In April 2008, a California Court of Appeal decided that homeschooling is illegal in California unless a parent is a certified teacher. This ruling grossly overreached the case in question and now threatens the rights of over 160,000 homeschoolers in that state. Many are calling this a reckless abuse of judicial power.
This post is now outdated and the crisis has been resolved.
I was disturbed when I saw this news on Albert Mohler’s blog. At first, I thought it was an overreaction. Then I kept reading and found out this was as bad as it looked. When any government starts taking these positions, we should all be very concerned.
You can get involved by signing the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) Petition. You can sign for yourself and your spouse.
Learn More
- For more information on the legal grounds for homeschooling in California. (PDF)
- HSLDA’s Response to Ruling of California Court of Appeal
- California Appeals Court Decision (PDF)
- “A Bolt From the Blue — A Homeschooling Decision in California” – by R. Albert Mohler (AlbertMohler.com)
- “California v. Homeschooling” – by Joseph Bottum (First Things blog)
- “Re: California v. Homeschooling” – Robert T. Miller (First Things blog)
- “‘No right to homeschool,’ Calif. court says” – by Michael Foust (Baptist Press)
- “Homeschoolers’ setback in appeals court ruling” – by Bob Egelko and Jill Tucker (San Francisco Chronicle)
- “Ruling seen as a threat to many home-schooling families” – by Seema Mehta and Mitchell Landsberg (Los Angeles Times)
- Dr. Dobson: ‘The Court Has Assaulted Parental Rights Again’ (CitizenLink.com)
Update: Schwarzenegger Vows To Protect Homeschooling in California
“Every California child deserves a quality education, and parents should have the right to decide what’s best for their children. . . Parents should not be penalized for acting in the best interests of their children’s education. . . This outrageous ruling must be overturned by the courts, and if the courts don’t protect parents’ rights then, as elected officials, we will.”
“Governor vows to protect homeschooling” – by Jill Tucker and Bob Egelko (San Francisco Chronicle)
Thanks to Denny Burk for the link.
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When I heard this news I was surprised by the bluntness of this statement. While California has, by far, the worst situation, Nebraska (my state) is dealing with a senator who wants the state to micromanage homeschooling.
The issue is whether or not the state (government) is more qualified to raise kids than the parents. There is a disturbing trend among politicians (even high level ones) and judges to think the state is the best suited and the highest authority in kid’s lives.
Pray that we will retain the freedom to choose the world view we instill in our children; then speak out when people try to take the freedom away!
I can’t image the mindset that would think the state of California has a better idea of what your children need than parents. It all seems very un-American.
There may be cases where families abuse these rights. I have known of families that have neglected their children’s education. But that should not infringe the rights of all parents.
This is very disturbing to my family since we home educate our children. We aren’t weirdos. We just want to educate our children a certain way. I’m not with Dr. M on the exit strategy but this is scary.
Kevin Bussey’s last blog post..Sure, we can trust the government with our children….