CHEF of Oklahoma

CHEF'S HISTORY

Shortly after Wayne and Leta House, and family, arrived in Tulsa from Texas in the early summer of 1983, they began to ask about others who were home educating. They began to receive several calls from those who were either home educators or were interested in home education. There were 25 couples who met at John Eidsmoe's home for the first meeting in September 1983. The group met monthly and grew in such numbers that by January the location was moved to a classroom at Oral Roberts University, where well over 100 people attended.

The group continued with monthly meetings and in the spring of 1984 hosted its first major. workshop with Gregg Harris and his "Christian Life Workshop". During this workshop "Christian Home Educators Fellowship" (CHEF) became the group's official name. Wayne House was elected temporary president and given the task of drafting a Constitution and Statement of Faith. At this time, CHEF divided into geographical areas which became its "Support Groups." In August 1984, CHEF's Constitution and Statement of Faith was adopted as CHEF's official document and the first officers were elected.

The constitution was amended in April 1986 to provide for the establishment of the nominating committee. The constitution was also amended in June 1991 to require all members, new and present members, to attend a one time orientation class, The constitution was again amended in February 1995 changing the name of CHEF to "Christian Home Educators Fellowship of Oklahoma." This change made CHEF a statewide organization.

September 1984, found CHEF involved in the "National Conference of Christian Home Educators" held on the ORU campus. Featured speakers included Mel and Norma Gabler, Raymond Moore, and Edith Shaeffer.

In 1985 CHEF held its second "Christian Life Workshop" with over 400 in attendance. In August of the same year, CHEF hosted the "Fourth Annual National Conference of Christian Home Educators" at ORU's Mabee Center, with attendance of more than 800 people from all over America. Featured speakers included Tim LaHaye, Richard Fugate, John Saxon, Gregg Harris, and John Eidsmoe.

"A Study of Home Education in Oklahoma" was sponsored by CHEF in 1992. This was the first time a statewide home schooling survey had been conducted in Oklahoma. The three areas covered by the survey were Family Characteristics, Student Achievement, and Policy Matters.

In January of 1992 CHEF again sponsored the "Basic Home School Workshop" and then held the "Advanced Home School Workshop," also by Gregg Harris, in

October 1992. CHEF hosted "The Home Schooling Workshop for Men (and Their Wives)" by Gregg Harris in September 1994.

The Curriculum Fair has become and annual event sponsored by CHEF every year. CHEF brings in a speaker every year and holds workshops in conjunction with the curriculum and book fair. Some of the speakers have been Inge Cannon (Associate Director of National Center for Home Education), Dr. Carl Baugh (Director of Creation Evidences Museum), and Jane Hoffman (author of the Backyard Scientist books). There were over 500 people who attended the 9th Annual Curriculum Fair held in June 1994, as well as 50 curriculum vendors.

CHEF has participated in Home Educators' Capitol Day in Oklahoma City for the last ten years. CHEF has been responsible for providing the information packets for all the legislators as well as participating in the rallies and having display tables.

Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), Oklahoma Central Home Educators Consociation (OCHEC), and Christian Home Educators Fellowship (CHEF) filed a brief of amici curiae on behalf of the Snyder family in the Snyder v. Asbery case. "On May 18, 1993 the Oklahoma Court of Appeals reversed a lower court decision and returned custody of two children to the home schooling father. The case... is an important decision in protecting the rights of custodial parents to home school and in recognizing home schooling as a right in the state of Oklahoma." (Quoted from "Oklahoma: Home Schooler Wins Custody Case" document from Home School Legal Defense Association)

CHEF has sounded state legislative alerts and participated in helping sound national alerts on legislative issues that would affect homeschooling and/or traditional family values. CHEF has also been a participant in the National Home School Conventions sponsored by the National Center for Home Education for the last four years.

Since 1987 CHEF has made available optional yearly testing using Metropolitan Achievement Tests (MAT) to CHEF members.

The CHEF Report has been published monthly to keep members updated on area activities and legislative issues of concern to home educating families since 1984.

CHEF is a large organization that serves families throughout the state of Oklahoma. Activities such as Track and Field Day, Ice Skating, Roller Skating, Writing Contests, Spelling Bees, Field Trips, School Pictures, Science Fairs, Talent Shows, PE Programs, etc… have been organized in the past by and for the membership.