With the rise of homeschooling, I asked the other day how Democrats would respond. I predicted they'd launch a war against the practice the same way they've launched a war against school choice. But perhaps they worry the political and legal implications of banning a growing movement weren't worth the risk, and instead they'll do with homeschooling what they're doing with guns: simply make it untenable to homeschool.
How? Well, this story out of Nebraska is one of the ways they'll do it. By simply making homeschooled children unemployable by refusing to accept homeschool diplomas.
🚨#BREAKING: Outrage is erupting after a 22-year-old who runs into BURNING BUILDINGS as a volunteer firefighter was told he isn't qualified to be a paid firefighter...
— Matt Van Swol (@mattvanswol) September 21, 2026
...because he was HOMESCHOOLED.
Then the city changed the job posting to cover it up.
His name is Andrew… pic.twitter.com/6Dnx9UB6XZ
The Fremont application rejected in April only said “graduation from high school.” The city’s HR director says an accredited high school is implied.
“I would say it’s a standard understanding that when someone requests a high school diploma or GED that they’re asking for an accredited diploma,” said Jennifer McDuffee, Fremont HR director.
But after denying Andrew’s application, the city added “graduation from an accredited high school” to the job description. So, backed by about 30 home school supporters, Andrew appealed to the Civil Service Commission.
“I feel the city of Fremont’s really missing out here, and in my mind, because of his home schooling, you guys are discriminating against him,” said Chris Lichtenberg, Cedar Bluffs fire chief.
Commissioner Doug Backens disagreed.
“I don’t think there was any discrimination against him, and when they use that word, I don’t care to hear that word out there,” Backens said.
This is Nebraska. A red state.
If it will attack homeschooling like this, how will families in blue states fare? I'm in a purple state and I homeschool my youngest. When will Democrats attack me and take away that choice, as they're trying to do with the state's voucher program?
Here's a man who has dedicated his life to his community and simply wants to earn a living doing it. But the powers that be have figured out a way to punish him for not being indoctrinated by public schools. And that's what this is about: making sure families have no option but to send their children to subpar public schools — even leftist Nikole Hannah-Jones realized how terrible they are — so the Left and its teachers' unions can keep a stranglehold on education.
We are conditioned to accept things like "official", "certified", and “accredited” as badges of competency assurance. The reality is that these labels are the result of bare minimums of acceptance in government programs.
— Homeschool Life LLC | Jonathan Prescott (@Homeschool_LLC) September 21, 2026
Never forget that badges are made from cheap tin. https://t.co/gbGMMUzIYi
Democrats know how to circumvent the laws to force compliance. Making sure homeschool children — who test better and perform better than their public-school peers — cannot get gainful employment is a great way to do that.
Of course, places like the Homeschool Legal Defense Association are vital. They're the last line of defense against the de facto ban of Homeschooling.
