INCH 2024 Sessions are HERE!!!

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.  

Get Started HERE! History of Homeschooling in Michigan Donate Happy Spring! There's a LOT going on in April...  and then the INCH Conference is coming up in May... May 9-11 is only 1 month away!!!! If you're not yet registered, there's no better time. Read all about it and register here: INCH 2024: 40TH ANNUAL MICHIGAN HOMESCHOOL CONFERENCE As the legislature is returning this week from a two week spring break, we wanted to draw your attention to Senate Bill 285 which would require mandatory kindergarten for every 5 year old in Michigan...  Why does this matter to homeschoolers? NOTE: This bill has already passed out of the Senate Education Committee and is ready for a vote on the Senate floor-- which we've been told could happen this week!  Please contact your senator and ask them to oppose this bill. While you are at it, please remind them that you would also like them to oppose any homeschool regulation bills that may be presented in the future. S.B. 285 would change Michigan’s compulsory attendance law (currently from ages 6-16) and would require ALL 5-year-olds in Michigan to have formal academic instruction (either in school or at home). If you choose the homeschool option, you would be required by law to begin teaching the required 9 academic subjects in an organized educational manner to your child as soon as they turn 5. And we at MiCHN believe this choice of when to begin formal instruction should be made by parents, not the State.   HSLDA has also weighed in on this issue HERE. Also important to note: even if you homeschool, you will be required to help pay the estimated $43.3 million dollars of additional annual tax this will cost for new students entering the public school system because of this law. Find your Senator HERE. MiCHN responds to this issue HERE. Track the bill HERE. Please continue to pray and respectfully reach out to your legislators via emails, calls, or letters. Remember, the Michigan Senate has been on break, but returns today: April 9!  We encourage you to contact them right away, as they may bring this bill up for a vote as soon as they are back in session. Homeschool Registration Bill  Although no actual bill has been submitted yet, we know multiple drafts have been written, and MiCHN continues to closely monitor proposed legislation to regulate homeschooling in Michigan by requiring registration for all homeschool families. (This would also affect private schools and Christian education programs.) Stay informed on the latest updates, and prepare to defend your right to freely educate your children, by attending one of these  upcoming Homeschool Freedom Forums, being held around the state: Mon, April 15th – Charlotte/Eaton County – CLICK for Facebook event Flyer HERE Tues, April 16th – Taylor/Wayne County – CLICK for Facebook event Flyer HERE Mon, April 22nd – Flushing/Genesee County – CLICK for Facebook event Flyer HERE You'll hear from several leaders in the Michigan homeschool movement, including author and speaker Israel Wayne from MICHN, State Rep. Jaime Green, CTV's Eileen McNeil or James Muffett, Salt & Light Global's Katherine Bussard, and more!   In case you are interested to know more about what happens at our Homeschool Freedom Forums held around the state, this recording was made at our Grand Rapids event last month, featuring Rep. Jaime Greene (House Education Committee Vice-Chair.) You may watch the recording HERE. Find an Education Freedom Forum Near You:   Monday: April 15th at 6:30 PM - Eaton County Real Life Church 1848 S. Cochran Ave. Charlotte, MI 48813 Tuesday, April 16th at 6:30 PM - Wayne County Metro City Church-Taylor Campus 21080 Penn St. Taylor, MI 48180 Monday, April 22nd at 10 AM - Genesee County Trinity Baptist Church 4222 Elms Rd, Flushing, MI 48433 Monday, April 22nd at 1 PM Bay City/Midland area - Location TBD Watch for further details Monday, April 22nd at 7 PM Alpena area- Location TBD Watch for further details AND DON'T MISS THIS ONE: THURSDAY, MAY 9th, 9 AM - Noon The Homeschool Freedom Summit @ the 2024 INCH Conference At Mount Hope Church in Lansing - 202 Creyts Rd  (STAY TUNED FOR MORE DETAILS -- PLAN NOW TO ATTEND!)       Coming up this Saturday, April 13, a Call to Prayer at the Capitol: What: Join thousands of people across the nation on the same day to stand and fast and pray for the children, and for America to be turned back to God!  When:  Saturday, April 13th, 1:00-3:00pm Where: Michigan State Capitol Building Who:  Citizens passionate about protecting family values in Michigan We will STAND & PRAY with families at every state capitol across the nation on April 13th. If this is America's last stand, WE MUST STAND. One day. One nation. 50 states. The attack on the children in our country has gone too far. We have had enough. It's time to take a stand in prayer, fasting, and using our voices! Join us with your families for a historic day on April 13, 2024, as we gather to PRAY, take communion, and STAND for truth in every state capital and Washington, D.C.! DETAILS & REGISTRATION HERE     Also happening this Saturday, April 13, in Holland, Political Leadership Academy for anyone wondering what you can do to make a difference in the political arena: This is ideal for anyone considering running for office, for campaign volunteers, interns, ALL CANDIDATES and potential candidates, current elected officials, clergy, citizens hungry for wisdom about how our political world works and how to be more effective in it! LEARN MORE & REGISTER HERE     On Wednesday, April 24, at Spring Arbor University, consider attending this special event:Coach Joe Kennedy:  He Stood for Christ by Taking a Knee We are bringing Coach Kennedy, the coach who prayed after every game.   His story truly is a Daniel in the lion's den type of story.  He was fired, and his legal case went all the way to the Supreme Court.  His strength of conviction and character is an inspiration!   William Wagner will be explaining the important constitutional significance of the Supreme Court's decision.   The event is free.  Feel free to invite others who you think would be interested!  We would appreciate RSVPs by April 17: The web address to RSVP is  arbor.edu/kennedy  April 24, 2024 at Spring Arbor University's McDonald Athletic Center 12:30pm - Coaches and Athletes  5:30pm - Students and Community Members From the time he began coaching high school football in 2008, Coach Joe Kennedy made a covenant with God to take a knee in prayer on the field after every game.  In 2015, this decision cost him his job. The Coach challenged the decision and was thrust in the spotlight.  His case is one of the most important religious liberty cases in recent history.  After a seven-year legal battle, the Supreme Court decided the case in his favor on June 27, 2022.  Kennedy’s story of faith, courage, and determination captured the attention of the nation.  Come, hear his story.     Our freedoms are being threatened on many sides... our freedom of religion, our freedom of speech, our freedom to direct the upbringing, education, and care of our own children. Please be in prayer, take action by reaching out to your elected officials, and plan to join other homeschoolers from around the state as we talk about these issues at our upcoming Homeschool Freedom Forums, as well as at the INCH Conference on May 9th-11th!     May the Lord bless and keep you, The MiCHN Legislative Team