CALIFORNIA HOME SCHOOL VICTORY - Just A Minute for 08-21-08

Howdy folks –

 

            I’m just a bit tickled at the news we have to relay to you today.  It seems California has finally exhibited some commonsense – but it wasn’t without a struggle.

 

            Back in February, I think, the second District Court of Appeals in Los Angeles ruled – having listened to the NEA and the National Teachers Union – that parents did NOT have an ‘unfettered’ right to dictate their children’s education. The case came before them because it was alleged two parents – or perhaps sets of parents – had abused their children who were being home schooled. And the Court ruled in favor of the NEA and their crowd.  [The abuse matter was handled separately.]

 

            But when word of the initial ruling got some publicity the parents of 166,000 kids who were being home schooled in the Golden State set up a howl – and they set out to show the Court the decision was wrong. The parents’ counsel cited study after study showing parents were sending their children to private schools or home schooling them because 1) they were concerned about their safety – 30%; 2) they did not want their children being taught about morals or sex or things that were contrary to what the parents believed religiously – another 30%; and 3) their home schooled children were doing as well or better than other children on standardized state tests and acceptance for college admission – so the parents thought *they* would be better able to educate their children – that was about 16% of the respondents.

 

            All in all, the Court paid attention to the outcry of the homeschooling parents – and agreed to re-hear the case. Where the NEA et al made their mistake was in responding to the Court’s invitation to participate in the re-hearing. Then the judges re-heard the arrogance of the educational experts making light of the parents’ concerns about safety, religion and effectiveness and reversed its own decision. The three man panel wrote an opinion that boiled down to something like: It’s not the business of the court to make education policy or law – that’s the business of the legislature. Further they found the parents do have some rights when it comes to making decisions about how their own children are educated, and those should be listened to. There are regulations governing home schoolers, and the NEA etc. were pushing for requiring parents to be licensed as teachers. The evidence showed home schooled kids were doing as well or better than those educated by the “licensed teachers,” the Court ruled the requirement parents be licensed was excessive and not within the purview of the Court to mandate.

 

            So… It’s good to have a victory on this front. And it helps to show the Educrats ought not to be able to dictate to parents on educational policy for their own children. Great! Let’s pray that’s where it ends.

 

            Cordially, IN HIM

 

            Jack

 

http://www.jebcovoice.net/audio/jama08-21-08.mp3

 

http://www.jebcovoice.net/scripts/jamt08-21-08.doc

 

 

 

“JUST A MINUTE”

CALIFORNIA HOME SCHOOL VICTORY

Just A Minute – In California the Second District Appeals Court says homeschool parents don't need teaching credentials to educate their own children.

Three judges overturned their own February decision saying: (quote) "It is important to recognize it is not for us to consider, whether homeschooling should be permitted in California. That job is for the Legislature … we endeavor to interpret [the law not make] it."

Truancy penalties had been applied to parents of two students after abuse reports. The California Teachers Association accepted the court’s participation invitation saying:  "Parents do not have an unfettered right to dictate terms of their children's education."  But families of 166 thousand homeschooled children exploded and the Court agreed to rehear the case.

Studies revealed parents were homeschooling for safety concerns, religious and moral reasons, and a conviction they could do better than government monopoly schools. Additionally, homeschooled children perform as well or better on state exams and college admissions.

It is a rare victory but no longer can government education monopoly argue the courts say homeschooling is unconstitutional.

It’s good to have a WIN to report!

<> I’m Jack Buttram

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