Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Democratic Staffer: Homeschooling Lobby 'Scary', Not Rational
Capitol Confidential ^ | 9/3/2015 | Tom Gantert

Posted on 09/04/2015 11:25:04 AM PDT by MichCapCon

The left-leaning nonprofit ProPublica recently ran an article on home schooling that opened by relating an anecdote from 2003. It tells of a 19-year-old man in New Jersey who weighed just 45 pounds and was found rummaging through a neighbor’s garbage. The explanation for how such a thing could happen is delivered by a state politician who says, “I was told it was because he was homeschooled.”

The story, co-published on the liberal Slate.com, then quotes Ellen Heinitz, who is the legislative director for a Democratic state representative from Detroit, about her experience with a national homeschooling lobbying group called the Home School Legal Defense Association. Heinitz works for Rep. Stephanie Chang, whose House Bill 4498 would mandate homeschool registration and increase other regulations.

“I’ve never seen a lobby more powerful and scary,” Heinitz was quoted as saying. “They make the anti-vaxxers seem rational.” This is a reference to people who believe vaccines are dangerous.

Karen Braun, a nationally known homeschool education activist from Michigan, said the story is part of a trend to get the public to view homeschooling with suspicion.

“She’s throwing out a caricature,” Braun said. “What she is really exposing is her own contempt for people who act outside of the state and for people who think they know what’s best for their children.”

Braun said some school districts are becoming more accepting of homeschooling. Some districts are partnering with homeschool families. The public school district gets money for the homeschool students who participate in certain elective classes. Lapeer Community Schools is one of the districts involved in the homeschooling partnership.

When asked to estimate how many children are being homeschooled in Michigan, Braun said:

“You can’t. And that’s a good thing. How many parents breast feed? Why would you care? Why is it an important thing? It’s free people acting on their best interests of their family. That’s the beauty of liberty. That’s the beauty of freedom.”

Cathy Keller, a homeschooling parent from Jackson, said the liberals in education and government want to control every aspect of citizens' lives. She said the homeschooling phenomena is growing as are the curriculum options.

“Basically, school is being redesigned by parents because of a failed model that has been hijacked and corrupted,” Keller said. “If they had a successful model, they would be attracting participants, but they won't tolerate our freedom of choice. So I could go on for days and days about why I homeschool and why I don’t want liberal minded bureaucrats deciding what they want for my children. The parents who abuse their children are the problem, not because they say they homeschool. … The majority of homeschooled kids are successful because someone is taking time to give them personal instruction. There are successes and failings in both the public schools and in home schools, but they don't control homeschools and there lies the rub.”

There are no official estimates of how many people homeschool in Michigan. Registration is not required for parents who homeschool, but there is provision for voluntary registration. The law does require parents whose child does not attend public or private school to provide an "organized educational program" in the subjects of reading, spelling, mathematics, science, history, civics, literature, writing, and English grammar.


TOPICS: Education; Government
KEYWORDS: frhf; homeschool
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-55 next last

1 posted on 09/04/2015 11:25:04 AM PDT by MichCapCon
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: MichCapCon
“I've never seen a lobby more powerful and scary,” Heinitz was quoted as saying.

Yeah, she's scared of homeschoolers the way demons are scared of Jesus Christ.

2 posted on 09/04/2015 11:28:48 AM PDT by pa_dweller (But 'twould be an ill world for weaponless dreamers if evil men were not now and then slain - JRK)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MichCapCon

Given what I’ve read and heard about MI public schools, why is anyone surprised that home schooling is on the rise there?


3 posted on 09/04/2015 11:29:10 AM PDT by econjack (I'm not bossy...I just know what you should be doing.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MichCapCon

Ellen Heinitz probably thinks Planned Parenthood are rational, regular folks in comparison.


4 posted on 09/04/2015 11:32:37 AM PDT by dowcaet
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dowcaet; metmom

Interesting.


5 posted on 09/04/2015 11:33:02 AM PDT by ForYourChildren (Christian Education [ RomanRoadsMedia.com - Classical Christian Approach to Homeschool ])
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: pa_dweller

“Yeah, she’s scared of homeschoolers the way demons are scared of Jesus Christ.”

That’s about it. Thus the desperation. I spend sixteen years in the indoctrination camps, before becoming a Christian in the end and putting myself through what amounted to a lengthy cult-deprogramming to unlearn their teachings. My four kids are blessed to be free of them.


6 posted on 09/04/2015 11:33:19 AM PDT by Another Post-American (Jesus died for your sins.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: MichCapCon
Liberals love to use anecdotal evidence instead of overall statistics. When one looks at the entire picture rather than one isolated case, the truth becomes apparent.

My anecdotal evidence--I have 9 grandchildren, 5 of whom are school age. Three are in public schools and are doing okay to very well. Two are being home schooled and are off the charts on the upside. Small sample, but larger than the one ProPublica used.

7 posted on 09/04/2015 11:35:26 AM PDT by TruthShallSetYouFree (Today's Civil Rights movement: Black Lives Matter--unless they are cops.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MichCapCon

Anecdotes are like A$$holes, everybody has one, I would bet however that the idiot would be unable to provide any evidence to back up his story. My niece was home schooled, graduated high school at 16, went to Berkeley on a scholarship and graduated with a double major at 20. Yup a homeschooling horror story for sure.


8 posted on 09/04/2015 11:37:16 AM PDT by Mastador1 (I'll take a bad dog over a good politician any day!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MichCapCon; MeganC

Ping Megan dear.

Is the Homeschooling Lobby bigger than the NRA?

I thought they had all the Lobby Dollars?


9 posted on 09/04/2015 11:38:26 AM PDT by KC_Lion (This Millennial is for Cruz!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MichCapCon

HSLDA YOU GO BABY!

I love and miss Michigan.

HSLDA is just a legal defense org that will come to the aid of homeschoolers so they wont get railroaded. They would not cover up wrongdoing, abuse, as any officer of the court is expected, but defend a parent who is too busy teaching and parenting to be up on everything the school system might deem their right to intrude or force or inquire. Liberty Counsel in another venue.


10 posted on 09/04/2015 11:38:50 AM PDT by If You Want It Fixed - Fix It
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MichCapCon

People so irrational as to not only identify as democrat but work for other democrats are the last people to talk about being rational. They should be fitted for cages.


11 posted on 09/04/2015 11:39:31 AM PDT by Norm Lenhart
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MichCapCon

I am of the opinion that if a multi-millionaire conservative (I am working towards that) wanted to significantly impact the long term direction of the US, they should create a home school system that included:

- instruction for parents (teach how to teach)
- education for the kids (with strong morals and Pro-America message)
- a system for testing and grading the students
- tips for dealing with school districts
- state by state review of laws

And make it all free over the internet.

Basically take over the home school market and then work to get the curriculum into school districts. That would have the potential for a huge impact.


12 posted on 09/04/2015 11:42:09 AM PDT by taxcontrol
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: pa_dweller
I've never seen a lobby more powerful and scary,” Heinitz was quoted as saying.

How about the disaster that is called the NEA...????

13 posted on 09/04/2015 11:44:47 AM PDT by terycarl (COMMON SENSE PREVAILS OVER ALL)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Norm Lenhart
The thing to remember about democrats is:


14 posted on 09/04/2015 11:44:52 AM PDT by Noumenon (Resistance. Restoration. Retribution.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Noumenon

And ALL wars are started by leftist/liberal philosophy.


15 posted on 09/04/2015 11:47:32 AM PDT by Norm Lenhart
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: MichCapCon
If they had a successful model, they would be attracting participants, but they won't tolerate our freedom of choice.

That can't be right -- liberals are staunch defenders of choice!

16 posted on 09/04/2015 11:53:34 AM PDT by Still Thinking (Freedom is NOT a loophole!Just read)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Noumenon

Great statistic!! I would like to use it in future debates. Question: where does it come from?


17 posted on 09/04/2015 11:55:48 AM PDT by Jan_Sobieski (Sanctification)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: MichCapCon

“I was told it was because he was homeschooled.”

So someone told you something different and you interpreted it this way. I know so many people who came from public school who are druggies, alcoholics, homeless, sluts, etc.


18 posted on 09/04/2015 12:00:01 PM PDT by Politicalkiddo ("Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy; when I fall I shall arise"-Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: pa_dweller

FWIW, my father is an atheist who felt that the standards for the public schools were bad, so he taught me things over the summer between years. It’s rediculous how stereotypical this hack politician is being.


19 posted on 09/04/2015 12:02:32 PM PDT by Morpheus2009
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: MichCapCon

Democrats are scary.


20 posted on 09/04/2015 12:08:14 PM PDT by <1/1,000,000th%
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-55 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson