So Now That Homeschooling is Illegal…
March 6, 2008 by Jennifer
You know, I’ve been sick all day, and I wasn’t going to post, and now the California homeschooling news breaks. That’s not exactly what I needed today.
Earlier today, in case you missed it, news broke about the Feb 28th ruling that parents are no longer considered fit to homeschool unless they have teaching credentials – not just any old degree, but teaching credentials. Lame on top of lame.
The worst part is that CA, always the trend setter, tends to pass their ideas onto other states with ease. Where I live in Washington, the laws are already semi-convoluted and I’ve even had the school system try to lie to me about my rights as a homeschooling parent. Of course I know the current laws and my rights, but still, the fact that they even try is so ridiculous.
Much of the reason I unschool is because I don’t agree with most of what the school system is doing. Another reason I homeschool is so that Cedar can learn about important topics that affect his world, like many of the issues we discuss here at Tree Hugging Family. Also, I’d like Cedar to spend more time out and about in his world, not sitting at a desk, hearing about his world second hand.
In any case, I figured I’d bring it up, being that this is a family blog, and being that many families homeschool or unschool. My heart goes out to any California readers I have who may be affected by this. Hopefully the appeal will turn up some decent news.
I guess on the bright side, I’m going to laugh my butt off when a million homeschoolers crowd the CA school system, and CA finds out, “What were we thinking!?” I highly doubt any school system in any state can handle the influx that will occur if they force kids into school. Good luck with that CA!
What are your thoughts? Are you a California Homeschooler?
That is unexpected. I have a teaching certificate and it is meaningless to me. I took educational grad classes after earning my BA in English and psy. So, I have half of a master’s in education and haven’t the slightest idea of how to be a good teacher. Obviously, since I quit in the first year.
And you know what else… a lot of teachers these days don’t even have a certificate. Some schools are so desperate they’ll take anyone with any kind of degree. So, really this is a double standard.
And PS — I don’t want to offend anyone with teaching certificates. My point is that it doesn’t guarantee that the person with a certificate can actually teach. I’m not saying all home school teachers can teach either.
Maybe a solution is that kids who are schooled at home take annual tests to make sure they are staying up with their peers?
True. I have a friend going through school for teaching and before she was even 1/4 through she was holding down large classes. Not to mention, you’re right, I knew one guy in NM who was teaching and his credentials were zip – cool guy but he’s technically a movie producer – not a math teacher. BUT he was good, kids loved him, and learned.
What it all comes down to is that you don’t technically need credentials to teach or else the courts should be in all the homes in the country making sure parents don’t inadvertently teach their child something. God forbid you teach them the alphabet in some non-credentialed way. Plus, all the school systems are having major issues meeting the state goals. I’m just in shock. But not truly surprised, I’ve been involved in enough witch hunts to not be surprised.
They could all move to Texas where there are virtually NO homeschool laws whatsoever.
I don’t think I could live in Texas. CA used to be an ok place to homeschool. In NM there were virtually no laws either. I’m just worried that all states are becoming targets. I’m really mad, but it won’t affect me or Cedar. I’ll go underground unschooling before I send Cedar to the unequipped school system.
Wow. I’m used to teach, but now I’m a SAHM. I don’t know if I could homeschool…that’s a whole other issue. But this news really surprised me. Most of the homeschoolers I know FAR, FAR outshine their peers in the public school system. I’m saying this as a teacher, not a parent. I just don’t see how the state will benefit from this. They get your tax dollars either way right? What’s the point of suddenly swinging the rake to find scrape up more kids and putting them into an already stressed out system of schools? Hold on, it just occurred to me the irony of my own statement. Maybe they want the homeschool kids who are outshining their peers to up their scores!! Sorry, I haven’t read the article yet, but my brain is buzzing…wow. I’m looking forward to learning more about this. I doubt they can make it last, much less enforce it well. Thanks for bringing it up, esp. since you aren’t feeling well. I seriously appreciate the way you bring our attention to topics like this!
I’m not in CA, but this is frightening news. I really hope other states don’t follow the example.
I’m hoping DramaMama is right, and they won’t be able to make it last. They seem pretty set on making examples out of homeschoolers. What I don’t get is how this betters anything. Are they going to start sending us to jail? Take our kids away? Will we have an overrun foster care, school, and jail system vs. having homeschoolers. It’s insane.
I dont think it iwll stick..inthe nearly 20 years I have been homeschooling things like this have popped up…and down rather quickly.
But…on the other hand I am VERY glad to live in Texas today!
Marye, I hope you’re right. I felt sick about this all night. I have a lot of unschooling pals in CA – from when I lived there. I’m mad that it even came up; whether or not it just goes away, it’s still just one more lame calling out of homeschoolers. All it’s doing is making it more difficult for those of us already dealing with opposition. Sometimes I can’t believe I have so many years of this ahead of me.
Aargh! As an unschooler living in Maryland, I feel lucky to have laws more or less on my side–but it always feels like we are waiting for the other shoe to drop. It just did in DC. I wonder if this is the start of a nation-wide crackdown….
“Nation-wide crackdown” – I doubt you’re off by much. People love to attack homeschoolers. But this is such a waste of time. I think we have some more pressing issues.
FYI, this is an abuse case, not an education case. The reason public school is being pushed in this situation is supposedly to keep the children near a mandatory reporter. Ridiculous.
If the state is worried, they should set-up in-home visitation. THAT would keep an eye on the kids’ welfare. How can any teacher be expected to monitor them adequately in the presence of 30+ other children??
Woops. Sorry if I sound snippy. Homeschooling and child abuse … two of my hot button issues.
Wow, Hil, that’s the first time I’ve ever heard you sound like that. We have the same hot button issues so I get it though.
I know that the case stemmed from the supposed father/kid abuse case (I know less about the original case, so not enough to comment on true or not) but they’ve turned it into a homeschooling issue by bringing homeschoolers into it.
Also, coming from a less than um, nice family, I can say first hand that simply sending kids to school will accomplish zip regarding their home life. So the state is thinking backwards. Or I should say, not thinking at all. Hil, don’t you homeschool too? I can’t remember. I thought you did, but I know so many people that I get mixed up
((Jenn)) I wasn’t meaning that you or other parents shouldn’t consider this a homeschooling issue. Just that it originated as an abuse case, and the courts need to focus on the safety of these kids, and not on their own personal agendas or prejudices. That “FYI” was more to the courts than anybody. :p
We’re unschooling our kids … here in the sunny state of Iowa. lol
Are you saying we’re not fighting
Ok. You’re right about the courts.
I knew it was you, and you’re even unschooling! – that’s two unschoolers, you and I that I know of, and at least one relaxed homeschooler at b5. Cool.
lol I hope we’re not fighting! Everybody knows them nature gals are whiley.
Not really on topic, but I plug my friend’s blog whenever I can. She is an awesome unschooling mama … takes great photos to boot!
Fuhkaui Family
Somewhat positive news http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2008/03/07/gov_overturn_calif_home-school_ruling/3959/
Also, I’ve seen that blog, I think maybe through one of Sandra Dodd’s spaces or another unschooling area, but I remember it.
Thanks for the heads up.
What the state does not seem to get is that abuse is not limited to homeschoolers. I get really mad when someone who homeschools hurts their kid and they news is all like, a HOMESCHOOLER hurt their kid…but when it is a public schooler they dont seem to give it the same emphasis, you know? How many kids get abused IN the school system by TEACHERS? A percentage. SO it isn’t like the rules and laws are able to protect them.
And Jennifer, for the record I am a relaxed unschooler doing classical unit studies in the charlotte mason method, o.k.?
I agree totally Marye. You know what though… don’t be mad… I forgot about you homeschooling, um, I mean doing relaxed unschooling of classical unit studies in the charlotte mason method. I spaced you (sorry, it’s been a long week). I was counting Hil, me, and Jeanne. So, technically with your kids we have enough to start our own large school.
sniff…you forgot me?
sadness.
I would never forget you – just the homeschooling you. See how well you’ve captured unschooling! I barely notice you doing it
and I was sick. My brain is broken.
I’ll never forget third grade…my teacher was known as the ‘tough’ one and was known for spanking the kids. She was really nuts and she would think of any excuse to take us into the room where she would literally beat us with her wooden paddle with holes drilled in it. She mentally abused kids by calling them names, ridiculing their writing, reading, and more.
No one would believe she was doing this, no matter how often all of the kids complained. It was not until I had left school that I heard she had been commited to a mental instutution and charges brought against the school.
Sure, kids are abused at home. But, it happens at school, too. I know it for a fact, having been through the experience. Education should be up to the parent, what type they choose for their child. If a parent is capable, then homeschooling should be a legitimate option and the states should not be allowed to interfere.
I want to add, my daughter attends public school, but I am very involved in her education. She is autistic, so her father and I have to be. I do feel capable of offering her the proper education for her disability, but we took a great amount of care in choosing her schools. She was in a private program since age three and only this year entered a new, experimental program set up by the public schools here. Her teacher is actually from her old program, so luckily, we feel safe with this choice. For now.
The Homeschool Association of California is asking parents to watch and wait until they figure out the best plan of action.
Julie that’s nuts – mainly because my third grade teacher was completely insane too :
http://tinyurl.com/2fb2pw
Hil, I saw that. I also saw another piece today that said the entire LA Times article was wrong. Not sure what to think.
Just wanting to add, the HSLDA is asking people to sign a petition, and the California-state groups are asking that you do not sign at this time. To please wait until the lawyers they have working on this issue give them a solid recommendation.
Texas is the place for us. We started home schooling when we moved here and are very thankful for this option. CA is not as progressive as they like to think they are. I had many preconceived notions about Texas when we moved here, but Houston is a very nice place to raise a family, no matter if your liberal in your thoughts or more conservative. You have the museums, zoo, lakes, conservations, the beach, streams, rivers, sports, BBQ, rodeos, concerts, theater, real culture and heritage… Unschooling is not what we do, I guess we have a blend of curriculum. Classical and adventurous, a little of this and a little of that makes for a special time for my kids. Sure, they balk at some of the drills in math and grammar. But for the most part, I think they like it. Whenever I have that talk asking if they want to go a different route and enroll in the local p.s. they say NO! Well alright then.