Governor Proclaims Virginia Home Education Month
Posted on Feb 2 2011 in General by
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Governor Proclaims Virginia Home Education Month
Media Contact: Yvonne Bunn, Director of Homeschool Support, Home Educators Association of Virginia, 804-278-9200, www.HEAV.org/media
Richmond, VA, February 2 – At the request of the Home Educators Association of Virginia (HEAV), Governor Robert F. McDonnell has proclaimed the month of February 2011 as Virginia Home Education Month.*
After acknowledging both parents’ final authority and responsibility “for the care, upbringing and choice of education for their children” and the proven status of home education as an educational alternative, the governor’s certificate of recognition officially recognizes home educators and home-educated children “for their contribution to the diversity and quality of education in this great Commonwealth.”
How many homeschoolers are in Virginia? According to the Virginia Department of Education, more than 31,900 students are now being homeschooled in the Commonwealth, which represents a 45.2% increase since 2002.**
“Families are embracing home education for a variety of reasons,” says HEAV president Anne Miller, who has successfully homeschooled eight children, several of whom have gone on to become engineers, with one currently working on his Ph.D. “Homeschooling allows parents to customize their child’s course of study; it also allows them the opportunity to play an active role in the learning process and to impart their values.”
Parents interested in finding out more about homeschooling can view Virginia-targeted information, including a free introductory webinar, at www.HEAV.org. HEAV, a state-wide, non-profit homeschool association, will also be offering free how-to-begin-homeschooling workshops and free admission for qualifying parents of preschoolers at their upcoming 28th Annual Virginia Homeschool Convention, held in Richmond on June 9-11, 2011. The convention is expected to have more than 11,000 in attendance and offers more than 310 booths of resources, 130 workshops, a homeschool graduation ceremony, and a used curriculum sale. Discounted preregistration is available at www.HEAV.org.
*View the Certificate of Recognition for Virginia Home Education Month.
**Based on numbers given in Virginia Department of Education, “Home Instruction and Religious Exemptions, 2002-2003” (02/03/2003) and “Home-Schooled Students and Religious Exemptions, 2010-2011″ (12/16/2010), http://www.doe.virginia.gov/statistics_reports/enrollment/home_school_religious_exempt/index.shtml.
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Marcia said on February 6, 2011
YEA!!!!!!!!
Phil Henderson said on February 11, 2011
Very cool! We have only lived in the State of Virginia for a couple of years and will eventually have to leave (I’m in the military) but it is by far the most Home Educator-friendly State to my knowledge. Thanks to HEAV for all your hard work!
Philippe Monk said on February 14, 2011
Love it! As I’ve said before, this is a huge step of validation to show parents, grandparents, friends and others that homeschooling is not only a legal option, it is choice to be commended.
Congratulations to HEAV for many tireless years of sacrifice to provide information, resources and legislation in support of homeschooling.
Let’s keep up the great work