Weekly national homeschool roundup: West Virginia’s move to loosen standards, Wyoming’s expanded access to school activities, New Hampshire’s push for minimal regulation, plus new research on retrieval practice, project-based learning, and what actually drives homeschool outcomes—all translated into practical ideas for your homeschool.

Show Notes Links

News & Policy

* West Virginia – effort to kill bill weakening homeschool standards fails (SB 966 coverage, Parkersburg News and Sentinel)https://www.newsandsentinel.com/news/local-news/2026/02/effort-to-kill-bill-weakening-west-virginias-home-school-standards-on-first-reading-fails/

* Wyoming – lawmakers advance expanded “Tim Tebow” access bill for homeschool athletes and activities (Cowboy State Daily)https://cowboystatedaily.com/2026/02/25/lawmakers-advance-version-of-the-tim-tebow-law-for-homeschool-athletes/

* New Hampshire – “Home Education Freedom Act” would eliminate most home education requirements (NHPR)https://www.nhpr.org/nhpr-news-partner/2026-02-18/nh-home-education-requirements-bill-legislation-changes

* New Hampshire – additional reporting and reactions (Concord Monitor)https://www.concordmonitor.com/2026/02/17/new-hampshire-homeschool-law-update/

* New Hampshire – mixed reviews at House Education hearing (InDepthNH.org)https://indepthnh.org/2026/02/20/homeschool-statute-rewrite-gets-mixed-reviews/

* Arizona – radio segment on homeschooling oversight (KJZZ’s “The Show,” Feb. 19, 2026)https://www.kjzz.org/show/kjzzs-the-show/2026-02-19/the-show-for-feb-19-2026-homeschooling-oversight-surprising-suns-and-more

Research & Practice

* Retrieval practice in primary school classrooms – real-world study with fifth gradershttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12372469/

* Project-based learning randomized controlled trial in middle-school financial literacyhttps://www.frontiersin.org/journals/education/articles/10.3389/feduc.2026.1695476/full

* Meta-analysis on homeschooling, learning motivation, and achievement (preprint / article PDF)http://ijlter.org/index.php/ijlter/article/viewFile/10065/pdf

* Overview page for the same homeschooling meta-analysis project (English summary)https://www.educacaodomiciliar.fe.unicamp.br/sites/www.educacaodomiciliar.fe.unicamp.br/files/2025-02/Exploring%20Homeschooling%20In-depth%20Meta-Analysis%20of%20Its%20Impact%20on%20Learning%20Motivation.pdf

* Practical guide: combining retrieval and spaced practice for stronger learninghttps://evidencebased.education/resource/retrieval-and-spaced-practice-study-strategies-that-must-be-combined/

Ever feel like your homeschool lessons could be clearer and more effective? In this episode, discover explicit instruction—a research-backed, step-by-step method perfect for one-on-one homeschooling. Learn the “I do, we do, you do” routine, why studies show it boosts skills and confidence in reading, math, and more, and exactly how to apply it at your kitchen table with real examples.

No teaching degree needed—just practical tips from one parent to another. Plus, deeper resources if you want to geek out on the science. Tune in to make your days smoother and your kids’ “aha” moments bigger!

Another inclusive devotional... how can we better "pay attention" and honor the attention that our day deserves?Subscribe to our work here: https://continuingeducationforhomeschool.substack.com• How does it feel when someone truly listens to you — without distraction?

• In what moments do you find it hardest to pay attention, and why?

• How can paying attention make ordinary moments feel special?

•What’s one small way your family can practice “deep noticing” together this week?

What’s happening:

* A series of horrific child abuse deaths in several states (including West Virginia, Connecticut, Hawaii, Georgia, and Illinois) involved children who had been withdrawn from school under the label of “homeschooling.”

* Lawmakers in multiple states are pushing bills that would:

* Require more reporting/monitoring of homeschooled children.

* Ban individuals with certain abuse histories from homeschooling.

* Add steps like wellness checks or annual assessments.

* Homeschool advocates argue:

* These measures treat all homeschoolers as suspects.

* The real failures lie in child protection agencies that already knew about many of these families.

Why it matters for homeschool families:

* This is the current national narrative policymakers are reading about homeschooling.

* The debate is framed as “child safety vs. parental rights,” with little space for the reality of high-functioning, accountable homeschool families.

* It sets the stage for copycat legislation in a number of states over the next 1–2 sessions.

Inclusive devotional: Gaining a sense of Awe and WonderA weekly secular devotional podcast that helps homeschooling families start their week with reflection, curiosity, and connection. Each short episode centers on a universal theme — like patience, creativity, gratitude, or belonging — blending storytelling, psychology, and practical wisdom into something both meaningful and doable.

Through gentle conversation, family discussion prompts, and hands-on activities, Continuing Education invites parents and kids to slow down, notice the beauty in everyday learning, and grow together — mind, heart, and home. It’s a reminder that education isn’t just about academics; it’s about becoming more thoughtful, compassionate humans along the way.

What’s something small or routine that has felt unexpectedly beautiful lately?

How does wonder show up differently for children and adults in your home?

What helps you slow down enough to notice the small details around you?

When was the last time you were truly amazed by something simple?

How might cultivating wonder change the tone of your homeschool days?

In this episode of Continuing Education, we unpack January 2026’s biggest homeschool stories: Virginia’s record 49.5% enrollment surge since 2019, new 529 tax changes that unlock up to $20,000 per child for homeschool expenses, and why expanding school choice programs may threaten homeschool freedom by adding strings and regulation.

In today’s episode, we’re diving into a topic that every homeschool parent—whether you started by choice or by circumstance—needs to wrestle with: your why.

No matter how you arrived here, it’s essential to anchor yourself in your purpose. Drawing on the Hindu concept of dharma—living in alignment with your role and season of life—we’ll explore how remembering your why can help you weather the hard days, reframe the challenges, and rediscover meaning in the everyday work of teaching your kids.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a fresh perspective on your own why—and practical ways to keep it front and center in your homeschool journey.

Inspired by a Wall Street Journal piece (“How to Make Sure ChatGPT Doesn’t Make You Dumber”), we explore a core question: How do we use AI to support learning rather than replace it? Like it or not, our kids are entering an AI-shaped world. Our job: teach them to use it thoughtfully, critically, and in balance.

In this episode, we’ll explore:

* Why AI feels appealing (and overwhelming)

* Four big risks you should know

* Real benefits and real ways to use it well

* Why AI literacy is an essential life skill

AI isn’t going away. Avoiding it entirely won’t prepare kids; using it without guardrails isn’t wise either. Our aim is healthy, thoughtful, balanced use—AI as a tool and springboard, not a crutch.

Try This This Week

* Pick one subject where AI can support (not replace) learning.

* Set a verification rule (always cite sources or confirm with one non-AI source).

* Have your child ask AI to coach them instead of giving answers.

In the hustle and bustle of homeschooling, it's easy to lose sight of the present moment. Join us in this episode of Continuing Education as we explore the transformative power of presence, offering an inclusive devotional that transcends traditional boundaries. Discover how mindfulness and connection can enrich your homeschooling journey and foster deeper relationships with your children.

The episode delves into the importance of being present with your children, emphasizing the power of mindfulness and connection. Heidi discusses how these practices can help you model essential life skills and create a nurturing environment for learning and growth.

Join us for an inspiring discussion on nurturing values beyond traditional boundaries. Take a moment to better yourself and your homeschooling experience by embracing the power of presence. Listen to the episode now and discover how you can create a more mindful and connected homeschooling environment.

Subscribe now and join our community of homeschool parents dedicated to lifelong learning and personal growth.

In this episode of Continuing Education, we dive into one of the biggest milestones in childhood: learning to read. Whether your child is just starting out, is struggling, or you want to make sure you’re using the best strategies, this episode is packed with practical, research-based techniques you can use at home.

You’ll learn how to build foundational readiness skills, introduce phonics and decoding, practice sight words, develop comprehension, and most importantly, create a joyful reading culture in your home.

I also share real-life stories from homeschooling circles, where parents often feel stuck when reading doesn’t “click” on the expected timeline. You’ll hear strategies for motivation, troubleshooting, and when to consider testing or intervention if your child continues to struggle.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a toolkit of reading activities you can start using right away.

📚 References & Resources Mentioned

Orton-Gillingham – Certified multi-sensory reading program, excellent for dyslexic students. Free parent resources: orton-gillingham.com/for-parents

Letter of the Week curriculum – Example: Confessions of a Homeschooler

Heart Word Method – Teaching high-frequency words by decoding regular parts and learning irregular parts “by heart.” More info: Really Great Reading

Sight word resources – Printable games and practice ideas: sightwords.com