Homeschool Rally in Jefferson City, MO

We were able to travel to Jefferson City, Mo yesterday for an "emergency" homeschool rally. What a privilege for me to be able to take the children to such an event.

We were able to park only a few blocks from the capitol building.


Here are the children, dwarfed by the huge capitol building.


We all loved seeing the statues.



Thankfully, our homeschool lobbiest caught what appears to have been an oversight in committee and the legislators who were contacted about the problem in wording were happy to propose a favorible ammendment to S.B. 291.


I found myself humbled by the opportunity to be a part of such a large and passionate community of parents. In so many ways, I am reaping the fruit of huge sacrifices of parents who were committed to homeschooling before it was legal and accepted. While I have been home educating for 20ish years (If you count preschool! And I do count it) it is those who were committed to home schooling their children way back in the late 70s and early 80s who really fought the battles necessary for me to enjoy the educational and parenting freedoms that I do today.


About 2,000 of us cheered and prayed, hearts grateful for the Lord's mercy and thankful for the privilege to invest in our children in such ways~ not having to hide during the day or fear inprisonment. We are free to raise our children as the Lord leads us, to seek His best for each one of them, to care for them as no one else can (or should).

One item addressed by the ammendment was to define what a "high school credit" is. Public schools are required to provide 125 hours of instruction to equal 1 credit. Interestingly, even the NEA (National Education Association) agreed that the ammendment should clarify that only 100 hours would equal one credit for homeschoolers "because homeschooling is so much more effective." (!!!!)

The amended bill passed both the House and the Senate yesterday, on the 14th and is now on its way to the govenor's desk. A number of lesislators remarked that this was the largest group they had ever seen~ and capitol police remarked that it was an unusually polite group as well!


Tom was unable to get off work, so I took the children by myself (yep, all 10). I know that it is silly, but I am a little intimidated to take all of the children by myself and travel several hours away. But, I was brave (my good friend Justine also drove down in her car with her sweet children), the Lord was gracious and I (we) did it!

I didn't run out of gas, have a flat tire, get lost or have a desperate toddler wet himself either! We had fun on our little adventure.

Humbly serving,
Susan

*to read an article on FHE's website about the rally yesterday, click here and scroll down the home page.