Homeschooling Hassles

Posted by Ann Sattley on Sunday, November 20th, 2011

For those people who don’t like government schools, a natural choice is to home school them.  Taking control of educating your children is not yet illegal in the United States.  However, some states certainly make it difficult to do (legally).  The newest bit of news on this front comes to us from New Jersey.  Just last week, New Jersey was discussed as being one of only two states to mandate flu vaccinations for children to go to their schools.  Now, in New Jersey, some legislators are trying to require annual medical exams for home-schooled children.  Under this bill, parents would be required to submit documentation to their local school district of the exam.  (I wonder if a flu vaccination will be part of the mandated annual exam).

It doesn’t take too many mental gymnastics to realize that this is a case of the government simply wanting control.  Since “they” won’t have their eyes and ears all over your children if they are being schooled at home, they have to make sure that they get the scoop somehow.  Of course, this is probably being discussed under the guise of protecting children from abuse.  But, please remember that school isn’t exactly safe for them.  Barely a week goes by that I don’t hear about another scandal at a public school — teachers fighting with each other, sexual misconduct, incompetent administrators, and teachers cheating for better test scores…among other things.

I don’t think all home schooled students automatically have good parents, nor do I believe that all public schools are bad.  However, I certainly believe in parents being able to better care for their own children than the government.  Always be wary of legislation coming at you in the name of safety.  It’s usually code for “here’s another hoop to jump through” in the land of the free.

This bill hasn’t even been introduced yet, and, with some luck, maybe it will be shot down before the process even starts.  It’s a horrible idea that conveys an automatic distrust of homeschooling parents and makes it harder and harder to follow the state mandated regulations on education for those who don’t want to trust the government with educating their kids.

Related posts:

  1. Terrorism Drills in School
  2. Flu Vaccines
  3. Minors in Tanning Beds
  4. Trumped Up Charges
  5. Riding a Bike to School

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4 comments
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ann
ann

Hey Anon. Thanks for stopping by. I think you make a great point here. Even when a school is a "safe" environment, it doesn't mean it is a positive one.

Anonymous
Anonymous

Two of my grandkids are in one of the "good" elementary schools in our area. They are not allowed to talk during lunch, and are encouraged to tell on each other when someone breaks the rule and talks. They will be home schooled next year. Then NONE of my children will be in public school.

ann
ann

Brooks, thanks for stopping by and throwing your hat in the ring on this one. In terms of listing the things regarding school being unsafe, I was just trying to compare it with the legislature's apparent view that homeschooling is what is unsafe. I want people to realize that, just because home school isn't as regulated, doesn't mean it's the unsafe option. I actually agree with you that school is probably pretty safe (in terms of physical injury), but it doesn't mean it is the best choice for every child.

Brooks
Brooks

I don't know anything about this proposal, but I do know that NJ actually has one of the less-regulated home school laws in the country. Also, your comment that schools aren't safe is not really true and heading toward the hysterical. Sure, there are scandals and the occasional inappropriate actions, but schools are safer than they've ever been. This is we'll documented. You usually hear about bad things at school for two reasons: 1. They are rare and 2. The 24 media frenzy knows that it strikes fear in parents and will keep them glued to their inane shows. I know your posts are opinion pieces, but you should interject a little more fact and research now and then.