(UPDATE 10/16/18 SEE BELOW)
With the economy being the way it is, most of us could use some extra income. That makes the idea of being paid to homeschool our children pretty tempting, at least at first.
After all, if we weren’t homeschooling our children, we could be out in the workforce bringing in some much-needed income. I once worked out that by staying home to homeschool my kids, I’ve missed out on over a million dollars in income. I guess you have to be really convinced about the superiority of homeschooling to give up that kind of money.
In New Zealand, the government actually pays parents to homeschool their children. It’s not a fortune: the pay starts at $743 per year for the first child, with lesser amounts for additional children. But it would cover a nice quantity of books, software and field trips, that’s for sure.
The writer of the New Zealand article I just linked to thinks we need a program like this in the U.S. I don’t agree. The problem with taking money from the government is that you open yourself up to being told what to do and how to do it. This is the same danger that many people ignore regarding state-run virtual schools.
There’s an old saying: “He who pays the piper calls the tune.” It’s true of employers, and it’s also true of governments. I don’t want government money. I just want to be free to choose how to educate my kids.
Do you feel the same way? Or are you ready for a paycheck?
UPDATE 10/16/18: In the eight (!) years since I wrote this post, I believe it’s become even harder for families to live on one income, because housing and health insurance costs have skyrocketed. That’s why I imagine the desire to be paid to homeschool is greater than ever, because it’s so hard for one parent to stay home. That said, a split schedule where one parent works while the other homeschools the kids may be your best option if you live in an area with a very high cost of living. Ultimately, getting paid to homeschool your children would still be a risky proposition because you’re letting the government tell you what to do.
I agree with you. I’d be really hesitant to take government money for homeschooling my children.
I do wish that I could keep some of my own money (actually, my husband’s since he is the earner 🙂 ) that I pay in taxes to the local school district. But even a refund or rebate of our own money would be considered a benefit from the government and thus strings could be attached.
Cyber-charter schools are really popular around here. It would be nice to get a “free” laptop for each of my kids. I could buy my kids laptops, if my property taxes weren’t so high!
You know, only this past I had been considering the possibility of lobbying our State Government to allocate funding for registered home schooling children. My alternate plan, though, was to have it directed either to libraries local to the children or to form a specialist library for parents to use funds to acquire books, science equipment etc on an ‘annual loan’ basis (for free) and then return it for the use of home educators to come. It would cut our costs significantly if we knew there was a budget there that we could spend guilt free and that it would benefit those that come after us also.
That said, I would never want cash in my pocket and, the big concern is, the possibility that less equipped parents (read: parents with bigger problems) taking their kids out of school for an extra handout. One of the big things about our home schooling community is that we want to maintain a ‘beyond reproach’ standing in the community so that we can continue to home educate without fear.
Oh Margaret, I hear you about wanting some of that tax money back. In the 19 years we homeschooled in IL, our property taxes went from $3600 to $6200…..I’d love even a portion of that back!
Kristy, your alternate plan is a reality. Public libraries can get grants to set up homeschool resource centers. You can read about a great one here: http://barbarafrankonline.com/articles/a-homeschool-moms-paradise.php
“He who pays the piper calls the tune.” Exactly! When you look at the history of homeschooling in states where there was little regulation and then govt money was allowed (whether tax credits, tax cuts, or stipends), the results were always less freedom for the homeschoolers.
You figured the income you lost. Mine would have been about the same. The other astounding figure is what I saved the taxpayers: approx $900,000. That’s six kids homeschooled all the way through, some of whom would receive special-ed services. Seems like all those folks who look down on homeschooling might be a bit more appreciative of the benefit to their pocketbooks!
No kidding, Susan. With 3X as much federal money supposedly spent on kids with special needs, I’d say we saved the taxpayer a nice chunk of change. However, we probably shouldn’t hold our collective breath waiting for our thank-you notes.
Well-said. I, too, just want the freedom to choose how to educate my own children, and to preserve that right for our grandchildren on down.
I’d love the money. But the strings attached? Not worth it. Thanks for submitting this to the carnival of homeschooling.
I would like to be able to opt out of the portion of taxes that pay for our schools. I wouldn’t want to get paid by the government because I wouldn’t want to be beholden to them for what I teach my children
Agreed, Jeri…..preserving that right may become a battle at some point, so we need to be vigilant.
You’re welcome, Sarah. Looking forward to the carnival.
Barrie, that tax money is pretty much wasted, that’s for sure. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
I’d like to see funding for the public schools cut and that money be transferred to educational opportunities for the whole community. Things like parks and recreation centers (including art classes and such that many offer), public libraries and computer labs. These are things that homeschool families, adults that have gaps and public school families that want to supplement their child’s education could all use.
I have often heard cries from the general public that we should be held accountable because we have chosen to teach our kids at home, but what is forgotten is that the reason we hold our schools accountable is because public schools are funded by taxpayers. I’ve continuously had this argument with my father. He feels the government should pay me for teaching my kids at home. If the taxpayers are funding me, they want proof I’m doing a good job. I already resent the fact that I have to report to my NY school district. (We receive no benefits in our highly regulated state.) Why would I want to give the government a reason to insist on proof that I am teaching my own?
Judi, it would sure be nice, but I think it’s quite a ways off, especially since many people are having such a hard time paying their property taxes as it is.
Cristina, why do people want the government to keep an eye on us anyways? Govt. keeps an eye on the public schools as they continue to decline, so it’s not like government oversight is worth anything. I’m with you.