Posted by Daphne on March 20 2008 at 10:04:48:
Hi. I have 2 first grade children and very recently moved back to PA. They went to Kindergarten in PA, but were out of state for the beginning of 1st. I have enrolled them in the local school district, but I´m not sure I am fond of the new school´s policies and my son is being bullied as a new kid. He asked to be home schooled before beginning school, even before the bullying became an issue. I wanted to home school several years ago, but my ´husband´ at the time (he´s now my ex) was fully against the entire concept. We rarely agree on anything. My choice to hold my son back a year from Kindergarten was very stressful as my ex-husband fought me every bit of the way on it, but the school district said that since I was the custodial parent, the choice ultimately rested upon me. They continued that he could take me to court if he wished, but he never chose that option. My question to all of you is, do I NEED his permission to homeschool? If I begin to homeschool, can he force the kids back into public school? I fully realize he will be breathing down my back the entire time, but as long as I homeschool according to PA law, can he legally resist my decision? I know for a fact he will become irate over the thought of it. I feel it is important for him to know, but I know he will start the verbal threats the second I mention the thought. He´ll threaten to take custody, take me to court, etc, all of which usually prove to be empty threats, but if anyone has been in a similar situation, please let me know how you approached it. I do have a BS degree in the Social Sciences and am about to start my Masters in the same field (he only has a Bachelor´s in the technological sciences) so he can´t prove I´m not properly educated, but I´m sure he´ll try everything he can.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated!