Posted on 02/14/2007 10:26:32 PM PST by SeasideSparrow
Lawyers representing a Massachusetts school district named as a defendant in a parent's civil rights complaint have said teachers at Estabrook Elementary School have a "legitimate state interest" in teaching the homosexual lifestyle, and parents have no input into those decisions....
...."The state must fight 'discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation' in ways that 'do not perpetuate stereotypes,'" the lawyers for the school district argued. They also explained to the judge that, in their opinion, parents have no right to control what ideas the school presents to elementary schoolchildren, and if parents disagree with that dictate, they can take their children elsewhere.
"Once I have elected to send my child to public school, my fundamental right does not allow me to direct what my child is exposed to in the public school," said the school's lawyer....
Nmh, that's a good point about children being able to academically scoot ahead while homeschooling. Every child has strengths that can receive extra attention through home education, whereas in public school there is a lot of "dumbing down" time spent. Even if the school provides accelerated courses, it is nothing compared to what can be accomplished at home. If desired, you can hire people specialized in particular fields to tutor your child in a specific area, supplement with community courses, or utilize the assistance of another parent highly skilled in that discipline.
And if you lack some confidence in teaching a subject like math, for example, you can co-op with other parents to help in that area. Or purchase videos to supplement. Or utilize a grandparent, aunt, or your husband! Or pay for special tutoring in that one subject. There are many creative ways to meet a child's needs outside of a rigid public school setting.
That is, unless you live in Germany and experience outright persecution and abuse from the government where nothing a homeschool parent does is ever good enough to please their socialist objectives!
Vigilance, people!!! Vigilance. Keep your eyes on upcoming elections and do all you can to get Constitution-friendly people into office. Support the good candidates who truly have a chance to win!
Pandora, several years ago we knew a family who started homeschooling precisely because their child was getting sick from something in the school. It turned out to be cleaning chemicals being used.
As nmh suggested, you might want to check on this anonymously as you never know which way the public school administration will twist it, sad to say.
BULL SH**!
The more I hear crap like this the more I think a rebellion is needed
Later on is when I will consider testing her out of grades.
Um, that's what I posted in #19 and you responded to... Am I missing something?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1315730/posts?page=84#84
;)
I missed that!
Pandora, you go, girl!!!! :o) :o) :o)
Nmh, a good Christian school is sure better than a public school and you sound veeery well informed and caring of your child. I know you're doing what you feel is best and that's great!
But for others here trying to decide whether to homeschool or to pay for their child to attend a Christian school, here are some thoughts to consider. (Nmh, please understand that what I'm saying here may not apply in your situation at all and my words are only meant for others who may read this while trying to make a decision. Nothing I say applies to your or your daughter! The last person I want to offend is you, my friend - so please understand my words do not apply to you.)
1. Some parents with kids who have had behavior problems in public schools put their kids in Christian schools in the hope the school can "fix" them.
2. There is a tendency for some parents with kids in Christian schools to "assume" their children are receiving a quality education with Christian curriculum. I've heard some real horror stories about some Christian schools, so keep that in mind. Your parental responsibility as primary teacher of everything doesn't go away just because your child is in a private Christian school.
3. Christian school classrooms are modeled after the same pattern as public schools. This pattern lends itself to boring students silly and can be quite rigid. That's a whole other topic!
4. If you are particular about not wanting your child to learn inappropriate sexual material, then keep in mind that just because someone else's child attends a Christian school does not in any way mean that the child is not being exposed to movies or magazines with explicit sexual material in their own home. Children will bring what they learn at home into the school. Not everyone placing their child in a Christian school is necessarily a strong Christian, in other words.
5. Studies show that homeschooled children have high exposure to a variety of people of different ages and a diligent parent can expose their child to adults of upright character in their Sunday school, at church, or in community or homeschool activities on a frequent basis. Private schools are not the only place a child can mingle with positive adult role models.
6. Due to local homeschool groups hosting lots of different activities for children to participate in such as science fairs, art shows, drama teams, sports activities (even at high school level), bands, play days (for younger ones), co-ops focusing on certain topics, international days, etc. etc. - children without siblings can enjoy a lot of exposure to other children. This exposure is not exclusive to an institutional school setting.
7. Private schools cost a lot of money that could perhaps be spent in other areas of value.
8. For Christians reading this thread there is a scripture in Deut. 11:19 speaking of the many blessings you can receive from "teaching your children as you sit in your house, walk by the way, lie down, and rise up in the morning." We live in a society where people put their kids in public school saying they can have "quality" time in the evening with their children. But evidently this scripture indicates that God counts "quantity" time very, very important. Only homeschooling affords that kind of time with loved ones.
All that said, each parent is given the responsibility to choose what he or she feels best for his own children.
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