The homeschoolers of Queensland have some terribly amazing news! The state government has accepted all eight recommendations from that independent review of the Home Education Unit. This decision is welcome relief to the scores of parents like Danika, who homeschools her neurodiverse eight-year-old son Ben. Danika and her husband, Joel, made the decision to homeschool in 2022 when Ben’s eagerness to learn was overtaken by a fear of the classroom.
It was widespread opposition from the public that led to the review. People took to the streets in droves to rally against the former state government’s attempts to require that homeschooled students follow the Australian curriculum. In reply, Minister John-Paul Langbroek said he stressed that true consultation must take place with stakeholders before any major changes to legislation were introduced. We were the first to call out the last administration for phony public engagement where they engaged the public after they made their decisions. This time though, we are really engaging the community.
To guide the changes recommended by the review, education leader Dr. Renae Acton has been named state’s new education czar. Her new role will be all about improving the experience for families looking to make their way through the increasingly crowded homeschooling landscape. The Home Education Unit will be renamed to Queensland Home Education. This fresh moniker is meant to ramp up on the ground assistance and boost regulatory scrutiny.
Danika particularly loved receiving the recommendation. She is especially looking forward to experimenting with a new, briefer, more narrative form of written reporting and the new online interview format! She hopes that all of these recently approved amendments will reduce this often overwhelming stress behind the 15 copies of annual report submission. She emphasized the confusion under the old system which provided little guidance. Having someone to answer to would make the process so much more personal,” she said.
Queensland has experienced a beautiful 230% increase in homeschooling over the past five years. Over 11,000 students have already opted to pack their bags for this new virtual learning environment. This tremendous growth further highlights the growing demand for educational options that meet students where they are and provide customized learning experiences.
Minister Langbroek bravely stuck to his guns on parental choice, stating that parents should be free to choose whichever educational path best fits their families. Distance education should be a choice.” He said he was a product of distance education himself, having pursued it while living outside the country. The minister seems to do a good job working with key allies. Child Safety Minister Amanda Camm & Attorney General Deb Frecklington are members of the team responsible for delivering extensive help to homeschooling families.
Patricia Fitzgerald, the campaign manager of the Free2Homeschool movement, lobbied vigorously to oppose the previous administration’s plans. She was able to help build the momentum that encouraged more than 21,000 concerned citizens to sign the petition. Fitzgerald views the review’s recommendations as a great opportunity. The Home Education Unit can gain a much deeper relationship with the community through these understandings. “That educational leader is going to fill the gap and generate that support for families,” she added. This guidance will provide much-needed relief to countless families.
National discussions about how to regulate or support homeschoolers are becoming increasingly contentious. Legislation is currently pending in the House to raise the age cut-off for homeschooled students from 17 to 18. This potential change has sparked enthusiasm from parents looking for greater flexibility in their children’s educational careers.
Danika needed learning programs and reporting scaffolds in place to set Ben up for success. These tools give her the power to tailor a flexible learning experience that meets his individual needs. The lesson plan I created for Ben being neurodiverse largely plays to his interests, which is what she said. Having a formalised, standardised reporting structure will allow us to visually see just keep track of where we’re at and where we’re learning.
The enthusiasm surrounding these changes reflects a deep yearning in the homeschooling community. These members have for decades called for greater protection, support, and recognition from their regulatory counterparts. Fitzgerald highlighted local government support as a key ingredient for establishing safe and healthy learning environments. “We have cried enough,” she continued, “We now need strong support of our local councils and the federal government.” She called for enrichment spaces where homeschooling families can safely raise children without the threat of violence.
