Back in the homeschool classroom: Rob Bell’s Tebow Bill

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Delegate Rob Bell (R-58th House District) has been working for years to pass the Tebow Bill in the Virginia legislature (for more information about the Tebow Bill, see here). Sadly, it has hit a brick wall every time it was sent to the State Senate.

In a newsletter Saturday, Delegate Bell explains why he is hopeful of success during the 2015 General Assembly session. He wrote:

As you may know, home-school supporter Ben Chafin has been elected to the Virginia State Senate. In addition to a positive vote, this means that the Senate will be 21-19 Republican, which will confirm the re-organization of the Senate Committee on Education and Health. (This is the committee that has killed the “Tebow Bill” in recent years.)

All this means we have the best chance in years for the bill to come to the floor of the Senate for an up / down vote. (And I’ve already reached out to the Governor to encourage him to sign it if we get that far.)

You can help! Please consider meeting with your Senator to encourage him or her to support the bill. Many Senators have limited experience with home schoolers, and you can help our cause just by introducing them to your kids! You can find the contact information for your Senator here. Many legislators have office hours, or you can invite them to visit your co-op if you have one.

Click here to look at a webpage that can prepare you for some commonly asked questions about the bill, but remember, all we homeschoolers are asking for is the same chance to try out that other kids get.

Thank you for your commitment to home schooling.

I would also add that homeschool alumni parents could help make a difference by also contacting their legislators. The more voices they hear, the more of an impact it will make as Delegate Bell prepares for 2015.

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Lynn Mitchell educated her children at home for 16 years and was part of leadership in North Carolina’s Iredell County Home Educators (ICHE) and Virginia’s Parent Educators of Augusta County Homes (PEACH). Her son graduated from Harrisonburg’s James Madison University (JMU) in 2007 with a BS in Computer Science and a minor in Creative Writing. Her daughter graduated from Staunton’s Mary Baldwin College in 2012 with a BS in Sustainable Business and a minor in Marketing. Lynn and her husband live in Augusta County located in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. The story of how she began her homeschool journey can be found here (see Back in the homeschool classroom: Blazing new trails).

Other titles in the “Back in the homeschool classroom” series by Lynn R. Mitchell:
– Grown son’s first home (April 2014)
– Support group vs Co-op (February 2014)
– Where it all began … blazing new trails (January 2013)
– Grown son’s first home (July 2013)
– Staying in touch with homeschool friends (July 2013)
– New Year’s Eve (December 2012)
– More sleep = homeschoolers happier, healthier than public school students? (April 2013)
– Using Shenandoah National Park as your classroom (March 2013)
– Autumn (October 2012)
– The rain rain rain came down down down (April 2012)
– Why we teach our own (April 2012)
– Casey (April 2012)
– The wedding … letting go (September 2012)
– The pain of grief (August 2012)
– When faced with a challenge … no whining (April 2012)
– The simple wisdom of Winnie the Pooh (August 2012)
– First day of school (September 2012)
– The rise of homeschooling (February 2012)
– Hot summer days (July 2011)
– Constitutional lessons and the Judicial branch of government (March 2012)
– Rainy days (May 2013)
– A chance encounter (June 2013)
– Mary Baldwin commencement 2012 … SWAC Daughter graduates with honors

Cross-posted at SWAC Girl