Governors King (I), Baldacci (D) and LePage (R) all issued Proclamations recognizing Maine Home Education Week

STATEHOUSE – Maine House Republicans today expressed disappointment regarding Governor Janet Mills’ denial of a request by Maine Home Schoolers for an official Proclamation recognizing Maine Home School Week.

The denial follows 32-years of bi-partisan tradition recognizing the importance of school choice and home school education. Governors McKernan (R), King (I), Baldacci (D) and LePage (R) all issued proclamations upon request.

“I am shocked that, in this day and age, the self-proclaimed “one-Maine” Governor feels that the impact of home schoolers is insignificant,” said Rep. Heidi Sampson (R-Alfred). “Fourteen U.S. Presidents and countless notable societal contributors, including: George Washington, Franklin Roosevelt, Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Agatha Christie, Helen Keller, Robert Frost and countless modern entertainers were homeschooled. Apparently, Governor Mills is not ‘prochoice’ when it comes to educational choice for children and their parents.”

Homeschoolers of Maine (HOME) originally submitted the request to the Governor’s Office, which was denied. Rep. Heidi Sampson (R-Alfred) then requested that the Governor reconsider, but the request was again denied. This is the reply that Homeschoolers of Maine (HOME) finally received from the governor’s office:

“The Governor has reviewed your proclamation request. Due to the high volume of requests, she prefers to limit the issuance of proclamations to those that will have an impact on a significant number of Maine citizens.”

For 2017-2018, there were 5,749 homeschool students enrolled in Maine, a 40% increase from 2004-2005, according to the Maine Department of Education. 

Students who are registered with their local superintendent of schools and the state for homeschooling:

• 2004-2005= 4,094
• 2005-2006= 4,721
• 2006-2007= 4,571
• 2007-2008= 4,897
• 2008-2009= 4,998
• 2009-2010= 4,927
• 2010-2011= 5,099
• 2011-2012= 4,730
• 2012-2013= 4,995
• 2013-2014= 5,025
• 2014-2015= 5,561
• 2015-2016= 5,441
• 2016-2017= 5,467
• 2017-2018= 5,749
• 2018-2019= 5,422 (as of 12/4/2018)

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