NCHE

NORTH CAROLINIANS FOR HOME EDUCATION 

NCHE is a statewide support group for all home schoolers throughout North Carolina. Sponsors the home schooling convention each Spring. Yearly membership is $20.00. NCHE publishes The Greenhouse Report.

4336-A Bland Road

Raleigh NC 27609

Phone: 919-790-1100

Fax: 919-790-1892

E-mail: nche@nche.com


History

Although home education is the oldest form of education, it was not officially recognized in North Carolina until 1985.  In May of that year, the Supreme Court ruled that home education was a legal way of meeting the compulsary attendance regulations under the existing private school law.  Motivated by suggestions from that ruling, the North Carolina General Assembly undertook the task of deciding whether further regulations should be applied to home education and what those regulations should be.  Through the efforts of North Carolinians for home education (NCHE), an attempt to heavily regulate home education was averted, and a substitute bill was passed that added a new section to the private school law.  This section clearly designates home education as a method of complying with compulsory attendance regulations and contains minimal requirements.  As a result of NCHE's hard work, the North Carolina law is now one of the nation's best. 


What NCHE Is

In 1984, NCHE was organized to support and encourage home educators and to protect the right freely home educate in North Carolina.  From a small group of concerned parents, NCHE has grown into an increasingly stronger statewide service organization.  NCHE is a representative organization governed by a board of seven officers elected by all NCHE members and twelve regional directors, elected by the NCHE members in each region.  NCHE is operated on the basis Biblical principals and living faith welcoming members of all races, nationalities, and religions who subscribe to the NCHE ideals.


NCHE's Primary Purposes Are:

  • to protect the freedom to educate children at home.

  • to provide encouragement and support to families choosing home education for their children

  • to promote home education as an excellent educational alternative


What NCHE Does

While promoting home education as a viable educational alternative, NCHE also provides support and assistance to new and existing homeschools and homeschool support groups.  Some of the specific services provided by NCHE include:


NCHE Annual Conference and Book Fair

Each spring, NCHE sponsors one of the largest home education conferences in the southeast.  Attended by over 7,500 parents and teens, the conference provides a great opportunity for both the novice and experienced homeschooler to be encouraged.  Workshops by both local and national home education leaders offer helpful information on every aspect the homeschool process.  The Book Fair, with over 90 vendors, serves as an opportunity for home educators of all experience levels to view a wide array of curricula and supplies.


The Greenhouse Report

This bi-monthly newsletter, published by NCHE, provides helpful information and maintains open lines with homeschools and homeschool support groups throughout the state.


Legislative Watch

Through the Raleigh office and with the help of volunteers, NCHE monitors both state and national legislation that may restrict the right to homeschool.  Local support group phone chains, email updates, the Greenhouse Report, and other mailings are used to alert NCHE members to critical news. 


Additional Services Provided By NCHE

  • We provide free homeschooling brochures to all who request them, as well as make them available on our website at www.nche.com.

  • We make available the Homeschooling in Action video.

  • We provide an NCHE website with links to resources.

  • We provide resources and support to support group leaders, including:

    • The annual Leadership Conference for all current and prospective support group leaders.

    • Support Group Library Fund (partially underwriting expenses for materials)

  • We sponsor a Legislative Rally for all homeschoolers who want to come to Raleigh and meet their legislators.

  • We sponsor Governor and Legislative Page Weeks for homeschool students.

  • We maintain an office in Raleigh with paid staff to provide a constant source of information and support for homeschoolers.


Benefits of NCHE Membership Include:

  • Annual subscription to the Greenhouse Report

  • Discounts on admission to the annual  Conference and Book Fair.

  • Participation in the annual graduation ceremony (Contact NCHE for specific membership requirements).

  • A beautiful NCHE diploma and cover for qualified graduates.

Membership

Membership in NCHE is available to all residents of North Carolina who pledge to uphold the ideals of NCHE and to comply with the North Carolina homeschool law.  NCHE is supported financially by membership fees and regular contributions of its members.  Membership is $20 per year.


Ideals of NCHE

  • Educational excellence

  • Parental authority and responsibility for education

  • Diligence in moral and ethical instruction

  • Responsible citizenship

  • Freedom of choice among education alternatives

  • Defense of constitutional rights

The cost of freedom is viligence, involvement and commitment.  Your membership in and active involvement with NCHE will help to continue the development of services to assist homeschoolers in the state and the maintain education freedom.