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Posted on 09/03/2002 4:51:34 PM PDT by ElkGroveDan
September 3, 2002
Home Schooling in California Calvary Christian Center School
Sacramento, CA
(Remarks as Prepared)
Thank you and good morning. Yesterday, Gray Davis told reporters that he wouldn’t let me roll back four years of progress. Well, I have a message for the governor: what I’m going to undo is his four years of failed leadership. It has to do with four years of failing schools, power crises and blackouts, and budget problems stretching from last year that are projected for years to come, all caused by his mismanagement and failure to lead.
Though the governor’s definition of progress doesn’t seem to include educating our children and repairing our schools, I believe there is no issue that’s more significant to our future. I say this as a father of four and as a community leader who has real life experience improving education for California’s youth.
I’m so glad to be at the Calvary Christian Center, and I want to thank you for taking me on a tour of your facilities. Your school demonstrates all that is possible when parents and schools work together.
You know that education, in order to be truly successful, can’t stop when children leave the classroom. It must begin and end each day with parents, and involve a serious collaboration with teachers.
But at too many schools in California, the sad reality is parent participation is shunned. It’s frowned upon by bureaucrats and administrators who think they know what’s best for our children, but don’t even know the kids’ names.
Tomorrow in San Jose, I will be delivering my first of three major speeches on improving California’s education system. In particular tomorrow, I will discuss my proposals for empowering parents, teachers and local communities to take control of their children’s education. As it should be, my focus will be on our public schools.
And make no mistake – there are many good public schools in California. But a complete picture of education in California includes charter schools, private schools, and home schooling. California needs to accommodate all these different options because no two children are the same.
But there is one reform that must be universal. We must welcome parents back into the day-to-day lives of their children. Any school that does this, and in deed any school, public or private, that gives a child the chance to succeed, will earn my respect.
And yes, this will include schools that are just one child, or a few, learning at home with their parents.
Too often the state has focused too much on strict mandates, and not enough on results. The latest example of this is the state’s assault on home schooling.
Most recently, a memo released by the California Department of Education declared home schooling an unauthorized substitute for attendance at public school. This memo has been viewed, and rightly so, as a warning to all parents who have made a career of educating their children.
The fact of the matter is home schooling is turning out well-educated kids. Often times, parents are choosing to teach their children themselves only because they believe the circumstances of their own child demand this special attention.
These are parents who are making huge sacrifices, often giving up their careers, because they love their children and care deeply about their education.
These individuals should be celebrated and applauded, not threatened with litigation and even criminal penalties. And as this assault on home schooling takes place, predictably, Gray Davis has chosen again to sit back and do nothing.
When I’m governor, I will improve our public schools. That is my promise. But at the same time, parents who believe the best choice for their child is home schooling will be allowed that choice.
I want to give parents every opportunity to educate their children. That’s why I will fight for improving public schools, increasing the number of charter schools, and also for home schooling in California.
The question we should all be asking is why Gray Davis doesn’t wish to expand opportunities for California’s school children who are currently being failed by unaccountable bureaucrats and crumbling facilities? Did they fail to attend his latest fundraiser?
Ladies and gentlemen, with new leadership, I see a California that starts inventing the future once again. And together, we can renew the California Dream for every child and every person proud and privileged to live in this great state.
Thank you very much and I’ll be happy to take any of your questions.
He is speaking EVERYWHERE and has been since March. Biased press coverage (or lack of) is another matter.
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