If You Don't Like it You can Homeschool

by Andrea Hermitt | More from this Blogger

31 Jan 2007 11:55 AM

Are public schools turning to this philosophy? Since parents are able teach their own, if they need to use public schools, they should like it, or lump it. Don't let the doorknob hit you on the way out, is the message I get from the following response:

"The public school board has the responsibility of carrying out the state mandated health curriculum and cannot succumb to changes based on the whims of any disparate group of citizens," Nissen (a school board member in Las Cruses, New Mexico) said. "If there are those who don't want their children exposed to this information, they can choose to opt out, have their children attend a private school that is in alignment with the beliefs of their family, or home school them."

The most worrisome thing about this response is that it was the result of a debate that the school board lost. The subject of course, was sex education. Currently sex-ed is taught to every student, unless the parent opts-out. According to the issues brought up at the school board meetings and a community survey, parents want to opt-in to the class instead. This way they are assured that their children do not get sex Ed instruction without their express permission.

In spite of the fact that the community clearly spoke and 77% voted in favor of the opt-in option, there has been a decision to ignore the survey (that they thought would come out in their favor). This amounts to asking me what I want to dinner even though you already have my plate ready to serve it.

This is a problem, and the reason many parents pull their children out of school for private or home education. Sure, the opt-out option still exists, but how many times are children ridiculed when they opt out. How many times are opt-out requests ignored? Once again, parental rights are trampled in the face of the "what is best" for the community. (Las Cruses has a high teen pregnancy rate.)

What is more disturbing is what the response that I have posted above says to me. It says, unless you can afford private school, or one parent can stay home to homeschool, your child will either get this information, or have to deal with the opt-out process (which does not always work). In other words, if you do not have the money or resources to do otherwise, your opinion does not count.

If given the choice, would you prefer to opt-out, or opt-in to sex Ed class?

Read more about sex Ed on families.com:

Forum discussion on sex ed

Forum discussion on what is discussed in Sex education class?

Homeschoolers Control their Children's Environment

*Have a question about homeschooling? Just ask.

*Want to know more about homeschooling? Start here!

Learn more about Andrea Hermitt

Andrea Hermitt is a native New Yorker currently residing in GA. She has been married for over 16 years and has two teenage children.

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Mary Ann Romans (26886) 31 Jan 2007 01:06 PM

I would prefer to opt in. Yesterday there was an incident at my son's class. Rather than calling me, whom they know is a stay at home mom within walking distance, they decided to council my son in a way I thought was inappropriate, especially since he is only 5.

Karen Edmisten (310) 01 Feb 2007 10:40 AM

I'm with you, Andrea. I'm definitely for the opt-in rather than the opt-out. Parents are still the primary educators of their children, even when they choose to make use of public schools. Their authority over their children, and their decisions in the best interest of their children should be respected.

LEC23 (216) 03 Feb 2007 05:02 PM

Once again Andrea you have hit the nail right on the head. The erosion of parental choice on how their children are educated in the public school system, based on financial means. Another case in point of 'all children are equal in the public school system, but some children are more equal than others, based upon their parents financial means.' and also based on the philosophy to parents 'if you haven't the financial means then you and your child has to put up and shut up!'.