A History of Homeschooling in Michigan

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A History of Homeschooling in Michigan

 

In 1984, Information Network of Christian Homes (INCH) was founded by Dennis and Roxanne Smith, as the first Christian state homeschooling organization in Michigan. They hosted their first homeschooling conference and began homeschooling advocacy work.

The DeJonge Case

On September 20, 1984, Ottawa County contacted homeschooling parents Mark & Christine DeJonge to inform them they were illegally homeschooling their two young children. The DeJonges were not certified teachers and therefore were deemed in violation of the state’s compulsory attendance law.

On March 28, 1985, truancy charges were filed against the DeJonges. They were convicted of violating Michigan's certification requirement for home schooling. On April 23, 1985, warrants were issued for their arrests, with charges of criminal truancy. The DeJonges contacted HSLDA who retained Michigan attorney David Kallman to defend them.

Kallman introduced test scores from the DeJonge’s children, demonstrating they both scored above the 90th percentile, but the evidence was not permitted. The DeJonges were convicted and sentenced to two years’ probation, fined $200, and ordered to find certified instruction or choose public schooling. Christopher Klicka of HSLDA got a stay of sentence and appealed the case to a higher court.

The Bennett Case

John and Sandra Bennett were homeschooling their four children, but in 1986 they were charged with four counts of truancy during the 1985-86 school year because they were not certified teachers. The Bennetts were found guilty by the 35th District Court and fined $50 for each count. Their children were enrolled in Clonlara School (a Catholic private school in Ann Arbor, founded by Pat Montgomery).

David Kallman’s Workload Increases

On June 7, 1986, David Kallman won the Haines, Smolls, and Gibson vs. Runkel case where parents were originally charged with truancy, but all charges were dropped!

School districts soon started sending letters to homeschoolers, asking if they were certified (to get them to admit their own guilt). HSLDA told people not to respond and used stalling tactics with school boards to avoid ending up in court.

The DeJonge Case Continues

Even as late as August 9, 1989, the DeJonge case was still winding its way through the courts. The Court of Appeals affirmed ruling against the DeJonges, but HSLDA appealed the case to the Michigan Supreme Court.

Persecution against Homeschoolers Escalates

Between 1985-1993, over 500 homeschooling families were threatened annually with prosecution. In those days, truancy officers often carried guns which made for scary home visit situations!

In December 1991, four HSLDA families were threatened with arrest. In January 1992, Farris and Klicka of HSLDA filed a civil rights case (Arnett vs. Middleton) and sued the prosecutor, the superintendent, and the school district for violating homeschoolers’ civil rights! They quickly backed off!

The DeJonge Case Decided

On November 10, 1992, Farris argued People vs. DeJonge before the Michigan Supreme Court. The same day, Farris, Klicka and Kallman argued People v. Bennett regarding religious exemption from Compulsory Attendance. Two days later, Clonlara v. State Board of Ed. was argued in Michigan Supreme Court.

On May 25, 1993, Clonlara was decided by a 4-3 vote in the Michigan Supreme Court removing the teacher certification requirement. Finally, after nearly a decade in court, the DeJonge’s previous legal convictions were reversed.

God Answers Prayer

The initial state Supreme Court decision was 4-3 against the DeJonges; however, the day before the decision was published, Justice Levin surprisingly told Chief Justice Cavanaugh he wanted to change his vote. He didn’t know why, but he wanted to change his vote. There had been prayer meetings all over the state for these court cases and it was clear that, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes” (Prov. 21:1, NKJV).

MiCHN’s New Legacy Begins

In 2010, Dennis and Roxanne Smith retired from their leadership role with INCH, and Michael and Kim Winter (homeschooling parents of ten and co-op leaders in Lansing) began leading the organization with their team of volunteers. In 2019, INCH was rebranded as Michigan Christian Homeschool Network (MiCHN) and became a 501-c-3 non-profit organization. You can learn more about MiCHN at www.HomeschoolMichigan.org.

 

Israel Wayne is a homeschooled graduate and homeschooling father of eleven. He and his wife are founders of Family Renewal, LLC and serve on the leadership team for Michigan Christian Homeschool Network.

 

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1 Week From Today We are Celebrating!🥳❄️
Get Started HERE! History of Homeschooling in Michigan Donate Share Forward   Our 40-year journey: The history and future of homeschooling in Michigan South Church 5250 Cornerstone Dr. Lansing, MI December 12, 2024 7-9pm An event to celebrate 40 years of homeschool freedom and to tell the story of how those freedoms were won in Michigan. The evening will include several exciting features: A panel: will discuss the early days of the homeschooling movement and the fight involved with legalizing home education in our state will be moderated by Israel Wayne (a homeschooled graduate who serves as VP of MiCHN). Panel to include: -Mark and Chris DeJonge (DeJonge vs. Michigan: a landmark case for homeschool freedom) -David Kallman (the attorney who won the DeJonge case) -Steve Kallman (attorney fighting to maintain homeschool freedom in MI) -Dennis and Roxanne Smith (the founders of INCH -- now MiCHN) -James Muffett (founder of Citizens for Traditional Values and Student Statesmanship Institute) A video: from one of our own state representatives, the honorable Jamie Greene. A special word: from Samuel Johnson (our HSLDA attorney for Michigan) on the history and support HSLDA provides to families across our great state. Our keynote speaker: is Todd Wilson - The Familyman, speaking on “Hope for the Future.” A silent auction: is available now through December 12th at 8pm. Winners of the auctioned items will be announced at the end of the event. Special music: starting at 6:30pm provided by talented homeschool musicians, Living Water Strings Ensemble. Festive photo booth: starting at 6:30pm. Printed pictures available for you to take home. Even though childcare is not available, children are welcome to come. They are the essence of why we are here! Please come enjoy celebrating with us the 40-year history of homeschooling in Michigan. Want to come but the funds are tight? We would love to offer you the opportunity to come anyway!   Here are a couple options to help you come: Bring a couple of friends with you and enjoy a buy 3 tickets, get 1 ticket free discount. Only looking for a single ticket, receive $10 off your INCH 2025 registration. Register for the event here: Fundraising Celebration, Our 40-year Journey: The History & Future of MI Homeschooling - December 12, 2024 DeJonge story interview HERE Smith story interview HERE   We would love to have you join us! If you can’t join us, you can still participate in the silent auction. Also, please prayerfully consider donating to ensure we are able to continue this important work for years to come! Donate HERE. We also want to recognize our sponsors for this event. We couldn’t do all this without their support! Tim Hortons Jillian Stapleton Art, DBA PIONEERS Home Education Support Service Blessings, The team at MiCHN Michigan Christian Homeschool Network (Home of the INCH Conference)   Get Your Ticket HERE     Click the image to get your ticket today!   MiCHN’s role is working to ensure that all families who choose to home educate in Michigan have the encouragement, support, and resources they need to do so with excellence, free from government interference. As you look for opportunities to disciple your children, we look for opportunities to come along side you with resources, encouragement, legislative updates, and more. We couldn’t do that without the financial support of so many generous people throughout the decades. Fight With Us HERE! These are quite uncertain times. Right now, MICHN would advise you to make sure your account is up to date and accurate with Homeschool Legal Defense Association. Be sure to visit their website, and if you have not done so already, BECOME A MEMBER today.   Coming Events       Copyright © 2022 MICHN, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 4407 W St. Joseph Hwy Lansing, MI 48917