all parties are aware of the opposition arguments and that we would like homeschooling left alone. AB19 is scheduled for a hearing on Tuesday (2/16) at 1:30 and NHN will be there to testify.
  • Homeschooling in NV Under Legal Attack – AGAIN!

    The Nevada legislature kicked off the 2021 session with a fresh attack on your right to teach your children as you see fit. Assembly bill 19 (AB19) seeks to FORCE you to teach your children multiculturalism, among other changes. We have fought hard for the homeschooling freedoms we have, but the fight is not over. Please act now – it only takes just a few minutes to do your part to protect your rights.
    You need to act now:
    Share Your opinion (only takes a couple minutes!): https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/Opinions/81st2021/
    Write to the Assembly Education Committee:
    Example Email:
    I am a homeschooling parent and am opposed to any changes to the homeschooling laws. AB19 seeks to change both homeschool and public school laws, with no understanding or accommodation of the differences between the two. Further, no homeschoolers were consulted prior to this proposed change.
    The Nevada homeschool community does NOT want the verbiage changed and would like to be removed from this bill all together. Please leave our laws alone.
  • 2021 Assembly Bill 19 – call to action

    **For the most up to date information on AB19 see our dedicated AB19 page.**
    ____________________________________________________________________________________
    In 2007, when Nevada Homeschool Network wrote the homeschooling laws, they were very careful and specific in the verbiage used.  This was to allow for the maximum freedom from regulations, thus allowing the ability to truly individualize the child’s education. Our homeschooling laws have not been changed since 2007! 

    Early this week, the Nevada Legislature introduced a bill, AB19, which, in part, pertains to homeschooling. It subtracts the teaching of government, adds in the teaching of Civics, financial literacy, and multiculturalism. Nevada Homeschool Network was not consulted, invited to the discussion, or involved in any way. THIS IS NOT OK.
     
    While Nevada Homeschool Network is against the adding of any language into our homeschooling laws, the bigger picture is that the legislators don’t see the need to involve parents, in these decisions. The bill, as written, would affect homeschoolers, public schoolers and private schoolers.
     
    As homeschoolers, we take the right to direct our child’s education seriously. We are the Director of the Child’s education. We brought forward the need to be under the law as a way of ensuring that homeschooling was a lawful option, not for them to change, add, or force onto us the newest and trendiest language.
    ___________________________________________________________________________________
    “The parent of a child who is being homeschooled shall prepare an educational plan of instruction for  the child in the subject areas of English language arts, mathematics,  science and social studies, including history, geography, economics , civics, financial literacy and [government,] multicultural education, as appropriate for the age and level of skill of the child as determined by the parent.”
    ********************************************************************
    *Red is current verbiage proposed to be taken out blue is proposed additions
    ___________________________________________________________________________________

    Nevada Homeschool Network (NHN) advocates for Nevada families who have chosen to direct the education of their children. We are Nevada’s only advocacy group pertaining to homeschooling. We are in opposition to AB19 and will outline the reasons below.

    1) This bill includes homeschooled children, yet homeschoolers were not consulted.
    Nevada Homeschool Network has been in existence since the year 2000 and
    has a major online presence. We have worked with various legislators over the
    years. We are VERY concerned that we did not have a voice in this writing.

    2) We oppose the idea of mandating topics du’jour, to homeschoolers.

    3) We understand that in 2017 SB249 added in some of these topics…but it was for
    PUBLIC SCHOOLED Students. There is no reason to add homeschoolers in.

    Nevada Homeschool Network (NHN) strives to advocate for homeschool freedom and the right of each family to direct the education of their own children as they see best. It is our intent to respond to the wishes, concerns and interests of the homeschooling community, and to report on legislative, legal and other matters relevant to homeschooling and family education.

    Please let the assembly committee know your displeasure at adding homeschooling requirements into Nevada Bill AB19 .
    *************************************************
    Here is an example of what you could write:
    I am a homeschooling parent and am opposed to any changes to the homeschooling laws. AB19 seeks to change both homeschool and public school laws, with no understanding or accommodation of the differences between the two. Further, no homeschoolers were consulted prior to this proposed change.
    The Nevada homeschool community does NOT want the verbiage changed and would like to be removed from this bill all together. Please leave our laws alone.
    __________________________________________________________________________________