Inspired by a little-known picture book from the pen of Bethany Tudor, this is a diary, of sorts, where I document some of my thoughts, activities, and ideas as I explore the challenges met by the characters in the story: hard work, the care and nurture of others, housekeeping skills, life changes, charity, community, and cooperation, among others. Like Samuel and Samantha, the ducks in the tale, I struggle and succeed, cope and celebrate, work and play, handling the tasks that come my way. I invite you to join me on my journey.

Friday, March 07, 2008

Sign the Petition!

The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) is asking homeschoolers everywhere to support homeschool freedom in California by signing a petition to “depublish” the recent appellate decision in In re Rachel L. So far, 87,983 people have committed their names to the effort. For more information, read on (from the HSLDA website):
A California Court of Appeal recently decided that homeschooling is illegal in California unless a parent is a certified teacher.

The case arose in a confidential juvenile court proceeding. The family was represented by court-appointed attorneys and HSLDA did not become aware of the case until the Court of Appeal case was published on February 28, 2008.

The Court could have restricted its decision to the facts before it, but instead it issued a broad ruling that effectively outlaws home education in California. The Court also certified its decision for publication, which means that the decision can now be cited as legal by all other courts in California.

The family and their California counsel are planning to appeal to the Supreme court of California, which could result in reversal.

Another option to keep homeschooling free in California is to petition the Supreme Court of California to “depublish” the opinion. If the opinion is “depublished” then it cannot be used by the other California courts and this threat to homeschool freedom will be neutralized for other California homeschoolers.

HSLDA will be formally petitioning the California Supreme Court to depublish the opinion. We would like to show that many other people, both in California and across the country, care deeply about homeschool freedom in California.

Please show your support for this effort by signing the petition today.

We, the undersigned, request that the Supreme Court of California depublish the Court of Appeal opinion in In re Rachel L., handed down on February 28, 2008.
To reach the petition, click here.

1 comment:

Consent of the Governed said...

Ah where to start:
"A California Court of Appeal recently decided that homeschooling is illegal in California unless a parent is a certified teacher."

The court made no such decision...the court was merely telling what the law actually says and the law has said that for a long time..it has just never been enforced which is why there are so many homeschoolers teaching without credentials in CT.... what the CA homeschoolers should be doing is working to repeal that draconian and idiotic piece of legislation.

This has all been brought about because Mike Farris has encouraged homeschoolers to be treated legally and in state statute as private schools, or use private schools as umbrellas - and now when legislation having to do with private schools applies to homeschoolers, everyone is up in arms.. Debi Stevenson warned him not to do this 15 years ago... HSLDA wanted us to be treated as private schools here in CT 15 years ago and it's a good thing CT homeschoolers thought that was a bad idea back then.

There is much more to this story then what HSLDA and the media has been saying.. please be careful what you sign and look closely at what you are reading.

FYI - Article about
Homeschooling legal in Michigan since 1993
http://www.wzzm13. com/news/ news_article. aspx?storyid= 88840

"Wyoming - Michigan once had a law requiring parents to have a teacher
certification if they homeschool their children.

But unlike California, the Michigan law was changed 15 years ago.

The law was overturned in 1993 after an Allendale couple took their case to the Michigan Supreme Court and won.

Now Michigan parents who say they want to home school their children for religious reasons need no certification.

Thousands of Michigan children are now homeschooled. "

There are 166,000 homeschoolers in California... I think if they all went to Sacramento they would be able to effectively get their laws changed rather quickly. I'd rather see HSLDA push for a change in legislation then pass around a petition that has no real use.