California Ruling Effectively Bans Homeschooling

[Dan.Linehan]

I am pretty annoyed by this.. the California government has effectively banned homeschooling unless you have a teaching certificate.

Homeschoolers' setback sends shock waves through state

What would ever make the government think they can do away with homeschooling?

There is a whole list of skill-sets and classes that I would want my kids to be taught that would never be addressed in public school. Just off the top of my head:

• Stage Acting
• Python Programming
• History of the United States (Howard Zinn)
• Guitar / Drums / Keyboard / Piano
• Brainbench Certifications
• Rock Climbing
• Expeditionary Tree Climbing
• Understanding Pollutants
• Relational Database Management
• Basic EMS / Medic skills
• LOA / I-M

Apparently its because of the religious zealotry of some homeschoolers, parents that only teach the Bible and nothing else.

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

That's really sad. Most of the homeschooled kids I know (many of whom are homeschooled for religious reasons) are incredibly smart with an eagerness and ability to learn that always meets if not exceeds many of the school-taught children I know. They tend to have a wider variety of interests as well and are able to take on the initiative to teach themselves.

They also have co-ops where they offer teacher taught classes in subjects that may be tougher for parents to teach (like Chemistry and Physics, advanced Math).

I hope this is not allowed to stand.

I have a high respect for teachers, but not all children learn well in a classroom setting! I don't see how anyone can believe that a traditional school setting is the best for every child?

ETA: I was homeschooled myself for a whopping few months when we had to relocate for my father to attend Air Force training. It was probably the most excited I ever was about learning. If both of my parents had not had to work we may have done so longer.

[starkey]

The order doesn't ban homeschooling, but closed a loophole about teaching at home without a teacher's certificate. I don't know how difficult it is to get a certificate, or how useful, but there has to be some way of making sure that parents are taking responsibility for their children's education. Perhaps this is overkill though. What would be a better method for the state to make sure that children are getting an education?

[Ree]

I think it's pretty arrogant when the government thinks it can make this kind of decision for families. There should be a choice and I don't think a teaching certificate should be required. A reoccurring theme I hear from parents with children in today's public schools is that there is no discipline, too much disruption and teachers spend more time trying to deal with problem students than actually teaching. It should be a parent's right to remove their own child from that type of situation.

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Originally Posted by starkey

The order doesn't ban homeschooling, but closed a loophole about teaching at home without a teacher's certificate. I don't know how difficult it is to get a certificate, or how useful, but there has to be some way of making sure that parents are taking responsibility for their children's education. Perhaps this is overkill though. What would be a better method for the state to make sure that children are getting an education?

There are other standards in place, at least in Texas, that are meant to ensure that the students are at grade level. I don't doubt that it's possible to badly educate a child at home. But I am not impressed with many public education programs either. We are teaching to the standardized tests here basically. I don't believe that it makes sense that lazy or ignorant parents would choose to homeschool. It would be easier to send their children to school for free. The parents I know who choose to homeschool are motivated to give their children the best education possible and simply feel that they are more able to do so than the public or private schools available to them.

I truly don't understand the fear around homeschooling. I am sure there are some religious nuts who give off a bad impression, but that does not represent the vast majority of homeschoolers out there. As I said, these are some of the smartest, most talented, most inquisitive children I know. And no, they do not lack social skills .

The requirements to obtain teaching credentials in CA are listed here:

http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/cl561c.pdf

[Tasaio]

I think some teachers need to get over themselves. They truly seem to think that they have more say over children's lives than the parents.

I guess uneducated, rude children like millionaire Eragon author Chris Paolini need to be avoided! Who wants children as articulate as him?!

I had a teacher who felt that teachers should be able to bring guns(!) to school. I've heard that the US may consider giving teachers firearms training.

Personally, I would never subject my kids to that kind of education system. I now better understand why people see public school as another form of conscription.

...

Oh well. As Steve said, ultimately no one can force you to do something you don't want. You may have to move to another state, or obtain a teaching certificate, but the option is still there, to homeschool.

DON'T GIVE UP! Your state can't take away your kids.

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Originally Posted by Tasaio

DON'T GIVE UP! Your state can't take away your kids.

Well, in many cases they probably do have that right actually.

[Tasaio]

Originally Posted by {aspiring_to_clarity}

Well, in many cases they probably do have that right actually.

Legally, yes. But rules are no obstacles for committed people.

From http://www.stevepavlina.com/articles...astination.htm

...you don't have to do anything you don't want to do. Even though there may be serious consequences, you are always free to choose.

Of course, I'm not advocating going on the run from the law to homeschool your kids. I think this ruling will do some good--there are probably some parents who are doing their kids a disservice by homeschooling them.

And this ruling does NOT ban homeschooling--it simply requires a teaching certificate.

All I'm saying, is that people should remain positive. Too many parents homeschool their children for this ruling to be effective. Anyway, since most of us don't yet have kids, I don't think it's anything to get worked up about.

[sheffy4]

This is scary. I hope this doesn't spread to other states.
For the past four years I have been studying to become a Secondary teacher of English and literature. I switched my major last minute to just English because I was so fed up with the education program here. It's mostly politics, and I never felt like I was learning how to be a good teacher. What it should really be is a 2 year paid internship, along with the classes that teach you everything about your subject, as opposed to four or five years of classes, with only 1 semester of student teaching, which you don't get paid for.
When I have kids, I will seriously consider home schooling them. All the public schools do is teach kids to be employees, not thinkers. I had a couple of inspirational teachers in school, but I could tell they were very frustrated and held back by the school system and the standardized tests.

Thanks for sharing this article Dan.

[Dan.Linehan]

Anyone else bothered by this quote in the article?

Originally Posted by The Judge

A primary purpose of the educational system is to train school children in good citizenship, patriotism and loyalty to the state and the nation as a means of protecting the public welfare.

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Sure, it was one of many whack comments that had me scratching my head going, "whaaa?!"

[Ree]

Originally Posted by The Judge
A primary purpose of the educational system is to train school children in good citizenship, patriotism and loyalty to the state and the nation as a means of protecting the public welfare.

That's scary.... and unfortunately probably true. Sounds Nazi-like to me.

An excellent book about this is Telling The Truth About History.

[Gene]

Originally Posted by Dan.Linehan

Anyone else bothered by this quote in the article?

Yes, they are not the parents children and posterity but that of the state. It is bothersome to me.

[Tasaio]

Stuff Academics Like

[Brutha]

How difficult is it to get such a teaching certificate? How many hours have to invested on average to get it?

I also don't know how the American court system works exactly, but having a government go after a family where one child complains to the state authorities does not automatically mean that they will also go after the "good homeschoolers".

[WanderingOak]

Originally Posted by Tasaio

Stuff Academics Like

"The authors have deleted this blog. The content is no longer available."

[Amadeus]

No, this is the way these government socialist teacher unions are. They are also against school vouchers to use to send your children to a private school. They want to make sure your kids are taught to be government robots like they are and their kids are. Competition is bad in their minds.

[Dan.Linehan]

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has denounced this ruling as "outrageous" and has vowed to overturn it.

Governor vows to protect homeschooling

[martin]

Originally Posted by Dan.Linehan

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has denounced this ruling as "outrageous" and has vowed to overturn it.

Governor vows to protect homeschooling

Thank god! I'm about to be homeschooled and I thought I was in serious trouble!

[Tasaio]

Originally Posted by Dan.Linehan

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has denounced this ruling as "outrageous" and has vowed to overturn it.

Governor vows to protect homeschooling

Excellent news. Like I said, people shouldn't give up.

[sheffy4]

The Governator to the rescue!

[oberlee]

I live in California--in Oakland, in fact, where there are WONDERFUL schools and no one would have a problem sending their kids there... (rolling eyes)

Check out this vid: TED | Talks | Sir Ken Robinson: Do schools kill creativity? (video)

[Gabo]

A primary purpose of the educational system is to train school children in good citizenship, patriotism and loyalty to the state and the nation as a means of protecting the public welfare.

Frankly, I'm a bit surprised a judge would admit this publicly.

Unfortunately, government schools really are no more than obedience training for the lower classes. I highly recommend John Taylor Gatto's Underground History of American Education. It tells the story of schooling in America, as well as Gatto's personal experiences teaching in New York.

The book can be read free online here:
Read The Book - John Taylor Gatto

[Michael45]

Originally Posted by oberlee

I live in California--in Oakland, in fact, where there are WONDERFUL schools and no one would have a problem sending their kids there... (rolling eyes)

Check out this vid: TED | Talks | Sir Ken Robinson: Do schools kill creativity? (video)

I'm sorry.............. You have my sympathy......... my suggestion is to move as fast as you can away from there............

[Michael45]

I tend to think most here have never lived in California or experienced what the situation is as far as home schooling in California.
First of all, some of the children who are attending school in California are nothing short of criminals............ Trust me on this one. I know first hand. As far as the law being passed to have a teaching certificate to home school is a good idea, as most parents lack the skill, or motivation to get the job done. A lot of these kids have no future if they don't get an education, and leaving it up to some of these parents is a lost cause. Some of these parents have no education to speak of. They sluffed off in school to the point that a lot of them even have a hard time reading. Is this the type of home schooling that they should recieve?........ I think not. You would also have to understand the school system in California too......... It is lacking severly, as the students cause more problems then the teachers can handle......
Even though the public school system is out of control in California, the question would be, is it better for them to get home schooled? My answer would be for many........... NO. But of course, like everything else, when it is abused too much, laws are put in place to at least give some of them a chance........... For a lot of these kids, if they get home schooled, it is a sentence of a life on the streets for them, as they will get no education at all.
And how do I know this? I grew up in Oakland California......... I left when I was 22.................. And swore I would never live in Oakland again......... nor would my family.

[coollikeme]

when the Government has control. Freedom to teach should be up to the parents.

[schola]

A primary purpose of the educational system is to train school children in good citizenship, patriotism and loyalty to the state and the nation as a means of protecting the public welfare.

I am surprised he is so candid about the true purposes of the education system.
He seems to be so out of touch that he uses blatantly totalitarian language to justify his ruling. Where is California again? Mars?

Note the language he uses:

The purpose of the education system isn't even to educate. It is to "train."

It's not to create intelligent, productive members of society, but to create loyal citizens of the state.

It's not to give the children the tools for free thought and personal development, but to "protect the public welfare."