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Post by mountaingirl on Mar 6, 2008 23:00:59 GMT -5
Can someone please explain to me what is going on in California with homeschooling?
Some websites are claiming that it is illegal to homeschool in California due to a decision around 2/28/08. HSLDA is claiming that the laws are still the same and that they are appealing the decision on the 2nd District appeals court.
My DH and I try to keep up on these issues because eventually it affects all of us.
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tbhas6
Senior Member
Posts: 1,146
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Post by tbhas6 on Mar 7, 2008 10:52:01 GMT -5
Mountaingirl,
This is a VERY serious situation that ALL parents (even one's who send their children to public or private school) need to watch and most important pray about.
I'm not real clear on all the details, but apparently a California home school family was taken to court by their local school district. This family home schools through a private Christian school satellite program. (I don't know the reasons why the local school district brought the case against this family. I do know the father refuses public education because of the immoral SR 722 bill that was recently passed.) The presiding judge ruled against the home school family, stating that the family's religion was not a strong enough reason to deny a public education. The judge ordered the children into public school - in his ruling the children were also forbade to attend private schools or any other satellite school programs. The family is appealing the court's decision.
The reason this is so important is that if this family looses it's appeal(s), then a court precedence is set in favor of state education. A precedence of this magnitude in favor of state education, without any regard for one's religious beliefs, will open the flood gates of lawsuits brought against home education and private education (the judge also forbade private education for these children) - forcing California children into state education systems. If Californians loose their rights to legally home school or send their children to private schools, how long will it be before the citizens of other states face the same tyranny? Also, the fact that he ruled that this family's religion is irrelevant opens an entire host of other possible state imposed restrictions on anyone of any religious faith.
As of today, home school and private school is still legal in California because this case is in the appeals process. This situation won't be over until it is heard by the highest court in the land OR a decision in favor of home schooling, private schooling, and religious convictions is handed down.
WE MUST BE VIGILANT IN PRAYER regarding this case. It has the possibility of setting a precedence that could remove ALL parental choice regarding our children's educations.
I hope this helps you have a little better picture of what's going on out there. I wish I had more details for you. I most ardently encourage you and everyone reading this post to PRAY.
tb
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tbhas6
Senior Member
Posts: 1,146
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Post by tbhas6 on Mar 7, 2008 17:25:52 GMT -5
I just received an e-mail that directed me to Focus on the Family and Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) web-sites. It appears some of the information I first received regarding the California court case was exaggerated. After reviewing the Focus on the Family and HSLDA publications on this case I have discovered that the family in question was ordered to enroll their children in EITHER a public school OR a California accredited private school. The family will not be allowed to continue the satellite program they had been using or will they be allowed to home educate their children. This case is so awful for home schooling families in California because the case was recorded in a manner that allows this judge's decision to effect ALL home schooling families. This ruling is not confined to just this one particular family. The HSLDA has a link to sign a petition, directed to the California Supreme Courts, to overturn this ruling and keep home schooling in California legal. Focus on the Family also has a link from their web-site to sign the petition. HSLDA was not involved in the original court case. HSLDA is filing an amicus brief on behalf of more than 13,000 California HSLDA members. To read HSLDA's publication on this matter, read the court decision or sign the petition, please visit www.hslda.org. I apologize for passing on exaggerated information - I should have verified my resource before passing it on. tb
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Post by mountaingirl on Mar 7, 2008 20:06:14 GMT -5
Thank you tbhas6 for all of your information.
There is so much confusing information about this case that it is hard to get the true story. I will definitely pray that God take control of this situation not only for the families that are currently caught up in this situation but also for the future of us home schoolers.
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Post by pursuer on Mar 10, 2008 20:13:24 GMT -5
Wow. That's making my stomach churn. I am praying, and will also be reading the websites and signing the petition.
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tbhas6
Senior Member
Posts: 1,146
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Post by tbhas6 on Mar 13, 2008 13:23:34 GMT -5
Hi Ladies, For any of you who may be interested, there has been some progress regarding the home school situation in California. You may read the updates at www.hslda.org. Please continue to keep this situation in prayer. tb
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tbhas6
Senior Member
Posts: 1,146
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Post by tbhas6 on Mar 27, 2008 8:12:26 GMT -5
FYI ....
I just received an update from the HSLDA on the California homeschooling case.
On March 25th the California Court of Appeal granted a motion for rehearing in the "In re Rachel L." case.
As per the HSLDA -
"The automatic effect of granting this motion is that the prior opinion is vacated and is no longer binding to anyone."
"The Court of Appeal has solicited amicus briefs from California Superintendent of Public Instruction, California Department of Education, Los Angeles Unified School District and three California Teacher's Unions."
"HSLDA is seeking permission to file such an amicus brief and will coordinate efforts with a number of organizations interested in filing briefs to support the right of parents to home school their children in California."
Michael Farris, chairman of HSLDA says, "This is a great first step. We are very glad that this case will be reheard and that this opinion has been vacated, but there is no guarantee as to what the ultimate outcome will be. This case remains our top priority."
We all MUST continue to pray. As many of us realize, what ever happens in California always seems to have a way of seeping into the rest of our nation.
thank you, tb
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