How well are you (or any of us for that matter) following local school district policies
or regularly checking into the curriculum and scholarship of your local schools? This is
a good eye-opening commentary by Linda Schrock Taylor. J. Boswell
She writes:
I am stunned at how few citizens correctly evaluate government schools in America; at how many people misjudge their own local school districts. Parents are too often guilty of ignoring or recreating reality as they avoid the necessity of taking action. Too often parents are busy supporting their children in every kind of school activity…except those involving Reading, Writing, and ’Rithmetic. If children bring home A’s and B’s, all must been fine at school, right? Not always. Grade inflation has taken the meaning out of grades and scores. One only needs to teach freshman English classes at a college or university to remove any lingering doubts. However, the general population has neither the opportunities to see the whole picture, nor do they demand that policy makers and administrators keep them accurately informed. Remember, it is local school boards that are condoning and voting for policies that administrators request that they pass.
To read entire commentary, please click on the title above.
Monday, March 31, 2008
A Big Win for Judicial Supremacy, a Big Loss for Government Language Lawyers, and another Example of Real Change
Newt Gingrich
Parents "do not have a constitutional right to homeschool their children."
So wrote a California judge in a case that has ominous potential for the estimated one million-plus American families who have opted out of the public education monopoly and choose to educate their children at home.
Although the ruling is being appealed to the California Supreme Court, as it now stands, the 166,000 California children who are home schooled are truant, and their parents are criminals. Welcome, as the Wall Street Journal editorialized, to a "strange new chapter" in the "annals of judicial imperialism."
Parents "do not have a constitutional right to homeschool their children."
So wrote a California judge in a case that has ominous potential for the estimated one million-plus American families who have opted out of the public education monopoly and choose to educate their children at home.
Although the ruling is being appealed to the California Supreme Court, as it now stands, the 166,000 California children who are home schooled are truant, and their parents are criminals. Welcome, as the Wall Street Journal editorialized, to a "strange new chapter" in the "annals of judicial imperialism."
Friday, March 07, 2008
Dobson Calls Anti-Homeschooling Ruling "Assault" on Family
March 6, 2008
Colorado Springs, Colo. -- Focus on the Family Chairman James C. Dobson, Ph., D., today denounced as “an all-out assault on the family” a California appellate court ruling that could criminalize home schooling in the Golden State.
The decision, from the 2nd Appellate Court in Los Angeles, stemmed from a single case involving charges of abuse brought against a home schooling couple. Home school advocates agree that the couple in question, based on the facts of the case, should have lost their ability to educate their children at home – but add that the court overreached in applying the restrictions to all home schooling families.
To read article, please click on the title above.
Colorado Springs, Colo. -- Focus on the Family Chairman James C. Dobson, Ph., D., today denounced as “an all-out assault on the family” a California appellate court ruling that could criminalize home schooling in the Golden State.
The decision, from the 2nd Appellate Court in Los Angeles, stemmed from a single case involving charges of abuse brought against a home schooling couple. Home school advocates agree that the couple in question, based on the facts of the case, should have lost their ability to educate their children at home – but add that the court overreached in applying the restrictions to all home schooling families.
To read article, please click on the title above.
Home Schooling Found Unlawful by California Court of Appeal
City: Los Angeles, CA
In a stunning decision affecting thousands of families in California, the California Court of Appeal has issued an opinion finding no legal right to home school. "Parents who fail to [comply with school enrollment laws] may be subject to a criminal complaint against them, found guilty of an infraction, and subject to imposition of fines or an order to complete a parent education and counseling program," wrote Justice H. Walter Croskey whose opinion was joined by the other two members of the appellate panel. The opinion was issued February 28, 2008, in a case titled In re Rachel L., which reversed a Superior Court Judge, Stephen Marpet, who found that "parents have a constitutional right to school their children in their own home."
The parents of Rachel L. enrolled her in Sunland Christian School, a private home schooling program. In his opinion, Croskey, 75, described what he called the "ruse of enrolling [children] in a private school and then letting them stay home and be taught by a non-credentialed parent." Despite this statement by the Court, it should be noted that Sunland Christian School has been in full compliance with the requirements of the law for more than twenty years. "We've never been given an opportunity to represent our case in the Court of Appeal," said Terry Neven, the president of the school. "Consequently, we are excited that PJI will represent us before the California Supreme Court so that the rights of home schooling families are preserved," he stated further.
In a section titled "Consequences of Parental Denial of a Legal Education," the Court said that "parents are subject to being ordered to enroll their children in an appropriate school or education program and provide proof of enrollment to the court, and willful failure to comply with such an order may be punished by a fine for civil contempt."
"The scope of this decision by the appellate court is breathtaking. It not only attacks traditional home schooling, but also calls into question home schooling through charter schools and teaching children at home via independent study through public and private schools," stated Brad Dacus, president of the Pacific Justice Institute "If not reversed, the parents of the more than 166,000 students currently receiving an education at home will be subject to criminal sanctions," he continued.
If you are able to support our efforts on behalf of home schoolers and private schools, please Click here to contribute now or visit http://www.pji.org/getinvolved/.
In a stunning decision affecting thousands of families in California, the California Court of Appeal has issued an opinion finding no legal right to home school. "Parents who fail to [comply with school enrollment laws] may be subject to a criminal complaint against them, found guilty of an infraction, and subject to imposition of fines or an order to complete a parent education and counseling program," wrote Justice H. Walter Croskey whose opinion was joined by the other two members of the appellate panel. The opinion was issued February 28, 2008, in a case titled In re Rachel L., which reversed a Superior Court Judge, Stephen Marpet, who found that "parents have a constitutional right to school their children in their own home."
The parents of Rachel L. enrolled her in Sunland Christian School, a private home schooling program. In his opinion, Croskey, 75, described what he called the "ruse of enrolling [children] in a private school and then letting them stay home and be taught by a non-credentialed parent." Despite this statement by the Court, it should be noted that Sunland Christian School has been in full compliance with the requirements of the law for more than twenty years. "We've never been given an opportunity to represent our case in the Court of Appeal," said Terry Neven, the president of the school. "Consequently, we are excited that PJI will represent us before the California Supreme Court so that the rights of home schooling families are preserved," he stated further.
In a section titled "Consequences of Parental Denial of a Legal Education," the Court said that "parents are subject to being ordered to enroll their children in an appropriate school or education program and provide proof of enrollment to the court, and willful failure to comply with such an order may be punished by a fine for civil contempt."
"The scope of this decision by the appellate court is breathtaking. It not only attacks traditional home schooling, but also calls into question home schooling through charter schools and teaching children at home via independent study through public and private schools," stated Brad Dacus, president of the Pacific Justice Institute "If not reversed, the parents of the more than 166,000 students currently receiving an education at home will be subject to criminal sanctions," he continued.
If you are able to support our efforts on behalf of home schoolers and private schools, please Click here to contribute now or visit http://www.pji.org/getinvolved/.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Home-School Pitch Pits Personal Choice Vs. Government Role
Posted on: Sunday, 24 February 2008, 06:00 CST
By Jeffrey Robb, Omaha World-Herald, Neb.
Feb. 24--When school is in session for the Conrad kids, the living room of their northwest Omaha home is often their classroom.
Lessons last as long as needed to complete the day's tasks.
Mother Natalie Conrad is the teacher to her three school-age children.
Natalie and Chris Conrad's family is part of the 6,000-student home-school network across Nebraska. And the family is a small part of a debate in the Nebraska Legislature pitting personal choices and religious freedoms against state government's educational responsibilities.
State Sen. DiAnna Schimek of Lincoln has proposed a bill to recast Nebraska's generally loose regulations over home-school students.
Her bill would require home-school students to take state-mandated tests or have their schoolwork assessed by an outside evaluator. If students' progress falls short academically, they would be sent to public or private schools.
Read the entire article by clicking on the title.
By Jeffrey Robb, Omaha World-Herald, Neb.
Feb. 24--When school is in session for the Conrad kids, the living room of their northwest Omaha home is often their classroom.
Lessons last as long as needed to complete the day's tasks.
Mother Natalie Conrad is the teacher to her three school-age children.
Natalie and Chris Conrad's family is part of the 6,000-student home-school network across Nebraska. And the family is a small part of a debate in the Nebraska Legislature pitting personal choices and religious freedoms against state government's educational responsibilities.
State Sen. DiAnna Schimek of Lincoln has proposed a bill to recast Nebraska's generally loose regulations over home-school students.
Her bill would require home-school students to take state-mandated tests or have their schoolwork assessed by an outside evaluator. If students' progress falls short academically, they would be sent to public or private schools.
Read the entire article by clicking on the title.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Students reflect on impact of homeschooling
Students reflect on impact of homeschooling
By Bryan Marshall
Register News Writer
Editor’s note: This is the second part of a three-part series chronicling the experiences of Madison County homeschool students. Tuesday’s stories will focus on how home schooling affects public schools and getting into college.
Aaron Jones can’t say for sure if he would have enjoyed going to private school. But, he is certain that he never wished he had attended a public school.
To continue reading this article, please click on the title.
By Bryan Marshall
Register News Writer
Editor’s note: This is the second part of a three-part series chronicling the experiences of Madison County homeschool students. Tuesday’s stories will focus on how home schooling affects public schools and getting into college.
Aaron Jones can’t say for sure if he would have enjoyed going to private school. But, he is certain that he never wished he had attended a public school.
To continue reading this article, please click on the title.
Parents taking education into their own hands
Homeschooling: Education not confined to school walls
Parents taking education into their own hands
By Bryan Marshall
Register News Writer
Editor’s note: This is the first of a three-part series chronicling the experiences of Madison County homeschooled students.
Religion. Individualized instruction. Family atmosphere. Protection from dangers in school. A love of learning.
These are just a few of the many reasons more and more parents are deciding to put their children’s education into their own hands through homeschooling. For Brian Bertucci of Berea, the experience of teaching middle school English for a year in a private Catholic school in Florida led to his decision to home school his 6-year-old son Mark.
Continue reading this story - click on the title.
Parents taking education into their own hands
By Bryan Marshall
Register News Writer
Editor’s note: This is the first of a three-part series chronicling the experiences of Madison County homeschooled students.
Religion. Individualized instruction. Family atmosphere. Protection from dangers in school. A love of learning.
These are just a few of the many reasons more and more parents are deciding to put their children’s education into their own hands through homeschooling. For Brian Bertucci of Berea, the experience of teaching middle school English for a year in a private Catholic school in Florida led to his decision to home school his 6-year-old son Mark.
Continue reading this story - click on the title.
Friday, December 07, 2007
Expanding the horizon for home-school students
Advocates cite wider range of shared outside activities as helping fuel growth of practice once relegated to fringe
By Lisa Kocian
Boston Globe Staff / December 6, 2007
Eight-year-old Ben Shapiro's days are a blur of gymnastics, piano playing, and art history lessons. He can also be found doing fractions, reading a biography of Marco Polo, and, soon, delving into physics. But he's not at school. And he's not alone.
He is part of a fast-evolving home-school movement that is traveling away from the stereotype of child and parent at the kitchen table. Shapiro does spend most of his day with his mother, but not alone. Instead, she shuttles him from one group activity to another.
Read the entire article by clicking on the title.
By Lisa Kocian
Boston Globe Staff / December 6, 2007
Eight-year-old Ben Shapiro's days are a blur of gymnastics, piano playing, and art history lessons. He can also be found doing fractions, reading a biography of Marco Polo, and, soon, delving into physics. But he's not at school. And he's not alone.
He is part of a fast-evolving home-school movement that is traveling away from the stereotype of child and parent at the kitchen table. Shapiro does spend most of his day with his mother, but not alone. Instead, she shuttles him from one group activity to another.
Read the entire article by clicking on the title.
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Facing the Transition to College
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Number of homeschooled children rising in the U.S.
By Brian Morelli
Iowa City Press-Citizen
Small school or big school. Commute versus campus living. In state or out of state.
David Skiff is facing the same sorts of choices as any high school senior looking at colleges, but the 18-year-old Iowa City homeschooler has different circumstances than many others.
"It was a little bit intimidating at first," Skiff said of considering the transition to college. "But I feel pretty confident that I will be able to function."
To finish reading this article, please click on the title.
Number of homeschooled children rising in the U.S.
By Brian Morelli
Iowa City Press-Citizen
Small school or big school. Commute versus campus living. In state or out of state.
David Skiff is facing the same sorts of choices as any high school senior looking at colleges, but the 18-year-old Iowa City homeschooler has different circumstances than many others.
"It was a little bit intimidating at first," Skiff said of considering the transition to college. "But I feel pretty confident that I will be able to function."
To finish reading this article, please click on the title.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Mom accused of neglect for teaching own kids
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
Moberly, Mo., Middle School
A Missouri public school is taking a mother to court for withdrawing her son and daughter from the school and teaching them at home, after an apparent threat to the daughter's life at the school.
The case involves Moberly, Mo., mother Anita Nicoli, who withdrew her daughter and a son from Moberly Middle School recently after what she has described as a two-year campaign of intimidation by other students.
The breaking point came when another student, who allegedly had harassed and assaulted her daughter, drew a picture of herself holding a gun and pointing it directly at Nicoli's daughter. The picture was passed around among students, she said.
But now she is facing a court hearing in Missouri's 14th Judicial District, prompted by a complaint by the school after she withdrew two of her children.
Click on title to read the entire story...
Moberly, Mo., Middle School
A Missouri public school is taking a mother to court for withdrawing her son and daughter from the school and teaching them at home, after an apparent threat to the daughter's life at the school.
The case involves Moberly, Mo., mother Anita Nicoli, who withdrew her daughter and a son from Moberly Middle School recently after what she has described as a two-year campaign of intimidation by other students.
The breaking point came when another student, who allegedly had harassed and assaulted her daughter, drew a picture of herself holding a gun and pointing it directly at Nicoli's daughter. The picture was passed around among students, she said.
But now she is facing a court hearing in Missouri's 14th Judicial District, prompted by a complaint by the school after she withdrew two of her children.
Click on title to read the entire story...
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