BE INVOLVED! BE INFORMED!
ATTEND OKLAHOMA HOME EDUCATORS’ CAPITOL DAY
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2008
Our Founding Fathers believed that an active and informed citizenry could prosper under a system of self-government. The Constitution they adopted to "secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity" is still the law of the land.
As home educators we must actively and continually hold the line of liberty that has been won over many years of legal battles. Our vigilance today will allow us to pass that liberty on to another generation.
Since the Oklahoma state constitution guarantees the right to home educate, there have been fewer battles here than in other states. However, groups such as the National Education Association, which enacts a resolution every summer calling for the restriction of homeschooling, are alive and well in national and state government. Opponents to homeschooling surface on a regular basis.
In the early days of the modern homeschooling movement the "education experts" said homeschooling couldn't possibly work, but as the evidence of homeschool success has mounted, these experts have adopted a new approach. They say, "Homeschooling is fine for some families, but it needs to be regulated to make sure the parents are properly qualified." The general public is more tolerant of homeschooling, but people still question whether a little more regulation is needed. According to a 1999 Phi Delta Kappan/Gallup poll, 92% of Americans believe homeschoolers should have to take the same tests that public school students take.
The importance of carefully watching potential legislation that could take away our liberties cannot be emphasized enough. Complacency, even in a "no regulation" state like Oklahoma, is far from wise.
Homeschoolers have proven themselves to be most effective citizens by participating in the legislative process and letting their voice be heard. By writing letters, sending e-mails, and making phone calls, homeschoolers defend their liberty. Legislators rarely ignore the combined impact of aroused homeschoolers. However, we cannot overemphasize the importance of positive face-to-face communication. It is true that home educators can be very effective in talking to legislators or their staffs because unlike so many other constituents, we are not asking for benefits.
For these reasons we urge you to participate in Oklahoma Home Educators’ Capitol Day.
This is your day as a homeschool parent to make an investment in your family's future! Learn about issues and legislation that may affect home educators and cultivate a one-on-one relationship with your legislators. The better our legislators know us, the greater the likelihood that they will think of us the next time home education is mentioned and then choose to preserve our freedoms.
OCHEC sponsors Oklahoma Homeschool Capitol Day for all Oklahoma homeschoolers. Capitol Day is a great opportunity for home educators across the state to unite, appealing to and informing our legislators in a positive way about the benefits of home education. Together we can make a positive, combined impact for homeschooling in Oklahoma!
Thomas Jefferson said, "The price of freedom is eternal vigilance." We must be attentive to his words if we hope to pass our liberty on to another generation.
It is our sincere hope that these efforts will influence our legislators to maintain current laws relating to home education. We are looking forward to seeing each one of you at the capitol!
The OCHEC Board of Trustees