ASHLAND — Theresa Watson launched Ashland University’s Homeschool and Classical Learning Center at the beginning of the year, with programming officially beginning in February.
A short six weeks later, Watson helmed the school’s first homeschool conference Friday night, drawing 150 people. The night offered networking opportunities with homeschool groups in Ashland and Richland counties, a panel of homeschooling experts and a keynote speaker.
“It was above and beyond what I thought it would be,” Watson said.
The conference offered a chance for parents to gain new insights and ideas about supports and curriculums available as they educate their children.
Conference highlights
Vendors included local homeschool options and Ashland University resources. Each had an opportunity to share about their services during a dinner served at the conference.
The full list of vendors featured:
- Ashland University financial aid
- Ashbrook Scholars Program
- Christian Home Educators of Ohio
- Mansfield Classical Academy
- Mansfield Christian School Independent Studies
- Family Renewal
- Genesis Christian Academy
- Classical Conversations
The panel, composed of eight people, answered questions from the audience. They offered advice on topics like balancing homeschooling with business, selecting the right curriculum for students and starting College Credit Plus programming.
Panelists also lauded 2023 legislation that changed requirements for homeschooling children that passed in Ohio.
That legislation stopped requiring parents to submit “papers” showing how a home instructor’s qualifications were determined. It also took away a requirement for parents to provide the superintendent of their child’s home district with an academic assessment report at the end of the first homeschooling year.
The conference’s keynote speaker was Israel Wayne, a conference speaker and author who promotes teaching children through a “biblical worldview.”
Wayne spoke at the conference for about an hour, focusing on his book, “Answers for Homeschooling: Top 25 Questions Critics Ask.”
He shared about his own experience with homeschooling. Wayne said his mother homeschooled him before it was legal — it only became legal in all 50 states in 1993.
He also addressed topics about affordability of homeschooling, socialization and parents’ qualifications to teach their children.
Parts of his speech took aim at public education, with Wayne arguing government’s involvement in education is detrimental.
Takeaways
Conference participants ranged from formerly homeschooled parents to those trying it for the first time.
Moriah and Matt Gibson both grew up with parents who were involved in the homeschool community in Ohio. Currently living in North Olmsted, the pair’s first child is only eight months old. But they already plan to homeschool him.
Moriah said she’s reading to him regularly and looks forward to being close with him throughout his education.
The Gibsons said they’ve been to several homeschool conferences before and didn’t take away much new information Friday night, but felt AU’s conference was well organized.
Emilee Wilson, who came to the AU from Mansfield for the conference, is newer to homeschooling. She has three children in public school, but started homeschooling one of her daughters about two years ago.
She attended the conference with the hopes of learning more about it.
Wilson left feeling excited about the Homeschool and Classical Learning Center’s offerings. In particular, she said she wants to explore their open gym and book club options for her daughter in the future.
Watson said the conference will be an annual event, and she looks forward to improving it next year.
Next year’s conference will be on March 8, 2025, and already has Todd Wilson, who runs a homeschooling podcast, lined up as the keynote.