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When I wrote Beware of Greeks Bearing Gifts as a warning that government programs- regardless of how beneficially they may seem when presented- are seldom what they seem. I didn't just write this off the top of my head, but from having majored in Political Science as an undergrad and having monitored government activity for the last 25 years.
What I've learned is that if the government is handing you something with one hand, watch the other one... they're inevitably taking more away- usually in terms of rights, money or both. Like I've said many times, a politician is someone with the ability to pat you on the back and piss in your pants pocket at the same time. Now that my rant is done- let's get to the nuts and bolts of what's going on.
While analyzing the new "pro-family" bill in Michigan, I warned about ramifications for homeschoolers. Now other states are following suit. The Michigan law sets forth a fixed curriculum that ALL schools (home included) must follow. This is what I wrote: "Similarly, the next subsection (b)(1) (A) goes on to define "Education" as "learning based on an ORGANIZED [emphasis added] educational program"... and then goes on to list the limitations and list a curricula as "reading, spelling, mathematics, science, history, civics, writing and English grammar." (sounds like grounds to condemn the public school system!) The wording "organized educational program" is really bothersome as it could adversely affect homeschoolers." How can the state ensure that this curriculum is being followed without some sort of invasive procedure... the short answer is the it can't.
A new bill in the Maryland House of Representatives will impose draconian requirements on parents who wish to teach their children at home, including registering then and adhering to a curricula determined by the state as well. This is one part of the bill I find troubling..."6 (II) BE FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENSURING THAT THE CHILD IS RECEIVING REGULAR, THOROUGH INSTRUCTION IN THE STUDIES USUALLY TAUGHT IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS AS REQUIRED UNDER § 7–301 OF THIS ARTICLE." Although on the surface this may appear reasonable, many parents opt out of public schools because of the filth typically taught is classes such as sex ed. Given my experience with government, I surmise that "thorough" would necessarily include this filth. Without examining the entire bill (I'll leave a link at the end) in order to homeschool, parents must allow "inspections" checking for "abuse and neglect" by state officials without advance notice. This is a gross violation of privacy... No other citizen has this unconstitutional behavior forced on them. The assumption behind the bill is that homeschooling is a form of abuse or neglect. If you remember from my Michigan post- abuse and neglect are nebulous and subjective concepts that can mean whatever the "inspector" wants it to.
California is going even further (no surprise there). In reaction to the Turpin case, where the parents David and Louise Turpin have been charged with horrific acts of torture against their 13 children, all homeschoolers in the state of California are being painted with the same brush. The pertinent fact is that California doesn't want parents to educate their children. Similar to gun control advocates, whose goal is the confiscation of guns, the welfare of children and/or their education is not a part of the agenda. It's a gross application of the logical fallacy of composition to assume that because the Turpins engaged in this onerous behavior that all homeschoolers are like them. But as it is with any group of zealots, never let facts get in the way when you have a point to make... so it is with the People's Republic of California.
In an article for the Freedom Outpost... "Because they were registered homeschoolers, the state is now blaming all homeschoolers.
Instead of realizing the problem of child abuse has nothing at all to do with homeschooling, lawmakers across the country are using this moment to demonize parents who wish to teach their children outside of the state."
According to the Washington Examiner: " if this increase in government oversight becomes law, it would reduce the valid legal option of homeschooling from a fundamental parental right, to direct the education and school choice for children, to compelled consent to government intrusion upon the sanctity and privacy of the home and school choice.”
None of this legislation is about education, it's about government control of how children think. The public schools have been turned into indoctrination centers that have little to do with education. If education was the focus of the Michigan guidelines, the public school system would be shut down. My biggest worry is that if this legislation passes (and believe me it will in some form) that other states will follow suit and this will probably be picked up by the US Dept. of Education and homeschoolers will be opened up to draconian governmental intervention... This does not bode well for homeschooling.
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2018RS/bills/hb/hb1798F.pdf
https://freedomoutpost.com/state-force-homeschoolers-submit-warrantless-home-inspections-trampling-rights/
