Should read wrote on Mar 18, 2008 6:38 AM:California Schools worried more home schoolers, less money.

Laura wrote on Mar 18, 2008 6:43 AM:The legality should not shock anyone at all. All the home school parents knew this is the case. Regardless if I knew then what I now know and personally experience with public schools. I would have to be locked up and dead before I let one of my children walk into a public school. The law did not protect my children from abuse so why should I trust the law to tell me that home schooling is inheritably wrong? As far as I am concern this issue is about basic constitutional rights.

Do Over wrote on Mar 18, 2008 6:57 AM:If I had the ability to home school my children I would have. Public school has become a joke as far as getting a decent education. The courts should concentrate on doing away with tenure which in my opinion only allows horrible teachers to remain in the system dishing out a horrible experience and education to the students that are forced to attend their class. Most teachers are very good and dedicated to teaching to the best of their ability but when you have something (tenure) that allows the bad apples to continue their destructive ways it hurts everyone.

Public schools are home schools wrote on Mar 18, 2008 7:49 AM:Seems these days public schools are just day care. With the amount of home work sent home with these kids the parents are doing all the teaching at home anyway. Nothing gets done during school hours, because all the school work comes home! I'm not the only one that sees this trend, many of my friends and neighbors feel the same way. My question is........ what do are kids do during school hours beside learn about, homosexualality and how not to get their feelings hurt?

disgusted wrote on Mar 18, 2008 8:05 AM:I homeschooled my daughter last semester and sent her to Great Oak this semester. She has witnessed drugs being passed around in one of her classes more than once. I asked her friends if that was how it is there and they all said YES! They see it too. This is frightening. I wanted to report it but she begged me not to lest she be a "snitch" and have repercussions.

The Judge wrote on Mar 18, 2008 8:31 AM:probably is a member of the teachers union. What has credentialed teachers brought us anyway? I am semi retired after 40 years in business dealing with senior management and "C" level people. I have a BA in business with post finance classes. I checked into becoming a teacher to give back only to find out I would have to spend 2 years +/- to get "Credentialed". To me it is just a form of protectionism and Administrators not having to do their job in hiring qualified people.

randy wrote on Mar 18, 2008 8:52 AM:There is no room in the public schools to teach home schoolers. With the CA budget crisis, there is no money to teach home schoolers. The Appeals Court ruling is toothless- intended only to frighten!

Reardon wrote on Mar 18, 2008 9:36 AM:If Bill Gates lived in California, he would not be eligible to homeschool his children in computers; if Bill Clinton lived in California, he would not have been "qualified" to homeschool his children in civics; Stephen Hawkins is not "certified" to homeschool in physics; and, as a former core adjunct prof. of computer science for 14 years at the graduate and undergraduate level of a private California university, I am not allowed in this ruling to homeschool my children. Insanity!

Union wrote on Mar 18, 2008 9:46 AM:Union/democrats=bad/lies=CTA. They teach non-truths and claim it is true history. If the students are conservative, the teachers try to jam their left-wing lies down the young children's throats.If the students want a complete education and to learn the true history of the US they need to be home schooled.The bad teachers(you know who you are and the other teachers know who you are also!)need to be eliminated, but wait the Union will come to the rescue.Out with the bad and in with the truth.

Hey wrote on Mar 18, 2008 10:12 AM:I wonder if the home-schooling parents can get emergency credentials, like many public school teachers have?!!!

ToDisgusted wrote on Mar 18, 2008 10:17 AM:What kind of mom lets her daughter get her way, because she begged her not to tell that kids were passing drugs in her class! WHAT ??? WHAT ???
I would walk into that principals office faster than she finished her sentence. I would have my daughter turn in any child that was passing DRUGS in class, I would teach my child that being a snitch, is the RIGHT thing to do when it comes to DRUGS and alcohol.
What happens if those kids overdosed on some drugs and your daughter did nothing about it? Wow... you should not home school your daughter unless you will also teach her MORAL behavior, maybe she would benefit from a private christian school so she can learn that you have to believe in something and stand up for something to be an amazing person. Not just an average kid. I want my kids to be more than that.
Its one thing to not snitch when someone lies or covers for a date, but drugs? god knows she will eventually wonder what they are passing...

Well... wrote on Mar 18, 2008 10:24 AM:there may be drugs in public school, but it is guaranteed kids will run into them long after they have left from behind mom's skirt and go out into the real world. Ditto with minorities, bullies, different cultures, etc. Public school is about survival of the fittest - interestingly, so is life. It will be interesting to see the statistics 20 years from now about who is better prepared for the real world. School is about more than just the curriculum - after all, how much of most of it do we use anyway, 20 years later? Those who want a good education from public school get it - those who don't, sit in the back and pass the time away and end up in prison or some low-end job. Still, these are people your sheltered kids will deal with as adults - assuming they learn how to deal with them. That's life. Life is not staying home with mommy all day, not playing with the neighborhood kids, looking out from behind a prison-looking fence from the back yard (my neighbor's kid). I can totally see why some are concerned about homeschooled kids. My neighbor's kid is a freak - another family I know of had to get tutors for all their kids when they went into public school, after being homeschooled for 8 years. So go figure.... some people do it well, probably most do not. And, funny, it's the most outspoken and extremist ones that probably shouldn't be doing it at all....

Shannon wrote on Mar 18, 2008 10:51 AM:Does anyone know if a teaching certificate is obtainable through a 4 year in-college degree only? Can one obtain certification through other means i.e. correspondence studies?
I am actually quite serious. What is going on in CA doesn't cause too urgent a concern in me- I am confident the decision will be unpublished because of the fierce backlash from the hs community...but. BUT...I look ahead to the future. I have four boys. My oldest two have been homeschooled for the past 3 years after removing them from an ineffective public school environment where I was told by their 4th and 1st grade teachers that they needed to be on ritalin in order for them to be in their classrooms. Mainly though, because I wanted to give them a conservative Christian education. My oldest requested to be allowed to go back to school this past year and we allowed it, although we enrolled him in a private Christian academy with only 50 students k thru 12. It is a wonderful godly school and we hope to send our 10 year old there next fall if he overcomes some behavior issues he's working on. Homeschooling 2 previously public schooled boys has been rough- there have been more hard days than easy.

But my 2 youngest are 3 and 1. And we hope to home school them from start to the finish line.

That's why I wondered about ways to obtain teaching credentialsin an alternative program. If there were a way to do that, by the time I was "legally" required to have my 3 year old in school or teaching him at home, I could rest easy knowing I would be free (presumably) from future court rulings like the CA one in my state of Colorado. I say presumably because you have to assume that even if a homeschooling parent does have credentials, the courts will find another avenue of attack. It all comes down to the powers that be wanting our children in those nice warm government incubators they call schools to be molded into productive, obedient members of a secular humanistic, socialist society. The BORG.
Any thoughts?

PK wrote on Mar 18, 2008 12:23 PM:Hypocrisy! The foundation of California. The parents wine and complain about the poor workings of the public school system when it is their own doing that has caused its great downfall. My children’s teacher’s spend more time covering themselves then they do teaching because they are so afraid of law suits and sexual harassment charges. You want your children to be educated, let them educate. Teachers, principles and administration are trained in knowing how to educate and control groups of children. But because you as a parent will quickly have them fired and sued for touching your out of control child, they are unable to do anything. I am unable to help the teacher’s help my child as they refuse to communicate her shortcomings with me for fear I will blame them. Parents need to get off their “my child is the most special child in the world” kick and realize they are children and will push the limits. By believing the children and not the teachers, there are no limits for the children.

You want to improve the public school systems, let the trained professionals make the rules and stop filing law suits.

I wouldn't dare send wrote on Mar 18, 2008 12:57 PM:my children to public school with all of the teachers molesting them, Men and Women!

Steaming mad wrote on Mar 18, 2008 1:33 PM:I have seen for myself the sad condition of public schools. I taught for a year before I pulled my children and decided to homschool. Most other teachers told me they spend most of the day dealing with behavior problems and not as much time on teaching. Children who do not recieve guidance from parents are taking up the majority of the teachers time. Not to mention there is no gaurantee of our childrens safty in public school. My childs school went into lock down 3 times the last year they attended. Two of the times parents were not informed.

Reardon wrote on Mar 18, 2008 1:47 PM:"Where Do Public School Teachers Send Their Kids to School?" done by the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation. (September 2004 from Census data) shows that public school teachers are more likely to send their children to private schools than the general population. In urban areas, the numbers are impressive – in Washington D.C. the general population send their children to a private school at a 19.8% rate, but public school teachers do so at a 26.8% rate. On a nationwide basis, 12.2 % of the population send their children to private schools, urban families use private schools at a 17.5 % rate, but urban public school teachers send their students to private schools at a 21.5% rate. I guess public school teachers know things we don't know!

Michelle wrote on Mar 18, 2008 4:20 PM:My response is to "Well..." Have you ever read Lord of the Flies? How often in real life are you required to sit in a room with 35 same aged peers with no options of leaving? Where else in life do immature children dictate social rules? And bullying? In this day and age the victims get no help from the schools who are afraid of lawsuits over discipline. Where else are special needs children, irregardless of low to high intelligence, lumped into the same services, if they get the appropriate services at all? What ever happened to personal responsibilty and not thinking the government can do it better...hmmm Fed-Ex / US post office? Do you know the history of education? Public school is conveyor belt one size fits all education. It is necessary as an option so that all are able to be educated, but I am by no means impressed with their results. Teachers are overburdened by ridiculous bureaucracy and as a result California was 49th in reading and writing in 2006, now there is something to be proud of. Mediocrity should not be our goal. Why do you think we import our great minds now? You are right public school is for social training....to work in factories. To assume most homeschoolers are like what you perceive your neighbor only demonstrates you are unaware of how well many homeschoolers do. They often become leaders, inventors, etc... and do very well. Most are very active in team sports, scouting, clubs etc... In fact most are more likely to be exposed to diversity, because they are out in the world being trained on the job. You said your neighbor stayed behind a prison like fence. Wouldn't you equate hours in a classroom to be the same? Factory feel, my friend.

Parents are the problem, Parents are the cure wrote on Mar 18, 2008 4:36 PM:As someone pointed out, Parents have been a big problem in public schools. Students that lack basic respect for adults and have no discipline, and their parents that do file complain and file lawsuits have really created the horrible situation we are faced with. CTA hasn't helped, but their not the ones sending kids to school who do nothing but disrupt the class and exhibity hidious behaviour. On the flip side, Parents that do raise their kids right are the ones leaving the public schools for greener pastures preisely BECAUSE of the problems created by the "other" parents. This is causing the schools to contine to spiral into chaos. Most home school kids learn; not all are there for religious reasons; they aren't freaks; the "good" parents aren't going to stand for it any longer! The freaks are the ones sitting in the back of the class causing all the trouble.

1984 wrote on Mar 18, 2008 5:03 PM:Got to keep the students in the public schools in order to indoctrinate them more and more! Government does everything better than you, haven't you learned that, yet? A side question: Why can't kids control themselves these days? There just seems to be more of a push for behavioral inhibitors. I went to public school (in Massachusetts) and there were few kids who had behavioral problems.

hmmm... wrote on Mar 18, 2008 8:16 PM:Public schools may try to "indoctrinate" kids, but strong parents' values will always, always, win. I am pretty confident that the values I teach my kids will supersede anything taught in school. It's funny that the biggest zealots who proclaim everything takes faith and who claim to have the most of it, are the ones most fearful of their values being undermined.

Not fearful wrote on Mar 18, 2008 8:42 PM:It is not that I am fearful of my values being undermined, its that the Bible is clear as to what we are to be taught and what we are to stay away from. I should have that right to teach my children those same things, just as you would have the right to teach your kids all the crap you want to. And statistically 75% of public schooled kids who are raised in a "Christian" home will "lose" their faith by the time they graduate high school.

ScW wrote on Mar 18, 2008 8:47 PM: Home School kids do better on national average testing. They also do better in college and more go to college and often at a younger age.
They are not locked up in ther houses and there are tons of extra curicular activities for them. This is not about whether home school works. It's about parental rights!

Stats wrote on Mar 18, 2008 9:10 PM:30 years ago CA was rated as #1 in the US for Primary and Secondary Education. The US was rated #1 on the world for Primary and Secondary Education. Now, CA is ranked 48th in the nation with the US ranked #16 in the world. So, what happened over the last 30 years? Union control of our school systems and Union control of our legislature. Yet, during this same period Union membership dropped by nearly half nation wide. So, how did they get all this control of our elected officials? Union dues of course! As a forced member of a Union my dues have risen fater than my pay over the past 40 years of teaching. And what has the Union actaully done for me? NOTHING! By the way homeschoolers, I'm retiring this year and will be available to come work at your home as a credintialed teacher for a very reasonable fee, since I will be getting a very nice retirement check from my district and my house is fully paid off. More to follow after I retire.

1984 wrote on Mar 18, 2008 9:46 PM:This has nothing to do with "faith"--it is about eroding our rights as parents. And when I say indoctrination, I mean teaching kids about homosexuality, tolerance, and other ideas such as that. I am NOT saying that it's OK to abuse, make fun of, etc certain "groups", but that's not to be taught at school. School which is run by the state. English, Math, Science, History, etc. are the subjects which should be covered, not political correctness. Save that for college electives.

CFate wrote on Mar 18, 2008 11:51 PM:Stats- I just may take you up on the offer. Where do you live?

artsrat wrote on Mar 19, 2008 8:10 AM:It's all about the parents ability to make a positive impact on their own kids. My daughter went to a private Christian school and was bullied to the point of interfering with her studies. We went to the principal and they didn't care(in a nut shell). I know parents who home school and some of them are awesome home school teachers and some are terrible home school teachers. My daughter is now in a very large public high school and is doing amazing. She see's things like drugs, sex and things there that would make your toes curl but her horrible expierence at the private Christian school affected her worse. Come on home school parents!!! It's in the parents hands how their children will do in school, it's not the school. I support public school as much as I support home schooling, it's the parents who carry the ball. Home schooling shouldn't be out lawed, it should be regulated better.

why are you complaining... wrote on Mar 19, 2008 9:49 AM:I attend my kids public school everyday..I am in the classrooms everyday. I fore go the motor homes, boats and huge mortgages so I can take care of my number one responsibilities, my children. Parent involvement is the only way to see what is going on in the classroom. Once you have done that and learn what the requirements are my districts and the state you will me amazed on what is required by a "credential Teacher". I for one approve of home schooling. It can benefit a child who needs that. But don't just criticize the public school system until you are in the middle of it.

To Stats wrote on Mar 19, 2008 10:40 AM:What has changed in the past 30 years is our society has become uncivilized. If I smarted off to a teacher, I'd get in trouble at school and when my Dad found out, I'd get my tail kicked. Now, if a student smarts off to a teacher and are disciplined, their Dad marches down to the school and complains about the teacher. Or worse, files a lawsuit. Face it folks, society has changed a great deal in the last 30 years, and in many ways, not for the better. The schools just reflect this. While I don't think the teachers unions are helping (they represent the teachers, not the students), you can't blame them for this. I know kids that do well in public schools, but personally, our family has chosen to go a different route. Not for religious reasons at all, but just because my kids are getting a better education through a Charter School/Home School program. And as time goes on, more and more parents will choose some sort of alternative way to educate thier kids.

Chris wrote on Mar 19, 2008 10:53 AM:Artsrat - you are absolutely correct. Parents are the ones who should make the decision, not politicians and especially not the Teachers Union. As parents, we are responsible for our children up until they turn 18. Parents decide what is best for their children. Whether you decide to home school or send your children to private school, it is your choice and responsibility to ensure your children are properly educated. There are many reasons why people send their children to public school: apathy as to where their children are educated, trust in the public school system, lack of options, difficulty paying for private schools and convenience. Since we all pay taxes that go to pay for education, what is wrong with giving parents vouchers or tax credits for those who would like different options? I find it amusing that liberals are all for choice except when it comes down to a parents choice for education. I am not trying to start a liberal/conservative bashing rant here, but let's be honest on who is against this. As for home schooled children needing tutors upon entering public school, this is because schools don't educate, they teach children on how to take the competency exams in order for schools to get money from the NCLB Act.

To: Not Fearful wrote on Mar 19, 2008 10:58 AM:Well, as a kid who went to a private, Christian school for middle and high school, went to chapel every Friday, went to Bible class every day, I will say that kids don't lose their religion because of school. They grow up and their experience leads them to different conclusions. Some people continue with religion and Christianity, some do not - it has nothing to do with environment, the school they attend or the people they associate with for a period in their lives. To me, Christianity made no sense - so while I am a very spiritual person, I am not a Christian. It's very arrogant to think that you are "correct" about what God says and your children MUST believe what you do, rather than let them find the path that gives them peace of mind in life. Again, I say, if your faith and beliefs are strong, you have nothing to fear. As for homosexuality and drugs, these things exist. Better for kids to learn early and have experience to deal with these issues when they are adults, rather than turning them out into the world at 18 and no supervision to discover they exist and no one can stop them from doing them. That, to me, is irresponsible. To each his/her own - I believe public school is as good as the parents make it - and it is not all about who does better in any curriculum - it is about who gleans the most from the entire experience and the more experience, the better, as long as parents are involved in helping kids through those experiences.

quinnie wrote on Mar 19, 2008 11:00 AM:on indoctrination, here's a quote from Judge Croskey himself during the ruling: "A primary purpose of the educational system is to train school children in good citizenship, patriotism and loyalty to the state and the nation as a means of protecting the public welfare."

Them ain't good grammer wrote on Mar 19, 2008 11:02 AM:It's amazing to read some of the misspelled words, grammatical errors and improperly capitalized words that home-school advocates posted above. "Men and Women"? "extra curicular"? "the Union"? "Home School kids"? Home-schooling your children is a laudable undertaking in most cases, and it has the potential to help kids develop stronger values AND learn the curriculum more thoroughly. At the same time, I have doubts about your motivations and your competence if you yourselves don't bother to learn common English and teach it to your kids.

Stats and artsrat wrote on Mar 19, 2008 11:04 AM:I agree with both of you. Yes, part of the problem IS the unions! I'm big anti-union. And artsrat, yep, some can do well home-schooling, some stink at it. What gets me is the homeschoolers who call the good public schools my kids go to "prisons" or say they are "institutionalized", yet get offended at the word "socialization" in regards to their kids. We should be respectful of people's choices - unfortunately, the same ones who want those rights and want respect for what they choose to do with their kids are the same ones who spew nasty words about what the rest of us choose, and are the least respectful of others' choices. Think about it, homeschool parents!

Bobby wrote on Mar 19, 2008 12:00 PM:The reason I home school our kids is because they began teaching spanish speaking kids in the same classrooms... This is America, my children shouldn't have to learn spanish (in the 4th grade) Besides, having to take extra time translating in the classrooms for the "special speakers" Takes time away from students that Already Comprehend the English language...

My children are now in the 6th and 7th grade and are doing amazing in homeschool...

To complaining wrote on Mar 19, 2008 12:19 PM:It's great that you attend public school every day. However, there are many parents out there who do not have the ability to get involved with their children's schooling. We, as taxpayers, have the ability to criticize the public school system because it is drastically failing. These so called "credentialed teachers" do not have the best interest of the children involved. Look at the failing test scores out there. Is it the complete fault of parents or teachers? I say it's a shared responsibility. However, parents need to have the ability to choose how their children are educated. I'm glad you forgo the motor homes, boats and other junk, but what do you say to the single working parent? Or to the married couple who does not have the ability to live in an apartment with just a single income. Life is not black and white (no Obama firestorm here, please). I know of many "credentialed teachers" I wouldn't trust to teach my kids how to open a door.

Cluck wrote on Mar 19, 2008 12:51 PM:You mean they don't teach Math, Science, History, etc, anymore? Really? They only teach tolerance and homosexuality? And yet students continue to do badly? Hmm, I guess that means they aren't taking those classes seriously. What a bunch of baloney. Yeah, teaching someone "tolerance". Yeah, what a terrible idea. If you did your job as a parent and taught this at home, they wouldn't have to "teach" it at school. No wonder you don't want it taught in school; you obviously don't believe in tolerance. You pull your kids out of schools for abuse and bullying and lament the schools trying to do something about it? More blame shifting for your own personal failings. Typical conservative "personal responsibility".

educator wrote on Mar 19, 2008 1:32 PM:Just wanted to tell you all that you're right-- I got my bachelor's and then master's degrees so I could corrupt your children and force my views on them! I find it simply ridiculous that many parents believe for a moment that they can offer the same education at their kitchen table that a child would receive at school (public or private). I have seen first-hand what happens to these children when their parents are unable to homeschool them any longer and bring them to a traditional school. They are often behind and are social misfits. It's so sad... To parents, instead of turning away from schools if they notice a "problem" with your child, how about working with them to address it?? Pulling children out of school and living in denial only makes the situation worse.

To Educator wrote on Mar 19, 2008 3:07 PM:It's great that you went to an institute of higher learning and received a graduate degree. Guess what? You had a choice of what school to go to and what type of education you were going to receive. As parents, those are the same types of decisions we want to be able to make for our children. I learned to read and write before I was kindergarten age. My mother became a mother at age 15 and even with her limited education was able to teach me to read and write before I was four years old. Fast forward a few years, I dropped out in the 10th grade because I was bored. I am one of those who some say "have no options", so I joined the military. Eighteen years later and a Master's degree also, I want the best options available to my children. Homeschooled children are not social misfits. There are many other activities homeschooled children can participate in to get them used to social situations. Now tell me, how many school shootings occurred from homeschooled children? Yes, parents have a responsibility to teach their children and ensure that they are learning. Some of of those responsibilities is to ensure that if a child is not receiving a proper education in public schools is to spend some additional time with the child, evaluate the education the teachers and public school system, or find an alternative solution to education. You see first hand what happens when children are home schooled. Well, guess what? I see first hand the results of those children who are "taught and raised" in the public school system. I see how you educated and credentialed educators are failing the youths of today.

1984 wrote on Mar 19, 2008 3:28 PM:To Cluck
If you actually bothered to read my post instead of seeing only what you wanted to see, you would have seen that in the very next sentence I say that it is not OK to abuse "groups", etc. My point is that school should be for educational matters such as English, science, math, history, etc.
Nice try.
Oh, and by the way, my son is graduating near the top of his class from a private school and is going to an Ivy League school next year. So don't you dare go on the attack when you don't know the circumstances. My son was in no way bullied and I applauded the headmaster when he had to be disciplined.
And yes, students perform badly when they are not taught the subject matter. Make teachers accountable? How about making students accountable for their grades and their "tolerance". So stop trying to shift the blame on me, because guess what? It's going to bounce right off onto you.

suzanne wrote on Mar 19, 2008 9:42 PM:I find it interesting in all of the above posts first of all that this conversation has strayed from parental rights into a debate centered on the best way to educate and socialize children. I also find it interesting, and always have, that you can read through these posts and pick out the comments from the public school teachers immediately. They are the most disrespectful comments, the most arrogant comments, and often "talk down" to parents as they do the children in their classrooms. There are many bright and talented public educators. However, there are many with what many psychiatrists would label a "God complex" who use the school and their authority over young children as a vehicle to express those traits. Teachers are educated, we get that. Parents are educated...GET THAT! Many homeschool parents are extremely educated and wealthy which is what affords them the ability to homeschool their children. I have known or read about more highly educated homeschool mothers than not ranging from biochemists, doctors, lawyers, school superintendents, teachers, chair of board of education, etc. Homeschool parents, keep in mind that public school teachers are trying to protect their income, as would we all if our profession were being scrutinized. However, my advice to teachers is that trying to protect your income by way of attempting to belittle, humilitate, and degrade parents may not be the best way to go. In my opinion, THAT is one of the main reasons parents choose to home educate their children...They simply want their children back. The educational system has gotten carried away with what they believe their role is in our children's lives. Our "children are not mere wards of the state". To the the folks who believe home-schooled children are misfits or are socially inept, you may want to pick up a book once in a while. There are many, many available outlining the major successes of homeschooling. Also, you might want to contact your state universities and get the opinions of college professors who will often state that they can pick a homeschooler out of a class within the first five minutes of the first session. Homeschoolers are MORE socialized than public schooled children; are engaging, ask questions, make eye contact, and have a very high intellect. Even the worst homeschool parents do a better job at socializing childen than the public school system that turns out many ANTI-social young adults. If public school teachers are so concerned with the level of education being provided, I feel that they should turn their interest to the children who attend the public schools. There are many programs available to gain additional certification in the areas of math, science, history, etc. Maybe teachers should work on THEMSELVES becoming better teachers and not so much on trying to force parents into the failing system. Vouchers? Tax credits? Teachers unions don't want to hear of it. They would be quite comfortable with a policy of forced public education, and the thought of "choice" makes them shake in their boots! Raise the standard of public education and you would probably attract instead of drive away the public.

Vouchers wrote on Mar 19, 2008 10:58 PM:I think both systems should have standards for being able to teach the curriculum and for being good role models for the kids. This court ruling was just common sense: Home-school parents and tutors should have to be at least minimally qualified to teach the curriculum. I think most public-school teachers are also minimally qualified to be good role models, but maybe we should require some sort of certification for that, too.

It looks like some of the home-schoolers and teachers who commented here can't think of anything except blaming the other side. They insist on seeing the worst in each other. But stop for a minute and think: Isn't it possible that most public-school teachers are very competent with the curriculum and reasonably caring toward the students? That's certainly how it was for me as a student in Georgia public schools. And isn't it possible that most home-schooling parents and their tutors have a reasonably good handle on the curriculum and that they're going to help the kids develop character at least as effectively as public-school teachers can?

Being for or against home-schooling isn't going to solve the biggest problem of all: Our schools have a lot of lazy kids who care about iPods and potato chips more than good grades and athletic teams. Their parents don't motivate them to take school seriously. When caring parents pull their kids out of public schools to home-school them, it doesn't help to solve our common problem, but who can blame them? I salute them for dedicating themselves to their kids' education as long as they get the proper credentials.

I think the best way to keep the deadbeat kids from dragging down everyone else would be to give parents and students more choice, including well-funded public magnet schools and vouchers for private schools. Or maybe we need to require parents to participate more in their kids' education. Mouthing off about corrupt unions and illiterate home-school parents isn't going to solve anything.

Something to ponder wrote on Mar 19, 2008 11:43 PM:Let us explore the words “teach” and “teacher” as we delve into a possible ruling that would require children to be taught only by credentialed teachers: In the public school setting, will we define “teacher” as one who instructs only core curriculum, i.e. Mathematics, science, language arts, and history? Or shall we include all of those involved with educating children in the public school setting, not only in core subjects but also in social values, and those who enforce and implement rules and policy of the school? In other words, would “teacher” then include school librarians, teacher’s aides, teacher’s assistants, room moms, substitute teachers, student teachers, special education assistants, recess monitors, lunchroom workers, janitors, principals, administrators, bus drivers, and (but not limited to) before and after school care providers (none of whom are required to maintain teaching credentials? Something to think about, California.

SP wrote on Mar 22, 2008 8:43 PM:By all means, "credentialed" doesn't necessarily mean you're a good teacher! Too many teachers these days are just there because it's a paycheck not because it was their calling to be a teacher! Most public schools are failing our kids, the reason they hate homeschoolers is because it takes away funding from their school not because they care about education. Let's be real!

marian wrote on Mar 26, 2008 3:12 PM:I support homeschoolers! Its the only way for my family. I would move to canada before I will send mine to public school!