Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Homeschooling Laws

Our Democratic controlled state legislature is trying to force homeschool families to register with the local school system and/or intermediate school district at the beginning of the school year. The thought is that someone needs to keep an eye on those homeschool kids. Personally, I believe that it comes down to dollars and cents. If homeschooling becomes more difficult or if homeschooling is perceived as illegal or if homeschools need the state's sanction to operate, the result will be fewer families choosing homeschooling as an alternative to state run schools.

Our local district will be closing another 3 elementary schools and one alternative high school at the end of the school year. Almost 1/2 of the area elementary schools
have closed in the last 10-12 years, as well as two middle schools. During the last few years, the local school district has tried to develop a partnership with a small percentage of area homeschool families. The district should receive a substantial amount of money for the very limited services provided to the homeschool students. School Officials now have a better idea of how much money could be made by having homeschool students in their classrooms.

I understand that in very large cities, truant students may say that they are homeschooled. More frequently in the rest of the state, the problem stems from students who have been kicked out of the public school system and aren't being educated anywhere. Why isn't the state government communicating with those families to find workable solutions. Expelled students still need an education. While I don't believe that anyone is entitled to an education, I do see where expelled children need someone to help them find their way.

School districts should spend their resources providing a good education and great learning opportunities for their students. Instead of chasing after families who are involved and interested in providing their children with the best education possible, schools should find solutions to their students' learning needs.

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