HSLDA | Governor Proclaims Home Education Awareness Week

Governor Jim Gibbons proclaimed March 31-April 5 as Nevada Home Education Awareness Week.

James Ellis, a homeschooling dad from Carson City, initiated the proclamation with the governor’s office. No one expected the governor would sign it the day after it was effective—and that homeschoolers would be notified after the designated week!

Nonetheless, the Homeschool Proclamation issued from the highest office of Nevada is tremendous recognition of the contribution of homeschoolers. We are thankful for this and look forward to these proclamations to be issued annually.

WHEREAS, the State of Nevada is committed to the education of our children and to upholding the values and goals that strengthen the family; and

WHEREAS, home-based schooling may be the fastest-growing form of education in the United States (at 7% to 12% per year), home-based education is also growing around the world in many nations; and

WHEREAS, there are about 2 million home school students in the United States; there were an estimated 1.9 to 2.4 million children (in grades K to 12) home educated during 2005-2006 in the United States; and

WHEREAS, families engaged in home-based education are not dependent on public, tax-funded resources for their children’s education; the finances associated with their home schooling likely represent over $16 billion that taxpayers do not have to spend since these children are not in public schools; and

WHEREAS, home school students score above average on achievement tests regardless of their parents’ level of formal education of their family’s household income;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JIM GIBBONS, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim March 30-April 5, 2008, as HOME EDUCATION AWARENESS WEEK.