It’s May. Flowers are in full bloom, allergies as well. And summer is around the corner.

Let’s talk about summer — that magical time when popsicles melt faster than you can eat them, mosquitoes declare open season, and every child within a 100-mile radius of a trampoline forgets what shoes are. For most families, summer means no school, no schedule, and no sanity by mid-July. But for homeschool families? Summer can be the perfect time to crank up the brainpower and outsmart the system — quietly and cleverly, of course.

Here’s why homeschooling during summer is a genius-level parenting move (with bonus smug satisfaction).

1. Bye, bye crowds - You Get the Experience. All. To. Yourself.

Ever tried going to a science museum in June? Yeah, it’s less “hands-on education” and more “human stampede with overpriced nachos.” Every child from every summer camp in the tri-state area is there. They’re hopped up on Capri Suns and moving in unpredictable swarms.

But imagine going in September. The field trip buses are gone. The staff is actually excited to see people. Your child gets to touch the exhibit without having to elbow their way through a mob of sticky-fingered chaos gremlins.

When homeschoolers do the bookwork in summer, they unlock access to all the best learning spots when everyone else has gone back to school. It's like getting backstage passes to education.

2. Off-Season Travel = Sanity (and Savings)

Here’s a fun fact: Everything is 1000% more expensive and crowded in the summer. Beaches? Packed. Theme parks? An endless line of strollers and sunscreen fumes. National parks? You’ll be hiking elbow-to-elbow with suburban dads wearing matching “Camp Dad” shirts.

But travel in October? Chef’s kiss. The leaves are pretty, the crowds are gone, and you can finally take that educational road trip without having to schedule bathroom stops based on gridlock.

Homeschooling in the summer means your family can travel any other time, when the prices drop and the crowds retreat. Plus, you can actually find parking. Anywhere. It’s basically magic.

3. Summer Is Calm(er). Use It.

Most people think summer is a time to slow down and relax. And that’s true — except that for many homeschoolers, it’s also when the chaos dies down enough to finally get some structured learning done.

Extracurriculars? On break. Co-ops? On pause. Neighborhood friends? Off to camp. It’s quiet. Suspiciously quiet.

Take advantage of that stillness and sneak in math, reading, and maybe even that one science unit you’ve been pretending you’ll get to “eventually.” Kids can focus better, the routine stays consistent, and you avoid the dreaded “summer brain slide” (which sounds like a fun water park attraction, but isn’t).

4. Customize the Calendar Like a Boss

One of the joys of homeschooling is that you are the boss of the schedule. Want to school in summer and take a break in October to go see the fall colors or harvest pumpkins like you live in a Hallmark movie? Do it. Need to shift your break to February because that’s when Grandma flies in with a suitcase full of cookies and unsolicited advice? Go ahead.

Homeschooling during the summer gives you total calendar flexibility. You’re not bound by the traditional September-to-May rhythm. You can follow the seasons, your own energy levels, or just the weather forecast.

5. Summer = Real Life Learning Goldmine

Look — even if you never crack open a workbook, summer is teeming with learning opportunities. Think: farmers markets (economics, agriculture, people-watching), county fairs (physics of rickety carnival rides), and nature hikes (science, survival, sweat management).

Older kids can get jobs or volunteer, which somehow counts as “character building” and resume fodder. And yes, making their own money just might teach them more math than that curriculum you bought last year and never opened.

In Conclusion (Because Even Fun Articles Need a Wrap-Up)

Homeschooling through the summer isn’t about being a grind — it’s about being strategic. We’ve been “summer-schooling” for years and it WORKS. While the world is battling theme park lines, overpriced slushies, and library chaos, you’re cruising through multiplication and sentence diagrams with a smug smile and an air-conditioned workspace. And planning your “summer” vacation for October when everything is half priced!

Here in Arizona, it’s dreadfully hot as well. Oftentimes, unless there is a body of water or a pool nearby, the kids and the dog don’t even want to go outside. Opening the door may be a crime. So, closing the world out, the hustle and bustle, the sauna, makes sense during this time.

There is more time to wake up slowly, make breakfast, and muffins, and cookies, and popsicles, watch that documentary you’ve been putting off with the kids, or digging into a devotional without interruption. And, if you’re worried you overlooked something or that your kiddos haven’t mastered a certain concept, summer time can be catch-up time or review-time.

Come fall, while the rest of the world is packing lunches and hunting for matching socks at 6 a.m., your family can be road-tripping, museum-hopping, or just sleeping in.

So go ahead — embrace the summer school life. It’s cooler than it sounds. Literally.

*We hope you have enjoyed this guest post from Brittany Stewart. Britt is a wife, a mom, a former public school teacher, a homeschool mom, homeschool leader, writer, mentor, truth seeker, adventurer, and homesteader. This post originally appeared on her Substack (homeschoolunderground.substack.com).

A firewall is a barrier that separates and protects one space or entity from a neighboring entity. There are literal and figurative firewalls, physical and digital, financial and legal. A multifaceted firewall currently exists between homeschool and the empowerment scholarship account, found in each option’s set of distinguishing features.

Families in Arizona value our state's many educational options, and they deserve to have a clear view of what each option involves. Understanding some of the background of the original ESA statute and knowing how homeschool freedom has developed over time helps us gain an understanding of these different educational categories.

● In the statute controlling compulsory education, the legal options for compliance are listed. “Homeschool” is one way to satisfy this legal requirement, while “shall sign a contract to participate in an Arizona empowerment scholarship account” is listed as a separate way. Placing the word "or" before "shall sign a contract" was a critical part of AFHE's lobby to clearly set the ESA apart as a separate educational option.¹⁶ “Or” shows that ESA is not a type of homeschool.

● The legal documentation required for these two options is very different.

• Homeschool parents file the affidavit of intent with their county superintendent only once¹⁷ and it remains in effect until it is withdrawn at the parent’s direction or when the student exceeds the compulsory education age of 16.
• Parents who educate at home using the ESA will sign a contract with the state, which satisfies the compulsory education requirement, and must renew their contract annually.¹⁸
• Parents who use the ESA program are required not to file the homeschool affidavit¹⁹ and are expected to withdraw an affidavit that is already on file.²⁰

● ESA contracts govern the disbursement of public funds for educational purposes, and expenditures must be approved by the Arizona Department of Education. In contrast, homeschool parents are not in a contract with the state, are not publicly funded, and are not subject to approval of any type.

● Statutes that govern the ESA program are located in their own section of Title 15 of the Arizona Revised Statutes. This means changes made in the ESA portion of the law apply only to the ESA category.²¹

Arizona’s ESA program was created in 2011 with strictly defined eligibility qualifications. As AFHE engaged with the organizations working on this legislation, it was agreed to structure the program as a distinct educational category with a unique set of features. The universal expansion of the ESA did not change those distinguishing features.

These features bring clarity for homeschool parents, ESA at-home educators, and the public. They also highlight the distinctions for legislators who make decisions about bills affecting the educational classifications. Since the universal expansion of the ESA in 2022, lawmakers have contended with an increasing number of bills written to impose varying degrees of regulation and even end the program. Without clear distinctions, the accountability measures or regulations proposed for ESA contract-holders could inadvertently be applied to homeschoolers.

The Stakes of Freedom

AFHE affirms the fundamental right and responsibility of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children.²² As parents decide between Arizona’s many education options, there remains a necessary discussion about the ESA program’s potential for unintended impacts. AFHE is particularly concerned with impacts that could adversely affect homeschooling in Arizona.

Participation in the ESA program engages home educators in frequent interaction with the state and encourages dependence on taxes collected by the state. This is very different from the high level of independence and freedom associated with homeschooling, won through decades of lobbying efforts. In fact, many parents who have switched their children from homeschool to the ESA have said if ESA participation ever leads to increased privacy intrusions or requirements they did not encounter as homeschoolers, they will return to the maximum-freedom category: homeschooling. This presumes the legal distinction between categories will be maintained and that, in Arizona, “homeschool” will be clearly understood as a private option which does not rely on government funding and is not subject to unnecessary state regulations.

Educational freedom is closely tied to freedoms guaranteed in the Constitution of the United States.²³ AFHE believes parents bear the primary responsibility for the welfare and education of their children and must have the option to educate them apart from the jurisdiction of the state. Those who believe this responsibility belongs to society at large have often justified the dilution of parents’ rights and ever-expanding encroachment of government into private homes and family decisions.

This concern is not new. For many years, state and local governments have repeatedly tried to bring homeschool families into public education models, frequently with offers to fund at-home education. AFHE and other homeschool advocates have often informed families what is truly at stake. Homeschool freedom was achieved incrementally over many years, and it can also be lost incrementally. As expressed by the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) in 2002, “When individuals accept state funds for private activities, the distinction between the state and the private sphere is blurred, self-government is weakened, and the state is further unleashed from the bounds of law to intrude upon the personal lives of its citizens.”²⁴

All of Arizona’s families have a stake in maintaining homeschool freedom and an authentically independent education option. If all education models are eventually seen as public education, funded by the government and accountable to the public system, we will have lost ground that will be very difficult to regain.

The completely independent homeschool option is essential in order for educational choice to truly exist in Arizona.

AFHE’s Philosophy and Mission

As the only organization in Arizona whose legislative advocacy is fully dedicated to preserving homeschool freedom, AFHE shares the concerns expressed by homeschool leaders nationwide: we must not ignore the potential for new models of public funding to diminish our independence and liberty to educate our children.

While the nationwide discussion about education continues, Arizona families should be reassured by knowing that homeschool freedom is derived from enduring principles, and has long been recognized in our state’s legal system. For these reasons and the others outlined in the previous articles in this series:

• AFHE upholds the distinction between homeschool and government-funded education categories.
• AFHE upholds the legal definition of “homeschool” as nonpublic instruction conducted primarily by the parent or guardian or nonpublic instruction provided in the child’s home.
• AFHE will not promote or endorse universal government funding of education.
• AFHE will continue pursuing the mission of protecting the freedom and privacy of homeschool families in our state.

AFHE exists to inspire parents to homeschool their children; promote parent-directed, privately funded, home-based education; preserve the freedom to homeschool; and support parents who choose a home-based education option for their children.

Homeschooling offers a unique opportunity for personalized learning, driven by the values, convictions, and dreams of families who seek to nurture their children in ways that reflect their own vision for education. More and more parents across our state are moving into the “driver’s seat” in their children’s education, utilizing a range of education options. AFHE applauds their dedication and offers hearty support for the journey. AFHE events, resources, communications, and information are geared toward these parents.

As we look to the future of homeschooling in Arizona, we must remain vigilant in protecting the freedoms that have allowed families to thrive in this independent, parent-led, privately funded form of education. Access to government funding for home-based education may seem like an ideal arrangement, but that access requires trade-offs: reliance on taxation by the state, accountability for the use of public funding, and boundaries on educational choices. There is every reason to believe that the trade-offs will only increase over time. Homeschools are—and must remain—independent of these concerns.

AFHE stands firm in our commitment to protecting homeschool freedom for future generations, ensuring homeschooling remains a distinct, vibrant, independent option for Arizona families.

Articles in this series:
Part 1: AFHE's Mission and History
Part 2: Homeschool is Distinct
Part 3: Is Homeschooling at Risk?
Part 4: Maintaining Freedom Requires Clear Boundaries
Download the complete "Carrying Homeschool Freedom Forward" series as a PDF Here

ENDNOTES
[16] A.R.S. section 15-802(A).
https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https://www.azleg.gov/ars/15/00802.htm

[17] A.R.S. section 15-802.
https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https://www.azleg.gov/ars/15/00802.htm

[18] A.R.S. section 15-2402(F).
https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https://www.azleg.gov/ars/15/02402.htm

Arizona Department of Education. (2023, July 1). Parent Handbook, Empowerment Scholarship Account Program, School Year 2023-2024, pg 53.
https://www.azed.gov/sites/default/files/2023/05/ESA-2023-24-Parent-Handbook-FINAL-PROOF.pdf

[19] A.R.S. section 15-2402(B)(5).
https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https://www.azleg.gov/ars/15/02402.htm

[20] Arizona Department of Education. (2023, July 1). Parent Handbook, Empowerment Scholarship Account Program, School Year 2023-2024, pg 5.
https://www.azed.gov/sites/default/files/2023/05/ESA-2023-24-Parent-Handbook-FINAL-PROOF.pdf

[21] A.R.S. section 15-2401 and A.R.S. section 15-2402.
https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https://www.azleg.gov/ars/15/02401.htm
https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https://www.azleg.gov/ars/15/02402.htm

[22] A.R.S. section 1-601.
https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https://www.azleg.gov/ars/1/00601.htm

[23] United States Creator. (1789) Bill of Rights. [Place of Publication Not Identified: Publisher Not Identified,-09-25] [Image] Retrieved from the Library of Congress.
https://www.loc.gov/item/2021667570/

[24] Smith, J. M., & Farris, M. P. (2022, June 26). The Problem with Home-based Charter Schools.
https://www.cfssd.org/uploads/1/0/4/4/10444187/hsdla_position_on_charter_schools.pdf

Your donation helps AFHE advocate for homeschool freedom
and serve families across the state.

It is tempting to think the success and growth of homeschooling have rendered it immune to the kind of threats faced over the last 40-50 years. However, many homeschool advocates and observers assert we are now facing the greatest threat we have yet encountered: a growing expectation for all education options to be funded by the government. Are these observers overreacting? And why would that expectation be concerning?

It is important to understand that AFHE supports the right of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children, including the right to utilize a taxpayer-funded education option. AFHE offers information, resources, events, and support to any Arizona parent who wants to take greater responsibility for their child’s educational experience. And yet when AFHE identifies potential harms to homeschool freedom and the welfare of homeschoolers throughout our state, it is our duty to inform our members and subscribers and defend against these threats.

The universal expansion of Arizona’s empowerment scholarship account (ESA) program intensifies several factors which can undermine the homeschool movement. Here are some of AFHE’s concerns.

1. PRIVATE OR PUBLIC RESPONSIBILITY?  As explained in the second article in this four-part series, Arizona’s homeschool definition⁷ unites the parent’s freedom to conduct their child’s education with the responsibility for educating their child independently, without public funding. Parents exercised this freedom and responsibility long before any public system existed, demonstrating the fundamental right of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children.⁸ 

On the contrary, advocating for the use of taxpayer funds for all education models perpetuates a belief that society at large is responsible to provide for every child’s education, including education conducted in the home. Accepting this premise increases the likelihood that our society and our government will claim a role in deciding what should be included in the education of ALL children. Homeschool freedoms and parental authority will be lost, one step at a time.

2. DOLLARS ≠ QUALITY  Does history show us that money is correlated with the quality of academic outcomes? Must families depend on government funding to afford home education? The simple answer to these questions is “No.”

Detailed studies of homeschool families have shown that the level of a family’s education-related spending has little or no relation to academic outcomes.⁹  Most homeschool families have achieved exemplary results even when spending private dollars at only 5-10% (or less) of public school per-student expenditures. Other factors are much more important than dollars spent. It must be so; otherwise, what can account for the admirable academic achievements of decades (actually, centuries!) of homeschoolers who did not have access to thousands of taxpayer dollars per child each year?

Parents naturally want to provide abundant opportunities for their kids and doing so without straining the family budget seems like a win. The evidence simply doesn’t show that dollars provide the key ingredient to an effective education, or that home education is unaffordable without taxpayer support. Homeschooling can be designed to fit any budget, and because it is an entirely different paradigm it usually costs a mere fraction of what is required in a public school setting.¹⁰ Actually, with ever-increasing digital content and the explosion of interest in home education, it has never been easier to find affordable, high-quality curriculum and material. It is also true that, with government dollars added to the mix, high-priced educational materials and instructional services are marketed to homeschoolers and home educators more than ever before.

One of the long-recognized hallmarks of the growth of homeschool communities nationwide has been the unmatched value of volunteerism by parents in cooperative enterprise. Their donations of time, commitment, and unique contributions in their areas of interest and expertise have provided a relationship-based resource that powers a wealth of opportunities: academic co-ops, tutoring, sports teams, park days, group activities of all sorts, contests, field trips, and interpersonal interaction and support for parents and children. The monetization of previously volunteer-led models has diminished the community-driven nature and value of these networks.

3. MARKET INTERFERENCE & PRICE INFLATION  Injecting government funding into private markets always changes the balance of supply and demand. Because ESA dollars originate from taxpayers and the government must approve how these dollars are used, the government actually becomes the largest consumer. The largest consumer in any market wields the greatest influence. Businesses operating in a government-funded marketplace will eventually have to serve the government’s interests.

It will take several years or even a couple of decades to accurately assess the effects of ESA funds used for private school tuition and fees and home education expenses. Current reports and analyses are examining limited data of a new scenario, and groups on all sides are claiming proof for their positions. However, we can draw lessons about the effects of government funding by looking at public education itself. The supply of taxpayer dollars is a huge lever used by policymakers and bureaucrats to influence the content and design of instructional materials. This lever also causes continual upward pressure on the prices for instructional services and materials, and fuels the growth of government and its increasing presence in the private lives of citizens. If government funding becomes the dominant force driving the (formerly) private education market, we can expect that private schools and home educators will experience the same detrimental effects.

For a large-scale example that does have a long history to analyze, consider college and university tuition rates. Virtually all post-secondary institutions are dependent on government dollars, which arrive as direct funding to the institution, payouts from tuition grant programs, and government-backed student loans. The well-documented result has been that tuition rates have far outstripped the overall rate of inflation.¹¹ What’s more, this problem will be compounded in the coming years as universal ESA funds also impact the higher education market.

4. POLITICAL STABILITY vs. SHAKY GROUND  In stark contrast to Arizona’s long history of bipartisan support for independent homeschooling, the universal ESA is a high-value target at the legislature. The ESA expansion bill was fast-tracked through the legislative process in June of 2022 and signed by the governor with little opportunity for public scrutiny, media coverage, or attempts for bipartisan support, and it passed on a party-line vote with an extremely slim majority. In subsequent legislative sessions, an increasing number of bills have been introduced to regulate and even end the entire ESA program. The governor has also indicated her willingness to use executive actions to restrict the program if the legislature does not take action.¹²

This is especially concerning when AFHE also sees bills introduced with language that does not carefully maintain the distinction between homeschool and ESA-funded home education. All Arizonans who care about homeschool freedom should be on high alert against legislative measures that would diminish the distinctions between homeschooling and government funded educational models. It is part of AFHE’s mission to protect the stable, bipartisan, longstanding definition of “homeschooling.” 

 5.  WHO DECIDES?  Many parents are withdrawing their children from district schools for a variety of reasons, including their dismay over the state of public education. Parents may not realize there are powerful voices saying government funding is a tool to be used to advance their policy goals even in private educational settings, including the home. 

For example, Betsy DeVos, former US Secretary of Education, is seeking to shape a public perspective that could threaten private home education. In advocating taxpayer funding for all education options, she promotes the idea that all education (“every way and every place a student learns”) should be absorbed into our understanding of public education.¹³ 

Consider that the federal Department of Education has recently sought to withhold federal funding from public schools that permit or encourage disfavored activities or lines of thought.¹⁴ With more students leaving the public school system but remaining tethered by public funding, the chances are greater that states will be pressured by the federal government to implement oversight and accountability for what is being taught in publicly funded settings, including home-based education. The provision of funding sets up a public claim to oversee what is taught.

Many opponents of homeschooling share the attitude expressed by the late Dr. John Goodlad, a prominent educational researcher and theorist and founder of the Center for Educational Renewal: “Most youth still hold the same values of their parents . . . if we do not alter this pattern, if we don’t resocialize, our system will decay.”¹⁵ [emphasis added] This is in direct opposition to our understanding of what is best for children and society.

The truth is that parents are best equipped to direct the upbringing and education of their children and have the fundamental right to do so as a function of the family, independent of the state’s interests.

Questions we must consider: Does political philosophy actually work its way through legislation and policy to affect our day-to-day lives? What is the track record of privately funded education versus education that depends on public funding, and what is actually required for successful learning? Are there economic and political principles that can provide insights about what to expect in the years ahead? These are some of the questions that must be reckoned with for the sake of protecting homeschool freedom for the future. 

With over 40 years of advocating on behalf of homeschool families seeking freedom from government regulation and jurisdiction, AFHE offers this brief assessment of risks that have been introduced or amplified by the universal ESA expansion. In our final article, we will review where things stand and state AFHE’s resolve for the future.

Articles in this series:
Part 1: AFHE's Mission and History
Part 2: Homeschool is Distinct
Part 3: Is Homeschooling at Risk?
Part 4: Maintaining Freedom Requires Clear Boundaries
Download the complete "Carrying Homeschool Freedom Forward" series as a PDF Here

ENDNOTES
[7] A.R.S. section 15-802(G)(2).
https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https://www.azleg.gov/ars/15/00802.htm

[8] A.R.S. section 1-602.
https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https://www.azleg.gov/ars/1/00602.htm
In the Arizona Revised Statutes, the Parents’ Bill of Rights recognizes “the fundamental right of parents to direct the upbringing, education, health care and mental health of their children.”

[9] Ray, B. D. (2011). Academic achievement and demographic traits of homeschool students: A nationwide study. Academic Leadership Live: The Online Journal, 8(1).
https://www.nheri.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Ray-2010-Academic-Achievement-and-Demographic-Traits-of-Homeschool-Students.pdf

[10] Sonlight. (2021, October 6). How much does homeschooling cost? Why it is worth the investment. Sonlight.
https://blog.sonlight.com/how-much-does-homeschooling-cost.html

[11] Pell grants are not effective at making higher education more affordable for low-income students. Rather, they have incentivized colleges and universities to raise tuition rates. Additionally, student aid expansion via increased limits on student loans has also resulted in increased tuition rates.

Cox, H. (2020, December 23). How big government broke higher education: The Student Loan Bubble, explained. FEE Freeman.
https://fee.org/articles/how-government-broke-the-higher-education-model/

Hauptman, A., & Blew, J. (2023, August 4). Don’t double pell grants. Disconnect them from tuition. RealClearEducation.
https://www.realcleareducation.com/articles/2023/08/04/dont_double_pell_grants_disconnect_them_from_tuition_970685.html

Kempema, T. (2017, August 14). Fact check: Does research show that federal student aid increases tuition. Ballotpedia.
https://ballotpedia.org/Fact_check/Does_research_show_that_federal_student_aid_increases_tuition

Lucca, D. O., Nadauld, T., & Shen, K. (2015, July; revised 2017, February). Credit supply and the rise in college tuition: Evidence from the expansion in federal student aid programs. Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
https://www.newyorkfed.org/medialibrary/media/research/staff_reports/sr733.pdf?mod=article_inline

[12] Schutsky, W. (2023, August 25). Wrap up with Katie Hobbs. Arizona Capitol Times. Retrieved January 9, 2024, pg 3.
https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2023/08/25/august-25-2023/

[13] Young America’s Foundation. (2019, May 17). Empowering students and parents [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nv7KguMfag&t=1262s  (21:02)  

[14] Harper, C. (2023, December 1). Biden rule takes lunch money from schools that reject progressive gender, sexuality agenda. The Center Square.
https://www.thecentersquare.com/national/article_d19aeb72-8fc9-11ee-9ac0-97e018719444.html

Mueller, J. (2022, July 26). GOP-controlled states sue over LGBT- inclusive policy to get school lunch funds. The Hill.
https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/3575160-gop-controlled-states-sue-over-lgbt-inclusive-school-lunch-fund-policy/

Poff, J. (2023, July 31). Biden blocks federal funds from schools with archery and hunting programs. Washington Examiner.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/2403414/biden-blocks-federal-funds-from-schools-with-archery-and-hunting-programs/

Schimke, A. (2023, November 28). Proposed ban on religious instruction in Colorado’s state-funded preschools may spark legal fight. Chalkbeat.
https://www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/2023/11/28/potential-religious-education-ban-in-state-funded-preschools/

USDA promotes program access, combats discrimination against LGBTQI+ community. Food and Nutrition Service U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2022, May 5).
https://www.fns.usda.gov/news-item/usda-0100.22

[15] Goodlad, J. (1971). Schooling for the Future, (9).

Your donation helps AFHE advocate for homeschool freedom
and serve families across the state.

Despite legislative successes and increased recognition of homeschooling as a valid education option, there have been many attempts by the public school system to motivate homeschool parents to enroll their children in home-based education options that are operated and funded by the government.³ AFHE has warned homeschool parents about these models which mimic the “at-home” aspect of home education but are not the same as the distinct, maximum-freedom option of homeschooling.

Some of these programs over the years have been:

● Arizona Virtual Academy (AZVA) – an online public school introduced in 2004. AZVA mandates the curriculum and school calendar and specifies the number of hours a student must be logged on; content is governed by the state’s educational standards. Parents of homeschool children must rescind their homeschool affidavit to enroll in AZVA.

● IDEA Arizona – a program imported in 2003 from a school district in Alaska. Under this program the financially-struggling Tombstone school district enrolled students from anywhere in the state to claim an increased allotment of funding, and then directed a portion of the funds to enrolled families to spend on pre-approved educational expenses. In addition to enrolling their child in a different school district than their assigned district, parents had to agree to a set of accountability measures including expense reports, development of lesson plans for district approval, two types of standardized testing, and student achievement in “core competencies.”

● Vail Microschool – an expansion of the Arizona Online Instruction (AOI) program that provided a physical drop-in location at a facility in the Vail district. Although it was billed as a “homeschool program,” students were enrolled by the district using standard enrollment forms, the program kept track of minutes logged on or onsite, and participating students could not be exempted from the district’s mandatory testing. Program administrators were unsure about its impact on a student’s legal education category under state statute.

Why have these models warranted warnings from AFHE? Parents need to be aware that by enrolling a child in a home-based public option the child is regarded by the state as a public school student for the purpose of tracking compulsory education, and is likely to be subject to requirements that do not apply to homeschoolers. Additionally, there is an untested legal line between statutorily defined homeschooling and a variety of undefined education models involving taxpayer funding. As parents evaluate Arizona's many options, they deserve to clearly understand the impacts of their choice and the significant differences that exist.

In the years since 1982, when Democrat Governor Bruce Babbitt signed the bill that clarified the status of home schools in Arizona, home schooling became much better understood and accepted. A majority of both Republican and Democrat legislators had, in general, become supporters of home school freedom.

Let’s look at SB1152, a bipartisan 2011 bill written to clearly distinguish homeschooling as a unique education option in Arizona. In fact, SB1152 was co-sponsored by Rep. Nancy Barto (R), Rep. Doris Goodale (R), Sen. Rich Crandall (R), and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D). This level of understanding and broad support was largely won by consistent messaging and diligent lobbying by AFHE’s legislative liaisons and advisors (all volunteers). SB1152 passed in both legislative houses nearly unanimously before being signed into law by Governor Jan Brewer (R).

With the passage of this Senate bill in 2011, the term “nonpublic” was added in two places in the definition of this educational category, and “home school” became “homeschool.” This definition, found in ARS §15.802(G)(2), now reads:

"Homeschool" means a nonpublic school conducted primarily by the parent, guardian or other person who has custody of the child or nonpublic instruction provided in the child's home.⁴

The purpose of this bill was explained in AFHE’s quarterly magazine at the time, Arizona Home Education Journal:

As expressed by the AFHE lobbyist who worked on this bill, the word “nonpublic” (which was already part of the definition of a private school) was added to the homeschool definition via SB1152 because “nonpublic” was understood by Arizona’s lawmakers to indicate that it was privately funded and also separate from public school instruction that takes place in the home. The intent of the legislature at the time of this bill’s passage controls our current interpretation of its meaning. By enacting this updated definition, they resoundingly acknowledged that a “homeschool” is independent from the public education system. The definition, and thus the homeschool educational category, has remained strong. 

By 2011 when SB1152 was passed, homeschool advocates had become known at the state capitol as “those folks who don’t ask for money.” Usually when a lawmaker seeks to create a program to “help” homeschoolers, he or she hears AFHE’s friendly, “No, thank you,” in response. This perspective is not unique to Arizona. Historically, the homeschool movement nationwide has been unified by the priority of achieving independence and freedom from government systems, not seeking taxpayer support or the obligations that it would entail.

Cultural observers are well aware of this feature of homeschool advocacy. Tax reform advocate Grover Norquist wrote in 2008: “Today homeschoolers are 1 or 2 percent of the population. They punch above their weight class, as they have been toughened up by defeating the teachers unions’ efforts to criminalize homeschooling. Now an organized force, homeschoolers do not ask for anything from the government. . . . They simply wish to be left alone.”⁶

AFHE has a duty to protect homeschooling and homeschool freedom. One aspect of this duty is communicating the differences between homeschooling and other home-based education options. Another aspect is guiding the usage of the term "homeschool" when legal terminology is important. Additionally, when proposed legislation would blur the lines between homeschool and other educational categories, AFHE seeks to keep those categories separate. It is vital that homeschooling continues as a distinct, easily recognizable, independent form of education. If it becomes difficult to tell what is a homeschool and what is not, homeschooling in Arizona will be jeopardized. As we have seen, a primary element of what constitutes a “homeschool” in Arizona is its source of funding: a homeschool is privately funded.

The next article in this series will discuss whether or not homeschooling is at risk.

Articles in this series:
Part 1: AFHE's Mission and History
Part 2: Homeschool is Distinct
Part 3: Is Homeschooling at Risk?
Part 4: Maintaining Freedom Requires Clear Boundaries
Download the complete "Carrying Homeschool Freedom Forward" series as a PDF Here

ENDNOTES
[3] Cardiff, C. (1998, March 1). The seduction of homeschooling families. FEE Freeman Article.
https://fee.org/articles/the-seduction-of-homeschooling-families/

[4] A.R.S. section 15-802(G)(2).
https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https://www.azleg.gov/ars/15/00802.htm

[5] Shippy, C. (2011). Legislative Update. Arizona Home Education Journal, 11(2), 11.

[6] Norquist, G. (2008). Homeschoolers. In Leave Us Alone: Getting the Government’s Hands Off Our Money, Our Guns, Our Lives (p. 11). HarperCollins.

Your donation helps AFHE advocate for homeschool freedom
and serve families across the state.

Imagine what you would do to educate your children if there were no public school system, no compulsory attendance law, no federal or state Department of Education, no colleges of education at universities, no teacher certification, and no standardized or norm-referenced testing. How would you provide an education that would prepare them to flourish as adults, maintain the values held in your family and faith community, and become citizens who understand American civic principles?

Over the last four decades, millions of parents across America have become convinced that the regulations and bureaucratic aspects of a public funded system are not needed for the work of educating children. These parents, pioneers of a new educational choice known as home schooling, bravely took on full responsibility for their children’s education, a decision which often put them at odds with local and state authorities. The resulting conflicts had to be negotiated and resolved legislatively. In these negotiations, home school advocates emphasized American principles of freedom, the right of parents to direct the education of their children, and the persuasive power of the educational results these families achieved.

This encapsulates the rise of the modern homeschool movement. Arizona Families for Home Education has been actively supporting and advocating on behalf of home educating families since 1983, with a particular focus on achieving maximum freedom from the government’s educational system. AFHE has influenced and informed both public opinion and government policy about the educational choice that is now widely known as “homeschooling.”

AFHE presents this series of articles for the benefit of those who have recently “dived in” as home educators, and for the many people who have asked for AFHE’s perspective on recent school choice developments. This first article in the series provides a brief review of the progression of homeschool freedom. This will give important context for an examination of the current situation, as well as the dangers we are facing.

The education landscape has changed rapidly over the last several years, especially with the impacts of the COVID crisis. Although the visibility of home education has risen dramatically and there are more and more families engaged in this endeavor, longtime observers and participants in the homeschool movement warn that we are facing grave risks to homeschool freedom. It is AFHE’s mission and responsibility to monitor these risks and protect homeschooling in Arizona.

In 1982, Governor Bruce Babbitt signed HB2116 into law, providing a home school alternative to meet the requirement of compulsory school attendance and making it clear that home schools were legal. Because the public school model was the best understood form of education delivery and due to suspicion of the parents’ ability to provide an adequate education at home, there were significant requirements placed on home schools: an affidavit had to be filed with the county school superintendent; parents had to pass a proficiency examination before being permitted to teach their own children; students had to take annual standardized tests and those results were provided to the county superintendent; and county superintendents had discretion to evaluate a student’s progress and could require follow-up testing or even terminate home education.

AFHE was formed by parents in 1983 and soon began to actively engage in lobbying and advocacy. AFHE sought improvements and clarifications to the home school law, but it was several years before significant changes were achieved. For example, it wasn’t until 1990 that parent educators were granted the option to choose which standardized test to use for their children. And in 1992, the state of Arizona still required these parents to pass the Arizona Teacher Proficiency Examination.

In 1985 the law was revised to clarify that a home school was not a private school. This helped legislators begin to recognize home schooling as a distinct education option that would not need to be defined based on brick-and-mortar public or private school models. Even so, legislators continued to introduce bills seeking to impose school-like requirements for homeschoolers, such as mandatory testing, a longer period of compulsory attendance, and even increased criminal penalties for failure to comply with the homeschool law. One such bill that passed in 1991 lowered the compulsory age of attendance to six years old. AFHE was able to secure an exemption for home school students to delay formal education until age 8, an exemption illustrating that home schools are separate from the school system.

AFHE-proposed legislation achieved significant expansions of home school freedoms in 1993. Mandatory standardized testing was reduced to every three years, the Arizona Teacher Proficiency Exam requirement was eliminated, the academic evaluation by county superintendents was dropped, and the affidavit requirement was clarified to be a one-time filing plus a mandatory notification to the county superintendent if home schooling ceased. And in 1995 the Arizona legislature passed what was hailed as the “best homeschool law in the country,”¹ which retained the requirements associated with the affidavit but eliminated virtually all other regulations for home educators.

These improvements achieved by AFHE and home school parents all focused on removing the home school model from the jurisdiction and oversight of the public system. Arizona’s homeschoolers have maintained the freedom from government oversight that was achieved through years of lobbying and persuasion. Throughout AFHE’s history, this advocacy work has been performed by volunteers who dedicate hundreds of hours of their time for the cause of homeschool freedom. Because of this work, we remain one of the best states in the country in terms of very low homeschool regulation.

The gains of the last 40+ years are not only measured in legislative wins. We have so much to celebrate and cherish. James R. Mason, President of HSLDA, recently wrote, “Parents in the 1960s, ‘70s, and ‘80s risked legal peril and social stigma to do what homeschoolers take for granted today. Yet homeschooling steadily grew, as more moms and dads just like you and me took the plunge. And as the movement removed more and more legal, social, and practical barriers, together we created a dizzying array of networks, co-ops, and state and local organizations—the rich mosaic we know as homeschooling today.”² This multifaceted community grew out of necessity, liberty, and private ingenuity.

Our hope for the future is to see families enriched, children flourishing, parents walking in confidence and community, and the continued freedom to educate our children without government involvement. That freedom depends on our nation’s fundamental principles: natural rights, limited government, and individual liberty.

Part 2 in this series will discuss the importance of clearly defining homeschooling.

Articles in this series:
Part 1: AFHE's Mission and History
Part 2: Homeschool is Distinct
Part 3: Is Homeschooling at Risk?
Part 4: Maintaining Freedom Requires Clear Boundaries
Download the complete "Carrying Homeschool Freedom Forward" series as a PDF Here

ENDNOTES
[1] Dresser, C. (1995). Arizona home school law changes. Arizona Home Education Journal, May/June, 1.

[2] Mason, J. R. (2022). In Defense of Homeschooling: A Response to Critics of Parents’ Rights to Educate Their Children. In S. M. Krason (Ed.), Parental Rights in Peril (p. 171). Franciscan University Press.

Your donation helps AFHE advocate for homeschool freedom
and serve families across the state.

AFHE exists to inspire parents to home educate their children; promote parent-directed home-based education; preserve the freedom to homeschool; and support parents who choose a home-based education option for their children.

We do what we do because parents and children matter.

This November, Arizona voters will be faced with many decisions, including voicing our values on a hefty number of ballot propositions. The AFHE Board is bringing one proposition in particular to your attention. Proposition 139 is intended to expand abortion access beyond Arizona’s already permissive law. We believe that Proposition 139 harms parents and children.

There is a lot of information (and misinformation) about Proposition 139 and abortion in Arizona.

Currently in Arizona:

• Abortion is legal up to 15 weeks.
• Abortion is also legal beyond 15 weeks for medical emergencies, which include but are not limited to the life of the mother.
•  A woman or girl experiencing a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy cannot be denied care, and this medical treatment is specifically excluded from the definition of abortion.

Proposition 139:  

• Permits abortion at any point for virtually any reason.
• Authorizes a “health care professional” to become the abortion provider rather than a physician or doctor.
• Removes the parental consent requirement for parents of minors who are seeking an abortion.
• Removes critical safety precautions for women and girls.
• Effectively protects sex abusers who force their victims into an abortion. And a minor’s parents would never know.
• Creates a fundamental right to an abortion with no restrictions and no protections.

There is much at stake. Your vote on this proposition is extremely important, and should be informed by carefully reading the proposition before marking your ballot. We encourage you to visit itgoestoofar.com for more information and analysis about Prop 139, and to read the proposition for yourself. Proposition 139 would make abortion in Arizona more dangerous for girls and women, and will cause damage to families.

Simply put, it goes too far.

The AFHE Board recommendation is NO on PROPOSITION 139.

I always consider my time invested at my home state’s annual homeschool conference as my “professional development” as a home educator. I take my job educating my children seriously, and I devour the content of the workshops and special events at the conference each year.

One of the greatest opportunities at this annual event is the Exhibit Hall. There I can research the latest curriculum, literature, learning games, and supplies. Talking to these exhibitors—many of whom are the authors of the curriculum—allows me to get hands-on instruction and in-person experiences with their products. This enables me to easily and quickly decide if they are a good fit for my family.

The vendors are very diverse. Some sell curriculum in full grade level sets or in individual subjects like Bob Jones University Press or Generations. Others specialize in a few subjects like Teaching Textbooks and Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW). Along with the curriculum displays, there are service provider vendors representing extracurricular opportunities like Civil Air Patrol and various theatre groups. Others are selling quality literature, games, and educational resources such as Grace & Truth Books, Lamplighter Ministries, and Rod & Staff.

Being able to look through the curriculum and speak directly to the vendors saves me a lot of time and money that I could have wasted researching and ordering books and curriculum online that might or might not work with my teaching style or with my children’s learning styles. Visiting the booths also gives me the opportunity to get on the vendors mailing lists, so I can receive their catalogs and emails and continue researching curriculum choices from home.

The Exhibit Hall can feel daunting, so here is some advice for navigating it ahead of time. Start by going to the afhe.org/exhibit-hall web page well before you arrive at the convention center.

First, do some research into the vendors who will be present. Each vendor is listed in the directory on this web page. In each listing, you can click on the hyperlinked text that takes you directly to their website.

Second, make a list of the vendors you would like to visit. There is a map of the Exhibit Hall you can access by clicking on the image of the map, which will allow you to plot your course through the Exhibit Hall, visiting vendors, nonprofit organizations, Young Entrepreneurs, and other special features.

Third, set aside the time to thoroughly tour, shop, and purchase in the Exhibit Hall. It tends to be busiest on Saturday, so if you would really like to speak with the vendors about their products, I suggest setting aside time to do that on Friday, making your final purchases on Saturday. If you prefer a less crowded hall, visit while there are workshops going on. A number of exhibitors will be offering “AFHE Convention specials.” The overall schedule, including Exhibit Hall shopping hours, is found at afhe.org/essentials.

As a final reminder, exhibitors travel from all over the country to attend the AFHE Convention, and renting space for a booth and travel for a host team is costly. Please support these businesses by purchasing from them, as many are “mom and pop” entrepreneurial endeavors. They believe in homeschooling and are seeking to serve our unique community. If you see something in the Exhibit Hall that will enrich your homeschool, please purchase it there directly from the vendor.

I hope you have a wonderful time at the Arizona Home Education Convention getting equipped for your next year of homeschooling.

[A previous version of this article appeared first in the CHEC Homeschool Update magazine V2 May 2024 issue.}

by Michelle Jibben, AFHE Director of Government Affairs

Have you decided to homeschool through graduation? In Arizona, the parents of a homeschooled child set the graduation requirements, issue grades and credits, create and maintain their child’s transcript, and issue the diploma. Providing your graduate with a transcript and diploma will best equip your young adult for the future.

High school graduation is an accomplishment! It is an important milestone for your student, and it is a milestone for you as a parent educator as well. While the transcript and diploma serve as reminders of academic accomplishments and achievements, they also represent experiences that were gained and shared over the high school years. A transcript and diploma serve as a way of celebrating the years spent together.  

While Arizona's homeschool law does not require parents to provide these documents, the authority to provide them resides with the parent. No matter where your child’s next steps take him or her, having a transcript and diploma will be important. For some, the need is immediate. Those choosing post-secondary education will usually be required to provide a transcript. Graduates heading into the workforce are regularly required to provide a copy of their diploma. For others, the need for a diploma and transcript comes years later. Deciding to attend college later in life or taking a new job that requires proof of high school education are situations that can prove challenging for homeschool graduates if these documents were never issued or are not accessible as part of their permanent educational records.

AFHE encourages graduates and parents to retain the transcript and diploma and carefully store them with other important documents. Sometimes decades pass, and these are required for a new opportunity. Parents and graduates are the only ones that can provide such documentation, and unfortunate situations can arise when the documents either do not exist or are lost.

AFHE fields this question regularly from employers, parents, and graduates. The answer is no, AFHE cannot verify that your student graduated from your homeschool. The homeschooling parent accepts responsibility for issuing a diploma and certifying the student’s status as a graduate. If a potential employer needs to validate a high school diploma, this can only be done through the parents who issued the diploma. In Arizona, only parents have the authority to certify their student’s status as a homeschool graduate.

You might be concerned that the homeschool diploma you issue will be seen as subpar, or that you need to go through the process of giving your student an “accredited” homeschool diploma. This is simply not true. There is no need to seek accreditation to validate what the law sees as equal. Homeschool students have proven themselves in the academic world, the military, and the workforce for decades. They are often sought-after as students and employees. Homeschooling is a legal educational option in Arizona. A homeschool diploma, issued after the completion of the high school requirements you have set, is as valid as any other diploma.

In 2017, the bipartisan-supported HB 2389 was signed into law, ensuring that all diplomas and transcripts issued in Arizona associated with legal school options are to be treated equally by government entities. In response to regular questions about the validity of homeschool diplomas, AFHE has written a letter explaining the law and its implications. We recommend that you download a copy of the letter and keep it with your student’s diploma should future questions arise for your graduate. It can be found at afhe.org/az-law-and-affidavit under Diploma Equivalency.

Another way to commemorate the achievement of students and parents is by participating in the annual statewide AFHE Senior High Graduate Recognition Ceremony, a formal cap and gown ceremony with thousands in attendance. This is an experience that your family will remember for years to come. Graduates who participate in AFHE’s annual high school graduation ceremony receive a diploma that is signed and authorized by parents.
 
Be encouraged! Homeschooling through graduation can provide your students with a tailor-made education and experiences that are designed to propel them confidently into their best future. A parent-issued transcript and diploma provide academic details and proof of graduation. These valuable documents will serve your student well into the future and are a testament to a life accomplishment for both your student and you.

Celebrate!

When our oldest daughter was four years old, we had never heard of homeschooling. That fall, we did what was expected of us when we marched ourselves down to the local public school and enrolled her in kindergarten.

Our years in the public school system included the usual ups and downs that most families experience until sixth grade. Suddenly, we reached a breaking point with the school and began searching for alternatives. No one was more shocked than we were when we made the announcement that we were going to homeschool.

Our youngest daughter was still a preschooler. With one child that spent seven years in the public school and one that never went beyond a couple of months at the local preschool, our experiences with our two girls were very different. Looking back, it is easy to see that moving from public school to homeschooling in the middle school years presented a unique set of challenges.

Are you beginning your journey in the middle? Recognize that the longer your child has been in a traditional school, the stronger your expectations and their will be of what “school” looks like. It takes time to shake these false expectations and reimagine what EDUCATION looks like.

The temptation to recreate school-at-home will be strong. While it is helpful to create a dedicated space in your home, there is no need to load the spare bedroom with school desks or a flagpole. Home education happens at the kitchen table, the living room couch, or on a blanket in the back yard.

Avoid the mindset of a traditional school calendar or daily schedule. Don’t start your year with too many subjects at one time, or set your schedule based on when the school bus goes up and down your street.

Letting go of this traditional school mindset is called “deschooling,” and it takes time. Celebrate "NOT Back to School Week" as a way to start your year and to serve as a reminder for your whole family that you are breaking old habits and starting new ones.

In your first year, read, read, and read some more. Find books, blogs, podcasts, and workshop recordings about home education, parenting, learning styles, curriculum, discipleship, and more. Remember that your goal is NOT to learn each academic subject, but to find the best method to help your student learn.

When a parent becomes the teacher, principal, guidance counselor, and bus driver all rolled into one, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. These additional tasks can leave little room for winsome parenting. Focus on character and relationship building before grades. Traditional schools emphasize testing knowledge, while home education allows us to shift our assessment of what our student knows when we work closely with them to “know what they know.” Tests can still be helpful to identify understanding, retention, or learning gaps – but they shouldn’t be the driving force as you are both still finding your way.

Cultivating quality friendships in the pre-teen years can be difficult, even in the best situation. Making the shift from public school to homeschooling at this time of life adds additional challenges. Talk with your spouse and your children to decide which current friendships are a priority. Are these relationships healthy?  Or will they bring a discontented spirit into your home during the transition? Open communication is the key to making wise decisions.

Building connections in the homeschooling community won’t come quickly, but new relationships for students and mom will help tremendously. Find a local support group and attend activities that allow you to get to know people.

Recognize that while finding support is vital, joining a co-op is not. What’s the difference? While many groups offer a bit of both, support groups focus on building community, social events, and field trips, while co-ops focus on academic classes for the student.

Homeschool pioneer, textbook author, and college professor Dr. Jay Wile recently shared, “Co-ops are not necessary. In fact, for most homeschooled students, I would say too many co-op classes end up being a negative. One of the reasons homeschool graduates were my best university students is because they learned WITHOUT the benefit of a class. They learned on their own. If you do too much in a co-op, your children will not learn that way. Co-ops are great for certain classes, but an over-reliance on them takes away one of the biggest strengths that homeschooling provides.”

I attended our first homeschool convention before we started homeschooling in 2001. At that time, the self-publishing industry was small, and color printing was far more expensive than black and white. I will never forget my attitude as I walked the exhibit hall literally judging each book by its cover. I was convinced that a quality education required books that looked like what was in the public school. I wasted time, money, and energy in our early years by choosing materials for all of the wrong reasons.

The homeschool marketplace is full of excellent, quality materials from high-tech, online courses, to low-tech, black and white, classic books. There are pros and cons to both. While it is tempting to grab an all-in-one curriculum solution for your first year, be sure to pick a couple of subjects using something outside of the box. Take a balanced approach to your curriculum choices as it takes time to learn what materials work best for your family. Choosing one methodology for all subjects can lead to very monotonous days.

Chances are good you will have difficult days and there will be tears along the way. During the rough days, it will be tempting to give up if you’ve lost sight of why you decided to homeschool in the first place. Write down your reasons and post it in a place you’ll see every day.

Life rarely goes as planned. Leave space in your calendar and lesson planner for things that will take longer than you expect. Leave room for field trips, trips to the grocery store, bad curriculum choices, family time, and more. It’s easy to start the school year with high expectations of how much is possible to accomplish in a year. I remember sitting down and planning an entire semester at a time in ink! Oh, my! I set myself up for failure in our first week. Are you a planner? Create a separate list of goals and only move completed tasks to your student’s lesson book once they are completed.

The beauty of homeschooling is the ability to customize your student’s education. This freedom creates a lot of room for options along the way. But jumping into home education in the middle school years also means keeping an eye on the line of when middle school ends and high school begins. Curriculum placement tests are only one piece of the puzzle. What learning gaps does your student need to tackle before high school? Or are they ready for a challenge? Identify any priorities for the years ahead to give your student a strong foundation.

Include your student in this process. Remember that their understanding of your family’s long-term goals will help reduce friction during the rough days. (Refer them to the mission statement!)

In spite of the success and growth of home education in today’s world, many families still enter this journey leery of turning their child into an “unsocialized homeschooler.” Chances are good that your public-school student was in an after-school club, played a new sport each quarter, and started learning an instrument in band. Learning how home education works in your family takes time. Don’t load your family’s calendar down with outside activities in an effort to fight a false stereotype.

We all want to know when we’re doing a good job, and homeschooling is no exception. Leaving the traditional school model behind also means making a shift in how we evaluate success. Moving from weekly tests and report cards to relational learning means we don’t always have a tangible yardstick of how we are doing. Seeking the approval of others too early in our journey can lead to discontentment and comparing our student to others, instead of focusing on their actual progress.

Don’t let other people grill your children. Well-intentioned family members may choose to put your efforts to the test. Have a prepared answer ready to put an end to an uncomfortable situation for everyone.

Give yourself enough time to find out what works. Your first year will be full of mistakes and rough days, so make a two-year commitment to this new journey.

And give yourself the grace to fall behind before you learn how to fly.


Originally published in Homeschool Arizona magazine, Fall 2017 issue

For information, resources, and tools you'll need to get started on the homeschool adventure, visit our GET STARTED page. We've loaded it with plenty of help for you, from legal requirements to curriculum ideas, FAQs, and even free workshop downloads. Don't miss our self-paced e-course called Start Strong Arizona, which features amazing how-to's and many topics you'll find helpful. Check it out!

On June 30, 2022, AFHE published a letter and blog post following the passage of HB 2853.* The title of AFHE’s letter was “Homeschooling in Arizona Has Not Changed” and its purpose was to clarify that the HB2853 expansion of the Empowerment Scholarship Account program does not change anything about the homeschool law. This was in response to the immediate need to combat misinformation, as many broadcast and print media outlets—and even policy makers and think tanks—were not communicating clearly about Arizona’s statutory educational categories and were conflating homeschooling (as defined in ARS §15.802) with other forms of home education.

Since that time, AFHE has been asked to define where we stand regarding the status of homeschooling in Arizona and whether AFHE will be taking a public position regarding the new law. In short, our response to these inquiries is this:

AFHE stands for homeschooling as defined in Arizona law, recognizing that definitions include boundaries.

This statement rests on these considerations:

• When AFHE was established in 1983, there was not a definition of homeschooling in our state’s law. AFHE’s founders sought to firmly establish the right of parents to educate their children in the manner of their choosing, free from government regulation, oversight, or approval. AFHE steadily worked through the legislature to develop the legally defined category of “homeschool” in Arizona law over the course of about thirteen years in the 1980s and 1990s.* Seeking and protecting this freedom has always been AFHE’s prime directive.
• Under the original form of the ESA enacted in 2011, which narrowly defined student eligibility, about 15% of ESA contract students were educated at home. With the 2022 passage of the eligibility expansion, and if it eventually goes into effect, there will be families from every educational option who choose to enter the ESA program and sign a contract with the state. Regardless of how these families elect to use the ESA funds, please note:
  • If a new ESA student was previously a homeschool student for whom a homeschool affidavit had been filed with the county superintendent, that student enters a different legal standing vis a vis the State of Arizona and withdraws the homeschool affidavit.
  • Educational classifications are defined and established through the legislature. The word “nonpublic” was added to the statutory homeschool definition in 2011 in order to differentiate this educational classification from various public school options for in-home education. This also mirrored the use of “nonpublic” in the definition of a private school, which at the time received no public funding.

We have all experienced many things over the last couple of years that took our society by surprise. AFHE celebrates that the hard work of our organization, along with freedom-minded parents and policy partners, yielded a non-public school option that tens of thousands of families have been able to utilize.

In fact, during the upheaval of 2020 and 2021 the very existence of homeschooling in Arizona provided an atmosphere of freedom and inspiration for many parents who created and innovated education models that would work for them, including models that don’t fit neatly into any of Arizona’s legal categories. We are grateful that all Arizona parents benefit from the decades of work by AFHE and our freedom-loving friends in the advocacy and legislative spheres to protect homeschooling as it currently exists.

Even while AFHE maintains that preserving the freedom to homeschool must never be neglected, we have always sought to serve any Arizona family in the ways that we are equipped to do so. For example, at our convention there are always attendees whose children are enrolled in private or public school; they are seeking information and inspiration to help them make the choice to homeschool. We have heard many stories of attendees and even service providers whose involvement with our event provided the exposure and persuasion needed for them to begin homeschooling. Anything we can do to move a parent or family closer to parent-directed, privately funded home education will always be considered a win in the life of that family.

AFHE’s mission statement states, in part, that AFHE exists to “support parents who choose a home-based education option for their children.” AFHE believes that with information on our website, with our magazine and other member benefits, with our events, and in many other ways we can support ANY parent and family that wishes to be more intentional about their child’s education, especially those who are educating at home. This in no way dilutes AFHE’s commitment to homeschool freedom.

No matter the changes that have altered the educational landscape over the years, AFHE has been very consistent in expressing how crucial it is to clearly distinguish between educational classifications. We will continue to educate parents, legislators, and the media about the meaning behind the terminology they are using. In Arizona, the word “homeschool” has a legal meaning, and definitions include boundaries. We maintain the importance of these boundaries, as they delineate the maximum-freedom, minimum-regulation space we cherish. To do so is not to cast aspersions on other educational classifications or those who choose them.

This discussion brings up other important questions.

Why is the funding source important to freedom?
 
There are numerous examples throughout America and around the globe where government funding has provided a wedge by which social services, bureaucrats, and elected officials have inserted themselves into the home setting. This statement is not alarmist but is a simple observation: any time taxpayer dollars are provided for a designated purpose, increased regulation is applied and can be justified. In order for homeschooling to remain the educational option of maximum freedom, it must remain independent from government funding. In fact, this characteristic of homeschooling has historically been one of its greatest strengths, allowing families to maintain the utmost independence, flexibility, and personal discretion in their educational methods, priorities, and choices.

Does AFHE believe that government funding diminishes a family’s autonomy from the government in terms of educational freedom? 

In the strictest view, yes.

Do Arizona families have the prerogative to accept government funding for education when they feel it is appropriate?

Of course.

Is taxpayer funding compatible with Arizona’s statutory definition of homeschooling?
 
No.

Does AFHE have a position either supporting or opposing the new law?
 
No.

Does AFHE believe in the right of all Arizona parents to seek out the educational options that are best for their children?

Absolutely.

Will AFHE become a resource for providing information or guidance about the ESA program?
 
There are no plans to do so. This is a program that is subject to legislative oversight and departmental interpretation and execution. There are already several organizations that have been engaging with the ESA since its inception in 2011 and these will be the best sources of information for curious families. Our website’s FAQ page has additional information for those who are investigating these two education options.  Click here to view the FAQ page.

Does AFHE serve families who have an ESA contract?

Yes. AFHE does not have (and never has had) a “show your affidavit” policy for joining as a member, attending our convention or other events, or accessing resources on our website.*
 
AFHE exists to inspire parents to home educate their children; promote parent-directed home-based education; preserve the freedom to homeschool; and support parents who choose a home-based education option for their children.

As always, AFHE encourages parents to do their best research regarding educational options and understand the choice that they make. We believe in your right to do so. The AZ Law and Affidavit page on our website lists laws pertaining to Arizona’s homeschool freedom and protections. We will continue protecting Arizona’s homeschool law and homeschool liberty as our top priority.

AFHE Board of Directors
August 29, 2022

* passed by the Arizona House 6/22/22, by the Arizona Senate 6/24/22, and signed by Governor Doug Ducey 7/7/22
* The home school category was added in 1985, while the defined term “homeschool” entered the statute in 2011.
* In fact, in the early days following the passage of §15.802 there were families who considered the affidavit itself to be an illegitimate government intrusion and refused to file it. AFHE never asked who had done so or who hadn’t.

It is anticipated that Governor Ducey will sign into law the largest ESA expansion in the nation.

HB 2853, sponsored by House Majority Leader Ben Toma, R-Peoria, passed both the House and Senate and now awaits the governor’s signature, which is very likely. It would expand Arizona’s current ESA program to all schoolchildren in Arizona. This potential expansion of school choice in Arizona gives more parents the ability to have a greater impact on directing the education of their children.

What does this mean for homeschooling in Arizona? The short answer is that nothing would change.

There are six educational classifications in Arizona: public school, charter school, virtual charter school, private school, empowerment scholarship account (ESA), and homeschooling. Each classification has a legal definition within the Arizona Revised Statutes.

HB 2853 is directly related to one classification, the empowerment scholarship account. In order to understand the ESA expansion, we will also look at the homeschool classification.

According to ARS 15-802 (G)(2) homeschool is defined as “a nonpublic school conducted primarily by the parent, guardian or other person who has custody of the child or nonpublic instruction provided in the child’s home.” The parent is required to file an Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool for children ages 6 to 16. A homeschooling parent takes full responsibility for their child’s education, including the financial responsibility. There are no reporting or standardized testing requirements for homeschooled students and the parent does not need to be a certified teacher. The parent creates the high school transcript and issues a diploma to their child. If a parent wishes to exit the homeschool classification and choose one of the five other options, they inform their public school superintendent within 30 days that they are no longer homeschooling.

The empowerment scholarship account (ESA) was established in Arizona in 2011 as an account* funded by the state to expand educational opportunities for children with special needs as well as for other specific populations. Funds received through the ESA are used for approved therapies and education related expenses, including instruction that may be provided at home by the parent. ESA students are contract students with the state who do not file an Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool.

HB 2853 has expanded only the ESA option. Under this expansion, all school-aged children in Arizona (not just specific populations) would be eligible to apply for an ESA contract. This taxpayer-funded account* can be used by parents to pay for private school tuition, teaching at home, therapies, or a variety of other educational expenses, all of which must be approved by the Arizona Department of Education. The ESA contract between the parents and the Arizona Department of Education will continue to be reviewed and renewed annually.

ESA students are contract students with the state who do not file an Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool. Homeschool students who opt to apply for an ESA contract no longer fall under the homeschool classification and no longer need their Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool.

AFHE supports parents in choosing the education option that is best for each of their children. Additionally, it is critical to understand and maintain the clear distinction between homeschooling and other education options in our state in order to preserve the freedom parents currently enjoy in directing the education of their children. Homeschooling in Arizona is the maximum-freedom minimum-regulation education option. AFHE will continue to work to preserve the freedoms that homeschool families enjoy, as well as to monitor and lobby the Arizona legislature as we have for nearly 40 years.  The relationships that have been forged and the reputation AFHE has built have ensured that homeschool freedom has been maintained.

It is our privilege to serve -AFHE Board

*update made on 07/02/22  altering the word "voucher" to "an account" in order to reflect funding that is initially provided to a parent/guardian vs. an educational institution

The inclination of Legislatures is to limit parental rights in the area of homeschooling.  We cannot let this happen.  Thanks to Arizona Families for Home Education you have the best homeschool law in the nation.  This is not only my opinion, but is also the opinion of Mike Smith, president of the Home School Legal Defense Association.

The reason our law is so good is that it is simple and objective. All a parent needs to do is file an affidavit of intent with the county school superintendent when they first start homeschooling. That’s it!  The law requires no student testing, no parent testing, no curriculum review, and no hours of instruction review.

Your father’s law, however, was entirely different. Yes, it was simple. But it was also subjective. The original 1912 state statues required schooling through the eighth grade by a competent teacher.

The rub came in the definition of a “competent” teacher. Now we all know what a competent teacher is, right? It is a homeschooling mom and dad! However, the education bureaucrats in the '70s decided it should be a state certified teacher.

They were so certain of their course of action that they made violation of the law a misdemeanor. That meant courts, fines and jail time for some homeschoolers, and fear and intimidation for most others. The last parent in Arizona to be jailed for the dastardly crime of homeschooling was Tom Sidar, a resident of Apache Junction. The year was 1991.

There were some crazy misconceptions about homeschooling in the days of your father’s law. In one debate on the House floor in 1982, a legislator asked, “Why are we having this discussion? After all, the children belong to the state.” At that point, Representative Jim Skelly of Scottsdale leaped to his feet and said, “I beg to differ. Children are a gift from God for parents to raise.”

On another occasion, when ritualistic cattle killing was filling the headlines of the Arizona Republic and Phoenix Gazette, a legislator asked me, “Mr. Lewis, how many homeschoolers drink blood and do animal sacrifice?” Wow! How do you answer such an absurd question…. three?

Misconceptions aside, your father’s law also had quirks. In 1981, the parent doing the schooling, usually mom, was required to take and pass the Arizona Teachers Proficiency Examine ("ATPE") before starting to homeschool.

The ATPE consisted of three modules of reading, writing and arithmetic, and was offered quarterly, rotating between venues near the three state universities. So, for example, a parent wanting to home school in Flagstaff, depending on the time frame, had to travel to Tucson to test. God forbid that they failed one of the modules because that meant waiting several months to test at another location. And, to top it all off, home educators had to pay to take the test.

Not surprisingly, these homeschooling moms outperformed university education graduates who had spent thousands for their degree. And those degrees were a bargain in the '80s compared to today! The homeschooling moms outperformed the college grads by preparing with a $2.95 book entitled Studying for the GED.

Over time, the testing portion of the home school law grew to better accommodate home educators. In the end, the ATPE was rescinded, collapsing under its own weight because of minority discrimination issues.

Another quirk of your father’s law was standardized testing. There was only one test to choose from and we had to pay for it. More unfortunately, no publishers at that time would sell it to a home school. So, we were stuck trying to find a public or private school that would accommodate testing our children.

Then, the test results were subjectively evaluated with different criteria from county to county. I remember a situation where a child who was testing in the 60th percentile two years in a roll was deemed "not progressing academically." And, yes, we had to pay for those silly evaluations too.

From 1995–1999, the law evolved into, essentially, what we have today: the best homeschool law in the nation! During that timeframe, we gained:


Hopefully this brief account will motivate you to protect the great home school law you inherited. Protect it for the sake of your children. Protect for the sake of your children’s children. After all, I want to spend my golden years playing with my grandchildren, not lobbying at the Arizona Capitol.

(updated for 2024)

Congratulations! You’ve made the decision to attend the AFHE Convention and we are so excited to have you join us!

We know that attending the convention for the first time is very exciting and can be a lot to take in … perhaps even a little overwhelming. Gathering together with thousands of other homeschoolers, having over 100 featured speaker and exhibitor workshops to choose from, plus an 80,000 square foot exhibit hall to browse that’s filled with vendors selling curriculum, resources, products, and services … there’s sure a lot to see and do!

Newcomers often have a variety of questions … everything from, “Where should I park?” to “How do I find the right curriculum for my family?” We are here to help! We have put together some tips and hints to help make your experience at the convention enjoyable and easy to navigate.

Review the information we have published on the convention pages of our site. You’ll find:

• Daily convention schedule
• Speaker bios, workshop schedule, workshop descriptions
• Parking, food/dining, and hotel information
• Tips for getting the most out of the convention
• A list of participating exhibitors
• Exhibitor workshop schedule and descriptions
• Details about various aspects of the convention including Teen Program, Young Entrepreneurs, and more
• Convention Essentials: a page with an FYI section and basic information about the event

CONVENTION DETAILS
     Review the workshop schedule and highlight the sessions that you most want to hear in person, making note of any that you’d like to purchase recordings of to listen to later. Planning ahead can help you avoid the stress of last-minute decision making or the disappointment of missing a workshop you really wanted to hear.
     WORKSHOP HANDOUTS: Shortly before the Convention, workshop handouts will be posted on the Speakers & Workshops page of the AFHE website in June. Be sure to print out handouts for any sessions you plan to attend, as copies will not be available on-site. Note: not all workshops will have a handout.

PARKING
     Parking is plentiful near the Phoenix Convention Center. The best daily rate is available by pre-purchasing your parking pass for $10/day at the Jefferson Street Garage (limited availability). Other parking areas downtown cost approximately $15 per day, and if you are staying in a downtown hotel there might be an adjacent parking garage for hotel guests.
     Visit dtphx.org for an interactive map with parking, restaurants, and road construction updates.
     The parking garages closest to the South Building of the Phoenix Convention Center are:
          JEFFERSON STREET GARAGE - 333 E Jefferson Street, Phoenix
          EAST GARAGE - 602 E Washington St, Phoenix

WHEN YOU ARRIVE 
     Our convention is in the South Building of the Phoenix Convention Center, 33 North Third Street, 85004. Once you arrive downtown and enter the main lobby of the Phoenix Convention Center South Building, the first thing you will need is your convention name badge. Your name badge is your admission to all areas of the convention and must be worn at all times. Where should you go to get it? Read on!

PRE-REGISTERED ATTENDEES
     If you pre-registered for the convention, your name badges will be available for pick up at the pre-registration check-in tables. You will pick up your name badges and holders, convention program, and welcome bag. On Friday morning you will find pre-registration check-in on the right-hand side of the lobby. For the rest of the weekend, pre-registration check-in will be available at the Registration counter.  We will have greeters and signs to make it easy for you to find where to go first.

REGISTER ON-SITE
     If you did not pre-register, you may register on-site either at the Registration counter or on your phone with our mobile reg form. Follow the signs in the lobby or ask one of our helpful greeters to direct you. Whichever method you choose, all on-site registrants need to come to the appropriate line at the Registration counter to finalize payment and receive your name badges, welcome bag, and convention program.

WORKSHOPS
You will find a few different types of workshops at the AFHE Convention.

• Keynote sessions
• Featured speaker workshops
• Sponsor workshops
• Exhibitor workshops

Workshop schedules can be found on the SPEAKERS & WORKSHOPS page.

KEYNOTE SESSIONS
     Each morning there is a general session in the ballroom with a keynote address for all attendees. This is a very special time for all of us to be together.
KEYNOTE SESSIONS FRIDAY & SATURDAY 8:30 AM – Join us for worship to start the day at 8:30 AM Friday and Saturday in the ballroom as we kick off each day. At 8:45, before the keynote speaker begins, we will have a few special pre-keynote activities and announcements.
AFTERNOON KEYNOTE FRIDAY 5:00 PM — We will wrap up the first day of the convention with a session for everyone to attend together! There are no other workshops or presentations scheduled during this hour.

     Beyond the keynote sessions, there are three types of workshops at the AFHE Convention. Workshop schedules and descriptions for each type can be found on the SPEAKERS & WORKSHOPS page.

FEATURED SPEAKER WORKSHOPS
     We have an excellent lineup of featured speakers with workshops covering a variety of topics, from encouraging talks sharing the vision for home education to nuts-and-bolts “how-to” homeschool sessions filled with practical ideas and inspiration. You’ll find that there is something for everyone, whether you are brand new to homeschooling or have been homeschooling for many years. Featured speaker workshops are selected to offer encouragement, inspiration, ideas, and information without requiring the use of a particular product, service, or curriculum.
     Featured Speaker workshops have open seating; no advance registration required.

EXHIBITOR WORKSHOPS
     Exhibitors at the AFHE Convention also have the opportunity to present workshops. Many exhibitor workshops focus on demonstrating or elaborating on their product or service. Several exhibitors also choose to use this time to encourage parents in the homeschool journey.
     Exhibitors pay a fee to reserve one of the exhibitor workshop time slots. We encourage you to attend these workshops to learn more about the products and resources these quality exhibitors have to offer.
     All exhibitor workshops take place in curtained areas in the exhibit hall. Each exhibitor workshop curtain includes sound, a projector and screen, and 40 chairs to provide plenty of space for exhibitor workshop attendees.

SPONSOR WORKSHOPS
     AFHE is grateful for the partnership our valued sponsors who have made financial contributions to enhance the convention experience for our attendees and to support the work of AFHE as we serve the Arizona homeschool community throughout the year.
     Several of our sponsors will be presenting informative workshops so that you can learn more about them during the regular workshop schedule. We encourage you to learn more about these great sponsors by attending their workshops.

EXHIBIT HALL
     The AFHE Convention exhibit hall provides a one-of-a-kind shopping experience … the only one like it in Arizona each year. You’ll find approximately 150 exhibitors selling curriculum, books, resources, art supplies, science materials, literature guides, Christian products, and much more in the exhibit hall. You will also find exhibitors sharing information about local resources, services, and activities such as homeschool PE classes, speech and debate, museums, colleges, music lessons, etc. A favorite feature of the exhibit hall is the Young Entrepreneurs, where you will find products and services created by Arizona homeschool students (age 11-24).
     The growing list of registered exhibitors is available on our EXHIBIT HALL page.

TIPS FOR CHOOSING CURRICULUM
     Selecting curriculum is one aspect of homeschooling that can be daunting for new homeschoolers because of the vast number of options to choose from. As parents, we all want to make the wisest decisions when purchasing curriculum.
     Begin by doing some research before the convention. Read about curriculum approaches if you are unfamiliar with them. Understanding the difference between a textbook/traditional approach and classical education, unit studies, eclectic, or the Charlotte Mason approach will be tremendously helpful in selecting curriculum for your family. It is also beneficial to have a basic understanding of the type of learner your child is … auditory, visual, or kinesthetic (hands-on).
     Once you understand the five or six primary curriculum approaches and have an idea of your child’s preferred learning style, take a look at Cathy Duffy’s 102 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum (cathyduffyreviews.com), the Homeschool Resource Roadmap (homeschoolroadmap.org), and Carol Barnier’s The Big WHAT NOW Book of Learning Styles (available on Amazon). Each of these resources does an excellent job at giving an overview of some of the most effective, most popular curricular resources available today. Carol’s book helps you match your child’s learning style with curriculum that may be best suited for him/her.

MENTORING MOMS
     All attendees are invited to stop by the Mentoring Moms booth inside the exhibit hall entrance and ask questions of these experienced homeschool moms available to assist you Friday and Saturday during exhibit hall hours.

SHOPPING IN THE EXHIBIT HALL
     In order to minimize feeling overwhelmed in the exhibit hall, it can be very beneficial to simply start by walking through the entire hall, aisle by aisle, checking out various booths to get a big picture overview of what’s available. Make notes in the center section of your program of any booths you want to come back to later.
      It’s important to note that the exhibitors at our convention invest a great deal of time, energy, and resources to come present their materials. They are an important part of the weekend’s activities. Please be mindful of the investment they make to be here for you, and consider purchasing from them directly instead of buying their products from another exhibitor or an online supplier for a few dollars cheaper. This encourages knowledgeable exhibitors with quality products to return year after year and makes a better experience for all of us.

REMINDER: CURRICULUM IS JUST A TOOL
     The most important thing to know is this … curriculum is a tool. It isn’t the end-all, be-all of your homeschool approach and strategy. It shouldn’t become your master. It is just one of many tools in your tool belt as you nurture, disciple, and educate your child at home.
     Do your research, talk to experienced homeschool parents, browse the exhibit hall, talk to the exhibitors, and ask lots of questions. Use the tools wisely and thoughtfully, but don’t let curriculum become a burden to you or your children.
     Sometimes, even after doing all of the research possible, you may choose a curriculum or resource that simply does not end up working for your family. When this happens, you might feel obligated to press on and finish the curriculum because you spent good money on it. And yes, sometimes, pressing on and persevering can be rewarding, but sometimes it can be frustrating or demoralizing for parent and child alike, unraveling the love of learning we are working so hard to build with our children. Be ready to adapt and adjust as needed.

WORKSHOP RECORDINGS
     Consider purchasing recordings of general session workshops—either individual copies or the full set MP3 or CDs. Resounding Voice offers an excellent deal on the full set of recordings if purchased on-site during the convention.
     Even when you attended a workshop in person, it can be beneficial to listen to the recording of that session again later. It’s amazing how many nuggets are packed into each hour-long workshop and we can often glean more the second and third times we hear a particular talk.
You’ll find the Resounding Voice booth just to the right when you enter the Exhibit Hall.
Note: Recordings of exhibitor workshops are available for sale with permission from the exhibitor. Not all exhibitor workshops will be available for purchase.
THREE-DAY POST-CONVENTION RECORDING SPECIAL
     For those not able to attend the convention or who didn’t get a chance to purchase the recordings, Resounding Voice will offer a full-set MP3 special through their website.
RESOUNDING VOICE

FREE PRE-CONVENTION MINI-CONFERENCE FOR NEW HOMESCHOOLERS
     If you are new to homeschooling, you might wish to attend the free pre-convention “You Can Homeschool!” mini-conference we offer the day before the convention. You’ll enjoy several workshops specifically geared for new homeschoolers. We offer special sessions for homeschooling special needs, as well! This mini-conference is held Thursday afternoon. No advance sign-up is required for this pre-convention event. DETAILS

ENJOY!
The AFHE Convention weekend is jam-packed with workshops to attend and exhibitor booths to browse. There is a lot to see and do and we want you to enjoy the weekend and get the most out of your time with us.

• Take breaks.
• Spend time sitting, reading through the convention program, and chatting with your spouse, friends, and fellow attendees.
• Drink plenty of water. You may bring water with you or there are concessions on site where it can be purchased. (Note: All concessions in the Phoenix Convention Center are cashless; card payments only.)
• Plan time for lunch. Eat snacks for energy throughout the day.
• Wear comfortable shoes.
• Bring a jacket or sweater as the Convention Center air conditioning can be chilly at times.
• Enjoy some moments where you sit back and take it all in.
• Notice the community of like-minded families surrounding you.
• Arrive in time to enjoy worship before the keynote address.
• Stop by the Mentoring Moms booth and ask questions.
• Soak it all up.

It is our desire that each person who attends the AFHE Convention would return home feeling refreshed, energized, inspired, encouraged, and equipped for the homeschool journey. 

Whatever time of year it is, you—like many others—find yourself at the beginning of a brand-new journey: homeschooling.

Somewhere along the way, you decided that the current system your child was participating in was not serving him or her well, and you feel like just maybe you can do a better job delivering the education your child needs. It could be for one of many reasons, or for many reasons all at once. You’re excited, nervous, and puzzled by well-meaning folks who give you a forced smile when you announce that you’re going to homeschool instead.

By the middle of our oldest child’s 1st grade year (about 18 years ago), we were having a miserable experience. In spite of receiving lesson after obvious lesson as to why my child was supposed to be taught at home, this mama had her child finish out the year at school—because I’m not a quitter. Don’t be like me. Be a quitter. Move along and make the best decision of your family life and don’t look back.

Once you’ve made the decision to bring your kids home, it’s important to read up on Arizona homeschool laws, understand what homeschooling is and is not, and file an Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool for each of your children ages 6-16. Check out the helpful tips on the Get Started page.

I want to offer you some real-life encouragement with these ten things that might happen along the way in this wonderful new journey.

You may not have gone to school to be an educator, let alone have any college experience at all. You may have a degree but feel like staying home to teach your own kids would be a waste of that degree. Maybe someone has asked why you would want to be home with your own kids all day.

Remember, you know your children best. If you taught them to walk, talk, use the bathroom, and eat with a utensil, you can most certainly teach your own children academics at home. Before public school became compulsory, children learned everything at home from parents, grandparents, siblings, and others. Not only did they learn the 3 R’s, but skills that would serve them well out in the real world and workplace. Yes, times have indeed changed, but these skills are still important and no teacher has time to teach a classroom of 30 children academics along with manners, cooking, money management, home-keeping, and other valuable life skills. Even if they did, some of what they’d teach might not be a good representation of your own family values.

No one has your child’s best interests at heart like you do, and there’s still no place like home. You might be unsure of yourself at times. That’s normal. You’re fine! Just keep learning and growing alongside your kids. You can do this!

There’s not a parent in the history of parenting who has not been frustrated. This will seem to multiply since you are now both parent and teacher, and since you’ll be spending a whole lot more time together.

You will hear others say, “I could never homeschool. I don’t have the patience.” You may have said those words yourself. But you might also be the person who thinks, “I don’t have the patience either, but I love my children enough to learn how to be patient with them.” Trust me. You will learn patience and so will your children. Homeschooling provides a unique opportunity for each of you to develop this character trait.

Frustration might appear as you discover your child has a different learning style than you, and you have to figure out how to communicate effectively with one another. You may experience frustration as you juggle managing your home, preparing meals, teaching your children, participating in enrichment activities, nurturing your marriage, and maybe even working, too. Your children may become frustrated at times as well. They’ll be frustrated with you, with themselves, and sometimes both at the same time. As your vision for the value and benefits of home education grows, and as you and your children practice patience and kindness and diligence day after day, you’ll see the end result is worth every ounce of effort and frustration, too. Keep calm and carry on.

It’s tempting to buy that full-year boxed curriculum on the first day because it seems a little less terrifying if the books and schedule all come prepared for you. There’s nothing wrong with a grade-level packaged curriculum, and it may be the perfect fit for your family. However, keep in mind that curriculum is just a tool for you to use and there are many approaches and types available to you.

Just as important as what you teach is how you teach your kids to learn. Figuring out how to help your kids learn best is invaluable right from the start, keeping in mind that your understanding will develop over time as you work with your children on a day-to-day basis. An abundance of books on learning styles and left/right-brained learning are at your disposal, but don’t get too bogged down in the details or pigeon-hole your children. Almost everyone has a primary learning style, which isn’t really recognized until around age 7 or 8. Relax and observe them for a month or so and see what works. In addition to teaching to your child’s strengths, you’ll also help them develop their weak areas. So you’ll want curriculum that works with their primary learning style, and you’ll also want to make sure they are exposed to learning through other modalities.

If you are bringing an older child home from school, you may want to take the opportunity to decompress and adjust to being home together. Some people call this a school detox period or “de-schooling” when first making the transition from school to homeschool. The first month or so can be a great time to let your child explore areas of interest, do a unit study on a topic they are passionate about, read good literature, and get outdoors to enjoy and observe nature. The goal is to help reconnect your child with a love of learning and discovery.

Spend time getting used to the idea of homeschooling, get a plan together, and include your child in the process. You’ll get into a rhythm and the academic rigor will fall into place. And understand there might be some trial and error, and that’s okay, too!

As you envision what your homeschool experience will be like, you might be tempted to recreate school at home. A schoolroom with desks, a whiteboard, and maps on the wall, a regimented schedule changing subjects every 50 minutes, reading textbooks and writing out all of the answers, or other elements you or your child consider to be “school.”

None of this is needed to homeschool successfully. You can set an alarm in the morning, have breakfast at 7:00 am, devotions at 7:30, and lessons at 8:00. You can schedule science from 1:00-2:00 pm Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. You can, but you don’t have to. Sure, schedules are important or chaos will ensue. You can make a firm schedule, just don’t be surprised when it’s thwarted by sickness, a family emergency, or just because you need a time out.

Be flexible, let go of those expectations and self-imposed regulations, and learning might happen in a much more fluid way than you ever thought it could. You might discover unit studies, lapbooks, outdoor excursions, hands-on experiments, and fun. Your teens might enjoy a little extra sleep that they need, and that’s a wonderful thing.

You’ve undoubtedly heard—or maybe even asked the question yourself—”What about socialization?” A common misperception exists that homeschooling means missing out on things like having friends or spending time with people outside your family, lacking opportunities to develop social skills, or forfeiting a rich educational experience. The reality is quite the opposite.

There are homeschool P.E. classes, choirs, prom, music lessons, Spanish classes, sports teams, field trips, science fairs, spelling bees, history fairs, geography bees, speech and debate clubs, theater groups, political activities, and so much more.You’ll discover pretty quickly that there are so many opportunities and activities for homeschoolers that you’re going to have to pick and choose the best for your family or you’ll never be home to do any schoolwork.

Part of your mission in bringing your children home for their education may be to make sure they are well-rounded individuals. This is a good goal. Keep in mind that each individual has certain gifts and talents and you have the opportunity to nurture those abilities and interests in your children in a way that doesn’t lend to a frenzied, chaotic, stressful life. Choose activities that enhance your homeschool journey.

This may come as a surprise, but you can homeschool successfully without co-ops and outside classes. Use those opportunities for areas where your child is gifted or has an interest and you are not. For example, if your teen is a math whiz with aspirations toward computer science or engineering, but your math experience ended with Algebra 2, you might consider a co-op class or community college classes for that higher level math, or trade teaching with another homeschool parent who is mathematically inclined. if your child is passionate about theater and the arts, participating in a homeschool drama club can be rewarding.

The ways to meet your child’s education and development needs are endless, but balance is key. Don’t be so busy doing all the things that you miss the blessing of the homeschool adventure for your family. The close relationships, the time to stop and think and explore. By teaching our children at home, we are choosing to be different than the cultural norm. You might be tempted to sign up for every extracurricular activity, but something to consider is that being different might just be better all around.

The temptation to compare is strong, but you can’t compare yourself to anyone who isn’t you. Your family is unique, in your own unique set of circumstances, and you should never play the comparison game. Put the blinders on and focus on what’s before you, not what’s around you.

It might seem like every mom has it all together and their kids are learning Chinese when you can barely get yours to understand the difference between a comma and a semicolon. One mom has a piano protege and another one has a child who is studying Latin root words at age 5. That’s great for them.

Not every child is gifted in the same ways and not every family homeschools in the same way. Your job as a homeschool parent is to help guide your kids in discovering their own set of abilities through your style of schooling.

You might be tempted to compare your homeschool experience to others, but don’t. You might just find that focusing on what’s best for your own family is the most important thing you do for them.

It’s important to be diligent and take the education of your child seriously, but taken to an extreme you might find yourself dying on the altar of homeschool excellence. There are some days you just need to hand your kids five books to choose from and give them a reading day because you’re sick in bed or simply need a break. Or you put a on favorite TV show or movie and let them choose a quiet activity like Wikki Stix or Legos or drawing. Or you get everyone into the car and go to the park and library instead of sitting around the table working on handwriting.

The beauty of homeschooling is that it should fit into your life, not the other way around. There is no reason you should not shower, tidy up your house, do your laundry, or get a cup of coffee with a friend on occasion because you are too busy homeschooling. There is no reason you should forego date night with your husband because of the demands of homeschooling. Yes, lesson planning needs to get done, grading and organizing schoolwork, and shopping for next week’s art and science supplies. But the well-being of your relationships, your own self-care, and the condition of your home should not fall apart while you dedicate every ounce of yourself to being the best homeschool mom you know.

People you know and love just might say you’re insane because you are choosing to swim upstream as it relates to the education of your children. As if that’s a bad thing! To quote a popular phrase, “We’ve seen the village and we don’t want it to raise our children.”

Perhaps you’ve been told you’re indoctrinating your children or they won’t be exposed to things that other kids their ages are. Perhaps that’s the point. Your children are gifts from God that you are responsible for raising, nurturing, teaching, and loving. Your friends and family might think you’re crazy, but the proof is in the pudding, so to speak. Your kids might just grow up to be caring, thoughtful, articulate, hard-working, skilled individuals who make the world a better place. So when Aunt Ruth or your next door neighbor shake their heads and wonder if you’ve lost your mind, or even if they get angry with your decision, smile and wave. Love them anyway. Be kind to them anyway. And keep on homeschooling.

We have days when our kids won’t cooperate, the house is a mess, and we feel like we haven’t a clue what we’re doing. As the yellow school bus passes your house again this morning, you might be tempted to end the experiment and put them back in school.

The best remedy for this is to acknowledge why you pulled them out in the first place. Write it down somewhere and refer to it often. Have a goal in mind for your homeschool and stick with it. Your kids might ask about going back to school at some point. When you have a firm grasp of your reasons for choosing to homeschool, a family mission statement and goals, you have a measuring stick by which to make decisions. And, as the parent, you are responsible for making these decisions. If you waver, they will notice and might feel you aren’t committed.

Be committed to your family cause. Give them opportunities with friends through other avenues if that is their complaint. You can also remind them how much homework they would have after being in school all day and that everything they do at home is the homework. Stay the course and don’t give up! You will enjoy the reward for your efforts if you stick with it.

Relationships are built, sibling ties become closer, and you all learn how important the family unit is. Road trips and vacations can be taken when it fits your schedule without penalty of missing class or homework to catch up on. You can teach and learn what you want, when you want. You might learn as much as your kids do and find a new interest along the way.

Sure, there will be rough days, but they occur no matter your schooling choice. And going through challenges together as a family often draws you closer, giving you a shared victory to relish.

0It’s up to you, not an over-burdened school system, to help your children learn, discover, and grow up to be productive adults. They will one day thank you for all you’ve invested in them and the incredible opportunities they experienced through the homeschool adventure with you!

Producing a homeschool high school transcript is more important than ever. Not only is it an encouraging synopsis of your student’s high school years, and not only is it necessary to apply for college, but now it is extremely helpful for applying to work for all state governmental agencies. Because of the AFHE bill, Arizona HB 2389, all state governmental agencies now must accept homeschool transcripts without needing an accompanying GED (see ARS §1-701). Arizona is really the best state to homeschool, thanks in great part to Arizona Families for Home Education.

It is imperative that we provide honest, comprehensive, and clear transcripts. While being scrupulously honest, you want to highlight your student in the best light possible. This article is to help you develop just such a transcript.

If you are starting or in the midst of high school, you will want to think through what you think are the minimum requirements for you to award your student a diploma. This is the traditional standard for a high school diploma.

            •           4 years of English
            •           3 years of mathematics
            •           3 years of lab sciences
            •           2-3 years of social studies (4 is better)
            •           2 years of foreign language
            •           1 year of fine arts (2 is better)
            •           About 8 electives (PE, etc.)

If your child is not college bound, you might not need the foreign language, and the math can include consumer math or business math.  If the students are college bound, they need to look at the requirements for the specific colleges they are considering.

It is imperative that your transcript is an honest evaluation. If you lack any of these suggested classes, you may still be able to get into a college, but might have a “deficiency” that might require either a certain SAT/ACT/CLEP score or a class at the community college.  Of note: I encourage all homeschoolers to prepare your student for college, even if they think they do not want to attend. A good high school education is never a waste, and your student might change their mind when they are older.

Carnegie Units (or credits) measure the work accomplished. One Carnegie Unit typically indicates 150 hours of classroom work plus additional time in homework. This classroom work averages to 50 minutes for five days for 36 weeks.  One half Carnegie Unit (or 0.5) indicates 75 hours of classroom work which can be in one semester, or averaged out over the year. Students should only have about six Carnegie Units per year. If you add more than that you are saying your child did more than six hours of school per day, with additional time in homework. Tutoring (rather than classroom lecture) and student reading/studying is typically takes less time, and so the homeschool student may be able to accomplish more learning than you will be able to indicate on your transcript. We need to be honest with the transcripts as well as  communicate the student’s accomplishments in a way that others will understand.
 
Most schools and employers would like a one page transcript.

Record of     Evelyn B. Homeschool           1010 W. Home Ct.   Gilbert, AZ  85233  (480) 123-4567
Course                                     Descriptive Title                                        Year’s Average          Unit Credits
Ninth Grade
English                                   English I                                                                B                             1            
Mathematics                        Algebra I                                                               A                             1
Science                                  Earth Science (with Lab)                                    B                             1
History                                   US History                                                            A                             1
Elective                                  Home Economics                                                A                            0.5
Elective                                  Bible                                                                       A                            0.5
Elective                                  Typing                                                                    A                            0.5
Phys. Ed.                               Physical Education                                              A                            0.5
                                                                                                                                                              (6.0)
Tenth Grade
English                                   English II                                                                A                             1            
Mathematics                        Algebra II                                                               B                             1
Science                                  Biology (with Lab)                                                A                             1
History                                   World History I                                                     A                             1
Elective                                  Music                                                                      A                             1
Elective                                  Art                                                                           A                             0.5
Phys. Ed.                               Physical Education                                               B                             0.5
                                                                                                                                                               (6.0)
Eleventh Grade 
English                                   English III                                                               B                             1
Mathematics                        Geometry/Trigonometry                                   B                             1            
Science                                  Chemistry (with Lab)                                           A                             1
History                                   World History II                                                    A                             1
Elective                                  Music                                                                      A                             1
Elective                                  Driver’s Education                                               A                             0.5
Elective                                  Government                                                         A                             0.5
Phys. Ed                                 Physical Education                                              A                             0.5
                                                                                                                                                               (6.5)
Twelfth Grade
English                                   English IV                                                               A                             1
Science                                  Nutrition                                                                A                             0.5
Elective                                  First Aid/CPR                                                         A                             0.5
Humanities                           20th Century Thought                                        A                             1
Foreign Language               Spanish 101/102                                                  A                             1
Elective                                  Music                                                                      A                             1
Elective                                  Computer Programming                                   A                             0.5
Phys. Ed                                 Physical Education                                              A                             0.5
                                                                                                                                                              (6.0)
                                                                                                                                                (24.5 total credits)
                                                                                                                                          G.P.A. 3.78 (4.0 scale)

Evelyn B. Homeschool graduated with honors May 9, 2017
_________________________________ (Principal. Mr. Thomas Homeschool)
_________________________________ (Primary Teacher, Mrs. Colene Homeschool)

It is important to be consistent and honest with your grading. Traditional teachers do give partial credit. For instance, if the student knew how to do a problem, and made a simple calculation error at the end, he might be awarded half or even ¾ credit for the answer. Some teachers throw out the low exam (if there are multiple tests), and many homeschool teachers and “mastery” teachers will reteach the chapter and provide a new test to the student. This is one of the reasons homeschoolers tend to have higher GPAs. They have the flexibility to slow down if the student does not understand.

Assign a system. For instance,
for English or history:
            •           Papers (3, for 20 pts each)             60 pts.
            •           Complete reading                            10 pts.
            •           Journal                                                10 pts.
            •           Discussion                                         10 pts.
         Total                                                                 100 pts

for math:
            •           Tests                                         70 %
            •           Complete homework            30 %
         Total                                                       100 %

90% - 100%                      A
80% - 89%                        B
70% - 79%                        C
60% - 69%                        D
below 60%                       F

Each grade has an assigned value: A=4, B=3, C=2, etc. To compute your GPA, multiply each course grade times the unit credit (which is either 1 or 0.5). This is the credit grade for that specific class.  Add up the credit grades and the unit credit total. Then divide the credit grades by the unit credit total including two or three decimal places to find your Grade Point Average. If your student got mostly A’s and B’s the GPA should be between 3 and 4.

Your transcript should include classes taught by private tutors, private or public schools, and /or community college. You should indicate that these are taught by someone else as shown in the Long Transcript.

Some colleges and work situations will want to see more information on the course work. Providing the title of the text, a short description, and teacher (if the course teacher is not the primary teacher who signs the transcript) is helpful. If using a traditional text, you can simply list the chapters of the book. Here is one page of a sample Long Transcript.

Record of     Evelyn B. Homeschool           1010 W. Home Ct.   Gilbert, AZ  85233  (480) 123-4567
Teacher: Carol Homeschool, unless noted differently
Course                               Descriptive Title                      Year's Average          Unit Credits        
Tenth Grade  
English                                   English II                                            A                                1
Mathematics                         Algebra II                                          A                                1
Science                                   Biology                                              A                                1
History                                   World History I                                 A                                1
Elective                                   Music                                                 A                                1
Elective                                  Art                                                       B                                0.5
Elective                                  Physical Education                          B                                0.5
                                                                                                                                              (6.0)
                                                                                                                                     GPA: 3.83  (4.0 scale)

English I -   Ancient literature including the Epic of Gilgamesh, ancient mythology, all of the Bible’s Old Testament as well as modern literature such as Ozymandias by Shelley, Shadow Hawk by Andre Norton, Recessional by Rudyard Kipling, Destruction of Sennacherib by Lord Byron, Certain Women by Madeleine L’Engle are included.  Composition includes research skills, comparison/contrast paper, an abstract, a descriptive paragraph, a persuasive essay, a biographical sketch, a psalm using allegory or metaphor, a puppet play, and an editorial.

Algebra I - Algebra 1 is a one year course using the text by John Saxon.  The program includes daily lessons and weekly tests which chart the student’s progress.
                                                                                               
Biology - Biology uses the text from ABeka Publishers which covers botany, zoology, human anatomy & physiology, cellular and molecular biology.

Biology Lab - taught by Mary Lawrence RN.  Lab includes extensive use of microscope and dissection of flower, bulb, frog, perch, grasshopper, crayfish, earthworm, fetal pig, muscle, sheep’s brain and sheep’s heart.                                                                                        

World History I - Ancient history and geography of the Fertile Crescent area, the Sumerians, the Egyptians, the Harrappan, the Hebrews, the Phoenicians, the Assyrians, the Babylonians and the Persians is covered.  Methods of archaeology, famous archaeologists, and evaluation of religious practices and political situations in comparison to the twentieth century are included.
                                                                       
Music - taught by Steven Bartune, BM, MM.  Class covers theory, appreciation, history and performance.                                                                                                          

Art - Identifying works of art and architecture from the cultures of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, and the Hebrews is covered.  Both three-dimensional and two-dimensional art works are made by the student.

Physical Education – Participated and lettered on the Dobson High School Golf Team. This included daily practices, competitive matches, and additional private coaching throughout the year.

While not required by ARS §1-701, if you are considering college you need supporting documents for your transcript. These can include community college transcripts, SAT/ACT scores, and essays or a cover letter. Hopefully these documents will coincide to present a unified picture of the student. If the homeschool grades are significantly higher than the SAT/ACT scores or the community college grades, you might need to explain the discrepancy in a cover letter.

Producing an honest transcript that highlights the student’s accomplishments can be a fitting and encouraging encapsulation of these years.

Homeschooling has many benefits including the following:

• Parents are able to tailor a course of study to their child’s individual abilities, learning style, needs, interests, and future goals.
• The flexibility to customize the pace at which the child moves through material is beneficial for concept mastery.
• The one-on-one tutorial style of learning is highly effective.
• Parents are able to choose the worldview through which their children are educated.
• Learning together provides an even greater opportunity for building strong family relationships.
• Parents have the opportunity to address character issues consistently.
• Students often have more time to pursue areas of interest.
• Class sizes are MUCH smaller.
• High school students can get a jumpstart on college education or career preparation.

Homeschooling is more than an education option. It is a lifestyle of learning and discovery!

COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE AGE
Ages 6 to 16. Parents may elect to delay formal education until their child is 8 years old by noting so on the affidavit (must still file the affidavit at age 6).

ATTENDANCE
No minimum days required. Attendance tracking not required.

SUBJECTS REQUIRED
At least the subjects of reading, grammar, mathematics, science, and social studies. Parents select and purchase the curriculum and resources of your choice. Homeschooling allows you to move through material at a pace that works best for your child, and to customize the topics taught within each subject area.

TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS
None

NOTIFICATION
Submit a notarized Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool with proof of birth to the County School Superintendent’s office within 30 days of starting to homeschool (or within 30 days of your child’s 6th birthday if you started homeschooling earlier). The affidavit is filed once, not annually.

RECORD KEEPING / REPORTING
None required. Parents are responsible for creating their child’s high school transcript and should keep records for 9th-12th grades to calculate GPA and complete the transcript.

STANDARDIZED TESTING
None required. There are a number of private testing services that homeschool families can utilize, if desired. Read more in our testing FAQ.

Five Steps to Filing the Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool

1. Download and fill out the affidavit
2. Get it notarized
3. Submit proof of birth with the affidavit
4. Mail or hand deliver the affidavit and proof of birth to the County School Superintendent
5. Get started!

Enjoy the learning adventure with your kids.

Homeschooling is as unique as each family that embarks upon this journey. Your homeschool is going to look different than other families’. It may take some trial and error to get into a routine that works well for you and your children.

Here are some things that you can do to help you have success as you get started.

• Read books about homeschooling.
• Familiarize yourself with Arizona homeschool law.
• Find a homeschool support group in your area.
• Talk to experienced homeschooling parents.
• File an Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool.
• Select and purchase your curriculum and resources.
• Set goals for the year.
• Get organized. Organize your home, your supplies, and your schedule.
• Be willing to adapt as needed. Expect there to be a learning curve for you and your kids.
• Attend the AFHE Homeschool Convention in July.

If you’re transitioning from public school to homeschool, you’ll find some very practical encouragement about what to expect in this helpful article:
Ten Things You Might Experience Transitioning from School to Homeschool

The cost of homeschooling is as varied as the individual families who teach their children at home. It depends on a number of factors including:

• The curriculum and resources you choose
• How many and what types of extracurricular activities your child participates in
• Field trips and enrichment activities you choose to do
• If you decide to have your child take a standardized test

Homeschooling does not have to be expensive, and it is a worthwhile investment in your child.

There is an abundance of curriculum and resources available to homeschooling today. Attending AFHE’s annual Homeschool Convention is a great way to view and shop for a wide variety of curriculum and resources in person all in one place.

You can research on the internet, talk to other homeschooling parents and support group leaders, and read reviews and books on this topic. A couple of recommendations:

• Cathy Duffy Reviews, cathyduffyreviews.com
• The Homeschool Resource Roadmap, homeschoolroadmap.org
• The Big WHAT NOW Book of Learning Styles by Carol Barnier (available through Amazon)

In addition, Arizona is blessed to have a local resource center in Phoenix that has a bookstore with new and used curriculum. Their knowledgeable staff can answer questions and provide direction on choosing curriculum.
Covenant Home School Resource Center, chsrc.org

IDENTIFY YOUR CHILD’S LEARNING STYLE
Identifying your child’s learning style can help you choose curriculum that works best for him or her. There are a number of books on the market that can give you insight in this area. Two examples are:

• Demystifying Learning Styles: What Every Parent Needs to Know by Tyler Hogan, Bright Ideas Press
• The Way They Learn by Cynthia Ulrich Tobias (available on Amazon)

The homeschooling parent is responsible for creating and maintaining their child’s high school transcript and issuing a diploma. Students who are homeschooled through high school are able to successfully go on to college, the workplace, and the military.

Each spring, AFHE hosts a beautiful cap-and-gown graduation ceremony for Arizona homeschool students graduating from high school at home.

It is a special celebration of an important milestone and includes a commencement speaker, musical performances, senior class address, diploma presentation, photos of each graduate, and more. The registration window is early January through the end of February.

Arizona Revised Statutes §15-802.01 states that a homeschooled child who resides within the attendance area of a public school shall be allowed to try out for interscholastic activities (such as sports) on behalf of the public school in the same manner as a pupil who is enrolled in that school. Parents who choose this avenue should familiarize themselves with the policies of the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA).

There are a variety of opportunities available to homeschooled students within the homeschool community and in the private sector as well, including competitive athletics programs run by homeschoolers for homeschoolers, club ball organizations, programs offered through city parks and recreation departments, and more. One example of a competitive sports opportunity for Arizona homeschoolers is EVAC Sports.

Homeschooling can work really well for children who are gifted learners or who have special learning needs or unique learning challenges of all types. Parents can offer their children individualized education, flexibility, encouragement, and support. AFHE is building a SPECIAL LEARNERS RESOURCES page on our website and we also hold special learners events for parents periodically.

Additional resources:

• spedhomeschool.com
• hslda.org/teaching-my-kids/special-needs

Socialization is defined as “to make fit for companionship with others; make sociable.” Many homeschooling families have discovered that healthy socialization takes place when children are exposed to people of all ages in various settings, rather than being limited to a group of peers all about the same age. Children can learn to socialize in everyday activities such as a trip to the grocery store or library, visits with grandparents, play dates with friends, support group activities, park days, and so on. More importantly, children often receive their most valuable socialization in the nurturing environment of home and family.

Arizona has a vibrant, active homeschool community with many opportunities for socialization. One of the biggest challenges families encounter is dealing with the abundance of activities available. Parents should look for activities that enhance the homeschool experience without leading to the frenzied distraction of too many outside endeavors. Learning to say “no” to the good and the better helps a family leave room for the best.

We’re here to help! If you have questions about homeschooling in Arizona, don’t hesitate to contact us. We are homeschooling parents ourselves and we are here to help.
homeschool@afhe.org | 602-235-2673

Post updated January 2024

How do you climb Denali? How do you build a rocket and send it into orbit? Or compete in a decathlon? Is that how it feels when you consider the prospect of homeschooling your kids?
Walking away from the familiar into the unknown can be mighty intimidating! That is especially true when the stakes are high. Few things are as important as your child’s education. Is it really possible for parents to take charge of this vital area and be successful?

We get it! Parents just like you have been concerned about the same questions, faced the same unfamiliar territory, and wondered whether homeschooling was possible for their family. Here’s good news: you’re not alone and help is just a few clicks away!

AFHE’s set of three free MP3s provides a great way to get started, as you listen to experienced homeschool moms address those common concerns and share how you can get started in this new endeavor.

Doing anything worthwhile takes effort. Climbing Denali or building a rocket might seem beyond your abilities, but when you get connected with someone who has done it before and can shed light on the unknown, the challenge looks completely different, making something intimidating into something exciting and inviting!

Also, check out AFHE’s Ten Questions About Homeschooling in Arizona

Note: Because this event took place in Arizona, descriptions of the legal aspects of homeschooling may not be the same as in your state. To learn up-to-date information for your state, visit homeschoolfreedom.com or hslda.org.

Election 2020

It’s election season. And, that means we are all bombarded with information. To be sure, there is much to decide–everything from candidates for public office (federal, state, local), to judges (in the three most populous counties the vote is whether judges should be retained in office), to ballot propositions (laws and ordinances proposed for direct adoption by the voters).

There’s a lot at stake. How do you plan to cast an informed vote?
 
One tool we recommend highly is www.azvoterguide.com. Our friends at Center for Arizona Policy have surveyed the candidates on a variety of important issues. You can review candidate responses–or, if they elected not to respond, you can view their public position. The website allows you to customize a voter guide for you, focusing on the local candidates and issues that appear on your ballot.

The guide may not answer every question you have, but it is a very good starting point for your own research. Here are a couple of specific thoughts:

Judges: One of the most asked questions is: “How do I find out information about the judges that appear on the ballot?” Judges play an important, and often controversial, role in public life–but they do so in a way that is fundamentally different from elected lawmakers. Unlike elected officials, judges are forbidden from taking public positions on issues that are likely to come before them as they decide cases. This is the reason why this week Judge Amy Coney Barrett–as every nominee to the Supreme Court of the United States before her–declined to answer questions about her specific position on issues, yet readily answered questions about her judicial philosophy. When you look at the responses from judges to the survey at azvoterguide.com, you will see that many judges did not respond. Other judges responded with a statement of their judicial philosophy.

There is also a system for rating the performance and competence of judges in Arizona called the Judicial Performance Review Commission, which relies on surveys from attorneys and litigants who have appeared before the judge being evaluated. Learning of a judge’s approach and temperament is challenging, even for attorneys, so every piece of information you can glean is valuable.

It’s not a perfect system. At the end of the day, there is no reason to cast an uninformed vote on judges. If you are unable to locate information that satisfies you that a judge should be retained in office you can simply not cast a vote for or against that judge.

Ballot Propositions: This year there are two statewide ballot propositions on the ballot: Proposition 207 (legalizing recreational marijuana) and Proposition 208 (new taxes for increased public education spending). In the voter guide you will see that our friends at CAP are urging a “no” vote on both measures.

Our Take: No on 207: The AFHE Board has decided to also recommend a no vote on 207. This is the second time in four years that legalizing recreational marijuana has been on the ballot in Arizona. Arizona voters said no to legalization in 2018 (by contrast, medicinal use of marijuana was approved by the voters in 2010). Like it was in 2018, the effort to legalize recreational marijuana is overwhelmingly funded by marijuana dispensaries.

AFHE exists to support home education because children are important. They are so important that parents make tremendous sacrifices to give their child the best education at home they possibly can. Ultimately, we are not persuaded that legalizing recreational marijuana use in Arizona will help children in any way. And there are many ways that it could be harmful. Take these examples:

• In the states that have legalized marijuana, use by people younger than 21 has risen dramatically.
• The human brain is still developing until the early-to-middle twenties and marijuana use has been shown to stunt and impair that development.
• Prop. 207 would decrease the penalties for underage use of recreational marijuana, sending the message that it is not a big deal and fueling a culture of underage use.
• Prop. 207 places strict limits on law enforcement’s ability to stop impaired driving.
• Many neighborhoods will have a surge in marijuana growing, because HOA’s will no longer be permitted to place restrictions on marijuana home growth.
• In other states, recreational marijuana has adversely impacted the availability of marijuana for medical reasons such as chronic pain.

As a final matter, Prop. 207  will take away the ability of lawmakers to make changes to its provisions–even for emergent priorities like public safety, public health, or financial downturns. This problematic feature of our state Constitution that hamstrings the ability of our elected representatives to respond to our needs is known as “voter protection.” Voter protection is a good reason to be wary of any law proposed at the ballot.

For more information on what is at stake in the vote on Prop. 207 please visit www.no207az.com. However you come down on this issue, and on the other decisions on the ballot in 2020, we wish you the best as you exercise the wonderful privilege of voting, and demonstrate civic engagement and responsibility to the young learners in your home.

Peter Gentala
Board President