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Apr 7, 2008 10:03 am US/Pacific
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What Do You Think Of This New Home School Ruling?
"This IS just another nanny law. It should go in the trash can ASAP." - Joann C., Sacramento
"California public schools are among the worse ranked in the country. Why should I have to send my kids to them? Would you go to a poor ranked hospital for an operation or go to one of the best? Will I need to get a special credential to teach my child how to ride a bike? Or drive a car? We as parents we want what's best for our kids. If that means sacrificing ourselves (financially and our time) to homeschool them, to teach them character, integrity, AND academics, then that's our choice, not the state's. Homeschooling is hard work, and with some kids spending 12 hours a day in daycare, it shows them that they are loved. How do kids spell "LOVE?" T-I-M-E How much time to you love your kids? You only get them once, a short 18 or so years. What are you doing for your kids?" - Mike G., American Canyon
"I think it is a good thing that Homeschoolers are to be credentialed.
My stepson was home schooled, as were a large group of his friends, and they got nothing from it. For my ex-wife, it was a way to keep her son from getting into trouble at school. From the 9th grade on he was home schooled. When he graduated, he could not operate the phone book. He could not name five American authors or the branches of gov't." - Ben, from Folsom
"If the schools weren't so into indoctrinating our children into a belief system that is working against and directly in contrast to many of our beliefs as parents, perhaps it would not be necessary for so many people to home school their children in the first place... This lawsuit is a power grab by those who want to continue to erode the rights of parents in this State. It makes me furious to see these types of things happen, but with the current crop of legislators in this state, there does not seem to be much hope in fixing the real problems that plague this state." - Steven, from Sacramento
"I am homeschooling grades 1-5 to keep my children's minds active so they don't burn out on school too early from lack of free thought, opportunity for initiative, and rigorous and personalized curriculum. Unless schools offer more innovative programs that are truly developmentally appropriate, especially for active young boys, parents should have the option to teach them well in the least restrictive setting (home)." - Susan, from Tehachapi
"I think this situation is more clear when we understand the purpose of a teaching credential in the first place. Teaching credentials are really just accountability to the tax payers of California, proving that their tax dollars are being spent on qualified teachers. A teaching credential is not required by the state for teachers of private schools, presumably because each school will create its own form of accountability to parents paying to send their children there. For home schoolers, accountability is similar. They are spending their own money and time to teach their own children. As with a private school, there is no funding from California tax payers, and therefore, no need for a teaching credential." - Khristine, from Folsom
"It's not even a law - it's another example of judicial activism. This court is usurping the authority of the Legislature and Governor. It's about time these criminals in black robes were taken to task for there attempts at reshaping society according to their agenda." - Chuck, from Livermore
"This is just another subversive attempt by the political and judicial statesmen in this state to rein in and undermine our parental rights with free choices to educate our children." - James, from Manteca
"If I had school aged children I would openly defy [the judge who issued the ruling] and his 'opinion'. It's time for the voters of California to take control of our court system and start recalling rogue judges. " - Doug, from Janesville
"I do have some concerns about the blanket nature of the ruling, and I think the edu-monopoly overemphasizes the importance of teaching credentials. Still, being a parent does not necessarily make you a good teacher either. We have laws which require that parents allow their children to get an education. If your child isn't getting education you are breaking the law." - Eric, from Redway
"You only have to look at the state of most public schools to know that having a teaching credential is not the most important element in educating a child." - Danette, from Sacramento
"I am currently a credentialed teacher and do believe the public education system is doing injustice to our children. As an educator I am able to use very little of the knowledge, ideas, etc. that I received going through a teacher credential program at a university. Students in public schools are tested, tested, and tested. There is very little if any room for deviation of curriculum that supposedly helps prepare a student for a test. As a parent I am going to do all I can to NOT send my child to a public school. As a credentialed teacher this ruling wouldn't apply to me if I am able to home school my child, but parents need to have the choice to educate their child how they choose. In a previous comment, someone commented that California is ranked as one of the worst for education and as a classroom teacher I don't see it getting any better. Students are under constant pressure to perform on tests. Daily, students ask, "Is this going to be on the test?" If it's not going to be on a test then it's not important to them." - Kristy, from Turlock
"A judge has no right to decide a child's education. this is a front to stop parent's from keeping their children out of the failing public schools. check the stats...most homeschoolers are better educated, better behaved, better able to interact with adults and more responsible. the public system ca't even provide a safe bus ride. here in tn a girl was raped on the ride home,dangerous fights with weapons are common, teachers are molesting kids at an ever increasing rate, discipline is impossible and special needs students are not having their needs met. teachers here have told the kids they don't give homework because they don;t want to have to grade it. a failing grade may be upped to passing or even to a"B" if the student copies so many pages from the dictionary. America is woefully behind other countries in quality education; home school should be encouraged." - Joy, Fayetteville
"THIS home schooling requirement is wrong. Another example of overstepping of judicial authority. Instead of fixing what is wrong with the California public schooling, smoke screens are put up to hide the $10,000 a year Californian's waste per public-educated child. HOME SCHOOLING WORKS for many. If we let a few bad examples ruin our parental rights to educate our own children. Then the State of California should be sued for the disappointing education of our states' public school system, in wasting OUR money. Shame on this ruling. AND what about HOMEWORK? This ruling could be interpreted that a parent would no longer be able to help the child do any homework. You can't have it both ways, State of California." - John, from Stockton
"I think as parents we should have the legal right to choose what is best for our own children. Absolutely, all kids should go to school. But there are circumstances whether it be due to health, religious beliefs or even social problems for kids, especially teens, that forcing them to go to public school would only magnify the problem. If a child has the opportunity to get an education somewhere other than public schools, why set up barriers and deny them. I feel it also undermines the purpose of credentialed teachers already teaching and minimizes their importance. Our tax dollars pay for teachers or am I misinformed? Will parents who choose to home school, if a credential is required, be paid by the state? I don't think so - I was amazed when trying to get an absence cleared for my high school daughter that was legitimate and got the lecture that the reason they are adamant about the difference between cleared and uncleared, is that they won't get the $48 per day for my child unless it is cleared..... I figured that out and if a school has 500 students, that's $24,000 per day and at 20 school days per month, that school alone would receive $480,000.00 a month for that school, almost a half a million dollars. So, it is hard for me to not feel that some is motivated by the districts fear of losing funds. Bottom line, I feel it should be treated on a case by case if necessary, not mandatory based on the several reasons above." - Ronda, from Citrus Heights
"No I do not. My son had home studies in high school and he
met with a teacher once a week and went over the work and took any tests
needed, plus he could call her if he needed to. He did just fine." - Heidi, Orangevale
"I think that the most appalling thing was when the judge decided that it did not matter the quality of education a child got, just that said child should be seating in a classroom out of his or her home. Is that all we care about now? Whether a child is in their home or not? I thought education was about educating our children. Also the case stemmed out of some abuse issues, that you did not seem to mention. Get your agenda out of the way and report the facts." - Norma, from Riverside
"Home School credential requirement is unjust, unwise, and unacceptable. California seeks to remove liberty from those who are BEST qualified to keep it. Homeschool families support the government and society in positive ways that help the state's underfunded educational system. Homeschooling saves state dollars for the students who have no choice. There are many other solutions to improve homeschooling opportunities. This judicial action tries to guillotine family liberty and leadership. It is a bad decision." - Alana, Carmichael
"Thank you for this report. As a homeschool mom, with children enrolled in public charter school, I am enjoying the rewards of having my children at home. For those parents who had not pursued a teaching credential themselves or do not have their children enrolled in a public or private school, I can see this as a potential threat to their freedom. The children I know to be homeschooled are responsible and bright. Even those who did not seem to be keeping the pace with "the standards" in the short term, have since shown themselves to excel by the time they reached high school. Many have entered the California Community College system early and will graduate early. They also have an enthusiasm for learning while many of their publicaly educated counterparts are suffering burnout or apathy towards education. Other societal problems such as drug and alcohol addictions, public misconduct, sexual promiscuity, profanity etc. also do not seem prevalent in the homeschooled cohort in our area, while these problems are rampant in the public schools. I am grateful for the freedom to bring my children home. It is my responsibility to educate them. I cannot entrust this to a system that does not agree with our values. I believe many parents feel similarly." - Wendy, South Lake Tahoe
"The idea that home schoolers must have teaching credentials is dependent on two very wrong assumptions (1) that having a credential makes a person a good teacher, and (2) that without a credential one cannot be a good teacher .... what is needed is an evaluation system to ensure that the children are being properly educated." - Euell, Sacramento
"I homeschooled my children for many years before they reached high school level. I am, however, a credentialed teacher, but I still feel that there are many qualified parents out there who choose to teach their children at home instead of forcing them into public school. I know many of them personally, and their children do excellently in home schooling. I do not think the state or government should be able to tell a parent they cannot home school. That should be a family decision. For many years I taught in public schools, and there is no way I would ever send my own children to one. They are horrible. When my children reached high school level, I was able to enroll them in Natomas Charter School, which has an excellent program and facility and offers a great alternative to the public school setting. I will stand up with all parents who choose to home school and do not wish to lose their right to determine that course for their children. And a good alternative for many uncredentialed home school parents is to enroll their students in programs where the home schooling parent can work in tandem with a credentialed teacher at a private school or independent learning program. There are many of those locally in most areas now." - Leslie, from Sacramento
"I am appalled that the government thinks that they know better than parents how to raise and care for their children. Public schools not only fall short of the mark, but they also sexually and politically indoctrinate children that are much to young to even understand what is being done to them. Schools should get back to the basics, not all the political left blather that is being shoved down the throats of our kids. I grew up in Sacramento and went to public shool there. I had a few decent teachers, but a lot more that were far from compassionate to my needs, due to the fact that there were just too many kids per class. Thankfully, the political agenda now surfacing in the public school system in full force wasn't really present yet when I went to school, but now the little ones are being taught 'tolerance' and that it's ok to be 'different'. What happened to the wonderful values this great country was founded on?? The Bible isn't even allowed inside the school house as literature anymore but our constitution was based on it! It makes one wonder... When did the basis of our constitution become 'illegal'? Many of the parents that do home school, or want to, are Christians and want the opportunity to teach their children 'in the way they should go', just as God commands us. By requiring them to have teaching credentials is not only ridiculous, it's an all out affront to our rights as parents. These parents are not asking to teach in a school or after school program, they only want the option to educate their own children. I agree that proper testing to confirm that the kids are getting adequate education is a must, but what does it matter who instructs the children in the subjects? The goal should be that they are getting the instruction. A parent understands the particular needs of each of their children a lot better than a stranger.
"I no longer live in California but I do urge parents across the state to fight this legislation with everything you have to ensure the right to choice for those parents who care enough to want to instill values on their children." - Gloria, from Roswell
"I am going to be signing my four year old daughter up with a local charter school for home schooling. I think that this is the best things for my children. I have researched this online before making my decision. My daughter never attended a preschool and she can write, is starting to add, and can read by the age of four. I think that I can give my children the best teaching they can receive that they can't get from a class of 20 to 30 kids. I also have religious issues. I do not want someone telling my children things that we do not believe in. It is my responsibility to raise my children the way that is appropriate for our family. This should be the choice of the parent to decide if they should be home schooled or not. That is our right! Thank you." - Rebecca, from Waterford
"This is the logical conclusion of the argument that the government has the right to enforce children being educated, public or otherwise (as in California's case).
The truth is that making this kind of activity criminal, a parent merely teaching a child, is a complete misunderstanding of what crimes *are*. Crimes, or violations of rights, on principle involve the initiation of physical force; not simply violence (assault and battery), but also physically possessing something that is not yours (theft or kidnapping) and destroying someone's property (like arson).
A parent and a child engaging in an educational pursuit can hardly be compared to the above offenses. The above involve the method of force, and the parent/child education is using the method of persuasion: the method of reason.
In principle, I reject the notion that a person has to be given a government "credential" in order to be considered competent in his field; a given person's competency is determined by how well his work is done, *not* what anyone, including the government, hands to him as a reward.
This is an indefensible law, and merely indicates the near--bankruptcy of our politicians' willingness to properly do their jobs: to protect our rights and nothing else." - Roderick, from Ann Arbor
"Please read the book "the harsh truth about public schools" and tell me your children are better taught by somebody with a so called teaching credental than you, we as parents are only responsible to potty train and teach them how to speak?, I guess you want a civil war, the big fat government wants to dump their viewpoints and ajendas into the minds of your kids....its just gonna get worse" - Josh N., from Waterford
"The right to home school or not to home school can never be the decision of just a few judges in California. Thats why will proceed on to the California Supreme court and then on to the Federal Supreme court, if need be. Getting control of people and people's minds have always been a habit of a select few in this country. The agenda of these atheistic judges to pigeon-hole Christians to conform to their secular attempts to try to take Christ or God out of our lives is nothing new under the sun. It's really a joke. The more people get persecuted, the more they come back stronger in the end. History proves it!" - Rod, from Folsom
"I recently wrote an article on the subject. As one can tell the decision by the 2nd Appellate Court has definitely had an impact on me. It is almost impossible to not equate this ruling with what is happening to homeschoolers in Germany, that are being subjected to consequences of a law enacted by Adolph Hitler in 1938. The article can be read by following this link:
http://onemansviewpoint.blogspot.com/2008/03/nazi-california-court-bans-home.html" - Nick P., San Bernardino
"I am angry. I asked, begged and then tried court to get my son an education. The laws state that my son was getting the best education even though he was at a first and third grade level, while in the seventh grade. I pulled my children from regular public school and placed them in Charter school. They go four days and one day is homeschool. My son is dyslexic. Most schools won't even say the word, and they weren't teaching him. Now they want to stop me from teaching my son when they won't. Our schools are so over run with kids stuffed into classes. Thirty students per-class to one teacher. Ask any child how much time the teacher spend with them in a day, and they will tell you "none." I work one on one with my children. Teachers give out dittos or pass out workbooks, teach the whole class, then move on. Think about it, just how much time would she be able to spend with individuals if she has thirty student. And that is not just regular students, there are children with every learning problem all stuff in every class. Teachers think dyslexia is ADD. Why, because then if it is ADD then it becomes a parent problem, not a learning one. I work with my son, why, because I have to make sure he knows what they are trying to teach him." - Stacy I., Manteca
"I am commenting on the homeschool article. I think that parents have the right to school their children. I know many public school children who do not agree with the way their parents discipline them. I believe this is a case of parenting styles not educating them academically. We have homeschooled for eleven years. Our kids are getting a better education at home than in a dangerous and sometimes violent environment." - Kathy F., Sacramento
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