Friday, March 07, 2008

to homeschool, is it against the law now?

here is a long ARTICLE
on the california court ruling that
children must go to a school
no matter how bad it is
and have a person with a credential
to teach them. The Union thought this was a good idea.
They must know best what is right for children, right?

It could not possibly be that a mother ( or father) could
guide their child's learning and development just as well, or better.

So California takes a swipe at home schooling.

what do you think?

I have experience with both, and our schools are pretty good
( i spell that: SMALL town)
But I will say that our boys were NOT hindered in any way
by the four and two years of "school" that they missed out on while they were
learning at home and being children, near their parents.
They are both brilliant. So is their talented sister!

14 comments:

sage said...

We debated homeschooling, but since we too live in a small town, the school system is decent, but there is a lot of supplimenting that is still necessary. I can't see the state saying that you can't homeschool--that smacks too much of big brother. Here from Michele's today.

Chris said...

This really saddens me. Even though my boys go to public school, I have been contimplating homeschooling my older one who's having problems due to stress which is effecting his grades, etc. Not having this option to homeschool now is now stressing me out! Even though I've never homeschooled I liked knowing that option was there.

David Edward said...

for more info:
google "Home school legal defense"
chris

David Edward said...

or go to
www.hslda.org

Jennifer said...

Someone sent me that link today. I think that's kinda sad :(.

MaR said...

Dropping by to say hello.
HI!
I am not familiar with homeschooling as it is not available where I live... It is important to have options, particularly with your own children. And specially nowadays!

Michael K. Althouse said...

Although I don't like what this ruling presumes... that parents are not qualified to teach their children, there are some other factors at play, most of which have not been reported by the main-stream media.

First, in my experience, homeschooling is an arm of whatever district is administering it. as such, institutional homeschooling is just that, institutional. A teacher comes to the student on a regular interval (usually once a week) to monitor and instruct the student and assign the next week's work. In a perfect world, this system would be ideal for certain kids and they would flourish under it. The home-schooled kids that are instructed by parents are, in theory, following a specified, albeit flexible, instructional guidelines and, again, under the right circumstances will flourish.

Unfortunately, home-schooling and other forms of alternative and continuation schooling are too often nothing more than a dumping ground for the "undesirables." Those kids who are struggling academically or otherwise are shunted to these programs where the drop-out rate is often %50 or greater. The main-stream schools are left with mid to high 90s graduation rates and look good statistically.

I am all for alternative education where appropriate and when necessary. When it is used to rid the system of a few "troubled" students, I have a serious issue with it. This recent case is just the beginning of a long overdue examination of how the districts are disposing of "difficult" students.

Sara said...

Hello, Michele sent me to say - that I think homeschooling should be the decision of the parent - not the State...already there are so many things that the government controls...so sick of it...

Snaggle Tooth said...

I was here yesterday leaving a comment to the effect of stripping parents of their rights n hearing the sound of a petition starting to circulate-

But something gobbled it up!

This type of law must allow exclusions in some cases. ie, one of my friends growing up had mono, n was out 1.5 years ill. Her parent was a teacher. She got permission from the school board for home schooling, n passed needed tests to graduate HS on schedule-

(Assuming all parenta are incapable is stupid)

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

I do not have my own children - but if I did - I would NEVER home school them. I want my children to be smarter than me and I can only take them to my level. I also would not homeschool my children because I want them to see what's going on in the world and learn ways to try to help. If I keep them at home and "shelter" them from the big bad world - they will not be able to function very well once they get out of my house. I could see this when I worked for a local christian college for a few years. I helped with student orientation in the fall and could pick out which students were home schooled and which ones weren't within the first 2 minutes of them being there.

Now - to be on the other side - I do agree with homeschooling when you have a child who needs that extra help in their classes - but if and only if you have them involved in outside activities - not including your church youth group. Sports, dance, boy/girl scouts, etc. Where they can get some interaction with other kids. No child should get a lower level of an education just because the concepts might not make sense at the moment. If you live in a bad school district (like my kids would if I had my own) - then move or do school of choice. I already know who my children's teachers would be from Kindergarten through 4th grade. I have relationships with these teachers and NOW my child would get a good education (and it's an inner city school). After that - I would pull them and take them somewhere else. Yes - that means more work on my but that's my child's future.

My last point - there should be homeschooling being done in the home from the time that baby is born anyway! SOMEONE should be reading to that child DAILY at least once! Someone should be teaching that child the abc's, how to count, how to tie shoes, how to write their first name, how to do all that stuff that they should know BEFORE they get to school! Isn't THAT homeschooling????? It's these poor kids who are in 3rd grade and don't know their letter sounds even that just kill me. IT's not the schools fault! There is NO support at home. Teaching children is a team effort. Team between parent and teacher!

I'll get off my ranting and raving now. Sorry - it's just a touchy subject with me.

craziequeen said...

Ah, so our david wants to steal medieval crime and punishment?

You may, but I would ask you link to the Company website:
http://www.yecompaynyeofcheualrye.com/

:-)

I'm glad you liked it - MB was very proud of his first effort at film-making :-)

cq

Maria said...

I taught in California's public schools for some 28 years. I saw great teaching and medicore teaching. This, I believe, is true in home schooling as well. Children who had been home schooled came into my classroom and were excellent students and brought educational skills with them that were outstanding. On the other hand, I have had home schoolers entering public school with little or no skills whatsoever. It all has to do with the teacher, the curriculm, the student's ability etc.

I think it is a parent's right to choose what is best for their child. I also believe guidelines and professional aid needs to be provided to them.

Maria said...

Oops, I forgot to say Michele sent me. It is okay for old teachers to forget, right?