It's hard to watch what is happening in California right now. In case you don't know, a judge in the appelate court (that's right; a judge. Not a bill through the legislature) ruled that most homeschoolers in California were breaking the law. How's that? Yeah; he ruled that kids need to be in public school, private school, or tutored by a credentialed teacher at home. I so often feel helpless in the face of The State exerting more and more control over our personal liberties, but I did manage to sign this HSLDA petition asking that the ruling be depublished.
Please do the same, if you value the right to homeschool in America.
3 comments:
I would sign, if I were a US citizen :) In NZ we are allowed to officially withdraw our kids from school, so long as we teach them "as regularly and as well" as they are taught in school.
Looks like that allowance just wasn't in place in CA, but not challenged until now. Crazy. Hope they sort it out!
It differs here, state to state. Some require some sort of 'registration' with the school district, even quarterly 'reporting' on progress, or testing. Some require so many hours of 'instruction' time, etc. Others, make no requirements, other than "comparably" educated; however parents may choose to do that (private, tutored, homeschool, etc). Of course, I lean towards "the state can keep it's hands off my kids" philosophy. :)
I'm sure you've seen this, but just in case you haven't :)
"Court of Appeal Grants Petition for Re-hearing
On March 25, the California Court of Appeal granted a motion for
rehearing in the ‘In re Rachel L.’ case–the controversial decision
which purported to ban all homeschooling in that state unless the
parents held a teaching license qualifying them to teach in public
schools.
The automatic effect of granting this motion is that the prior opinion
is vacated and is no longer binding on any one, including the parties
in the case.
The Court of Appeal has solicited a number of public school
establishment organizations to submit amicus briefs including the
California Superintendent of Public Instruction, California Department
of Education, the Los Angeles Unified School District, and three
California teacher unions. The court also granted permission to
Sunland Christian School to file an amicus brief. The order also
indicates that it will consider amicus applications from other groups.
Home School Legal Defense Association will seek permission to file
such an amicus brief and will coordinate efforts with a number of
organizations interesting in filing briefs to support the right of
parents to homeschool their children in California.
“This is a great first step,” said Michael Farris, chairman of HSLDA.
“We are very glad that this case will be reheard and that this opinion
has been vacated, but there is no guarantee as to what the ultimate
outcome will be. This case remains our top priority,” he added."
From http://hef.org.nz/2008/hslda-california/
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