I wrote this in response to a constituent who was concerned about State and Federal regulations on parents who homeschool their children. Recently there have been some significant regulations on this issue that have come out of the State of California requiring parents who homeschool to obtain teaching certificates and other restrictions. The text of the letter, with the actual question and answer, are below:

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to answer some questions in regard to how I feel about Homeschooling and my positions on Education. I salute all parents like yourself that take educating their children seriously enough to accept the challenge of homeschooling. I will take them in the order received:

1. To what extent do you support parental choice in regards to education?

I believe that the parent has every right to determine how their child is to be educated, whether that be in the public school system, in private or parochial school, or whether by schooling their child at home with the parent as the instructor.

2. Do you support the annual registration of homeschoolers in Nevada?

I do not believe that this is necessary. The superintendent of the school district or other authorized person may need to be informed of a homeschooled child to allow for participation in extracurricular activities within the public school district as provided by Nevada Law. I firmly believe that there does not need to be any regulated registration of the parents who decide that homeschooling is their best option, nor any necessity for said parents to meet state mandated teaching guidelines.

3. Do you believe homeschoolers should be subject to standardized testing?

No, subjecting homeschooled students to standardized testing is entirely unnecessary. It is an infringement on the spirit of what homeschooling is trying to accomplish, which is parental control over their child’s education. Home schooled students should be allowed access to all college entrance exams through the local school district as allowed by Nevada State Law, such as the SAT and ACT.

4. Do you support a tax credit/rebate to homeschooling families?

I most certainly support a tax credit for homeschooling families.

5. Anything else to add or could you provide a short overview of your stance on education:

As Congressman, I would be in favor of the elimination of the Federal Department of Education and elimination of No Child Left Behind, to be replaced by local and state level control of Education. I believe that returning authority to the schools at a local level will improve schooling for all students being educated in the public system. Let the parents in the community have the input on how their children should be educated. Federal and State Government should mandate as little regulation as possible on parents who wish to homeschool their children.

It is my feeling that homeschooled children are more likely to succeed, get much more individualized teaching, and are more prepared to meet the challenges of college and adult life. I look forward to continuing this conversation, and please do not hesitate to contact me with any other questions you may have!!

Most Sincerely,

James Smack
Republican Candidate for Congress
Nevada Congressional District 2
http://www.jamessmack.com/