Recently there has been some issues in California whether homeschool educators (such as parents) should be require to have a degree to homeschool. Gov. Schwarzenegger supports homeschooling as it is now. I am asking that we continue to pray for homeschooler's rights, and that God continues to have a hand on this situation. I feel that once one state passes the law that parents are required to have a degree, it will eventually become that way all across the US. We don't need a degree to understand our child's learning style, or how to work with them. We've done it every day since they were born. As parents, God put us as our child's number one instructor. It is our duty to make sure that our children are raised under God's instruction.
HSLDA update
Thursday, March 13, 2008
right to homeschool
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6 comments:
Public and private school settings are full of children from families raising them in Christian homes and "under God's instruction". It is short sighted to say that children who attend school aren't being raised in a way pleasing to God. God does not ask us to hide from the world, but rather to be a witness to those around us. When our children leave our homes equipped with their Christian beliefs, they learn to make the right decisions in their daily encounters with others to follow their faith and use good morals. They come home to a family that reinforces their behavior and they are an example to other people each day. And they receive their education from a person specifically trained to teach them the skills they need for their age and for the future. Are they in a group of other children? Yes, and research shows how important those "peers" are to development as a whole. Possibly we do not need a degree to understand our child's learning style, but how can you understand child development and learning styles if you have not been educated on the subject in some manner? One can cook an average meal at home or you can go to a restaurant and have someone trained as a chef cook a gourmet meal. The average meal is fine, but isn't the gourmet one so much better? Many homeschool groups have wonderfully talented educators, which is why connecting with a group is so important. These groups provide more exposure for learning and contact with other children and lots of ideas for teaching. Parents often talk about "homeschooler's rights", but what about the "homeschooled's rights"? Don't they have a right to form positive relationships with other adults, play on the playground with other kids their own age, paint in art class, sing holiday songs in music, or ride the scooters in PE? Shouldn't homeschoolers be required to provide their children with an education AT LEAST equal to what they can receive by attending school? Isn't this a right of each child? Doesn't the state have an obligation to the education of a child in the same way that they have an obligation to their safety? If a family opts to homeschool then they need to show that they are committed to providing an education equal to what the child would receive in school or better through activities, preplanned instruction, and connection with other homeschool families. If they are unwilling to do this, then they have made a decision for themselves and not the child. We, as parents, are our child's number one instructor, and we do not lose that role when they leave our side. They take with them every bit of energy. love, and values that we instill in them wherever they go, if we are doing our job. No matter how we decide to educate our children, how we love them is the most important.
The HSLDA is a very powerful lobby group worth researching. They lobby on more issues than homeschooling and use funds from membership and curriculum sales for these other issues. Before you support their agenda, make sure you understand all that they stand for.
I did NOT write or criticize one thing about parents who choose to send their children to a private or public school. My posts was geared towards my situation or those who are already currently homeschooling. God has put it on my heart to home school my own children. I evaluate what is best for my children and our situation. I do not critize parents who choose to send their children to public or private schools.
We must teach our children to be a light to the world before sending them out in the world to be a light. I prefer to start at home with my children's behaviors and actions and not let someone else have an impression on them first. I want my children to know that their teachings come from God and their parents. I don't need to spend all my time and energy redoing what someone else is teaching them, and I prefer to know what they are being taught.
You don't know what my children are involved in or who they are around so you can't be criticizing me for that.
I never said I supported HSLDA. That's where I found the facts about what's going on with the situation of homeschooling in California.
And last, people should read carefully what I posted before jumping to conclusions and not assuming that I meant more than what I wrote.
A teacher with a classroom full of children cannot zoom in on each child's learning style as a parent can sit down one on one at home. If I put my child back into public school next fall, she would be at the same level as the other kids in her class if not exceeding. She is as social as any other child. In fact, I have had comments from others that she talks up more than she used to. Just maybe we as parents can instill confidence in our children, and not rely on others for competition. Our family is not about competing with the rest of the world, but to challenge ourselves.
Whew! Guess you've found a hot topic.
Anyhoo, no need to worry. There are laws on state levels regarding homeschooling. Each state is different and some states do have written laws that "protect" homeschoolers more so than CA.
PS Obviously "anonymous" leaves their scripted retort on more blogs than yours; that is why it didn't make complete sense the issues they were raising w/you.
Isn't life great, we live in a time where we can still raise our children, teach them about God, family, to care about each other, and yet we all don't have to agree on how we do this, it doesn't make us less a person because people are individuals with individual ideals, Children will grow up no matter who teaches them, they will form their own opinions, you see I have 5 great children with 5 different opinions, each of my children don't always see things the way I do, but they are individuals and that is important, so be true to yourself, family, and GOD. It is good to discuss things, but bottom line is no one can decide for you, your life, God made us with a choice-a working brain. We have the option, and the responsibility to use it to the best of our abilities. GODs will be done in all our lives, make a decisions and don't spend the rest of your life debating if it was good or not , do the best you can, always moving forward, Life is worth the living, we only go this way once. LOVE MOM
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