California cracks down on homeschooling.

[Midnight Mike]

Homeschoolers' setback sends shock waves through state

A California appeals court ruling clamping down on homeschooling by parents without teaching credentials sent shock waves across the state this week, leaving an estimated 166,000 children as possible truants and their parents at risk of prosecution.

"California courts have held that ... parents do not have a constitutional right to homeschool their children," Justice H. Walter Croskey said in the 3-0 ruling issued on Feb. 28. "Parents have a legal duty to see to their children's schooling under the provisions of these laws."

Parents can be criminally prosecuted for failing to comply, Croskey said.

"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," the judge wrote, quoting from a 1961 case on a similar issue.

Union pleased with ruling

The ruling was applauded by a director for the state's largest teachers union.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.c ... 0F1.DTL&67

[nwafan20]

B.S.!!! Parents hold every right to homeschool their children! This is a completely out of line ruling!

I hope this is challenged!!

[adam613]

B.S.!!! Parents hold every right to homeschool their children! This is a completely out of line ruling!

I hope this is challenged!!

That's actually not true at all. Compulsory education is a right pretty much all over the developed world; homeschooling is a privilege that exists in some places. Not only is the ruling completely in line, but it was a unanimous decision, and chances are an appellate court will never hear the case.

However, it will probably result in a push to change the law.