Recently in the state of New Jersey, the United States, a new bill is being introduced that mandates various homeschooling families to teach students content such as “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI), which is highly controversial.
This proposed bill, still under review, would require homeschooling families to submit curriculum plans that meet the state government’s established learning standards, covering subjects like gender identity, sexual orientation, DEI, and climate change studies.
The bill also seeks to enhance oversight of homeschooling families, requiring them to submit student portfolios annually for assessment by teachers or licensed psychologists.
Some parents have stated that they will refuse to comply even if the bill passes. These parents believe that such measures may constitute governmental overreach or infringement on family privacy.
Michele Latour, a parent who homeschools in New Jersey, firmly stated, “Our family will never teach any content that directly goes against the word of God. We stand firm on this stance.”
In fact, New Jersey is one of over a dozen states in the U.S. with relatively lenient restrictions on homeschooling families.
Supporters argue that this new regulation will help increase transparency in homeschooling education content and may protect children from abusive situations.
Parent Amanda Roberts, speaking to Fox News, mentioned that “homeschooling takes many diverse forms in the state.” Some members of the homeschooling community in New Jersey support the bill.
She also noted, “There are Democrats, Republicans, and independents who choose homeschooling, so not everyone is against this bill.”
The debate over parental rights and state government oversight is not limited to New Jersey, as states across the U.S. have adopted vastly different approaches to regulating homeschooling.
Republican-led states like Texas and Missouri have the most lenient regulations for homeschooling families, while New York, governed by Democrats, enforces stricter oversight measures.
Earlier this year, legislators in Illinois proposed a bill requiring homeschooling families to fulfill a reporting obligation, including reporting to local school districts, submitting coursework and materials, and maintaining health check and vaccine records.
Supporters of homeschooling protested outside the state capitol in Springfield, Illinois. Faced with strong backlash, the bill stalled, failing to pass the House of Representatives and not even initiating a vote in the Senate.
Recently, the American chain restaurant “Cracker Barrel” removed its support for left-leaning culture, including “Pride” and DEI pages, and reinstated its old sign. Its controversial rebranding efforts had faced strong opposition from many on the right, sparking a cultural war. Even former President Trump voiced his support for the restaurant’s return to using a traditional sign.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on August 21 to allow the Trump administration to cut hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding related to DEI programs for the National Institutes of Health.
On August 13, a federal judge in the U.S. supported Alabama’s ban on public schools implementing DEI programs.
On June 27, University of Virginia President James Ryan resigned after pressure from the Justice Department to terminate campus DEI initiatives.
(Source: This article references reporting from FOX NEWS)