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State Superintendent Race Important for Indiana HomeschoolersPosted Friday, November 2, 2012, at 11:01 AM
Election day is just a few days away, and homeschoolers are closely watching the race for State Superintendent. Tony Bennett has protected the rights of Indiana homeschoolers, but challenger Glenda Ritz wants to enact regulations on us.
The State Superintendent has the power to set policy for homeschoolers outside of the legislative process that would go into effect immediately. Ritz has stated that there is no policy on homeschooling and that she would change that if she were elected. She's also stated that she would lower the compulsory school age from seven to five. If she were elected, she would have the power to require homeschoolers to register with the state, which leads to tracking. She could also make it more difficult for those who wish to pull out of the public school system. Indiana is one of the best states for homeschooling in the nation, but our freedoms could be taken away if we aren't careful. Homeschool scores in states with low regulation such as Indiana are just as high as those in states with high regulation. Homeschooled children continue to out-perform their public schooled peers in every grade level in every state. I believe the government should focus on improving their own schools, not spend their time and energy interfering with the rights of parents to educate their own children. Please take a minute to view the following video and pass it on to your friends. This video is sponsored by the Indiana Home Educator PAC and my kids and I are in it. This is a close race and every vote counts. Comments Showing comments in chronological order [Show most recent comments first] |
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State Superintendent Race Important for Indiana Homeschoolers
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You sound like a homeschool parent who perhaps does commit to her duties and educate her children in a sincere manner. But, you must know there are many parents out there who use homeschooling as a way of removing their student from mainstream education and then just not following through. I feel perhaps due to this issue, requiring homeschool parents to register with the state is not a bad idea. You state homeschoolers continue to out perform public school students in all apsects, but have you forgotten state and national scores include all students regardless of economic and/ or functional ability levels? You stated the new superintendent can make it more difficult to remove a student from public education. Can you clarify exactly what difficulties you are referring to? Also, just an after thought, if homeschoolers are doing as well as you say then why worry about tracking? Just some thoughts.
This is laughable! It is the administration and policies of Tony Bennett that make so many Indiana families want to pull their children out of public schools. Tony Bennett's ideas and requirements for public schools have been disastrous for the best teachers and schools where creativity and fostering a love of learning once flourished. Given another term, I guarantee you Bennett will be coming after homeschoolers too. I notice you support Bruce Borders, too. Of course you do. I would love for your children to take the ISTEP+ test--according to the grade level they should be--and see how they perform.
Home schooling families should have no requirement to report to anyone about anything. WE do not use taxpayer funds. Somehow this entire effort at education is upside down. Public education for the "masses" has now become mandatory education unless you register, and are tracked, and parents are charged with educational neglect if they do not have their kids in a demonstrated program of some sort. Where did our freedom go? Seriously, since when did the provision of "free" education become mandatory under the threat of prosecution? It makes me sick to see this gradual transition as the state sticks its nose and money more and more into private, parochial and home schools. The idea that parents would keep their kids home and NOT school them is ridiculous. Those type of parents can't wait to get little Johnny out of the house and off to the surrogates who are expected to not only teach him, but raise him as well. Homeschooling is vulnerable as long as we allow people to think the state has control of our children. Time to disabuse the state of that notion once and for all.
I see public school as the default, to be used by parents who really just can't do any better for their children. There is nothing ideal about public schools. It can only hope to control kids, teach them all to the same mediocre level, warehouse them till the parents are home from work, and hope they aren't "socialized" so thoroughly by their fellow students that they lose all moral bearing. What a sad place to have to put a child, but public schools, as long as they exist, must be accountable to the public because they use taxpayer monies. Therefore, it's imperative that citizens serve on school boards who will set the standard and demand accountability. People who send their kids to private or parochial schools, or choose to teach them at home, do not owe anyone a report on how or what they are doing. Public schooling does.
"used by parents who really just can't do any better for their children."
Wow. Just wow. As someone who seems to be on the defense against people who you feel "attack" homeschoolers, you have just set the bar very, very low.
As a loving, caring, intelligent parent of 3, I take complete offense to that comment.
As a public school teacher, I take offense to that comment.
Wow. What a disgrace to homeschoolers. It's a good thing I don't stereotype those who homeschool based on the actions/comments of one.
To gain respect, you must in turn respect.
Can anyone who supports public education explain why their services have to be compulsorily accepted? Isn't it time to eliminate compulsory education? Can anyone explain to me what I should be regulated as a parent? Of course, the answers come from the "father of modern education"... John Dewey. "Children who know how to think for themselves spoil the harmony of the collective society which is coming where everyone is interdependent."
http://www.crossroad.to/Excerpts/chronol...
CarolynFlynn....all I can say is WOW..your comments are horrible!
I believe there are parents who do a wonderful job homeschooling their children, however I have met many children/young adults who can barely write their names or comprehend anything of any difficulty that is spoken to them. Yes, I have asked about their school and they reply they are homeschooled. I have even met a few that are only "homeschooled", so they can work for their parents at home. Good Job to those who do it right! BOO to those that do not!
I believe there are teachers who do a wonderful job teaching children, however, I have met many public-schooled children/young adults who can barely write their names or comprehend anything of any difficulty that is spoken to them. Yes, I have asked about their school (and lunches--bleh!) and they reply they are public schooled. I have even met a few that are only "public schooled" because their parents can't stand being around their own children all day long, and they're ecstatic that they no longer have to pay for day care now that their children are old enough for public school. Good job to those who are dedicated, effective teachers! As for those who are not, well, at least you have unions going to bat for you because apparently your job is more important than those kids.