THSC is very happy to report the great success of the annual THSC Awards Banquet, held this past weekend in San Antonio. A crowd of over 250 attendees made up of home schoolers and leaders, officials, and candidates were honored to hear Texas Governor Rick Perry speak encouragingly from his perspective on home education.
In addition, THSC recognized, thanked and awarded many people who have had an impact for the home school community across the state.

Governor Perry wrote a letter of congratulations to the Texas Home School Coalition upon its 20th anniversary. The following lines are from his letter.

“As Governor of this great state it is a distinct pleasure to congratulate the Texas Home School Coalition on your 20th anniversary.

“Since its establishment in 1986, the Texas Home School Coalition has remained dedicated to serving and informing the home school community.”

You have stayed the course and have the diploma. Is that all there is? A home school Texas graduate submitted a thoughtful and thought-provoking survey of several possibilities in her article in the REVIEW magazine a few years ago. We hope that you will be blessed and inspired by the following.

DIPLOMA DECISIONS

"You hit the high school mark, but now your mailbox is flooded with college paraphernalia, your grandmother wants you to get a law degree, a guy from church offered you a full-time job, your best friend leaves for school in the fall, and everyone is demanding to know your plans. What are you going to do?"

March is more than half past; if you have a student whom you plan to graduate this spring, DON’T FORGET TO ORDER THE DIPLOMA! THSC offers many design options for these attractive certificates. Together parent and student can customize this document attesting to the completion of home school high school and commencement to that which is in his future.

In Texas, as private school officials, parents decide the requirements for high school graduation. When met, the student may receive a diploma. THSC Association now makes available this custom diploma on which you may have not only your student's name and graduation date but also your school's name and a life verse, if desired. You can choose from four different word styles and several types of paper.

Virginia Law Would Lift Degree Requirement
In an article appearing on March 14, 2006, in dailypress.com, author Georgina Stark states that Virginia is the only state in the U.S. that requires home school teachers to have a college degree. This may be about to change. Read the following excerpts from her article.

“Without a degree, the Gloucester County mom had to submit a detailed curriculum to her school district before she was allowed to teach her children.

“But future home-school parents may soon be able to sidestep the extra paperwork. State lawmakers passed two identical bills that drop the requirement that home-school parents have a college degree.

“Parents who home-school their children welcome the legislation, but some public school officials are concerned it will affect the quality of home-school education.”

Homeschooling, sweet homeschooling

In his column at Townhall.com on March 10, 2006, Nathanael Blake, after reading an article by a colleague regarding school problems with kids, speculates that when he marries and has children, they'll be home schooled.

The following are excerpts.

“For me, reading that story increased my determination that if probability wins out and I marry and have children (I'm archaic enough to believe that to be the proper order), they will be homeschooled.

“But though over one million children are homeschooled in America, there's a surprising amount of resistance to the idea, even from many who support other alternatives to the state schools (i.e. charter and private schools).”

Come Thursday, March 23rd, to a FREE, informational meeting for new or prospective home schooling families. Or tell a friend who is new or thinking about home schooling. Anyone who is looking into home schooling, wondering what it's about, or interested in learning about home schooling is welcome! Click on the picture to see map.

The meeting will be held:
7:00 - 9:00 p.m., March 23, 2006, at the Barbara Bush branch of the Harris County Public Library,
6817 Cypresswood Drive, between Stuebner Airline and Kuykendahl Road, in the Robin Bush room in the children's area.

No childcare will be provided.

For more information, call 832-249-6765, or contact THSC at 806-744-4441.

**Sponsored by the state home school organization of Texas, the Texas Home School Coalition**

Following is a link to a flier with information regarding an upcoming benefit concert (March 24, 2006, in San Antonio), for Nathan Valor (born at 23 weeks gestation). If you cannot make it to the concert, please consider not only giving your prayers but also giving a financial gift to cover the astronomical medical bills. The information on how to do so is at the bottom of the flier.

Every day continues to be a struggle for this precious little boy, but God has graciously been strengthening him thus far. Friends want to do all they can to help him and his faithful parents; theyask that you please seek the Lord for what He would have you to do, and please forward this to everyone you can.