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home : Cap Days
THSC Association
Capitol Days
held during the
Biennial Texas Legislative Sessions
Texas home schoolers made their presence and their opinions known to the legislature through THSC Association
Capitol Days in the last several legislative sessions.
THSC representatives, legislators, and legislative staff members will educate attendees about the legislative process
and train them to lobby. Each month there will be different speakers and topics, depending on the current issue of
concern for Texas home educators. In the afternoon, students, parents, and chaperones will head to the Capitol to
meet and lobby legislators; then finally reconvene for a debriefing. Don’t miss these opportunities for great political
science field trips!
Want to know more about it?
To read about one family's Capitol Day experience, click here.
State Representative Nathan Macias wrote an article describing how his Capitol Days experience inspired him to be more politically active.
Read a report, written by home school graduate Cassandra Phillips, about the first 2007 Capitol Day.
The following is information about THSC's most recent Capitol Days, those in 2007. Upcoming Capitol Days will
be similar in dates and schedules. Information about the 2009 Capitol Days will be posted on this website
by November 2008.
2007 Capitol Day Dates
Tuesday, February 6
Registration deadline: January 31
Wednesday, March 14
Registration deadline: March 7
Tuesday, April 10
Registration deadline: April 3
Wednesday, May 16
Registration deadline: May 2
Registration
Registration is required because of space limitations. Please complete and return the following form with
the appropriate payment by the registration deadline of the day(s) you will be attending.
Download 2007 Capitol Days Registration Form
Schedule for Capitol Days
8:15-9:00 Registration
9:00-12:00 Legislative Training
12:00-1:30 Lunch
1:30-4:00 Grassroots Lobbying
4:00-5:00 Debriefing
Location
Morning:
Woodlawn Baptist Church
4600 Manchaca Road
Austin, TX 78745
(512) 442-7858.
Click here for directions.
Afternoon:
Capitol Building
1500 Congress Ave.
Austin, TX 78701
Click here for a map.
Cost
$10/person - Current THSC Association member families
$15/person - Non-member families
-Lunch is on your own.
-No refunds will be made after the deadline for each Capitol Day.
-Refunds requested before the deadline will be issued minus a 10% handling fee.
Confirmation
When THSC receives your registration, you will be e-mailed a confirmation, along with the schedule, the
location of the meeting(s), and hotel information and directions.
Children
Well-behaved children are welcome. There are space limitations and no child care facilities, so parents
are encouraged to not bring small children.
Attire
Business
Gentlemen – dress slacks and ties, suit coats optional
Ladies – modest dress, slack suits, or skirts
Limited Space
The maximum number of participants per Capitol Day is 350. Registrations will be accepted on a first-come,
first-served basis.
Field Trip Opportunities in Conjunction with Capitol Days
Please note: The Rally originally scheduled for April 10 has been canceled.
For over a decade, THSC has sponsored rallies during the biennial Texas legislative sessions to show
legislators and the public the strong support existing for home school freedoms. The rallies began at the time
when school districts prosecuted home school families, the courts argued the legalities of home education, and
we had few friends in the legislature. Because of the ongoing active participation of THSC and the Texas home
school community in the public and legislative arenas, home education is now well accepted and has many
supporters and defenders in the legislature. The lobbying effort of THSC Association, enhanced by the work of
Capitol Day attendees, has now become the vehicle for the addressing our concerns to the legislature.
Accommodations
THSC has arranged special group rates at the following hotel.
Hawthorn Suites, Austin Airport
Telephone: (512) 247-6166
Toll-free Reservations: 1.800.527.1133
Click here for a map.
Stay at the discounted rate of $90/night. Make your reservations 2 weeks in advance and mention THSC to receive this special rate.
For best results, make reservations early.
Room types:
-One queen bed and one pull out couch
-Two queen beds and one pull out couch
-One king bed and one pull out couch (limited number available)
Hawthorn Amenities:
-Free wireless internet
-Continental breakfast
-Free light evening meal
-Free parking
Click here for more details on the Hawthorn Suites, Austin Airport
