Home-schooling standoff (MA Liberals try to get state custody for 'abused' home-schooled kids)

Metrowest Daily ^ | 6/13/03 | Beecher

[Born in a Rage]

The article states that "they did not file educational plans or determine a grading system for the children, two criteria of Waltham Public School's home schooling policy."

Here in NH we have to send in an educational plan to the NH Dept. of Education, which we do. Evidently, the law in their state also requires that homeschoolers file educational plans but they just decided they didn't feel like it....then when they (the state) tries to 'give them a break' by asking the kids to take a test - they refuse to do that as well. Well....now they are in trouble and they put themselves there with their arrogance/ignorance, imho. I don't side with them one bit.

[Tax-chick]

two criteria of Waltham Public School's home schooling policy."

The public school district doesn't make the rules, only the state law does. It's still not clear from the article whether they're in compliance with the law, but this is a red herring.

[Born in a Rage]

In my state, NH, I know for a fact that it is up to the local school district to decide if a homeschooling child can attend a public school p/t for particular subjects they are interested in. It is also up to the local school to decide if they will provide services like speech therapy and occupational therapy to homeschoolers. The law states that it is up to the local school district....perhaps MASS has similar laws.

[longtermmemmory]

If you call the white house and ask for a "replacement" (lost, burned, destroyed by locust) I bet they may send you one with GWB on it.

[Tax-chick]

Special services aren't the issue here, whether in NH or in MA. You may be right, that they're out of compliance with the state, but I don't think we can tell from the information we have.

All homeschoolers should move to Oklahoma, anyway. Parental control of education is guaranteed in the Constitution (put there by Democrats, btw.)

(Truth in advertising - we're moving because of the unemployment ...)

[longtermmemmory]

interesting article I would encourage everyone to read it. It seems cutting down on these incentives would save federal dollars and help induce the social workers to do their jobs.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

I understand what you are saying, I even agree with you somewhat,but we don't know from this article what attempts were made to comply with the law up to this point, do we?

I know someone here in PA, who had a very agressive homeschool rep at her local school, who have has her portfiolios marked up and "corrected" in red pen , only to be told the work was not satisfactory and the child would no tbe "passed" on to the next grade, Huh?

Then come to find out the person doing the correcting was making comments all through the portfiolio that the work was not acceptable for a fifth grader and would not be passed onto sixth grade. Interesting for a portfiolio full of work from a second grader. IMO anyone with power can make life difficult for homeschoolers if they really want to .

[ladysusan]

Had not heard of it but after looking at the reviews, I see it is a must read. Thank you.

[NH Liberty]

Agreed, Notwithstanding. Your #12 is exactly right.

[patton]

My pleasure, dear Lady.

I hope you enjoy it - I thought it enlightening.

[Lady Eileen]

Government schooling should be abolished, outright.

I agree.

[cantfindagoodscreenname]

Massachusetts does NOT require testing. I know. I lived there until a few years ago and I homeschooled my children in that state. I am still homeschooling (and about to graduate my oldest son). Testing is an OPTION in Massachusetts and the state cannot make you choose it.

[Lady Eileen]

Compulsory public school education has done more to ruin families than any other institution I can think of. Compulsory public school education should be abolished.

I agree.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Before the DSS would take my kids, a few would die. Without a court order or any evidence of abuse of any kind (as in this case), if they tried to take the kids, it would be nothing more than kidnapping.

[Blood of Tyrants]

In many states, it is the same. If you go to that link I posted, you will see that New Hampshire just passed a law REQUIRING that juries be informed of their 1000 year old RIGHT to judge the law as well as the facts. Not too many years ago, shall issue was only the law in a very few states.

[Blood of Tyrants]

I would move to a free state (relatively) first.

[TaxRelief]

The best solution to CPS/DSS abuse is to end the practice of closing court records just because the cases involve minors. Freedom of the press is one of the best protections against court abuse.

[WriteOn]

"I think as a society, we owe it to ensure that our children receive a good education and a fighting chance to lead a productive and worthwhile life."

Stay away from me, you liberal cretin. It's clear where you're going with this socialism.

[TaxRelief]

DSS nabs these kids, and yet how many other kids are being sent back to their crack-addicted mothers who beat them up on a regular basis?

The name of the game for DSS/CPS is to "nab" highly adoptable kids.
That's how they make their money. Crack babies are too hard to place.

Federal Incentives Compromise Social Workers' Objectivity

[Lady Eileen]

Thanks TaxRelief.