Chuck Hoskin for Clark County Family Court Judge

In light of recent Family Court Judge's decisions in regards to homeschooling, I thought it would be important to evaluate what potential judge's thought on the matter. I started with Chuck Hoskin, as recommended by a friend of our family.

I (anonymously) asked him whether or not he supports parental choice in regards to education. His first clarification - that this issue does not fall in his realm of practice - is a good sign! Here is his full answer:

...As for your question concerning a parent’s right to choose how their
children are educated, let me first state that such issues are not decided, nor
is the existing law interpreted, by a Family Court Judge.

As a result, I can tell you that I believe a parent has the ultimate right in
deciding how their children are educated, whether that be by utilizing public
schools, choosing private schools, or home schooling. I have several
friends who home school their children and I see that their children are at, or
above, the education level of other children their age.

For more information on Chuck Hoskin, you can visit his website http://hoskin4judge.com/

If you know other candidates you would like me to highlight, please let me know via comment!

Chris Dyer on Homeschooling

Chris Dyer, candidate in District 1, has responded below:


1. To what extent do you support parental choice in regards to education?

I know what's best for my children. I should have every option available to educate my children.

2. Do you support the annual registration of homeschoolers in Nevada?

I would support one time registration. As long as the child remains in the same school, there's no need to re-register.

3. Do you believe homeschoolers should be subject to standardized testing?

That's one for Nevada voters. I actually enjoyed taking the standardized tests when I was in school. They're was no preparation and it didn't affect our grades. I have heard the schools now just teach kids how to pass the test and not much else. If that's what standardized testing gets us then we can do without it.

4. Do you support a tax credit/rebate to homeschooling families?

Sure. Public schools are overburdened and in some instances broken. Public schools should have to compete with private schools, charter schools, and home schoolers. I don't see why we shouldn't be allowed to invest our tax money in the best education for our children.

5. Anything else to add or could you provide a short overview of your stance on education:

I believe the federal government needs to get out of the education business. Let the voters of the states decide.

Carl Bunce on Homeschooling

Carl Bunce, candidate for Congressional District 3, is our next responder:


Hello, Thank you for your interest in my campaign. My answers are below.

I have worked in Education for 10 years, at all levels K-12 and University. I worked for Educational Testing Services (ETS) for the past 5 years, now I currently work for Clark County School District as an Administration. So I have seen the bad and good of public education. I have seen how standardized testing has destroyed the learning environment. Education is one of my main concerns in my campaign, because everything else we do in life depends on the education we receive.

1. To what extent do you support parental choice in regards to education?

I strongly support a parent's choice in the Education of their Children. I believe there are various educational opportunities for students in this country; I do not believe that any form of government can offer them all. Most of the time, governments try to push a single form of education on the population. This helps with costs! That is what government is concerned about. The students and parents are seldom considered.

2. Do you support the annual registration of homeschoolers in Nevada?

There should be no registration of homeschoolers, period.

3. Do you believe homeschoolers should be subject to standardized testing?

I do not believe any students should be subjected to standardized testing. I think the memorize and recall education environment that has been created over the past couple decades is a terrible learning environment. I have seen first hand across the country, most teachers and students only worry about how they will do on the next "TEST". I want students asking, "What can we learn next" not "This again!" just so the students are sure to pass their tests.

4. Do you support a tax credit/rebate to homeschooling families?

I support Tax Credits and Rebates, whatever it takes to get the money back where it needs to be, until the current system of federal taxation is removed and people get to keep all their income.

5. Anything else to add or could you provide a short overview of your stance on education:

I want to eliminate the Federal Department of Education, they spend $70 Billion + a year, and our education system is still falling short in the world. I want all that tax money to stay at home with the people that earn it. I want to see an education system where students can be free to choose a path they desire and not have to worry about financial restrictions or federal regulations that could prevent it.
--
Carl Bunce

Bunce for Congress CD 3 Nevada
www.carlbunce.com

James Smack on Homeschooling

James Smack, candidate for Congressional District 2, is my first responder to the homeschooling questions I sent out. Here is his response:


Tara,

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to answer some questions in regard to how I feel about Homeschooling and my positions on Education. I salute all parents like yourself that take educating their children seriously enough to accept the challenge of homeschooling. I will take them in the order received:

1. To what extent do you support parental choice in regards to education?

I believe that the parent has every right to determine how their child is to be
educated, whether that be in the public school system, in private or parochial
school, or whether by schooling their child at home with the parent as the
instructor.

2. Do you support the annual registration of homeschoolers in Nevada?

I do not believe that this is necessary. The superintendent of the school
district or other authorized person may need to be informed of a homeschooled
child to allow for participation in extracurricular activities within the public
school district as provided by Nevada Law. I firmly believe that there does not
need to be any regulated registration of the parents who decide that
homeschooling is their best option, nor any necessity for said parents to meet
state mandated teaching guidelines.

3. Do you believe homeschoolers should be subject to standardized testing?

No, subjecting homeschooled students to standardized testing is entirely
unnecessary. It is an infringement on the spirit of what homeschooling is trying
to accomplish, which is parental control over their child's education. Home
schooled students should be allowed access to all college entrance exams through
the local school district as allowed by Nevada State Law, such as the SAT and
ACT.

4. Do you support a tax credit/rebate to homeschooling families?

I most certainly support a tax credit for homeschooling families.

5. Anything else to add or could you provide a short overview of your stance on education:

As Congressman, I would be in favor of the elimination of the Federal Department
of Education and elimination of No Child Left Behind, to be replaced by local
and state level control of Education. I believe that returning authority to the
schools at a local level will improve schooling for all students being educated
in the public system. Let the parents in the community have the input on how
their children should be educated. Federal and State Government should mandate
as little regulation as possible on parents who wish to homeschool their
children.

It is my feeling that homeschooled children are more likely to
succeed, get much more individualized teaching, and are more prepared to meet
the challenges of college and adult life. I look forward to continuing this
conversation, and please do not hesitate to contact me with any other questions
you may have!!

Most Sincerely,

James Smack
Republican Candidate for Congress
Nevada Congressional District 2
http://www.jamessmack.com/

Pro-Liberty Nevada Candidates

I've recently received a list of pro-liberty candidates and wanted to share them with you. Please pass thislist along to others. I've emailed those who's emails I could locate (minus those who's websites are not up) with questions about their stance on education in regards to homeschooling and will post those answers as I receive them.

To check your district numbers, refer to your voter registration card or click here for voter registration lookup.


Congressional District 1:
Chris Dyer - http://www.chrisdyer.com/

Congressional District 2:
James Smack - http://www.jamessmack.com/

Congressional District 3:
Carl Bunce - http://www.carlbunce.com/



Assembly District 6:
Lisa Marie Johnson - vegasamerican.com

Assembly District 13:
Michael Kurback (website not up yet)

Assembly District 14:
Andrew Brownson (website not up yet)

Assembly District 17:
David Isbell - http://isbellfornevada.com/



Please do what you can to support those running for State Assembly and Congressional seats. These candidates need contributions and volunteers.

What's next for the Ron Paul revolution?

Just popping my head in to share a great article on Dr. Paul.

More to come from me in the future.