Homeschool Idaho

Legislative
Day

We are celebrating nearly 30 years of “Pie Day”
at the Capitol!

 

So many things are different this year.  But two things that remain the same for Idaho homeschoolers are our love for family and our determination to protect freedom.

Our annual Legislative “Pie” Day at the Idaho Statehouse is going to look a little different for 2021!  WE ARE HOLDING OUR ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE DAY! Sadly, we will not be able to serve homemade pies nor host students with displays as has been our tradition for nearly thirty years.  Homeschool Idaho is publishing a coffee table worthy recipe photo book to celebrate our homeschool freedom and the hardworking Idaho homeschool families who bake our pies!

  • We will be presenting the books to our legislators to preserve the spirit of our annual Legislative Day, and remind them that homeschool freedom still works in Idaho!
  • We will be displaying our excellent test scores to represent the high academic succes of Idaho’s homeschool students.
  • We will be greeting legislators and visiting with them to answer questions about homeschooling in Idaho.

Thank you for your submissions helping us make a slice of history at the Idaho Capitol!

Thank you for the great work you do. It’s so important! I always look forward to the pie, and all the wonderful kids on the fourth floor who make home education sparkle like the crown jewel that it is.
Representative Lenore Hardy Barrett

The History of Pie Day

At the advice of Representative Tilman, in 1993, the Idaho Coalition of Home Educators began hosting an annual Legislative Day at the Idaho Capitol.  They asked homeschool families to bake homemade pies to serve Legislators, and they asked a couple of Legislator’s wives to cut and serve the pie. These ladies were the grandmothers of homeschooled children.  They were lovely and sweet, and who can resist homemade pie anyway? Whether they came to please these dear Senator’s wives, or to get their piece of pie, it didn’t really matter. What was important was that legislators came to our show and tell.

They were greeted by homeschooled “Teen Ambassadors” who offered to show them around the fourth floor of the Rotunda, which was filled with interesting displays and bright-faced young homeschooled students.

Legislators met face-to-face with real homeschoolers, who shook their hands, looked them in the eye, and spoke articulately about their displays. They listened to musical performances by talented homeschooled children. They played chess with some very gifted chess playing homeschoolers.

“Pie Day” became a much-anticipated annual event. To this day, Legislative staff not only marks the date for this event on their calendars, but some even bring their own ice cream to adorn their pie.

One of the most important things for Legislators to see each year are the large testing charts that are on display. These charts compare the standardized test scores  of Idaho homeschoolers with Idaho public school students, and also the national averages. These scores make a dramatic statement about the academic effectiveness of home education.

Every year since 1993, the message that we have conveyed to our Legislature is quite simple: “We want nothing but our freedom.” Legislators have regularly commented that we are the only constituency that comes to the Capitol without having our hands out for assistance from the government. They are quick to remind us that what they finance, they must also regulate.

Through the years, Pie Day has expanded to more floors than just the fourth. It now includes a floor highlighting the accomplishments of Homeschooled Alumni where legislators are served coffee and tea. Another floor showcases Idaho Homeschool History.

Our excellent relationships at the Idaho Capitol are built upon the efforts of ICHE, now known as Homeschool Idaho, in hosting this annual event. They also work hard all year to build and maintain strong alliances with legislators.

Furthering this strong tie are homeschooled seniors who serve as Pages for the Idaho Legislature. The Sergeant at Arms, who hires and manages the Pages, has come to rely upon homeschooled students as responsible and hardworking teens.

Idaho homeschool families are thankful and proud to be represented at the Capitol by an organization that operates with a high standard of integrity. Our philosophy of coming alongside of legislators and offering them honest, direct advice on issues impacting home education, has turned out to be very effective.