Homeschooling in Georgia Has Come A Long Way
These days, homeschooling is more widespread than ever before. After a surge of interest during the pandemic, the percentage of families educating their children at home remains higher in many states than before the pandemic.
But it wasn’t always this way.
Consider the origin story for DeKalb Christian Home Educators (DCHE) in Georgia.
“In 1981, the Roemhild family began homeschooling their children here in Georgia and were found guilty of breaking the compulsory attendance law,” reads the history on DCHE’s website. “They appealed this decision and in 1983 the Georgia Supreme Court overturned the decision. This paved the way for the Georgia State Legislature to work with homeschoolers to construct our current homeschooling law… With a framework for working within the system, homeschooling began to grow rapidly in Georgia.”
DCHE started in 1989 to give families in the metro Atlanta area – it serves DeKalb, Rockdale, Fulton, Newton, Henry, and Gwinnett counties – more educational options.
Their community of families shares educational and financial resources as part of their belief that relationship is key to a high-quality education. The group says they are guided by Romans 15:7: “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”
Over time, DCHE has expanded from a monthly meeting to the full-blown homeschooling support program it is today, including dozens of classes for learners between the ages of 2-18. Offerings include private music lessons, preschool classes, culinary arts, entrepreneurship club, Bible quizzing, coding, and multicultural studies. They also facilitate clubs, offer parent trainings, and coordinate field trips. Parents, educators, and students alike can also benefit from their compiled resources, including professional development, homeschooling guides, free curriculum and activities, and internships.
“Our students do more than just sit and get,” said Dr. LaTasha Adams, whose children attend DCHE. “Instead they’re up and they’re moving, they’re asking questions, we’re visiting museums, we are helping with food banks, we’re making education active by using real-world scenarios.”
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