I'm not going to rewrite what the article states. If you're interested in the topic, you'll read it. If this doesn't interest you, then just dismiss it as one more soap box that I won't get off of.
But regardless of how you feel about homeschooling, isn't this scary to you!? (Hmmm . . . I guess you will have to actually read the article to answer that question. Go on. Read it.)
I completely agree with what this woman says about the situation:
The appellate court has no right to say that there is no guarantee in the Constitution that allows parents to homeschool; they ought to be ashamed of themselves. The government doesn't give us rights, God does, and herein lies the problem with liberalism; it's all about the government seizing your rights and doling them back to you, hacked and incomplete.
I've heard all the arguments against homeschooling. Yes, there are some irresponsible, occassionally even abusive, parents out there who are not doing what is best for their children. But for EVERY story that I see about a bad homeschooling situation, I can point to many more outrageous situations in the public school system. Fights in the hallways, rapes on the school bus, sex on the playground, teachers abusing their students, low academic standards . . . Heck, I could list similar stories happening in churches and day cares across the country as well. Where are the judges ruling that church attendance or day cares are illegal?
Sigh. I'm not an activist. I just want to mind my own business and raise my children the best that I am able. Is that so wrong?
If you are interested in helping secure the rights of homeschoolers, please consider signing this petition.
5 comments:
Hey Brooke, this is a voice from the past. This is Jackie. Remember me? From the Brooke, Jackie, Nicole, Heidi days on University Ave in Provo? I just knew you'd have a blog out there, so I googled you today and got linked from another site to yours! Email me. I'd love to catch up with you and find out all the juicy details of your life with Nathan!
Jackie
nauvootemple@yahoo.com
I heard about this on Friday. This is definitely a situation where the government, particularly appellate court judges have overstepped there bounds. Be grateful this was only in California, or is it federal?
I will sign the petition, I feel parents should not have the choice of homeschooling taken from them...and I say that as a former public school teacher! I also agree with school vouchers...but that is another topic.
The homeschooling organizations in California are working with HSLDA (an unusual occurrence, but thus far everyone seems to be cooperating) to handle the matter. The (very large)law firms Baker McKenzie and Wilson, Sonsini are doing pro bono work for the homeschooling groups, and "the Governator" has spoken out on behalf of homeschoolers. Even the DOE has acknowledged that it has no interest in persecuting homeschoolers (they have their hands full, as it is).
On the other hand, newspapers in every major town in California have published stories that, ostensibly, support homeschooling, while also suggesting that more oversight is needed. California homeschoolers were asked to contact their representatives with regard to the resolution brought before the State Assembly. Now, CA homeschoolers are being asked to write letters in response to the various media pieces, saying "No thanks, we don't want oversight."
The HSC and CHN websites are good places to get updates (www.hsc.org, www.californiahomeschool.net).
My only concern about homeschooling is ensuring that these kids are adequately socialized and not isolated from their peers. If you're giving them a daily dose of other kids — and preferably not always in structured activities, but loose, room-to-roam playtime — then I'm totally cool with it.
Ah, the "s-word," so frequently used, so rarely understood. Perhaps you should read this piece:
http://www.nhen.org/nhen/pov/editors/default.asp?id=157
The "Bitter Homeschooler's Wish List" has a few choice remarks about "socialization," as well:
http://www.secular-homeschooling.com/001/bitter_homeschooler.html
We live in a quiet, boring, affluent town with very good schools. The schools have begun random drug testing, of all the wrong kids, and staff and teachers harass and threaten students who protest. My homeschooled kid was the only person to write to the local newspaper in support of the handful of students who are defending their rights. The last thing I would want to do is socialize independent thought out of that child.
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