Homeschoolers love two things: Pie and freedom.
Families from around Idaho brought homemade pies to the Statehouse on Wednesday for Homeschool Idaho’s annual Legislative Day, better known at the Capitol as Pie Day.
Audra Talley, a board member for Homeschool Idaho, said they’ve been putting on the event for over 35 years. The homeschool community is kind of nebulous and unknown, she said.
“It just lets our legislators see a face and know the people that are actually participating in homeschooling,” Talley said.
Legislators throughout the day made their way over to the rotunda to get a taste.
Sen. Ron Taylor, D-Hailey, said his favorite part of the day is obvious.
“Pie for breakfast,” Taylor said. “It’s a great day just to meet with constituents and see what they do.”
Sen. Julie VanOrden, R-Blackfoot, found a slice of classic apple pie.
“I always look forward to it,” VanOrden said. “The funnest part is going around and talking to the kids about their projects.”
She spoke to students who were learning Korean and others who were making maple syrup.
Kuna homeschool student Kellen Eichelberger had a more technical project. He is learning about Linux.
“You know what Microsoft Windows is?” he said. “So it’s basically a free, open-source alternative to that.”
Eichelberger wants to open his own software company after he graduates.
His mother, Lynnae Eichelberger, said she likes the freedom of homeschooling. Her family can set their own schedule and go down a rabbit hole if her kids are interested in a certain topic.
Although homeschool families can apply for the new Parental Choice Tax Credit, created last year by House Bill 93, Lynnae Eichelberger said she won’t apply.
“I want to be free to do what I want to do and not be told what to teach, how to teach,” she said. “My standards, honestly, are higher than the state standards anyways, so I don’t need them to tell me what to do.”
Homeschool parent Bob Bain feels the same way.
“Most of the time with any government program, there’s restrictions on what you can do,” Bain said.
Homeschool Idaho opposed HB 93. Talley said the tax credit might lead to other regulations.
“By and large, most home schoolers recognize that when you accept funding from the government, there are going to be additional requirements on them, and the tax credit is no different,” Talley said.
But the event on Wednesday was less about government regulations and more about showcasing the work that homeschool students do — and eating pie.
Talley said her favorite flavor is peanut butter chocolate.
