[YankeeMomNH]

Because of the oppressive homeschooling laws. It's too bad that Vermont is not more interested in freedom for its residence. The reputation is far spread. It might seem cool to keep people away, but a state really cannot flourish without a healthy working, middle class. Now the youth are fleeing as well. Freedom would go a long way in Vermont, period.

[Hopes]

My state, Pennsylvania, is one of the most restrictive in the country, more restrictive than Vermont, but that doesn't stop parents of 53,877 children from home schooling them. That's more homeschooled children than CT and NJ combined, and those states have zero restrictions on homeschooling. Interestingly, only 5 states have more homeschoolers than Pennsylvania, and only two of those states are considered homeschooling friendly. The reality is that you are the one preventing yourself from moving to Vermont, not Vermont's homeschooling laws. Parents who want to homeschool do what it takes to homeschool their children regardless of the laws.

[arctichomesteader]

One of my better friends was homeschooled so it can be done here. The NEA has too much influence in this state. If I ever had a kid I'd homeschool.

[Yakscsd]

I think the laws here there are created to keep a certain type out of the state. That's how they have maintained such a quality of life. There are likely a dozen people waiting to take the job that your husband won't and those people may be more what they are looking for. The question I would have is why keep applying for jobs there?

[YankeeMomNH]

Hopes, I wouldn't purposely put myself or my children under strict government regulations -- that's insane. But that doesn't mean that people CAN'T and DON'T homeschool in VT or PA (You are a right, a TERRIBLE state to homeschool in. The worst in the country with NY a close 2nd.) I never said that. I said that these laws are a terrible disincentive and that fact should be known. I know people who move to NH just to escape them. I know people who just fly under the radar.

And, Yakscsd, there are not a dozen people waiting for his job and he didn't apply for it -- it was offered to him. Few are qualified and and it is through a company he is personally associated with. They are greatly disappointed that he can't accept it (but understanding as to why.) Instead, they are working with him to create a solution in our own (freer) state, NH (which will benefit NH and take more away from VT.)

As for the notion that laws there are created to keep a certain "type" out, that makes me laugh. I wish that were provable, actually. I never knew of a state that would actively keep working middle-class taxpayers out and, what? Court the welfare crowd? Or just the rich? That's all that is left in Socialist Utopia, I guess.

Rest assured, he has a great job in the meantime.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by YankeeMomNH

I said that these laws are a terrible disincentive and that fact should be known.

It's a disincentive for a miniscule percentage of the population considering less than 3% of American children are homeschooled and a large majority of their parents are doing so in states with restrictive laws. Your issue is uniquely yours and doesn't apply to the masses. Just the fact your husband's skillset is rare further substantiates that because the odds are extremely unlikely another qualified candidate is also homeschooling.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by YankeeMomNH

Because of the oppressive homeschooling laws. It's too bad that Vermont is not more interested in freedom for its residence. The reputation is far spread. It might seem cool to keep people away, but a state really cannot flourish without a healthy working, middle class. Now the youth are fleeing as well. Freedom would go a long way in Vermont, period.

I know several home schoolers in VT. Never once have they mentioned it being oppressive.

Though, I hope they are restrictive, as we wouldn't want poorly educated people educating their children. They might not be able to teach them how residents and residence are different.

[YankeeMomNH]

You can blame the highly regulated schools I attended for that typo, timbeline (I also graduated from college with a degree in secondary education in Vermont. Clearly not regulated enough.) Thanks for avoiding the issue. Due to the fact that many homeschool in Vermont a.) because they do not have a choice to leave or b.) because they (like most living under stricter regulations,) they have merely adapted, does not address nor negate my point.

I never said that people don't/can't homeschool in Vermont, nor that there aren't other qualified possibilities for my husband's offer (just that someone of equal experience and skill in this particular field will be hard to find and that the employer wants HIM.)

timberline, I'm afraid that you need to do a little study and see how well homeschooled students compare to their government school counter-parts (the ones where the teachers and kids know the difference between residents and residence.) You might also wonder why colleges (including the Ivy League) are actively courting those kids (including mine.) It might not be an altogether comfortable revelation.

Well, it's a loss for Vermont and we (in NH) happily take your defectors. @@

[joe moving]

What are the issues you are facing?

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by YankeeMomNH

timberline, I'm afraid that you need to do a little study and see how well homeschooled students compare to their government school counter-parts (the ones where the teachers and kids know the difference between residents and residence.) You might also wonder why colleges (including the Ivy League) are actively courting those kids (including mine.) It might not be an altogether comfortable revelation.

They don't do better when comparing apples to apples. Overall they do better, but the pools aren't the same. When those differences are corrected for (education of parents, affluence, etc) there is minimal to no difference.