Your terminology is interesting to me. I understood that the term “affiliated homeschoolers” came into being some time ago in Alaska. In past national online discussions, the topic has come up as to what homeschool parents could call themselves in light of the fact that there were some public school at home parents who call themselves “homeschoolers”. The adjective independent was thrown out there. There are times when I will employ that adjective in front of homeschooling so as there won’t be any confusion about who I’m writing about. You use the term “unaffiliated” to describe the parents I would call independent. Interesting that there seems to have been a general acceptance for the term “affiliated homeschoolers” and that it has evolved into an antonym for independent homeschoolers by attaching a negative prefix. This will be something that I will point out to parents in my state if we are ever having a discussion where parents are seeking clarity in terminology. I think this is something independent homeschool parents should consider if the balance in home-based education (in a given state) ever tips towards those in public school at home programs like your state.

It seems to me, that in Alaska public school at home programs are the mainstream and independent homeschooling is in the minority. So if both are ever viewed by your state government as much the same type of education (as you seem to view it) and there is a goal of fairness in mind….This would seem to me to be the current situation with the statewide correspondence schools and the in-district schools.

In your earlier response, you wrote: “Alaska’s legislature has addressed homeschooling and exempted anyone taught at home by a parent or guardian from school attendance law and regulation.”

I just want a clarification in your laws here. This statute currently does not apply to your family because your children are enrolled in a home-based charter school, correct? Alaska’s homeschool statute is just something you are able to fall back on if your family decides to? Let me give you a parallel situation. IF a public school teacher, not homeschooling her children, came onto a local homeschool list in my state and talked about what a wonderful homeschool law our state had, AND in the same breath talked about how homeschooled students could benefit from becoming full-time public school at home students; thus making void by choice the wonderful homeschool statute; it would seem a little fishy to me. You haven’t made reference to Alaska having a wonderful homeschool statute in these comments I know, but on your blog.

No, I am not saying we shouldn’t pay attention. What I am saying is that it would be unfathomable to think that DEED would regulate unaffiliated homeschoolers using the same reasoning they use with us. Unaffiliated homeschoolers do not have the resemblance to statewide correspondence schools that DEED says they see in in-district programs.

Alaska’s homeschool statute is not forever secure. No statute is. However, in a state with a small population like ours where politics is a favorite pastime it is not in danger. The state has a very friendly attitude toward homeschoolers. In Alaska, home education is a mainstream choice.