Insanity

The other day during our homeschool Class Day assembly, our principal, Mary York, discussed some of the current events in the homeschooling community. Two were of primary concern to her, and as I listened I again, weary at the end of another busy school year, felt stirred up with the passion for why we choose to school our kids at home:

1)The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld the Obama administration's denial of asylum to the Romeikes, the German family who fled their country after imprisonment and various other persecutions for following their faith and choosing to homeschool their kids in a country that says it is illegal. Illegal! You can read the whole story here, but essentially our government is now setting precedent that we do NOT have a fundamental right to home educate our children. Pay attention, Americans. This particular precedent is dangerous because in a few years the nearly 2 million homeschooled American kids could be forced into public schooling against their parents' religious beliefs. Even if you are not a Christian reading this, stop and think about that. Does that sound like the United States of America to you?

2) Although she had mentioned it last year, I had no idea Assembly Bill 1266 was already progressing through the legislature. This so-called "bathroom bill" just passed the Assembly and is headed to the Senate. Apparently Governor Jerry Brown has said that if it passes, he will sign it. For the details on the bill, go here. Basically if the gender that child expresses is contrary to the gender he/she was born as, the school must treat the child as if he/she was that gender. Bathroom facilities and locker rooms would then be open to boys if they say they identify as girls and vice versa. In addition, what are now gender-specific sports teams would be permeable by those identifying as the opposite sex. What insanity for our young children before many of them have even an understanding of anatomical differences (a Colorado school just had to face this issue a few months ago with a first grade child!). What potential for exploitation and manipulation of the policy that could leading to sexually dangerous situations.

Craziness.

What is going on, America?

I have good friends and family members who work in the California school system. I am not a homeschool militiawoman; I know that good things happen in our public schools. Many good things. Most of the youth kids at my church attend public schools and are able to wade through the craziness. I am not suggesting we throw out the babies with the bathwater. I don't think we need to close all public schools and ALL families should homeschool, because it isn't for everyone. But for those who choose to home educate their kids, let's keep that an option. Let's keep America America. And for those who choose to send their children to public schools, for crying out loud let's keep boys boys and girls girls until they are at least 18 and responsible for adult decisions.

As for me and my house, we are in the final week of our 8th year homeschooling. I've never been more grateful for my right to do so in this still free and great nation, and I am passionate about seeing my students at the front porch picnic table on the first day of the 2013/14 school year in mid-August.