In state after state, the School Choice movement is being pushed as the answer educational freedom for families. The reality is that School Choice initiatives not only don’t deliver on their promises, but they are a threat to homeschool freedoms. You have probably heard statements like these:
“We need school choice!”
“The money should follow the student!”
“They’re my tax dollars!”
“If you don’t want regulations, just don’t take the money!”
OCEANetwork Board member Tauna Meyer addresses these statements and shares why School Choice initiatives and government funding of private education is NOT the answer. Learn about the blessings of true homeschool freedom for families and how, by the grace of God, we can protect those freedoms for generations to come. 

School Choice Resources

School Choice Session Notes

Government, history, economics…these topics usually put students AND parents to sleep, yet they are some of the most important things we’ll teach if we expect the next generation to be good citizens and preserve the republic. In this presentation, Rick shares tips and methods for bringing history and civics to life, keeping it fun, engaging the students, seeking truth, and making the lessons count for generations to come.

In this session, Jeff and Wes discuss why a revival of Civics and Constitutional education for our children is key to a bright future for America. You will receive tools to immediately implement strategies and learning opportunities for your students.

In this session, join us as we discuss why a revival of Civics and Constitutional education for our children is key to a bright future for America. You will come away with tools to immediately implement strategies and learning opportunities for your students.

America’s exceptionalism encompasses great diversity of race, ethnicity, and religion, and has benefited every American. For several decades of indoctrination in both education and politics, we have been taught America's flaws but little of its matchless benefits. Five principles set forth in the Declaration of Independence have produced blessings for America. Discover these principles and learn what every citizen can do to restore America.

Hear a brief history of how and when homeschooling became legal in Oregon from those who have been involved "from the beginning," find out why OCEANetwork is so vigilant about protecting and advancing homeschool freedoms in Oregon, and get your questions answered about homeschool notification, testing, and homeschooling students with disabilities.

Religion, morality, and knowledge have formed the core elements of American education for four centuries, but in recent decades a secularized approach to education has gained prominence. This workshop discusses the effects of both religious and secular philosophies and presents stories of early American heroes in the field of education.

In the light of some recent high-profile abuse cases by alleged homeschool families, legislatures have responded by attempting to restrict homeschool freedoms. California and Hawaii are recent examples where homeschoolers have responded in large numbers to protect their homeschool freedoms. Why? Homeschool freedom gives flexibility to families allowing them to customize education to fit their children's needs. Hear why protecting homeschool freedom is so important to your family and to the OCEANetwork, what Oregonians might expect from the upcoming legislative session, and what we can do about it. Bring your questions for this panel consisting of the OCEANetwork Freedom Watch Team members.

What should civil government’s role be in protecting our homeschooled children? What should our response be to government intervention or to legislation creating pre-emptive dragnets to try to catch parents before they do evil things to their children? Dr. Ray will lay out core scriptural principles to answer these questions. He will also explain the findings of his brand-new study showing that the degree of state regulation (control) of homeschooling is not related to the frequency of abuse of homeschool children. Further, evidence suggests that public school children are at greater risk of abuse and other harm than are the home educated. Inform yourself with statistics and biblical philosophy!

A serious but entertaining look at HSLDA’s recent cases and why they are important to you and your homeschool. You’ll want to hear about the Case of the Miscreated Court, the Case of the Rotten Big Apple, and the Case of the Caseworker’s Monumental Miscalculation. With over 15 years’ experience representing homeschooling families around the country, Jim has a unique, up-close perspective on trends, emerging issues, and what the future holds for homeschool freedom.

Freedom isn’t free! Hear the stories and rejoice in God’s grace as one of Oregon’s home education pioneers hits the high points starting with a significant Supreme Court ruling in Pierce v. Society of Sisters, and moving through the last 35 years of more recent challenges and victories.

Learn from the past and be reminded of the stone memorials erected along the way (Joshua 4:6) In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them... Join us to hear the stories of men and women that God used like Pastor Dennis Tuuri, Representative Charles Star, lobbyist Rodger Williams, hearings Officer “Les” and congressional aid Lisa Bart. Remember the days of old, Consider the years of all generations. Ask your father, and he will inform you, Your elders, and they will tell you. (NAS Deuteronomy 32:7)

This message was recorded at a different conference - contents are the same. - - Homeschooling freedom stands on two essential pillars of freedom: the right of parents to direct the upbringing, education, and care of their children, and the free exercise of religion. Yet only one of these freedoms—religious liberty—is explicitly guaranteed in the United States Constitution, and both freedoms are under attack. Jim recently became as president of ParentalRights.org after its founder (and Jim’s mentor) Michael Farris moved to Alliance Defending Freedom in order to focus more exclusively on religious freedom. Jim has taken up the challenge of explicitly including parental rights in the Constitution. HSLDA and ParentalRights.org believe children are best served when parents are empowered to act in their children’s best interests without undue interference from the state. Come and hear about what it takes to change the Constitution—and how you can help.

Parental rights and religious freedom are the two pillars of the constitutional right of parents to teach their children at home. But today homeschooling freedoms are in jeopardy. This session shows how growing opposition to homeschooling by the intellectual elites is based on a belief that the state, not the parents, has the exclusive right and responsibility to educate children. Homeschoolers are in their crosshairs and we are clearly at risk.

"Be not deceived. God is not mocked. Whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap” (Gal. 6:7). In this wonderful time of raising godly families, when we see excitement in the eyes of our youngsters and new learning is just around each corner, we sometimes forget who is in control. It’s not the government, contrary to what they tell you. God is not mocked! If we believe the heresy that comes from the White House, or the lies that are spewed from the liberal media, we may try to “give in” just to “get along.” Don’t! Hear Dick speak with the experience of three decades of leadership. Whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap.

Common Core, No Child Left Behind, Goals 2000, and, by the way, have you forgotten about the Seven Cardinal Principles? Presumptuous planners, nationalists, and philosopher-kings have another plan for “all our children.” Dr. Brian Ray addresses the most fundamental reason why every parent should care about Common Core State Standards that has hit hard the educational scene. What should homeschoolers, scripturalists (i.e., Christians) and liberty lovers do about this, if anything? If you do not want your children to be a part of this educational bandwagon and you do not want to waste your time jumping into bandwagon reactionism, come hear Dr. Ray.

Hear how the Supreme Court and our nation’s lower courts are failing to hold parental rights to the same legal standard as fundamental rights like speech and press, and how European court decisions on children’s rights are influencing our U.S. judicial system. Michael Farris describes threats to parental rights that involve the political right, political left, and international law, and proposes a solution that will be the battle of the century for homeschoolers and other pro-family forces.

Michael Farris, one of the outstanding constitutional lawyers of our time, discusses the importance of knowing the content and purpose of the founding documents of our country, and how that can impact our interpretation of issues today.

The first two waves of attacks on homeschooling were essentially based on lies. You won’t succeed academically. Your kids won’t be socialized. We proved them wrong twice. The third wave is fundamentally different. It accuses: you will teach your kids that Christianity is the only true religion. This attack is true. Michael Farris examines the newest anti-homeschooling strategy of the legal elites, explains how it will impact us today and tomorrow, and outlines a plan of action.

If this is your first year or your fifteenth year home educating, the future begins today. Mr. Karman is chairman of the Board of OCEANetwork and brings you encouragement from more than 25 years of experience. Hear about the real hope and the assurance that God is in control of your future in home education. We may not know what tomorrow holds, but we know Who holds tomorrow. Homeschooll success isn't for yesterday, it's for tomorrow. Homeschool freedom isn't for us, it is for our children's children.

This workshop will discuss current federal legislation that HSLDA is tracking as well as the present administration's policy that could impact home education freedom and broader parental rights. HSLDA staff attorney Tj Schmidt will cover both negative and positive federal bills that could have a national impact on homeschoolers as well as policy initiatives that the Obama administration has specifically championed.

Entropy is true, even with regards to Parental Rights (PR). The "From Order to Disorder" of PR over the last 200 years has suffered from destructive energy and the threatening U.N Treaty "Convention on the Rights of the Child" looms to destroy Parental Rights as God has intended them. We must exercise the stewardship God has granted us and through constructive energy, like support of the Parental Rights Amendment, to rebuild the pillar of Parental Rights in our society. There will be plenty of time for Q & A.

Parental rights and religious freedom have been the two foundations to establish a constitutional right for parents to teach their children at home. The U.S. Supreme Court some years back weakened the free exercise of religion claim as a foundation for homeschooling so that in order for homeschoolers to claim a fundamental right to homeschool, they must be able to combine the free exercise right with the parental rights claim. In other words, both rights have to co-exist. Currently, this is not a problem, but because of the fragile nature of freedom, moral decay, complacency and apathy, homeschooling freedoms are in jeopardy. Additionally, since the parental rights foundational claim is an "implicit" right, not an "explicit" right (meaning parental rights is not specifically spelled out in the Constitution) parental rights as we know it today is teetering and could be in trouble in the future. Mike will explain why parental rights are under attack and provide a solution on how we can maintain the current freedoms we have to teach our children at home.

A California court with one ruling outlaws homeschooling in California stating that Parental Rights are not found in the U.S. Constitution. The U.N. Treaty on the Rights of the Child threatens the right of parents to direct the education and upbringing of their children. What can we do as parents to protect our rights to raise our children?

Dick Karman presents a short update on homeschool freedom, a reminder of God's providence in the past, and a recap of the 2007 legislative session, along with a heart-felt look at home education a decade from now.

Dick Karman presents a short update on homeschool freedom, a reminder of God's providence in the past, and a call to be prepared for the 2007 legislative session, along with a heart-felt look at home education a decade from now.

Dr. Ray's major new study examines the lives of 7,306 adults from across the United States who were homeschooled. This research, a long time in the making, focuses on these adults' general demographics, attitudes toward their own home-school experience, and success in life. Success was evaluated with respect to civic, social, educational, employment, and worldview traits. In many ways, they are very "normal". On the other hand, they are remarkably different than the general U.S. population. Generally speaking, the findings defuse many of the long-held negative criticisms of those who doubted homeschooling's benefits, whether practiced in the U.S. or other nations. And the findings will likely be a great encouragement to those parents and advocates of home-based education over the past two decades.

Maintaining the freedom to home educate in Oregon has required constant vigilance. Hear the stories of the faithfulness of God throughout the years as homeschool parents have fought to protect their right to homeschool their children.

Lures abound to sidetrack homeschooling parents. One is the fast-growing nationwide promise of “free,” state-run, “home” school programs to “help” you educate your children. Dr. Ray will challenge you to consider the paramount importance of who should be in authority over what is taught to the minds and hearts of children. Related to tax-funded programs, there are (1) subtle and negative practical consequences of enrolling your children in them, (2) serious problems from the perspective of a liberty-loving republic such as the United States, and (3) contradictions to a biblical worldview that demands parents and private associations be the main educators of children. Dr. Ray is convinced this is one of the most urgent issues with which homeschoolers should grapple during the next several years.

"I'm from the government schools and I have some 'free' curriculum, computers, and programs for you." Does this make you jump for glee, or does it make your hair on the back of your neck start to twinge? Every Christian needs to consider the principles of scripture and what makes a liberty-loving nation succeed before accepting such "free" services of handouts. The spreading practice of charter schools, virtual schools, and other permutations of state-run schooling-at-home that is marketed to current and perspective homeschoolers is one of the most serious issues facing the parent-lead home-based education movement in America. Dr. Ray will challenge you to go deeper and face the realities of what and why you believe and do what you do as you model courageous living for your children and adult peers.