Posted by Elsie Spry on August 31 2009 at 18:02:07:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: Following their loss in Federal Court, HSLDA suit resumes in state courts posted by Sharon on August 31 2009 at 15:01:55:
Dear Sharon,
As far as Mr. Richman´s position, I do not equate accountability with ownership. I expect accountablitity from others on many aspects (taxes I have paid, for example; my children´s actions regarding family, etc.), and do not begrudge the minimal requirements of current PA Home School law. My children are older and doing well -- having been accorded college scholarship based on their homeschooling, not despite it, and moved onto professions -- but I do remember when children could be taken away from you because you homeschooled them. Perhaps my perspective of "freedom" is colored by that bit of history as well as Mr. Hancock´s part. I cannot ignore the Richman´s part in legitimizing homeschooling through minimum accountability for all of Pennsylvania parents as a choice at that juncture. I am comfortable with the current freedom it affords in comparison to those years. I am not afraid of freedom; I just do not begrudge the accountablity that freedom requires.
I also vote, as that is the minimum accountablity to the republic that was created by the patriots. To compare yearly evaluations by a teacher of your own choice to compelling what kind of tea to drink or lightbulb to use is unrealistic (I DONOT use flourescents). To expect things to remain the same without conflicting voices, or without any present justification, is not what the patriots were about either!
Parent-issued diplomas can be recognized, but generally are supported by other materials. Part of my decision to go through the diploma program was the ready-recognition (and the records in case diplomas are destroyed or lost here at home now or in the future!). Considering that it was just over a year ago that homeschooling was being considered illegal in California by those not certified to teach (thank goodness the courts took what seems to be close to the PA view of parents as teachers!), vigilance will always be needed throughout ALL the states.
I support our republic´s set up that different states can have different approaches! Changes (or no changes ) in all the states keep homeschooling in the forefront, where it should be to insure discussion, evaluation, and re-evalutaion of our own as well as others´ views. That´s the Hancock message I get at the end of 233 years, even with that pesky civil war in between.
That Mr. Richman provides updates throughout the republic of different approaches and different views, I appreciate fully. That we can express views along the continuum without being called a state ownership proponent or a coward is something both Mr. Richman and I will need to aspire to, however.
Best Regards,
Elsie