One Point for the Other Teamby Andrea Hermitt | More from this Blogger 10 Mar 2008 05:35 PM Regarding the California fight to maintain Homeschooling rights, (and my last word on the subject, for now) I can only imagine that the people who do not necessarily support homeschooling as a valid option are jumping for joy. I can only assume that State Superintendent Jack O'Connell is giddy from the commotion. His comments are: Whatever works best for that family, he would support as long as the children are getting a good education,...He wants home school parents to make sure they have partnerships with school districts or charter schools to make sure they have the right curriculum, everything a child needs to succeed and get into college Mmmm Hmmm. If homeschoolers wanted to partner with the school districts, they would keep their kids in school. As for the teachers union...they are pleased. Lloyd Porter, from the California Teachers Association board of directors. We're happy...We always think students should be taught by credentialed teachers, no matter what the setting. It seems like the other team, (the teachers unions, and those against homeschooling) have won the battle, but they are far from winning the war. In fact, it looks like they have stirred the hearts of many homeschooling families who were previously content to teach their own and not worry about the bigger picture. Many of us who said, "we homeschool because the law allows it as an option" are now becoming active. I believe a new homeschooling movement has begun. I believe homeschoolers are about to turn education on its head. In the end, we will win this battle to have this judgment de-published. We will win because this was never a homeschooling case in the first place; it was a child abuse issue. We will continue to push forward because we know that we are creating a generation of kids who will blow most other kids out of the water academically, politically, and on a civil level. *Have a question about homeschooling? Just ask. *Words a homeschooler Should Know 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. Relevanthomeschooling tags User Comments mrmnmom82 (3365) 12 Mar 2008 08:59 AMIt's pretty scary for me! I live in Illinois and we have pretty accomodating laws for home schooling. I get nervous though when laws, even when it's just a judge using homeschool as an excuse to get their foot in the door to see if the parents are abusing the children. Can these judgments create a ripple effect across the country? Should I be worried about my rights?  Valorie Delp (49340) 12 Mar 2008 11:35 AMI am sure Andrea will answer this too. . .but my general feeling is that yes you should and no you shouldn't. For a judge to make a radical sweeping statement and interpret law in this way--is a big deal. I think in states (like mine) where regulations are already strict, we have seen some flack from this and other sundry "homeschooling" cases. However, to think that we will suddently be hiding our children under our beds like my pastor did with his children when CPS came--is a little far fetched. I think there is genuine concern for children who are abused. . .but I also think that there is general recognition that this could be a valid option. (Case in point--the governor's commentary on the case.) I think that homeschoolers should continue to be active in advocating for our rights. . .but I don't think the CPS will come a knockin' on doors tomorrow.  Andrea Hermitt (5512) 12 Mar 2008 12:09 PMDon't know why I thought the questions were rhetorical:-) Anyway, I don't believe these judgments will have a ripple effect because of the way homeschoolers are not taking this laying down. This is a very visible case and it is clear that this judgment will not stand. You should always be worried about your rights... but no more in this case than usual. Anytime the nation as a whole looks away from an injustice just because it does not directly affect them, we are allowing more injustices to take place. As homeschoolers it would not hurt to teach our children to be politically active. mrmnmom82 (3365) 12 Mar 2008 08:20 PMThank you both for the information and the push to act. Community Tags california, homeschooling, home school, legal rights Discuss this article
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