Nevada Homeschool Network

IMPORTANT HOMESCHOOL VS VIRTUAL SCHOOL HISTORY IN NV

A smidge of history pertaining to the lines drawn between homeschooling and NV charter schools which offer distance education. (And why I believe even THEY would not want to be called homeschooling)

Way back in 2001, there were 7ish charter schools in NV and MANY of them operated virtually. The public was very confused about the difference between homeschooling and being enrolled in a school, done from home.

This then confused legislators when they heard, "I'm homeschooling through Odyssey", or "I'm homeschooling through Nevada Virtual Academy".

Remember, charter schools were new, and people were questioning should they even be funded as a public school.

In 2001 Senator Terry Care brought forth SB399- a bill creating charter school requirements, how they are accountable etc. One of his presentation pieces was a graph that showed the different educational options, and their corresponding funding and accountability. He was showing how different homeschooling is from a virtual school, done at home. These virtual schools wanted the funding and had to fight for it.

In his bill, it went so far as to say homeschoolers (students exempt from compulsory attendance) were ineligible to enroll in virtual charter schools. Meaning, you were one or the other, but not both. NHN strongly supported this. The bill was passed and it was the start of some clarity of educational options in NV.

While the charter schools wanted that funding, and were the originators in saying Homeschooling is NOT Virtual Charter Schooling, they continued to use the word homeschooling. They advertised to homeschoolers, they had tv ads telling people they could homeschool through their school.

Over the years more and more charters were trying to open in NV and the opinion of Virtual Education was tanking. It was imperative that homeschoolers kept their option safe and separate.

Nevada Homeschool Network has continually held that a separation of options is important for all involved. Not just schools, but parents and legislators. We began using Senator Care's chart as a speaking point and as a way of strengthening our argument why homeschoolers should NOT have government regulation, while THEY were using it for why THEY should get funding.

When NV formed it's State Public Charter School Authority Board- charged with opening high quality charter schools in the state of NV, we knew it was important to have homeschool representation. To that end, Elissa Wahl was appointed by then Governor Sandoval to serve as a board member, for 5 years.

I am glad to say, all those years were well spent. Charter schools were seen as equals to the district schools and received funding, and opened many more seats to kids. And homeschooling in NV, as you may know, was created under the law as a separate option with no governmental interference.

So, while I have finished with my 30 year homeschooling journey, I will continue to educate people with the history and the reasons why we need separation between options.

As the school year ends and you're looking for an educational option for next year- let us help! We offer consulting for families looking into homeschooling, families already homeschooling, families burnt out by homeschooling, etc etc. [https://elissawahl.com/](https://elissawahl.com/)

1 hr phone/zoom calls on the following topics:
New To Homeschooling
How To Make A Transcript
Encouragement/Confidence Builder
Local Resources
Educational Philosophies/Learning Styles
Incorporating Hands-On Learning Into Your Homeschool
Can I Homeschool My Special Needs Child?
Homeschooling Preschoolers

About Elissa Wahl
Elissa is a long time homeschool mom and an education advocate. In addition to co-authoring Christian Unschooling : Growing Your Children in the Freedom of Christ, Elissa is active in advocating for educational options. In 2001 she co-founded Nevada Homeschool Network, NV’s only homeschool advocacy organization, in 2009 she co-founded RISE Education Resource Center, and in 2012 she was appointed to the State Public Charter School Authority. Elissa has a wide range of knowledge about educational options and specifically homeschooling.

Elissa is untiring in her effort to educate the community about homeschooling. She has mentored thousands of families over the years on everything from homeschooling laws to how-to's, to record keeping. She has spoken at Moms groups, homeschool support groups, churches, homeschool conferences and more.

Elissa's biggest desire is to keep homeschooling in NV free from government regulation and to make sure every parent knows about homeschooling as an option.

Elissa has valuable information to share and willingly does so.

I, and many others, have fought for decades for our incredible nv homeschooling laws.

There are 3 major segments of people that get homeschooling in the legislator's and public's minds......

1) US!! Homeschooling parents who have chosen to direct their children's education. We're active, concerned and trying to do right. There's SOOOOOOOO many of us!!!

2) CPS- negligent families filing to homeschool. I am not willing to fight for more stringent laws because of bad parents. My parental rights should not be based on another person's ability or lack there of to parent. But there are people truly abusing our homeschooling laws.

3) Sports parents- Do you know...15 years ago, the NIAA held a stance that homeschoolers shouldn't be allowed to play? They BEGRUDGINGLY allowed us to try out for public school teams. They continually blocked us on private school teams.

Now, tides are turning and there are coaches telling parents to use our homeschooling laws in order to "red shirt" their athletes. ( Redshirt- is a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen their period of eligibility.") This most often presents as " hold your kid back in 8th grade so they can play 4 years at an older age". This is an abuse of our homeschooling laws.


Scenarios 2 & 3 are NOT what we've spent our time fighting for. It is NOT the intent of all the work we did to create an atmosphere of freedom so that your individual child can be taught as you, the parent, direct.

ACTION POINTS
Don't be a #2 or #3
Be a #1 and maybe even get your positive stories about homeschooling out in front of the legislators to combat and .

Nevada Homeschool Network does not stand by the misuse of our homeschooling laws, yet we remain diligent in fighting for our homeschooling freedoms.

Elissa Wahl

Whistle-Stop Tour with Andrew Pudewa

In political campaigns of yesteryear when locomotives were the most common means of transportation, whistle-stop tours crisscrossed the country. National figures used these tightly scheduled opportunities to give speeches to many new audiences at train stations along their route.

The mission of state organizations is critical to the continued legality and liberty of homeschooling in Nevada, and while no locomotives (or train stations) will be involved, we hope that you will find a renewed sense of purpose in homeschooling as you attend one of these events.

Reno- September 5, 2024

Las Vegas- September 7, 2024

Register below for the event closest to you.
https://nevadahomeschoolnetwork.com/whistle-stop-tour-with-andrew-pudewa/

Reminder- NV compulsory school age is now 6, instead of 7. That means if your 5 yr old turns 6 on or after July 1, 2024, you will need to file a Notice of Intent to Homeschool .

nevadahomeschoolnetwork.com

Reminder- NV compuslory school age is now 6, instead of 7. That means if your 5 yr old turns 6 on or after July 1, 2024, you will need to file a Notice of Intent to Homeschool .

nevadahomeschoolnetwork.com

Pershing County- your superintendent has been very responsive to the issues we've raised. Wording is being changed now and no more names will be listed in the board agendas!!!

Smaller counties- please make sure YOU know the law so YOU can advocate for it! If there's something going on, please let Nevada Homeschool Network know!

Homeschooling High Schoolers Workshop
Friday 7pm-8:30

It's back!! Are you homeschooling for the long haul? Homeschooling a teen? Just want to know about homeschooling highschoolers- come to this workshop to learn about laws and resources!

Register even if you can't attend- I send the video out to everyone afterwards!

Record Keeping & Transcripting Class- Homeschooling High Schoolers Learn all you need to know about homeschooling for the high school years.

We had a great talk with your superintendent today regarding listing homeschoolers names in the school board agenda. He will be speaking with the district's attorney about this. Hopefully they will all agree this could be a detrimental practice and stop.

It's tonight!!!!

This month's Intro to Homeschooling!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/855010829407?aff=oddtdtcreator
Register even if you can't attend- I record it and send it to you after the meeting!!

Intro to Homeschooling March 8 New to homeschooling, thinking about it, or just need some encouragement? This is the workshop for you!

Would love to have more people sign up for tonight's Homeschooling Highschoolers= Record Keeping/Transcripts/Diplomas

Via zoom. Register even if you can't attend. Recording gets sent to you at the end of the evening!

Record Keeping & Transcripting Class- Homeschooling High Schoolers Learn all you need to know about homeschooling for the high school years.

Volunteer Opportunity

From: Michael Silvio [email protected]

Subject: Campaign Opportunities Available

Message Body:

To whom it may concern,

My name is Michael Silvio and I am the Caucus Director for the Donald Trump Campaign for President. We are currently in search of volunteers and interns on the campaign. We have many opportunities available, if you have any members that are interested feel free to have your members reach out to me. Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you!

Best,

Michael Silvio