In 2020, the concept of home-based “pandemic pods” went viral. At the time, Cato Institute scholar Jason Bedrick and EdChoice fellow Matthew Ladner released “Let’s Get Small: Microschools, Pandemic Pods, and the Future of Education in America,” a report on the phenomenon. They wrote that COVID-19 has “spurred the dramatic rise of microschools and ‘pandemic pods’ as school districts’ reopening plans (or lack thereof) drove desperate parents to explore alternative education options. For many microschooling or podding families, these options are merely temporary, intended to get them through the pandemic. However, given the considerable growth in microschooling in recent years, there are reasons to believe that the pandemic accelerated a growing trend that could significantly reshape K–12 education in the United States.”
A microschool is the reimagining of the one-room schoolhouse, where class sizes are usually fewer than 15 students of varying ages, and the schedule and curriculum are tailored to fit the needs of each class. Most microschools are independently parent-led, but some are affiliated with a formal network that offers paid, in-person instructors. Lessons are taught in various environments, such as homes, libraries, and other community centers.
The government, however, is very intrusive in this area. While parents can coach Little League teams, throw parties for their children, and take them and friends to a house of worship, when it comes to educating them, the government is in charge, even in homeschools and microschools.
In Iowa, for example, parents can go to jail if they talk about reading, writing, or arithmetic in a homeschool environment with more than four unrelated children. As the Institute for Justice’s Erica Smith and Darly James note, penalties for unauthorized teaching include “imprisonment not exceeding 10 days or a $100 fine. This is for a first offense. If parents continue dispensing knowledge without government permission, prosecutors can charge them with a serious misdemeanor.” Enacted in 2013, the law had a chilling effect on education innovation during the COVID-19 lockdown hysteria when parents sought alternatives.
Government busybodies in North Carolina also have an overbearing presence: The Institute for Justice explains, “One hundred families could gather two afternoons per week. However, if three families meet daily, every parent involved could be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The North Carolina Department of Administration provides seven homeschool requirements, 12 reminders, and five recommendations for anyone confused.”
Iowa and North Carolina are hardly the only cases of abusive government overreach. Across the U.S., the heavy hand of meddlesome bureaucrats is omnipresent.
As Omella reports, microschools in most states are considered to be private schools and must be licensed or registered with the state’s Department of Education. Licensing and registration requirements vary by state, but generally include submitting an application, meeting specific educational and safety standards, and undergoing regular inspections.
Additionally, many states require that teachers in microschools hold a valid teaching certificate. The requirements for teacher certification vary by state but typically include completing a teacher education program, passing a certification exam, and undergoing a background check.
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