Homeschooling Freedoms Debated in Missouri Education Bill
Concerns raised over potential legal implications and advocacy group influence on proposed legislation.
Missouri SB727 Education Bill Raises 2nd Amendment Concerns
The letter below was shared by Catherine Dreher @CDreher4Liberty on X, Jared M. Schneider of Schneider Law, makes the argument that Courts can and probably will decide that since Home Schools are defined as a Schools by SB727, then the statute that prevents a gun from being within 1000 feet of a school will apply. When a Legislator tries to say the Bill doesn’t need amended because no Court will try to use the law like this, you have to ask if the legislator is gullible or trying to distract their constituents. Contact your local representative. In Christian County, you should reach out to Jamie Gragg and Bob Titus who are in the House and encourage them to vote against it as it’s now in the House for a vote. For the Senate, contact Mike Moon and thank him for voting no on this bill.
Dave Roland also wrote about the problems with SB727 in regards to the 2nd Amendment. His arguments can be found here. Roland is the Director of Litigation and co-founder of the Freedom Center of Missouri.
He says that while the courts shouldn’t take away 2nd Amendment rights, “Missouri courts routinely find ways of interpreting those provisions in ways that are hostile to this constitutional right. Simply put, even if the legislature has the best of intentions when ti comes to securing this right, it would be exceedingly unwise to make any statutory changes that could even conceivably be read as expanding governmental authority to restrict law-abiding citizens’ possessions and use of firearms [italics his].” He then goes on to talk about a real world example with Amendment 5, which we ratified in 2015. I strongly suggest you go to the link above and read through his arguments.
In other words, while legislators wants us to act as if the courts are trustworthy and will act in ways that are idealistic, he argues that in reality the court acts against our rights and in particular against this right often. The courts aren’t friendly neighbors, but hostile ideologues. I would add some of our legislators and the lobbyists who are crafting SB727 know this.
Senator Mike Moon’s Response
I reached out to Senator Mike Moon’s office and his office responded.
Senator Mike Moon stated, “SB violates the MO constitution, Article III, sections 21/23 (single subject requirement).
The bill’s original purpose was relating to educational scholarships. The bill’s purpose was changed to relating to elementary and secondary education in order to allow for the inclusion of 21 additional bills (as amendments).
I believe there are numerous problems resulting from the ‘extras’. For example, the base teacher salary is subject to appropriation. I would bet that, if the bill passes, teachers across the state will jump for joy at the notion that more pay will follow soon after. However, if no funds are available for the increase, much disappointment may result.
Also, the change in the definition of a home school puts at risk the parent’s ability to own firearms. While I agree with those who say that the government will likely not enforce the statute, what could happen with a more liberal administration? If there is the slightest risk, the problem should be fixed.
There’s more, but finally for now, the total cost has not been fully determined. The range is between $400-$800 million.
With just two more noes from Republicans, the bill would have died.
The House could amend the bill (and send it back to the Senate), vote it down, or not bring it up at all.”
Voting Patterns and Advocacy in Missouri Education Legislation
Here is how the vote went on the 3rd reading in the Senate for SB727. Senator Moon voted No, but look at how many people voted Yes who call themselves Republicans. 19 Republicans voted for it. 5 Republicans didn’t even show up or abstained so they could get protection.
Who is pressuring this vote? Americans for Prosperity is making a push for bills like this across the country, not just in Missouri. Why? What do they gain by having so much control over education of Home Schoolers? They aren’t doing it for the benefit of Home Schoolers. Someone behind them is going to benefit. They are acting as the PR firm of either a governmental agency or a business interest. And there is so much money as stake, they will spend anything to get it to pass.
Impacts of Arizona School Voucher Program
In Arizona, School Vouchers passed and it’s been a nightmare for the state. According to the Beth Lewis and Dr. Sharon Kirsh who wrote an article in the Georgia Recorder, here are some of the results:
“Vouchers hurt Arizona’s economy: After universal expansion, ESA vouchers are on track to cost Arizona taxpayers over $900 million this school year — nearly 1400% higher than initially projected. The legislature could have used this funding for teacher and staff salary increases, building safety, 21st-century learning, and so much more. Instead, Arizona school districts are already looking at cuts and school
Welfare for the wealthy: Universal ESA vouchers are primarily claimed by families whose children were already in private school and could already afford this option; now, these vouchers represent an entirely new cost to the state.
Arizona’s vouchers have no accountability: Unlike other states, Arizona’s universal vouchers have little to no transparency to taxpayers, zero academic accountability, and zero safety standards. There are no requirements to teach state standards, conduct background checks on teachers or tutors, or ensure site safety — meaning children will inevitably get hurt.
Vouchers hurt rural and low-income students: ESA vouchers are primarily claimed by more affluent families in wealthier zip codes and are concentrated in large, suburban areas. This robs funds from low-income and rural communities, leaving them behind.
With vouchers, students lose protections: ESA vouchers require parents to sign away federal rights, including protections for special education students, and are leading to many instances of state-funded discrimination against LGBTQ students, English Language Learners, and students with disabilities.”
While I don’t agree with all of their points, since they have a bias, School Vouchers put conservatives in league with radical and woke teacher unions. Politics sometimes makes strange bedfellows.
Proposal to End Public Education Funding
School Vouchers are another social program. It doesn’t matter if it’s a social program for something I care about like Home Schooling, it’s still a social program. One could argue that we are paying for education for some and not paying for education for others. I would argue that we should stop paying for education for all children.
That’s the crazy opinion of a radical conservative. Run for the hills, Mabel! Hear me out before you do. One of the problems with education is the cost of it. It’s far higher than what is necessary. Many home schooling families somehow manage to educate their children to higher standards all the time so that they excel at scores. They are 15-25 percentile points higher consistently across the board.
They also do it at a lower cost. The Federal Government pays over $16K a year per pupil. The average cost for homeschooling is $500 to $2500. The list I linked to also includes average costs for several types of education.
Cost, Accountability, and Government Role in K-12 Education
I think we would all be better off letting families educating their own children. I know this isn’t ideal for every family and some families would have to hire educators to teach for them. Some of them would be wealthy and create private schools. Some of them would have to be funded through Churches or Charities.
However, if the Government would simply give up taxing us for education we would have the funds to educate our own children.
Without School Vouchers. Without Lobbyists with nefarious agendas. Without having to depend on College-Indoctrinated teachers trying to brainwash our children.
No more School Boards that we couldn’t get answers from and no more Non-Governmental Organizations that try to infiltrate our schools with their woke Agendas and Marxist Ideologies. The thing is, if we keep on the path we are on of spending money towards insane bankruptcy, we will end up with school systems like I have described anyways.
The thing is if we go to them now, we short-circuit the bankruptcy and fall into ruin—we can restore our nation without all the pain that is coming our way. If you disagree with me, join hands with Americans for Prosperity. If you believe we can restore our nation, then it’s time for radical, but peaceful, ideas that we can put into action.
They always dangle the money and once you are hooked it’s too late.