Posted on 11/13/2008 9:09:22 PM PST by MountainLoop
Commentary by Michael Smith, President, Homeschool Legal Defense Association
Since the election of Barack Obama as U.S. president, HSLDA has received more than a few calls from both members and nonmembers. Some are quite concerned about the future of homeschooling under an Obama presidency.
First of all, let us always remember that "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7). He also instructs us to be wise, plan, and be prepared in everything we do.
Despite HSLDA's efforts prior to the election to get an official statement from the Obama campaign regarding their position on homeschooling, we received no response.
So where does that leave us?
We do know that the Democratic Party has an official position of supporting public education. The National Education Association (NEA), which is the national teachers union, is a major supporter of the Democratic Party. We know that the NEA's position is that every child should be either taught by a certified teacher or supervised by one. Additionally, their position is that the curriculum used by all homeschoolers should be approved by the state, and children should only be able to continue to be homeschooled based upon systematic evaluation by the state.
(Excerpt) Read more at lifesitenews.com ...
Yep, we have an “Obamanation”. Too sad.
On the issue of homeschooling, I don’t think we have anything to fear from the Communist Organizer. Although the Dems rule IL, the state has the most lenient homeschooling laws in America. The Communist Organizer probably doesn’t care about homeschooling.
Ah, you can’t have a good National Socialist story without camps!
Concentration.. err. reeducation camps?
We are home schooling our 6yr old son under a religious exemption provision of the Virginia home schooling statute. We’re not required to do any testing. If they try to force us to do anything I will fight them tooth and nail.
Of course the Arabs and Persians love female sec states. They simply do not deal with them.
Sure, we need a woman in the position, when most of the diplomacy is with misogynists of the Arab world. That political statement should get plenty done in the International Arena.
They need an ass kicker not a crotch licker. So both Hillery and Barney Franks are excluded.
Maybe Hillery can impress the Arabs and the Persians. Some How I doubt it.
Colin Powell would be much , much better.
May I suggest Lamplighter books and One nation under God by Toby Mack.
You want to know how to take America Back? One child at a time in each home! Turn the TV off. TEACH YOUR CHILDREN WELL!!!
Get them back in Scouts, Sunday School and take them to nursing homes to play cards or chess with an elder. Do not let them disrespect the elderly. Invite a Veteran to your home to speak to several friends.
They’re actually state churches.
The Constitution, which even constitutionally clueless Obama has sworn to defend, must truly be dead.
Who cares what Obama's or Congress's position on homeschooling is? Given that the federal Constitution says nothing about education or public schools, the 10th Amendment - you know, the amendment between the 9th and 11th Amendments - automatically reserves government power to address education issues uniquely to the states, not to the federal government.
10th Amendment: The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.In fact, the federal government needs to not only to get its big nose out of 10th A. protected state affairs like education, but also appropriately lower federal taxes that are earmarked for public schools.
I'm convinced that one of the reasons that God gave the Oval Office to Obama is the following. The people will be forced to reconnect with the Constitution and its history in order to protect themselves from Socialist Obama's misguided pen.
Finally, note that regardless that the states accept federal taxpayer dollars to help pay for public education, its strange that the feds evidently don't require the states to teach the Constitution and it's history.
So you’ve likely heard what your soon to be Senator thinks of homeschooling?
With no experience in homeschooling and not knowing anyone homeschooled, I can tell you the homeschool kids I recently worked with are the smartest, personable, and hard-working kids I’ve met.
It appears this was put in the wrong thread.
That has been my experience also.
Should the UN Convention be ratified, it would impose the United Nation's view of children's rights on America. Under the U.S. Constitution, treaties become the Supreme Law of the land, taking precedent over state laws and state supreme court decisions.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is not in the best interest of parents or children, as it would undermine the parental authority that our laws currently recognize. For further information on the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child visit ParentalRights.org.
That's the fly in the ointment.
Ironic about needing be under the supervision of a certified teacher — when homeschooled kids do much better than those taught by those ‘certified’ teachers in public school.
ping
The testing aspect isn’t draconian, and nothing to fear.
My nephew has been home schooled for 5-years and tested every year. The tests are for academic abilities and relative level in regards to other children his age.
He had D- scores across the board at the end of 6th grade when I began teaching him. By the time he completed 9th grade level courses he was reading, writing and comprehending on a college level!
My child was not tested for indoctrination to social policies, if that is what you’re fearful of happening. They test for skills - math, reading, writing, comprehension, logical thinking - that sort of thing. The test results have eased my concerns that he might not be doing well.
Today he is 100 days short of 17 years old and studying for the GED. We hope he will join the U.S.Coastguard in March 2009.
My family and I are very worried about what Obama is giong to do concerning homeschooling. His love and debt to the teacher’s union, and the fact that he is against vouchers, make me think he is not going to be fond of homeschooling. In addition, he has all this service corp stuff in mind and I’m sure he wouldn’t want anyone to miss out.
I have 8 grandchildren. They are all homeschooled. My oldest grandaughter graduated last spring. She went to college this fall and started out studying for the GED. She felt she could pass the test without taking the class, but we all wanted her to take the class anyway, for the classroom experience.
Sam is 6yrs old (1st grade) and is reading at a 5th grade level, his math, science and writing skills are a high 3rd grade. I’m not worried about the testing part. I’m just concerned that these idiots are going to force us into a choice of curriculum we don’t want, and that is not flexible enough to keep up with Sam.
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