Thirty years ago, it would have been hardtoimagine a day when the U.S Secretary of Education would recognize home education and the value of its contribution to our
country in any public way.
But that is exactly what happened last
September when U.S. Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, called Christian Home
Educators of Colorado (CHEC) and expressed a desire to meet with Colorado
homeschoolers as part of her six-state Rethink School tour.
Secretary DeVos made it clear that she
wanted the occasion to be more than a
meet-and-greet. She wanted to have time
to sit and hear the stories and perspectives
that homeschool families had to share!
The staff and volunteer team at CHEC
flew into action in order to make Secretary
DeVos’ request a reality, working through
the many logistics involved in arranging
an event that was to include a high ranking
government official.
Paul Suarez of The Old Schoolhouse®
Magazine answered CHEC’s call and travelled to Colorado from Tennessee in order
to cover the occasion from the perspective
of a major homeschool publication.
CHEC gathered a number of representa-
tive families from across Colorado to the
home of Dale and Lisa Johnson of Littleton,
CO, where a delightful backyard BBQ (a
request of the Secretary’s office) had been
prepared.
Over dinner, DeVos answered questions
and listened intently as homeschool parents, students, and graduates shared why
they are grateful for homeschooling and
how it has impacted their families.
Secretary DeVos communicated strong
support for the homeschool movement
which is also evident by her choice to
homeschool two of her own daughters.
One of the homeschool dads present
expressed his concern over vouchers for
homeschoolers because of the threat they
present of increased regulation. Secretary
Homeschooling Support
Christian Home Educators of Colorado
and The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine
meet U.S. Secretary of Education,
Betsy DeVos
by Stephen Craig
Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos with Stephen Craig (left) and The Old Schoolhouse® Publisher Paul Suarez (right)
She wanted to have time to sit and hear the stories and
perspectives that homeschool families had to share!
