SB 136: They’re from the government; they’re here to help you.

The Bloviating Hammerhead Blog ^ | 2/3/11 | Jim Bennett

[MintyHippo1980]

Thanks to Gay Martin the Illinois Family Institute for sounding the warning about a new and ridiculous attempt on the part of state government to meddle in private education.

The IFI's release:

Bill to Require Parents to Register Their Children with State SB 136 has been proposed in the Illinois General Assembly by State Senator Edward D. Maloney (D-Chicago) that will affect all children in non-public schools, including home schools.

If SB 136 were to pass, it would compel all parents or legal guardians of home or privately schooled students to register with the state. Registration that is now voluntary would become mandatory

TAKE ACTION: Contact Sen. Maloney and ask him to drop this unwarranted expansion of government into the private lives and affairs of good Illinois citizens.

Here is what I wrote to Senator Maloney and my own State Senator, John M. Sullivan:

I am writing to express my vehement opposition to SB 136. For years, my wife and I have enjoyed remarkable freedom to educate our children at home in Illinois. This sudden and unnecessary measure is clearly a step toward increased government regulation of private education.

After seeing what government paternalism has done to public education, and after witnessing the positive academic and developmental results from homeschooling, I am stunned that anyone feels such a policy would be necessary.

I recognize that there are certain things government can do well; conversely, there are areas where government's intrusive regulatory presence is disastrous. Education is a prominent item among many in the latter category.

Please drop this matter and focus your valuable time and energy on something that actually needs your attention, like reducing our tax burden.

Sincerely,

Pastor Jim Bennett

If you would like to send an email of your own about this, click here. Select the "take action" button.

[MintyHippo1980]

Illinois homeschoolers, your overseers and would-be wet nurses in Springfield are at it again. They know what's good for you!

[lucky american]

My daughter is homeschooling. She has to give the state of NH a curriculum and a lesson plan to follow, thus registering with the state all home schooled children.
She was told that this helps prevent child abuse when a parent just doesn't care about the child.

When one child or person is hurt by something,the state steps in to make all new laws for everyone.
I am getting tired of having a new law enacted for whatever just because one person is stupid.

[goldi]

What reason are they giving for this bill? What does “register” entail? Is it just to keep statistics or are they meddling?