Get the Ricochet app

Ricochet will work fine in a browser on your mobile devices, but for the best experience please download our app.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Become a member.

Tired of the toxicity of social media? Why not join Ricochet for just $5/month? Think of it as an online bar. Come in, have a drink, hang out, say whatever you want. But don’t badger, bully, or berate the other drinkers. That's our only rule.

Homeschooling Journeys with Curious Mike

Homeschooling Journeys is a limited-series, six episode podcast from Pioneer Institute. Spend 30 minutes with education expert “Curious Mike” and parents navigating two trends: homeschooling and Education Savings Accounts. Armed with $5,000 to $8,000 per year, do parents buy traditional experiences (like algebra tutoring or geography curriculum), or specialized items (like Science Through Skateboards, or a class examining all seven books in the Chronicles of Narnia)?

Hosts:
CMCurious Mike
Subscribe to Homeschooling Journeys with Curious MikeSubscribe

Tim’s Take: An Education Reform Stalwart Takes a Curious Look at Homeschoolers With ESAs

This week on Homeschooling Journeys, Curious Mike interviews Tim Daly, CEO of Education Navigator and former CEO of TNTP. Mike is hunting for some Big Picture perspective. Intrigued by what he’s seen from ESAs, he chats with old friend Tim. The “old” Education Reform Alliance has died out somewhat; what can this new ESA sector learn? Tim’s takes: 1. Rising teacher absenteeism is a new blow to traditional public schools, another hit to their perception. At the margins, this may nudge more families towards ESA-driven homeschooling. 2. Centrist (2009-2017/ 2001-2009/ 1993 -2001) Ed Reform had hubris, and things started declining ~2015. ESA/School choice is currently winning lots of state political battles, but beware of hubris, like we (Tim and me) had. 3. Districts complained bitterly, over the years, when some charter students flamed out, and returned to district schools - “We’re being asked to clean up their mess.” That could happen for families who go to district schools, try homeschooling, struggle, and return. (This may be a real or manufactured claim by districts). 4. Tim’s work at TNTP valorized not all teachers, but the best teachers. He wonders if, at the margins, some of the best teachers may depart for ESA opportunities, where they’re freed from bureaucracy.

October 2024

Mountain State Modifications: Tiffany Uses ESA Flexibility to Pivot Quickly For Her Son’s Education

This week on Homeschooling Journeys, we meet Tiffany Hoben from West Virginia. Curious Mike chatted with her twice: once in June 2024, and again in October 2024. This October episode shows the nature of homeschooling: plans change. That cuts both good and bad. One cool opportunity disappeared; but at roughly the same time, a new need emerged, as well as the perfect educator to solve that problem. Tiffany, like other homeschoolers using Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), has a variety of experiences: she gets to personalize her son's education, but in doing so, experiences friction that comes both from DIY and from the red tape of actually making purchases (software challenges and bureaucratic hoops). Her $4,900 “Hope Scholarship” is used for her son’s biology curriculum, rock climbing, an AI-aided writing class, and above all, a specialized phonics tutor. She is optimistic about the future of ESAs for homeschoolers in West Virginia.

Homeschooling with Hope: Katie Switzer’s ESA Experience

In this episode of Homeschooling Journeys with Curious Mike, Katie Switzer from West Virginia shares her compelling story as a homeschooling mom navigating the state's Hope Scholarship program. She recounts her pivotal role as a plaintiff in the legal battle that saw the scholarship declared unconstitutional by a West Virginia Circuit Court, only to be appealed to the state Supreme Court. Katie also sheds light on the frustrations and red tape surrounding the reimbursement process, a challenge many parents face when trying to access funds through the scholarship. Despite the hurdles, Katie successfully uses her Hope Scholarship for her children’s education, covering basic curriculum, speech therapy, piano lessons, and online classes with a beloved teacher, Miss Ashley. This episode provides an eye-opening look at the struggles and successes within the evolving landscape of school choice and education savings accounts.

Surf, Skate, Learn: Hands-On Science for Homeschoolers

In this episode of Homeschooling Journeys, Curious Mike interviews Uli and Toni, the founders of Surf Skate Science, a unique program that combines beach-based science lessons with surfing and skateboarding activities. The program offers kids hands-on experiences in physics and chemistry, both on land and in the water. They explore how Surf Skate Science highlights the advantages of Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), which allow families to fund specialized, engaging educational experiences. This episode also reflects on how traditional schools often lack the resources, freedom, and partnerships, like those between Uli and Toni, that can make learning truly relevant and memorable for kids.

September 2024

Vitamin Parents Part 2: Twin Moms converting a decent traditional school experience into a ‘Wow’ homeschool one

This week's episode of Homeschooling Journeys features Andreina, twin sister of Mariana (last week’s interview). Using Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), Andreina funds activities like competitive jujitsu, music lessons at School of Rock, and Surf Skate Science. As a "Vitamin Homeschooler” (Curious Mike’s term), Andreina enhances her children's education through independent learning tasks and family projects. While the kids’ desire for homeschooling serves as the foundation for their motivation, she experiments also with small rewards like a little screen time or chocolate. Andreina also benefits from family support with her twin; Mike observes that formal feedback isn't common in homeschooling, unlike in traditional classrooms.

Vitamin Parents Part 1: Twin Moms Converting a Decent Traditional School Experience Into a ‘Wow’ Homeschool One

The upcoming episodes of Homeschooling Journeys feature twin sisters, Mariana and Andreina, originally from Venezuela and now living in Florida. Each is a mom of two kids. Curious Mike describes them as "Vitamin Homeschoolers"—they see homeschooling as a way to enhance their children's education rather than addressing any major issues with traditional schooling. They discuss the challenges of balancing time and responsibilities but emphasize the benefits of stronger family bonds and the enriching experiences they've been able to provide through Educational Savings Accounts (ESA). Non-homeschoolers often worry about the socialization of homeschooled kids, but Mariana and Andreina have their children socializing a lot—playing in rock bands, competing at a high level in soccer, and attending in-person, unusual academic classes, like Surf Skate Science and competitive extracurriculars.

From Stress to Success: How Daniella Transformed Her Son’s Learning with ESA Funds

This week on Homeschooling Journeys, Curious Mike talks with Daniella Moreci-Pack, an Arizona mom utilizing her state's Education Savings Account (ESA) to homeschool her son with ADHD. Daniella shares how she spends ESA funds on special needs therapies, curriculum products, and in-person enrichment activities like karate and dance classes. She explores key themes, including the flexibility of homeschooling, the initial anxiety of leaving traditional schooling, and the common shift from structured schedules to more child-led learning. Daniella also discusses navigating ESA red tape, as new rules add bureaucratic hurdles. Tune in to hear highlights of Daniella's approach and resilience in overcoming these challenges to give her child a personalized education.

From Garden to Table: How Alicia Garcia Reshapes Home Ec with ESAs

In the debut episode of Homeschooling Journeys, we meet Alicia Garcia, the founder of Project Flourish Community. Alicia offers an innovative Home Ec experience where students participate in hands-on learning, from picking ingredients in her backyard to cooking healthy meals. As both a provider and user of Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), Alicia shares her unique perspective on homeschooling. Curious Mike and Alicia delve into the challenges of setting up ESA payments and the benefits of specialized learning. Alicia also touches on a heartwarming story of how she used ESA funds to help her introverted son join a local stage musical. We hope you enjoy!