Homeschool parents may not always be aware of what is happening in public schools, but what happens in public schools often affects those who home educate.

Next week, on Tuesday, Sept. 8, President Obama will be broadcasting an address directly to students in the nation’s public schools. The text of Obama’s school speech has not been made available to parents at this point, although lists of classroom activities for elementary school students and older students are available at the Department of Education website.

President Obama does not plan to broadcast on major network channels so homeschoolers can view his message, but the speech can be viewed live online at the Whitehouse website. Broadcast begins at 12:00 noon Eastern time.

The President’s plan has created a firestorm of controversy, as our country is deeply divided politically. Many parents see this as an unconscionable intrusion of politics into education. There is even a movement afoot to boycott the schools on that day.

A renewed interest in homeschooling may come from this, so be prepared to answer questions and don’t be surprised if you see other kids out playing in the neighborhood next Tuesday. Texas laws on homeschooling are easy to comply with, and many parents choose homeschooling in order to monitor the religious and political influences their children are exposed to.


UPDATE: See what other homeschoolers have to say about this! Have you read a great blog post by a homeschooler about Obama's speech? Leave a link in the comments!