As advocates in Virginia and Illinois battled to defend homeschool freedom this legislative season, one Wisconsin mom decided she couldn’t take her state’s calm political climate for granted.
With less than nine weeks to work with, Rachael Dowling organized a homeschool rally at the state capitol in Madison—the first such event held in decades. The response was unexpectedly enthusiastic.
More than 700 homeschooling families showed up on April 9 to model civic engagement and demonstrate to legislators their fierce commitment to providing their children a wholesome education. Their goal was not to fight any specific legislation, but to head off that possibility in the future, said Rachael, who’s been homeschooling her four children for 10 years.
Their message to lawmakers was simple: “We’re here. We love our kids. Please leave us alone.”
Quick turnaround
The timing and the rapid development of the event came as a welcome surprise to HSLDA Staff Attorney Amy Buchmeyer.
Since the current homeschool law was enacted in 1984, Wisconsin has remained relatively stable in terms of education policy. Years ago, advocates helped defeat a proposed expansion of the compulsory school attendance age, and in 2015 legislators granted homeschool students access to public school sports and extracurricular activities.
As a result, no homeschool capitol day rallies have been held in recent memory. Nevertheless, Buchmeyer was ready with an answer when Rachael responded to an email HSLDA sent to constituents in January, which listed capitol days in other states.
Rachael Dowling at the capitol day event she spearheaded.
“Rachael asked me when the capitol day in Wisconsin was scheduled,” recalled Amy. “I said, there isn’t one, but you’re welcome to organize something.”
HSLDA also offered a grant to help cover some of the expenses involved.
Learning from history
Rachael accepted the challenge. She was inspired in part by last year’s Home School Court Report cover story attesting to the efficacy of capitol days in persuading legislators to look favorably on homeschooling. The article was written by Zan Tyler, who founded the South Carolina Association of Independent Homeschools and now works with BJU Press Homeschool as a speaker and a homeschool advocate.
“In my many years of attending homeschool capitol days and conducting research,” Zan said, “I was struck by how many of these annual events played a crucial part in gaining our freedoms. That was a revelation to me.”
For this reason, hearing that homeschooling families in Wisconsin had succeeded in organizing a capitol day was music to her ears. “Relationships with legislators are a key factor in maintaining freedom,” she said. “Going to the state capitol every year is a powerful way to cement those relationships. That’s one of the many reasons I believe that attending your capitol day as a family is the most important field trip you can take together.”
In the same issue of the Court Report, HSLDA President Jim Mason noted: “I encourage you to get involved. Let your voice be heard. Introduce your kids to their state capitol, their representatives, and to the great experiment that is our federal republic.”
Putting it all together
Once Rachael set about organizing the event, she drew on her experience in taking civic involvement to a higher level. She’s currently serving her second term as a Winnebago County supervisor.
After consulting with other homeschooling moms, who were enthusiastic about the idea, Rachael booked a room at the capitol and set up a registration page on social media. Based on the short notice and heavy reliance on word-of-mouth promotion, she expected maybe 50 to 75 attendees.
Because of the number of registrants, homeschool families met in the State Assembly chamber.
“I thought, ‘It’ll be cute,’” Rachael recalled. “Then it kind of exploded.”
She stopped counting how many people had registered when her spreadsheet topped 500. (It eventually hit about 750.) But Rachel did cancel the meeting room she’d reserved in favor of the more spacious and ornate State Assembly chamber.
With one voice
Rachael also scheduled several activities and speakers. Buchmeyer, who was homeschooled in Wisconsin, gave a talk. She described for attendees how her own visit to the capitol in Madison as a teenager helped inspire her to pursue a career in law and advocacy.
Amy Buchmeyer telling about her own visit to the Wisconsin Capitol as a teenager.
Joel Grewe, executive director of HSLDA Action, spoke on the importance of building relationships with lawmakers. “One of the most powerful things a family can do to help secure homeschool freedom is to build a positive relationship with their elected representatives,” he said. “That means meeting with them.”
Rachael concurred, adding that from her own experience as an elected official she’s seen just how profound an effect citizens can have through earnest and courteous interaction. “It’s okay if we don’t agree with our legislators,” she said, “but we can shake hands with them and say we’re praying for them.”
In an effort to lift spirits and promote unity, Rachael also arranged for her father, who is a pastor, to deliver a devotional to attendees in the statehouse. Families also joined in a hymn sing.
“People said it was really encouraging,” Rachael recounted.
Joel Grewe giving a speech about the importance of meeting with lawmakers.