This weekend, a Wyoming homeschooling group will hold its annual conference in Powell.
Homeschoolers of Wyoming is a loose-knit, faith-based organization of homeschooling families in the state. There are more than 2,000 home-schooled students in the state, according to some estimates.
“We hold this event annually to encourage the parents who are doing this day-to-day at home, and also to help equip them and answer any questions that they might have,” says Homeschoolers of Wyoming co-president Heather Hager.
Hager says the event is also perfect for families who are considering getting into homeschooling for the first time.
There’s a full slate of speakers scheduled, including Duke Pesta, who travels the country criticizing the Common Core State Standards. Hager says frustration with those standards for English language arts and math—as well as high-stakes standardized testing—has driven many Wyoming families to homeschooling.
“It is something that we’ve seen here in Wyoming,” says Hager. “We have kind of an independent nature here—a lot of us. And I think Common Core just brings something to the table that a lot of Wyoming parents don’t want to see in their children’s education.”
The event will be held this Friday and Saturday at Trinity Bible Church in Powell. The first speaker begins at 1:00pm on Friday. You can find more information here.