Gov. Perry Encourages Home School Families [Address to Texas Home School Association]

Office of the Governor of Texas ^ | April 7, 2009 | Rick Perry

[casinva]

Tax-chick,

I was just reading an article yesterday about what you mentioned here. I couldn’t believe that either when I first heard about it, but a Pennsylvanian who lived in Pennsylvania when that happened clued me in on what the Santorums had done.

By the way, I home schooled all my children from the very beginning all the way up to when they each started college, and we have done whatever we needed to make sure we could do that, living on shoestring budgets, my husband working extra hard with second jobs so I would not have to work, etc. I know what you mean about standing on our own two feet to do the right thing.

That is why I was so surprised to hear when my friend from Pennsylvania had told me the Santorums had taken state money from Pennsylvania for reimbursements of a Pennsylvania-sponsored “virtual school” they enrolled their children in when they actually resided in Virginia and were not entitled to the state educational entitlements they took (the state reimbursements of $7,551 per child annually Pennsylvania had given to the Santorums for home schooling their children).

You mentioned that situation, but I wasn’t sure if you knew how it all ended. Pennsylvania took the Santorums to court over the funds they had taken, and it sounds like they settled. It did seem to be confusing in that they resided in Virginia but at least still owned a house in PA which they rented out. Maybe they just did not realize they were not allowed to take state funds from PA while they were living in VA.

Anyway, the parties did settle on that at least. Here is the article I was reading yesterday which I referenced which shows they did settle:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06245/718462-85.stm

[casinva]

Cincinatus’ Wife,

And I’ll add to you that Governor Rick Perry is absolutely loved by Texas home schoolers, and I can say that because we finished up our home schooling in Texas!

I’ll tell you there was a HUGE difference between home schooling in our old state of Virginia and home schooling in Texas. Texas really respects the God-given rights of parents. At one home school convention where Governor Perry was speaking, Governor Perry made the comment, “When you home school in Texas, the government STOPS at your front door.” It was really cool to hear our governor say that, and he has lived up to that, being a man who has aligned himself with home school leaders and has been one whom home school leaders and parents call upon when something seems amiss or could be better in the state. Governor Perry has always come through for the rights and lives of home school families.

Here is a youtube video of the Texas Home School Coalition which includes Tim Lambert, President of the THSC and a good Perry friend and associate... will show you what Texas home schoolers think of Governor Perry! http://youtu.be/vKRG3DDFM3o

And here is Governor Perry as the honored speaker for The Texas home School Coalition Convention: (This is in 2009.)

Part I: http://youtu.be/OCB-MvIOHa0

Part II: http://youtu.be/ZkIR7cfLV7E

Also, here is one of Rick Perry’s speeches in Austin where he speaking in honor of The Texas Home School Coalition: http://youtu.be/J4QChIZ9Lpc

Cincinatus’ Wife,

Thank you so much for posting an article specifically about home schooling. Not only did I home school (for a total of almost 25 years in total), but I was very involved directing and leading home school groups and helping home school families along the way because I really cared about home school children and families having the opportunity to have the best lives they could have as home schoolers. I worked a LOT for home school families, and I love them still. I am HONORED to now be in Rick Perry’s state where I have found the respect for those home school families that we had to fight so hard for in Virginia. Home schooling has been a huge part of my life - it still does in my heart - and my heart is jumping for joy you chose to post an article about both home schooling and Governor Perry. Thank you.

[Tax-chick]

I did see that the Santorums had reached an arrangement with the Pennsylvania school district ... but it’s still tacky. The average, honest person wouldn’t consider himself entitled to use public services in a place where he owns a rental house, so why should a Senator? My parents owned rental property in Texas, when I was a college student, but that didn’t get me in-state tuition in Texas.

I think that being in government tends to create a sense of entitlement, unless the person is truly committed to personal responsibility. Compare accepting education services on (at best) a technicality to Margaret Thatcher’s buying her own ironing board for 10 Downing Street because it was just going to cost too much, in her opinion, if it were charged to the household funds.

[casinva]

I’m with you on all you say Tax-chick.

First of all, I don’t think the Santorums should have been receiving $7,000 plus per child per year to home school to being with. The rest of us struggle to give our children something special. Whey did the Santorums have to get PAID to do so! Kind of belittles the beauty of loving your children enough to want to do this for them out of love, doesn’t it?

Secondly, it doesn’t seem right that they felt they could get state entitlements from PA for home schooling their children when they lived in Virginia and only owned rental property in PA.

As I mentioned earlier, it might be confusing for politicians who live in another state from which they represent, but then again, as you pointed out, they did not even keep their PA home to themselves and literally MOVED to Virgina. So, it does seem like they most likely should have known they shouldn’t have taken all that money.

For me though, I feel like a more honest person that I home schooled my children out of love and care for them and not for money. And I don’t care how much or little it would have been. I’m just glad I was blessed to home school our children!

Blessings to you now on your home school journey, by the way!

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Casinva — I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your contributions to this thread about home schooling and Gov. Rick Perry.

My hat is OFF to you on your choice to home school and for giving our country more (and certainly needed) well rounded, educated citizens.

I hope home schooling groups in states around the country will come out and support Rick Perry.

My best to you and your family.

[Tax-chick]

I’d accept a property-tax credit, if the state allowed it, as a reasonable tradeoff for not using the schools which are the county’s main budget item. (Since there’s no credit, I like to tell myself that my property taxes are paying for Sheriff’s Office personnel ;-). The county contributes to the community college, too, and we’ve got some use from that.

If people don’t mind the government’s controlling what their children learn, there’s nothing wrong with using “public school at home” programs. It’s especially helpful for families with concerns about socialization, but not curriculum content, and for students who have health problems. However, it certainly wouldn’t be appropriate for me to try to enroll the Horde in Florida’s virtual-school program, just because my parents live there and I’m their co-trustee!

It sounds as if you’ve done a great deal for the homeschooling movement! We’re in our 17th year, I think. North Carolina’s requirements aren’t bad, but Oklahoma was better!