Making the Grade with Homeschooling

An estimated 300,000 children are currently being homeschooled in Texas, with an expected growth rate of 17.5% in the coming year. As the upward trend toward homeschooling continues across the state and county, new and veteran home schoolers alike will be treated to information and support at the Palmer Event Center in Austin as the Texas Home School Coalition presents the 18th Annual Christian Home Education Association of Central Texas (CHEACT) conference. The CHEACT Home Educators Conference & Bookfair on June 24-25, 2005, is designed to encourage home schoolers in their adventures in education.

Keynote speakers Dean and Karen Andreola, authors of "The Charlotte Mason Companion," will be featured in the events along with over 100 exhibit hall vendors and a wide selection of continuing education workshops.

The thirty workshops will cover a wide range of topics for beginners and those with teens. Several workshops will be led by special guest speaker Tim Lambert, president of the Texas Home School Coalition (THSC), including "Planning for the Future: What Comes After Graduation?"

"We are excited about our new events this year, our teen program, our workshops for special needs kids, and our Dads Breakfast on Saturday," says Brett Adams, chairman of the Christian Home Education Association of Central Texas (CHEACT).

"Attendance at many conventions is breaking records this year as home schooling continues to grow in the state," confirms Mr. Lambert, guest speaker for the event and president of THSC, "as home schooling is the fastest growing educational alternative."


As a special session may be called by Governor Perry regarding education in Texas, Mr. Lambert's second workshop "What Texas Home Schoolers Need to Know About the Law" will be particularly important this year. The workshop will begin with a brief history of home education in Texas and the nation and will cover laws and legislation regarding home schooling in Texas. Parents will be advised on ways home educating families can avoid problems and ensure positive experiences with school authorities and other officials. Basic answers for beginning home schoolers will also be shared - including how home schoolers can answer those often-asked questions such as, "What about socialization?"

Children, strollers, and rolling carts welcome this year! Registration fees cover admission for both days of the convention. More information and cost of admission to this event can be accessed at http://www.cheact.org

Call 806-744-4441 to arrange an interview with Tim Lambert or for more information on the Texas Home School Coalition (THSC) and how to begin homeschooling.
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The Texas Home School Coalition Association is one of the largest home school organizations in the United States. THSC Association helps new home schoolers in Texas and provides leadership training for local support groups and legal assistance for member home schoolers throughout the state as well.