The Charter
Issue
Let me start by saying, I am personally fine with school choice in their different forms, I am just VERY careful how I accept it.
This is because, as a homeschool advocate, my most important task is working to keep homeschooling from being strictly regulated.
I have friends of all stripes, who incorporate very different methods. However, when explaining the dangers of labeling public funded choices, "homeschooling", the conversations can become quite heated.
I want to be up front with my position regarding charters because, I have had some experience with legislative issues and maybe this will help someone understand what I am really trying to say.
The truth is, I really have nothing against most any academic choice or the families that decide to go that route.
We all must choose what is best for our families.
I would only hope that the parent understand (even if they have only experienced freedom thus far) that the strings connected to public funded choices are likely to become tighter.
Please remember, I am looking at this from a legislative viewpoint, only pressing why the terminology it is so very important and why there has to be some distinction between public and Independent Homeschooling..
First we must be realistic and understand that, the legislators who pass and enforce the laws, don't care whether children are sitting in a building, or at home on the computer when doing their school work.
If the government (IE: the public) allots money for a child's education, and the parent accepts and signs a contract, said family (REMEMBER: legislatively speaking) is public schooling and their are government strings attached.
A "school" (or curricula) funded by the public (especially if it's described as homeschooling) should NOT confuse the parent in to believing they will maintain all the rights of an INDEPENDENT homeschooling family who are receiving NO public funds of any kind. This is the nature of politics.
And I should add, there have been MANY, MANY, MANY, MANY examples of such confusion and complications since I first wrote this in 2004.
Parents teetering between public and private schooling should know the difference and understand our predecessors struggled very hard to ensure that independent homeschooling was legal in each and every state.
This was *NOT* just so homeschoolers could choose their own curricula, but so ALL homeschoolers had the choice to live and learn with their families as they see fit. With as little to no obligations to, nor interference from our government.
We must ensure our freedom to place focus where *WE* see fit. Therefore we must act carefully as we step into the future and ensure our decisions don't endanger or dismantle the ability to pass this freedom (in it's entirety) on to our children (and our children's children).
I'd also like to add this personal tidbit.
Personally, I don't
believe it matters where the child is located when learning (be it at home, in a park, or at the family computer Googling their favorite interest on the Internet). I do feel their interest plays a huge part of how much they absorb and children need the freedom to be interested and (in almost all cases) thrive MUCH better when the parent is engaged in the learning process.
When both engaged and truly interested, it becomes natural for parents to know what is best for each of their children. Being that closely involved, they know them better then any one else. (And frankly, might I say the notion, as kids get older, they become dis-interested in maintaining a bond with their parents is beyond absurd to me.)
Anyway, to sum it up, please try and be careful to learn all about the ins and the outs of each and every choice. Think things through before you unknowingly sign away your freedom.
Thanks for taking the time to listen and see you around!
Tracy in NC
( updated April 30,
2008)