According to John Hopkins University, Michigan legalized homeschooling in 1996. Prior to 1996, homeschooling was illegal unless parents were certified teachers. The landmark People v. DeJonge case changed that policy.
The U.S. Census found that, during the 2022 and 2023 school years, an average of 3.6 per cent of all K-12 students in Michigan were homeschooled.
And with that percentage expected to increase, one parent is looking to start a homeschool co-op group in Sault Ste. Marie.
There is a meeting, Sat. Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. for Eastern U.P. homeschooling families at Bayliss Public Library in Sault Ste. Marie. It's a chance to discuss starting up a co-op/group in the community for homeschooled families.
"After attending an established co-op in Newberry (Tahquamenon Area Homeschool Community). I hope to get enough parents involved that we are able to collectively provide a positive learning, socializing and structured environment for our kids to thrive in," said Patience Ferris.
Ferris' husband, Trystan, who owns Native Steel Welding & Fab in Moran, stands behind her.
They have one young child that Ferris homeschools.
"He would have started school in 2020 during the COVID Pandemic and I was hesitant to have his first school experience be in such a questionable environment," Ferris said.
Ferris believes there are many benefits to having a homeschool co-op.
"It would provide kids access to a wide range of social and extracurricular activities. This would not be their primary source of education; instead it would be a way to offer specialized courses that enhance their education, such as: languages, cultural studies, art, and home etc. just to name a few possibilities. It would also provide the foundation needed for them to participate in some amazing events and programs like the student council, dances (including prom), field trips, and even graduation. This is not about public schools vs homeschooled. This is about homeschooled kids with no socialization/network vs homeschooled kids that have a full, enriched childhood experience,"
Ferris explained.
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