The Coalition for Responsible Home Education (CRHE) is a nonprofit group focused on improving homeschool policies from a child-centered angle. Founded by homeschool alumni, they advocate for laws that ensure educational quality and child safety.
Research from the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) shows that homeschooled students typically score 15 to 25 percentile points higher than public school students on standardized academic achievement tests. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), approximately 3.3 million students were homeschooled in the United States as of 2023, representing roughly 6% of the school-age population.
What is CRHE (Coalition for Responsible Home Education)?
The Coalition for Responsible Home Education, or CRHE, is a nonprofit founded in December 2013 by five homeschool alumni. Unlike many homeschool groups that focus on parental rights and educational freedom, CRHE takes a child-centered approach. Their goal is to support homeschooled kids through public education and advocating for what they call "evidence-based policies and practices." Based in Stoughton, Massachusetts, they provide detailed state-by-state information about homeschool laws and research on outcomes and oversight.
What CRHE advocates for
CRHE's views on homeschool regulation are different from most groups. They push for "common-sense laws" that include checks to ensure kids receive a quality education and are safe. For example, their 2024 model legislation, the "Make Homeschool Safe Act," suggests that parents should have at least a high school diploma or GED. They also want oversight by qualified educators for parents without credentials. CRHE believes many current laws do not adequately protect children's education, which puts them at odds with groups like the Home School Legal Defense Association.
Resources provided
Whether you agree with CRHE or not, their website has helpful research tools. Their state pages list current legal requirements, including notification, assessment, and record-keeping rules for each state. They also have original research on homeschooling policies. Their project, Homeschooling's Invisible Children, looks into cases of abuse or educational neglect. If you’re researching your state's requirements, their info can be useful. Just remember to double-check with your state homeschool organization for the latest info.
Understanding the controversy
CRHE has a unique and sometimes controversial role in the homeschool community. Many traditional homeschool advocates worry that CRHE's proposals could lead to excessive regulations, hindering parental rights and educational freedom. HSLDA has described CRHE’s model legislation as a potential "nightmare of regulation and red tape." However, CRHE argues that focusing on children's rights is not anti-homeschooling; they believe reasonable accountability helps protect well-meaning homeschooling families while preventing abuse.
The bottom line
CRHE offers one view in the ongoing talks about homeschool regulation. Understanding their arguments can help you engage in important discussions that impact homeschool families. Their state resources are great for checking requirements, but always verify with your state's homeschool organization. Remember, CRHE shares information from a specific perspective. The homeschool community has divided opinions on oversight, so it’s smart to consider all sides.
