SS#152: School Choice – Freedom Isn’t Free

The government is increasingly using education dollars to influence private education. What does that mean for homeschooling freedom? In this episode, we talk with Lauren about the real impact of education funding accounts (EFAs), school choice programs, and government oversight on homeschoolers.

Lauren shares her personal journey—from barely aware to deeply involved in researching and advocating against government entanglement in homeschooling. We discuss the hidden costs of “free” money, the strings inevitably attached to government funding, and the long-term impact on homeschool culture and freedom.

If you’re a homeschool parent who values independence, this episode is essential listening. Learn how to discern the true cost of these programs, recognize the red flags, and take steps to protect your family’s educational freedom.

School Choice Reality Check

Today’s Hosts and Guest

Lauren Scott and her husband Nathaniel, a second generation homeschool dad, have enjoyed home educating their two sons from babyhood to the teen years. Lauren holds a degree in history, is a leader in her local homeschool community, and often finds herself vacillating between “brown thumb” and “crazy plant lady” when caring for her large flower and vegetable garden. You can find her writing at Keptandkeeping.com, where she encourages Christian women to Rest in Grace and Labor in Love.

“ There has to be accountability for spending taxpayer money. It’s not the government’s money, it comes from taxpayers.”

Lauren Scott

Scholé Everyday: What We’re Reading

Shepherds for Sale: How Evangelical Leaders Traded the Truth for a Leftist Agenda, Megan Basham

The Journey of Thalrin, Lauren Scott’s 13-year-old son

How to Spot a Fascist, Umberto Eco

Keep the government out of your home(school)

Homeschooling has long been a bastion of educational freedom, but recent government funding initiatives threaten to change that landscape. Programs that funnel public education dollars into private or home-based education may seem appealing at first glance, but they come with a hidden cost: control.

Government funds are never truly “free,” and accepting them often means accepting oversight, accountability measures, and potential long-term regulation. Historically, when public funds enter a space, so do policies that erode autonomy. What begins as optional guidelines can quickly become mandates, and before long, homeschooling as we know it may be fundamentally altered.

The lesson? Homeschoolers must be vigilant and discerning. We must recognize that every dollar offered by the state comes with strings—even if those strings aren’t immediately visible. Instead of looking to government funding as a solution, we should cultivate independent homeschooling communities and rely on local support networks. Preserving the integrity of homeschooling means safeguarding our freedom to educate our children according to our values and convictions.

Government money is never free—it always comes with oversight, tracking, and control—even when it’s called “school choice.” Names are propaganda, not truth.

Funding is never “no strings attached”

Many homeschoolers are reassured that new government education funding programs come with “no strings attached.” But history—and logic—suggest otherwise. Taxpayer money is never given away without expectations, and in time, government oversight inevitably follows funding.

In some states, “education freedom accounts” are being promoted as a means to expand school choice. Yet, the term itself is misleading. Rather than increasing freedom, these accounts invite the state into private education decisions. Consider standardized testing mandates, purchase tracking, and eligibility requirements—each an erosion of homeschool autonomy.

The principle to remember is this: when the government pays, the government gets a say. Accepting state money means inviting government monitoring and regulation into our homeschool.

Before embracing these programs, homeschoolers must weigh the long-term consequences. If we value our ability to educate our children without state interference, we should think twice before exchanging freedom for short-term financial benefit.

Inflation is inevitable

When government money enters a market, prices rise. This economic reality applies just as much to homeschooling as it does to any other sector. When vendors realize parents have access to public funds, costs increase—sometimes dramatically.

A striking example from the transcript involved an Arkansas homeschool family who saw the cost of a single activity rise by 700% after government funding was introduced. This wasn’t due to inflation or an increase in value—it was a direct result of state money flooding into the system, creating artificial demand and distorted pricing.

The irony is that while education choice programs claim to make homeschooling more affordable, they may do the opposite. Over time, price hikes make it harder for families who don’t take government funding to continue homeschooling affordably. This economic shift pressures independent homeschoolers to opt into state programs simply to keep up.

The solution? Resist dependency on state dollars. Support private, independent homeschool resources that remain outside the reach of government influence. Encourage community-driven initiatives that prioritize affordability and long-term sustainability over short-term financial gain.

Sister/Guest quote

Name, episode

Public v. Private

Government education funding doesn’t just affect those who accept it—it reshapes the entire homeschool and private school landscape. When state funds begin flowing into private education, they bring with them new expectations, regulations, and cultural shifts.

One significant shift occurs in curriculum providers. In places where state funding has been widely accepted, Christian homeschool curriculum companies have been pressured to secularize their materials in order to be eligible for government purchase. This subtle but powerful change means that even families who opt out of state funding may find their educational options altered by the new market demands.

Another shift happens in the structure of homeschooling itself. Historically, homeschool co-ops and independent learning communities have thrived on volunteer effort and shared vision.

But when parents receive government dollars, new “homeschool programs” emerge that operate like schools, often requiring government oversight and regulation. Over time, these state-approved options can crowd out grassroots homeschool efforts, making it harder to find genuinely independent educational communities.

Homeschoolers must be aware of these cultural and structural shifts. If we wish to preserve authentic, independent homeschooling, we must support privately funded, community-driven initiatives and resist the temptation to rely on government resources.

Freedom is never free

There is no such thing as free money. Every dollar allocated to “education savings accounts” or “education freedom accounts” comes from somewhere, and its acceptance alters the homeschooling landscape in ways that can’t easily be undone.

For families who accept these funds, the immediate impact may seem positive—more resources, more access, more opportunities. But over time, the hidden costs emerge: increased regulation, inflated prices, curriculum shifts, and potential government mandates.

Beyond the financial implications, there’s a deeper cultural shift at play. Once homeschoolers become accustomed to relying on state funding, it becomes harder to imagine homeschooling without it. The independent, self-reliant spirit that built the homeschool movement may erode, replaced by a dependency that ultimately invites more government intervention.

The takeaway? Homeschooling is at its best when it is free—truly free—from government funding and interference. We must guard against short-term conveniences that could cost us long-term freedom. If we want homeschooling to remain a parent-led, conviction-driven endeavor, we must be willing to keep it financially independent.

Homeschooling for the future

Every decision we make today shapes the future of homeschooling. Programs that seem beneficial in the short term may have consequences that limit our children’s ability to homeschool freely in the years to come.

Consider this: Once a homeschool co-op or curriculum provider restructures to accommodate state funding, it is unlikely to revert back to an independent model. Once a family builds a lifestyle around government-funded homeschooling, it is difficult to return to a self-funded model.

What homeschoolers choose today will impact the freedoms of future generations. If we value educational independence, we must think beyond immediate benefits and consider the long-term trajectory. Homeschooling flourished because of parents’ willingness to take full responsibility for their children’s education—intellectually, spiritually, and financially.

The call to action is clear: Invest in independent homeschool communities, prioritize parental responsibility, and resist the temptation to invite government oversight into our homes. By doing so, we protect the homeschool movement—not just for ourselves, but for our children and grandchildren.

Mentioned in the Episode

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