Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger promised... right to Homeschool

[Quiver0f10]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/07/INCHVG0SD.DTL

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger promised today to ensure that parents have the right to homeschool their children, after a state appeals court ruling severely restricted the practice in California.

"Every California child deserves a quality education and parents should have the right to decide what's best for their children," the governor said in a statement. "Parents should not be penalized for acting in the best interests of their children's education. This outrageous ruling must be overturned by the courts and if the courts don't protect parents' rights then, as elected officials, we will."

An estimated 166,000 children are homeschooled across the state.

The ruling by the Second District Court of Appeal in Los Angeles said all
children ages 6 to 18 must attend public or private school full-time until
graduation from high school or be tutored at home by a credentialed teacher.

There is no specific allowance in state law for homeschooling, the court said.

Many homeschooling parents register as a private school with the state, a statusthat does not require credentialed teachers. Then they enroll their own children in their school.

The court ruling, issued Feb. 28, appears to restrict such practices, setting a precedent that could lead to parents being prosecution for truancy.

[sdWTMer]

Thanks Jean. At least that's a little positive news.

[moki4]

Yes, homeschoolers have many friends in high places! This is building up to the level of David and Goliath:D

[Kate CA]

Whoops - thanks, Quiver! I didn't see you posted that (http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11685). :)

[Laura in VA]

nt

[BizyPenguin]

How are you feeling about this issue? I'm in California too and I have to admit that my feathers have been ruffled by this. I'm trying not to over-react, however. What trips me out is the fact that our state is supposed to be so liberal and laid back, yet it has always been so hostile toward homeschoolers. Crazy!!!! My ds is registered with an accredited school (ISP) plus I have a BA in Liberal Arts and I've passed the CBEST, so I'm actually qualified to substitute teach in public schools. This makes me feel better, but I was two classes and a semester of student teaching away from my earning my teaching credential when I graduated from college. I'm angry, worried, and in a bit of shock after learning about this, but again, I don't want to over-react. How about you and any others reading this thread feeling? Do you think the dust will soon settle on this since our Gov. Schwarzenegger is in support of homeschoolers? The HSR forums have several threads about this going. One says sign the HSLDA petition and another says don't. Sheeeesh! What to do?! Packing up and moving to a more homeschool friendly state is easier said than done.

[LoneStarMama]

Thanks :)

[gardenschooler]

Thanks for linking that, Jean.

I've been reading the comments on these linked articles. I had no idea there were so many people out there that were so hate-mongering against homeschooling. I'm astounded. Someone please tell me these people are in the minority.

[Mamagistra]

I've been reading the comments on these linked articles. I had no idea there were so many people out there that were so hate-mongering against homeschooling. I'm astounded. Someone please tell me these people are in the minority.

I was disturbed by that, as well. :eek: Such rabid commentary makes me all the more thankful for the support I have, both on these boards and IRL.

[partyof5]

Just wanted to share that we are praying out here on the east coast!! I have been following this story closely, and we listened to the Focus on the family broadcast while in the car today and my dd's were shocked that this kind of thing was going on. We are resolved to pray for homeschoolers nationwide, as well as for Californians specifically.

Thanks to all for sharing so many posts and links to make the story easy to follow.

[Carol in Cal.]

These are annoying times, and they require action, but I don't think that they are dire.

After all, we know Who is really in charge.

And, as good classically inclined homeschoolers, we have all heard that "The price of liberty is eternal vigilance."

So we have two things to do. These are pray, and act.

And we have one thing not to do. That is worry. 'We are perplexed but not in despair'--right?

I don't mean to belittle the circumstances or the very real concerns that they raise. I'm not cavalier about this. But I also know that worrying about them won't help the situation and will hurt my family, my homeschool, and me. So I'm trying to stay positive and not to worry.

[HappyGrace]

nt

[sdWTMer]

My preacher just had a lesson on concern as opposed to worry. I agree that we should be concerned, but worrying about it will do no good. As MadEye Moody (Harry Potter reference) would say, "Constant vigilance." :D

[OnTheBrink]

I find it humorous that the anti-homeschooling comments are mostly by people who have absolutely no clue what homeschooling is about. The comment about how someone is ticked that they don't want their tax dollars supporting uneducated home schoolers made me laugh out loud. I wonder what percentage of welfare recipients were homeschooled? LOL

[percytruffle]

Another East-coaster who is watching and praying. I've never been glad to be a NY homeschooler, until today. Yikes. Scary stuff.

[nancypants]

I find it humorous that the anti-homeschooling comments are mostly by people who have absolutely no clue what homeschooling is about. The comment about how someone is ticked that they don't want their tax dollars supporting uneducated home schoolers made me laugh out loud. I wonder what percentage of welfare recipients were homeschooled? LOL

And what about all of us (and private schoolers) who pay for all of the uneducated public schoolers? Not to mention state correctional facilities! :eek: LOL I can't help but saying this... these people need to get out more if the only homeschoolers they've met are being supported by their tax dollars!

[Laura in VA]

:)

[BizyPenguin]

Concerned as opposed to worried...I like that!

[Surfside Academy]

Hey Julie...I wanted to use that line from Harry Potter!:D Brilliant!

p.s. How do you put a quote from someone else's post in that box above?

Tiffany

[sdWTMer]

Hey Julie...I wanted to use that line from Harry Potter!:D Brilliant!

p.s. How do you put a quote from someone else's post in that box above?

Tiffany

Just press the Quote button in the lower right hand corner of my message box or whomever you want to quote. That was funny, eh? ;)

[Kate CA]

How are you feeling about this issue? I'm in California too and I have to admit that my feathers have been ruffled by this. I'm trying not to over-react, however.

Thanks for asking. :) I am pretty optimistic. I don't believe that homeschooling is going to be illegal in CA and I don't think it currently is. Depending on one's perspective (of which I have read quite a few at this point) there are various ways to look at it. It is far from over in the court system, but I don't think the end result will be that CA parents have no options to privately homeschool.

A possible result may be that we have more restrictions placed upon us like other states do or that we may not be viewed as private schools. While I am not crazy about that, again I don't think we will lose all homeschooling rights. I would prefer that the court equate us by established case (similar to TX) to private schools so that there is no longer a question.

I too am trying not to over-react, but to also be proactive. I have joined HSLDA and I am not sorry to have done so. While I don't always agree with their ways, I appreciate that they believe fully in what we do and in the rights of parents to privately homeschool their children. I want that right to be secure.

I also believe that God is in full control of the situation and that none of this has caught Him off guard. I am grateful to know that He loves my children far more than I ever could and that He will bring about His will for their lives--and for ours. I must rest in His strength. I do struggle with my own ruffled feathers, but I continually return to His grace for me. He is our refuge.

Thanks again for asking. It is a funny place we find ourselves here in CA, isn't it! :)

[Kate CA]

After all, we know Who is really in charge.

And, as good classically inclined homeschoolers, we have all heard that "The price of liberty is eternal vigilance."

This was a great post, Carol! It is so nice to "see" your face when I read your posts from having met you in person! :)

I love the old adage, "Don't borrow trouble from tomorrow." I think this can certainly be added to your wonderful quotes above. :)

[Audrey]

...these people need to get out more if the only homeschoolers they've met are being supported by their tax dollars!

No kidding!

[Karin]

I find it humorous that the anti-homeschooling comments are mostly by people who have absolutely no clue what homeschooling is about. The comment about how someone is ticked that they don't want their tax dollars supporting uneducated home schoolers made me laugh out loud. I wonder what percentage of welfare recipients were homeschooled? LOL

Humourous, perhaps, but it's not in the least bit suprising to me. Ignorance is a very powerful fear motivator, IMO.

[Patty Joanna]

These people are fools if they think that only homeschoolers would be affected. If a judge can legislate from the bench to take away MY rights, he can come after YOURS next. What about your choice to send your kid to a private school? What about the rights of a private school to set its own pathway? I will put this in the most global sense I can: You want your kid to go to an atheist/Christian/Muslim/Buddhist/your belief here/school. If a judge can legislate like this, he can say ALL schools must teach (copy/paste above religions). You still happy?

Whether or not people like homeschooling, they are stupid to think that this is about homeschooling.

I'm not fear-mongering here; not trying to stir the pot. It's just so frustrating to see people so gleeful to see rights taken away from others, especially from the bench!

That is all.
(PS. I haven't followed a lot of this on radio or on the web, so please feel free to correct me if I am misunderstanding something here.)

[GothicGyrl]

:::Gloats::: Ahhh it feels so good to be right...

Seriously though, I did tell you this would happen. But I'm not gloating or anything ;)


In any case, if the Guvinator is speaking out against it (you did know that he and Shriver homeschooled, right?), then as I said, you will be safe.

;)

[Carol in Cal.]

[SIZE="3"] It is so nice to "see" your face when I read your posts from having met you in person! :)
SIZE]

I feel that same way...FTF's are awesome!

[Kris]

What trips me out is the fact that our state is supposed to be so liberal and laid back, yet it has always been so hostile toward homeschoolers.

I was homeschooling in Sacramento over 20 years ago and no one bothered me -- or cared what we were doing. Has something changed since then? We haven't lived there for over ten years.

I'm sorry if this has already been addressed -- most of the posts in this thread have such a small font, I can't read it.

[Kate CA]

I'm sorry if this has already been addressed -- most of the posts in this thread have such a small font, I can't read it.

You can find a huge amount of information here:
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?p=79748#poststop

[BizyPenguin]

I was homeschooling in Sacramento over 20 years ago and no one bothered me -- or cared what we were doing. Has something changed since then? We haven't lived there for over ten years.

I'm sorry if this has already been addressed -- most of the posts in this thread have such a small font, I can't read it.

I've always heard from other homeschoolers in CA that our state is hostile towards hs'ers and this recent drama about the court ruling really cements the hostility issue to me.

[LG Gone Wild]

:::Gloats::: Ahhh it feels so good to be right...

Seriously though, I did tell you this would happen. But I'm not gloating or anything ;)


In any case, if the Guvinator is speaking out against it (you did know that he and Shriver homeschooled, right?), then as I said, you will be safe.

;)

How do you know? Is there an article you can link us to?:)

[BizyPenguin]

:::Gloats::: Ahhh it feels so good to be right...

Seriously though, I did tell you this would happen. But I'm not gloating or anything ;)


In any case, if the Guvinator is speaking out against it (you did know that he and Shriver homeschooled, right?), then as I said, you will be safe.

;)

I had no idea that our Governor homeschooled his kids. When? How did you find this out? I never knew this!!

[nuthouse]

Using a very rough "back of the envelope" calculation, if all homeschooler entered the public school system and an average school holds about 300 children.....each school district in CA would need to build 2-5 new schools. California homeschoolers, ask yourself if that would fly with the local tax players. I'm betting that the Governor has done a more detailed analysis and has come to the conclusion that protecting your rights is the best thing to do for California.

[Virginia Dawn]

Using a very rough "back of the envelope" calculation, if all homeschooler entered the public school system and an average school holds about 300 children.....each school district in CA would need to build 2-5 new schools. California homeschoolers, ask yourself if that would fly with the local tax players. I'm betting that the Governor has done a more detailed analysis and has come to the conclusion that protecting your rights is the best thing to do for California.

I'm wondering if there really would have been any major problem at all, if all this hoopla had not started.

After all, if Will Smith homeschools his children, my guess is he and other influential names would fight for the right in the state of California. :) ;)

Now it seems to me as though the homeschooling community has put up its dukes and said, "Oh yeah, you wanna fight?" Even though I can understand the emotion, it's almost embarrassing. I hope we don't get pounded.

[LizzyBee]

I'm wondering if there really would have been any major problem at all, if all this hoopla had not started.

Only speculating here, but I don't think CA would have used the ruling to try to force a mass movement of homeschoolers into the public schools. But I do think there probably will be isolated incidents of school officials and courts using the ruling to force a family here and a family there to stop homeschooling. I think if I were in CA, I would feel like it's a hammer waiting to fall, and I have no idea when someone going to try to drop it on me and my family.

Will the backlash be counterproductive? I hope not! In NC, the legislature tried to sneak through a bill that basically would have put homeschoolers under the supervision of the public school system rather than the Dept of Nonpublic Education. Homeschoolers started calling and emailing their representatives, and within 48 hours they backed down and changed the proposed bill. I wish it could be that easy in CA, but unfortunately I think the political environment is much different there. :(

[teachermom2834]

The celebrities that homeschool their kids can afford to bring in the credentialed tutor for their children. I've read articles about Will Smith, Kelly Preston/ John Travolta, etc. and they usually stipulate that they aren't actually doing the teaching but that they have tutors in the home. So this wouldn't effect the wealthy like it would the rest of us.

Marie

[Mekanamom]

Only speculating here, but I don't think CA would have used the ruling to try to force a mass movement of homeschoolers into the public schools. But I do think there probably will be isolated incidents of school officials and courts using the ruling to force a family here and a family there to stop homeschooling.

Yes... and by looking at past cases, the instigator in those isolated incidents would probably be a disgruntled relative or neighbor.

BUT, as I read more about the situation, the less intimidating it seems. I fully expect that homeschooling will come out of this stronger than ever. :)

Until then, I can't say I'm 100% comfortable. But not overly worried.

[RhondaM.]

These people are fools if they think that only homeschoolers would be affected. If a judge can legislate from the bench to take away MY rights, he can come after YOURS next. What about your choice to send your kid to a private school? What about the rights of a private school to set its own pathway? I will put this in the most global sense I can: You want your kid to go to an atheist/Christian/Muslim/Buddhist/your belief here/school. If a judge can legislate like this, he can say ALL schools must teach (copy/paste above religions). You still happy?

Whether or not people like homeschooling, they are stupid to think that this is about homeschooling.

I'm not fear-mongering here; not trying to stir the pot. It's just so frustrating to see people so gleeful to see rights taken away from others, especially from the bench!

That is all.
(PS. I haven't followed a lot of this on radio or on the web, so please feel free to correct me if I am misunderstanding something here.)

I'm totally agreeing with you, and your words brought the following to mind...

"In Germany, they came first for the Communists, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist; And then they came for the trade unionists, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist; And then they came for the Jews, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew; And then . . . they came for me . . . And by that time there was no one left to speak up." Our rights today...their rights tomorrow. :(

[dangermom]

The celebrities that homeschool their kids can afford to bring in the credentialed tutor for their children. I've read articles about Will Smith, Kelly Preston/ John Travolta, etc. and they usually stipulate that they aren't actually doing the teaching but that they have tutors in the home. So this wouldn't effect the wealthy like it would the rest of us.

Marie
I agree. There's no way we can depend on a few celebrities to come in on our side if there's a fight. It would be nice if some did, since that would be a good publicity move (unless it's a crazy celebrity like Tom Cruise), but I wouldn't bet on it; they're not generally doing the same sort of thing that we are.

[GothicGyrl]

Just a minor nitpick--your two examples (and the reason I quoted them)--Smith and Travolta--actually do the schooling themselves. Will Smith said in his Parade interview that the only time they use a tutor is if he and Jada are off filming seperately on different corners of the earth, otherwise he and Jada do the schooling, with a tutor coming in once a month to check on the kids.

Travolta was less open than this, but he did state that Kelli Preston does most of the schooling(and since he's scientology, you can bet they "help")

;)

[sdWTMer]

Here's a link (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/08/MNCHVG0SD.DTL&type=politics) from San Fran Chronicle.

[Janet in WA]

In any case, if the Guvinator is speaking out against it (you did know that he and Shriver homeschooled, right?), then as I said, you will be safe.

;)No, they don't homeschool. The Schwarzenegger children attend private schools in Brentwood.

[Kris]

You can find a huge amount of information here:
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?p=79748#poststop

Thanks, Kate -- I'd already seen that. I should have said *besides* the recent court case -- which is truly shocking!

[GothicGyrl]

No, they don't homeschool. The Schwarzenegger children attend private schools in Brentwood.
That's news then because the same Parade magazine that interviewed Smith also had a list of some people who did homeschool and they were on it.

Either way, right or not--your Governor has everyone's best interests in mind. He's not going to let this go by because it means that his kids will suffer as well.

[WagsWife]

:::Gloats::: Ahhh it feels so good to be right...

Seriously though, I did tell you this would happen. But I'm not gloating or anything ;)


In any case, if the Guvinator is speaking out against it (you did know that he and Shriver homeschooled, right?), then as I said, you will be safe.

;)

However, as someone who actually *lives in California, the news that the same Governor and Legislators, who passed and signed SB 777, want to get involved in *my homeschool...NOPE, sorry, this news actually makes me more uneasy.

[sdWTMer]

I guess that this could mean that they write a new bill, but what qualifications? It makes me uneasy as well.

[GothicGyrl]

However, as someone who actually *lives in California, the news that the same Governor and Legislators, who passed and signed SB 777, want to get involved in *my homeschool...NOPE, sorry, this news actually makes me more uneasy.
I don't know what SB77 is, but he didn't say he was "getting involved", he said that everyone had the right to teach their children as they saw fit and he wasn't going to take that right away.

[sdWTMer]

Aaaaah man GothicGyrl you're letting me down. ;) You don't know about SB777? It's a bill that went into effect here that allows those kiddos that feel transgendered to go into any bathroom that they want! In all schools, private or otherwise.

[Janet in WA]

That's news then because the same Parade magazine that interviewed Smith also had a list of some people who did homeschool and they were on it.

Either way, right or not--your Governor has everyone's best interests in mind. He's not going to let this go by because it means that his kids will suffer as well.Well, I'll have to take your word for it's being news, though it's not to me (I have to confess, I'm not a Parade Magazine reader). To be specific, they attend Brentwood School.

[teachermom2834]

Because I had read interviews they did in which they did specifically refer to use of tutors.

Actually, one was a print article and one was on Oprah and I couldn't even tell you which was which so I'm obviously not that current. I stand corrected.

It is possible that throughout their homeschooling years they have done plenty of both. I was pretty sure that it was Will Smith that said he and Jada teach them about "life" and a tutor comes in for the facts and figures.
It could easily have been someone else though. I'm not a big celebrity watcher and it was not recent.

Marie

[Volty]

I'm hopeful this will settle itself out. The Child Welfare people went after this family because they abuse their kids, not because they're homeschoolers. The intent was to help the kids not come down on the HSer community.

What's *probably* going to happen though is that Califonia laws will be more specific on HSing and that'll be worse than it has been since all you had to do before was declare your house to be a private school. That was pretty nice, now that they're readressing the issue, it can only get worse. Hopefully not too bad since the governor is fully on our side.

[gardenschooler]

:::Gloats::: Ahhh it feels so good to be right...

Seriously though, I did tell you this would happen. But I'm not gloating or anything

You said there was no need for the ruling to be appealed because the way you saw it, it didn't affect homeschoolers who filed their own R-4. You never said you thought the ruling would be stopped, only that it was irrelevant.

Either way, right or not--your Governor has everyone's best interests in mind. He's not going to let this go by because it means that his kids will suffer as well.

If his kids were homeschooled how would this affect his kids?

You said in the other thread that no homeschoolers needed to worry at all, in your opinion (as long as they were filing their own R-4). So how could this affect someone positively who was homeschooling, if it wasn't going to affect them negatively to begin with?

If his kids attend private school, how would this affect his kids?

The ruling did not say that private schools had to now have credentialed teachers. It specifically singled out homeschoolers filing as private schools.

[sdWTMer]

Thanks for your optimism. :confused: Why does it have to get worse? I guess I have faith that things just might get easier.

[GothicGyrl]

Aaaaah man GothicGyrl you're letting me down. ;) You don't know about SB777? It's a bill that went into effect here that allows those kiddos that feel transgendered to go into any bathroom that they want! In all schools, private or otherwise.
Ahh that--well, I'll just shut my trap right now then. ;)

Because I had read interviews they did in which they did specifically refer to use of tutors.

Actually, one was a print article and one was on Oprah and I couldn't even tell you which was which so I'm obviously not that current. I stand corrected.

It is possible that throughout their homeschooling years they have done plenty of both. I was pretty sure that it was Will Smith that said he and Jada teach them about "life" and a tutor comes in for the facts and figures.
It could easily have been someone else though. I'm not a big celebrity watcher and it was not recent.

Marie

Don't worry--I could have them backwards as well. I don't celebrity watch either, I just read when it's in front of my face.

If his kids were homeschooled how would this affect his kids?

You said in the other thread that no homeschoolers needed to worry at all, in your opinion (as long as they were filing their own R-4). So how could this affect someone positively who was homeschooling, if it wasn't going to affect them negatively to begin with?

If his kids attend private school, how would this affect his kids?

Well, if I am using the same scare logic as others have, I could say that if he homeschooled, then it would negatively affect him because he'd be subject to his own law. And if he private schooled and as some feel this opens the doors for it to affect private schools, then he still would be negatively affected because then he'd have the only other option all us "normal" folk have--public school.

Therefore, it is in his best interest to do as the public decries because whether or not he homeschools or private schools is no longer an issue, the issue is that his kids will now have to be educated in a normal public school regardless of how he educates them and he isn't going to like or want that.

And this is only if the cries of "but this opens the door for other types of regulation" are true, which I don't believe they are.

sdWTMer--don't lose your optimism. As I said, I never thought this would amount to anything in the first place and now that you've got the Governor involved, it's either going to stop completely or be fixed.

[Kelli in TN]

These people are fools if they think that only homeschoolers would be affected. If a judge can legislate from the bench to take away MY rights, he can come after YOURS next. What about your choice to send your kid to a private school? What about the rights of a private school to set its own pathway? I will put this in the most global sense I can: You want your kid to go to an atheist/Christian/Muslim/Buddhist/your belief here/school. If a judge can legislate like this, he can say ALL schools must teach (copy/paste above religions). You still happy?



In Tennessee we are fighting potential legislation that would have ill effects for homeschoolers and private schools. So, yes, you are correct, it is not only homeschoolers who must stand strong.

[jail warden]

Marie, This is what I read one time too. Someone sent me a link about Will Smith homeschooling, so I showed my husband and he was pretty quick to point out that he doens't actually 'teach'. They have someone do the teaching for them. This was about a year or so ago, so things may have changed and of course I don't know exactly where it was.

[BizyPenguin]

I went from being shocked and worried yesterday, to having peace and faith about this issue today. Next week, California will be handing out thousands of pink slips to teachers who may be layed off in upcoming months in order to deal with budget problems. Whoa! How on earth would California have room for an already overcrowded school system, with even fewer teachers on board? They'd have to build more schools and with what money? Requiring homeschoolers to re-enter the school system is really not in the best interest of the state---which could very well be why our governor is supporting homeschoolers and homeschooling. Another thing, schools here (and everywhere) rely heavily on substitute teachers, who are not required to be credentialed. (I'm qualified to be a substitute!) Private schools also have many uncredentialed teachers. So if our children are only to be taught by credentialed teachers, there will be a whole lot of teachers, who teach at brick and mortar schools, who will also have to hit the road. This would not fly! It would backfire! And what about the public charter schools that are funded by our tax dollars? They would be affected by this too! I'm confident that the dust will soon settle over this ridiculous court decision and something that was sensationalized by the media---yet again! One more thing, my wonderful, retired, still credentialed, AP English teacher/neighbor asked me about this homeschool hoopla this morning and we chatted a bit about it. He then told me that he'd be happy to sign anything or help me in any way if I needed to have a credentialed teacher back me up. How cool is that? I highly doubt that will be necessary, but it sure feels good to have a kindred spirit right next door backing us up! Don't worry fellow home teachers, I'm sure the lights of our Golden State's homeschools will continue to shine! As someone on these boards advised me yesterday, be concerned, but don't worry. Oh yeah, and pray! All the best!

[GothicGyrl]

I went from being shocked and worried yesterday, to having peace and faith about this issue today. Next week, California will be handing out thousands of pink slips to teachers who may be layed off in upcoming months in order to deal with budget problems. Whoa! How on earth would California have room for an already overcrowded school system, with even fewer teachers on board? They'd have to build more schools and with what money? Requiring homeschoolers to re-enter the school system is really not in the best interest of the state---which could very well be why our governor is supporting homeschoolers and homeschooling. Another thing, schools here (and everywhere) rely heavily on substitute teachers, who are not required to be credentialed. (I'm qualified to be a substitute!) Private schools also have many uncredentialed teachers. So if our children are only to be taught by credentialed teachers, there will be a whole lot of teachers, who teach at brick and mortar schools, who will also have to hit the road. This would not fly! It would backfire! And what about the public charter schools that are funded by our tax dollars? They would be affected by this too! I'm confident that the dust will soon settle over this ridiculous court decision and something that was sensationalized by the media---yet again! One more thing, my wonderful, retired, still credentialed, AP English teacher/neighbor asked me about this homeschool hoopla this morning and we chatted a bit about it. He then told me that he'd be happy to sign anything or help me in any way if I needed to have a credentialed teacher back me up. How cool is that? I highly doubt that will be necessary, but it sure feels good to have a kindred spirit right next door backing us up! Don't worry fellow home teachers, I'm sure the lights of our Golden State's homeschools will continue to shine! As someone on these boards advised me yesterday, be concerned, but don't worry. Oh yeah, and pray! All the best!
See this is what makes me sad and totally backs up my "I fit in nowhere" thing-- I said all of this yesterday and was quickly shot down and dismissed!

Why?

[Surfside Academy]

See this is what makes me sad and totally backs up my "I fit in nowhere" thing-- I said all of this yesterday and was quickly shot down and dismissed!

Why?

Toni...I appreciate your input! I don't always agree with your opinions (CA homeschoolers are still not out of the woods yet) but there is nothing wrong with with open, honest debate. I for one, think your comments make the boards interesting...far out there as they are...just kidding! :D

Tiffany

[BizyPenguin]

See this is what makes me sad and totally backs up my "I fit in nowhere" thing-- I said all of this yesterday and was quickly shot down and dismissed!

Why?

I had to go back and completely read through this thread after your latest post quoted here. (I was surprised that my thoughts mimicked so many others here.) I'm thinking, GothicGyrl, that your comments may have been dismissed yesterday because (a) You're not from California, so some may have thought, "It's easy for *her* to say don't worry!" (b) You were "gloating" about your comments being "right" which some may have found annoying and (c) The sarcasm in some of your messages may also annoy some people. I *am* from California and this *really* freaked me out yesterday. I was so shook up by it, that I couldn't concentrate on much of anything yesterday and I became very very irritable. It wasn't until I researched, read, watched the news, visited msg. boards, and prayed that I was able to really think through this stuff and find peace about it. Some folks on these boards might quickly blow off and dismiss my comments too. Who knows? That's the nature of these boards. We have to agree to disagree, but one thing is for certain, we are a homeschooling support group---albeit an online one and that alone makes you fit in! We all have our idiosyncrasies, GothicGyrl, so pick your chin up! Some of the others may not have liked your comments yesterday, but *I* did. You were one of the people who helped me to pull myself up by the boot straps yesterday...And that, my dear, is worth a positive rep point in my book ;) All the best!

[Karin]

See this is what makes me sad and totally backs up my "I fit in nowhere" thing-- I said all of this yesterday and was quickly shot down and dismissed!

Why?

First off, you don't fit NOWHERE. Secondly, I read your post and didn't dismiss it, just didn't post. Now, while you and I disagree on many things (not all, because as we covered in a different thread now I'm sure to read your posts) you have to admit you add sizzle to the conversations. Where is a real discussion if everyone always agrees?

I just read a book I have very mixed feelings about, but a great point made near the end, and I'm paraphrasing this very badly becuase it's in the van to go back to the library, was that a lot of good conversation has vanished because people spend so much time holed up in places on the web where everyone agrees. The book is a memoir called Truck: a Love Story by Michael Perry. The context of this had something to do with politics and I read this very, very late last night (early this am, is more like it.)

So, without people with divergent opinions, where's the great conversation? Where's the stimulus to think outside our regular box(es)? It's not likely I'm going to ever agree with things you say in many areas, but it sure is interesting to have you aboard, whether I like your comments (sometimes I do) or not (sometimes I don't). But, and take this kindly, don't worry or get so irritated if this happens--it always happens to those who march to the beat of a different drummer. Part of their life. Can't tell you how many people I have irritated IRL--I''m speaking from experience here.;) Perhaps on the board, too, and it's made me sad before, but what can I do? Become someone I'm not?

[Cathy in SoCal]

So good to chat with other CAs! I don't tend to get offended easily and am usually a steady-eddy. But I must say that my first reaction was very mother-bearish. I was very angry at the audacity of the court. I had been helping my husband study for his political science comps for his Ph.d. and the history of the courts was one the areas he worked on. Knowing the history of how the court has operated under the Marshall court to begin with--in which the Supreme Court saw itself as using judgment and never WILL--to the 50s/60s when the court intentionally began seeing itself as a social engineer using WILL with no objective document (the Constitution) to base any judgment on anymore....it was very interesting timing.

I don't know what will happen, but I do think that the outrage around the country has been very helpful to us. I sincerely hope the court ends up embarrassed, if this is possible, and will be set back quite a bit. This is needed. For those of us who intentionally place our confidence in God--who is good and wants good for our lives (and the lives of our children)--I think we have reason to be confident that He will grant us our request.

[nestof3]

Of course I disagree with what is happening in California, but did Mr. Long really have to say "ain't gonna?"

"A credentialed teacher ain't gonna come and educate my child for free," Long said. "I pay property taxes every year so that children can have an education in the public school system, including my children, but I choose to take on the expense and added pressure and time to educate my children on our own."

[sdWTMer]

Of course I disagree with what is happening in California, but did Mr. Long really have to say "ain't gonna?"

LOL! :D

[Karin]

Of course I disagree with what is happening in California, but did Mr. Long really have to say "ain't gonna?"

Wuts rong with that? ;)

[sdWTMer]

Funny! I must admit that the little country girl loves using the word "ain't" :eek: here in CA! Throws them for a loop here. :D