In our homeschool, we are studying early colonization. We have been reading about those who came to this country because of religious persecution. Most often that persecution occurred when the political (and personal) agendas of the rulers mandated how its citizens could worship. Arguably, our country was also founded by those with profit in mind. No doubt there was abuse against those who lived here before Europeans arrived and those who would be brought to this country against their will and forced to work this land for the wealth of others not themselves. We have fought wars to gain our constitutional freedom for our right to live under our own governance, to establish our own nation, to free those whose rights were ignored, to give land to those who had it stolen. Sometimes we have succeeded, and more often we have failed. But, the goal to maintain our human rights has been behind our drive to fight for not just our country’s freedom, but also the freedoms of other countries.
I learned about this goal while attending public school. My husband also attended public school. Up until this school year, two of our three children attended public school. So why are we home educating? It is not because we desired a solely religious curriculum for our children, although that is a benefit of homeschooling we enjoy. It is not because of political opinions, although we take time to discuss current events with our boys to help them make wise decisions and to be contributing citizens. It is because a system promising to provide the best education for our children failed. We watched our eight-year-old autistic child collapse further and further into self-deprecating behavior because an educator referred to his best effort in a derogatory way. We realized our ten-year-old was being bullied on the playground without any teacher intervention. In both cases, we as parents had to intervene. We wanted public education to work for our children. But, unfortunately, we found that public education isn’t working for every student.
In light of why we chose to homeschool and what we have been studying this week, I am saddened, frustrated, and concerned to hear about the recent court decision in California to make homeschooling in that state illegal without specific credentials. Although my family is not directly affected, I know that rulings like this can cause ramfications in other states. More importantly, this ruling could force many California families doing what is best for their children to send them into a system that may not meet their educational needs. I saw the tear-filled eyes of my oldest son when he heard of this news. I heard him ask “Where is our freedom?” In the coming days, I hope my answer will be our nation’s leaders remembered our country was founded by many seeking a new start and a better way of life for their children. I hope I will never have to tell him “I wish I knew.”
For more information: http://www.hslda.org/hs/state/ca/200803030.asp