DeSantis praises homeschool families, defends parental rights at major Florida convention

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis delivered remarks Friday at the Florida Parent Educators Association’s Annual Homeschool Convention in Kissimmee, speaking directly to families gathered for what is billed as the largest homeschool event in the country.

Addressing the crowd, the governor highlighted Florida’s support for home education and said the state stands as a national leader for families choosing that path.

“Parents have the fundamental right to direct the education and upbringing of our children,” DeSantis told attendees.

Earlier this year, CatholicVote reported that more than 1 million Florida children are already benefiting from the state’s expanded school choice program. The universal expansion of education savings accounts allows families to use state funds for a wide variety of learning models, including homeschooling.

DeSantis also addressed controversial cultural issues and Florida’s efforts to prevent gender ideology from being introduced in public classrooms.

“In the state of Florida, as a parent, you have the right to send your kid to school without having the teacher tell them that they can change their gender and they were born in the wrong body,” he told the crowd. 

He said the majority of people — especially parents — support this view, even if it’s opposed by politicians, the media, and major corporations.

DeSantis also pointed to broader educational priorities, including the importance of civics instruction. He said that regardless of the educational setting, students must be taught the principles on which the nation was founded. 

“We have an obligation that this education, whatever form it takes, from homeschooling to traditional public schools, that we’re doing what we need to do to prepare our students to be citizens of this republic,” DeSantis said. “That they understand the core foundational principles that the United States of America was founded upon. That they have an appreciation of how those principles are reflected in our founding documents and how they animated key portions in American history.”

He told homeschool parents they are playing a “vital role” by raising their children with these values.

“I know you, as homeschool parents, care very deeply about preparing your children to be citizens of this great land,” he said. “As governor, I think it’s essential that our students are able to graduate with a working knowledge of American civics and American history.”