In Answer to CA Ruling against Homeschool, Assemblyman Joel Anderson Introduces New Resolution in Legislature

Karen England : Mar 12, 2008
Capitol Resource Institute

As we move forward with our defense of homeschooling, it is imperative that we make our voices heard.

Shockwaves continue to reverberate throughout the country after last week's unbelievable Court of Appeals for the Second Appellate District ruling that attacked parents' rights to homeschool in California. In response to the ruling, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger firmly declared his belief that homeschooling should remain legal by stating, "Parents should not be penalized for acting in the best interests of their children's education. This outrageous ruling must be overturned by the courts, and if the courts don't protect parents' rights then, as elected officials, we will."

CRFI ally Assemblyman Joel Anderson has taken the first step in protecting parents' rights to home school by introducing a concurrent resolution in the Assembly, calling on the California Supreme Court to reverse the lower court's decision. The text of the resolution is below. As we move forward with our defense of homeschooling, it is imperative that we make our voices heard.

Every concerned California resident should call their assemblyman and senator and urge them to become a co-sponsor of Assemblyman Anderson's homsechool resolution.

Please take just a few moments today to call your legislators and urge them to support parental rights and home education by co-sponsoring this important resolution. For more information, click on the link provided.

Assembly Concurrent Resolution:

WHEREAS, Some thirty years of experience with the modern homeschooling movement in California demonstrates that home school graduates take up responsible positions as parents, as students in and graduates of Colleges and Universities, in the workplace, and as citizens in society at large; and

WHEREAS, Homeschooling by California families with diverse backgrounds has historically given children a quality education through proven, independent approaches that nurture valuable family bonds and support successful student development; and

WHEREAS, private homeschooling has a long and rich history in the State of California, currently estimated as involving 200,000 students in the State of California, and 2,000,000 students nationwide; and

WHEREAS the United States Supreme Court has ruled that parents have a fundamental constitutional right to direct the education and upbringing of their children (Wisconsin v. Yoder, Pierce v. Society of Sisters, Meyer v. Nebraska); and

WHEREAS, On February 28, 2008, the Court of Appeals for the Second Appellate District in Los Angeles issued an opinion in the case of In Re: Rachel L. holding that homeschooling without a teaching credential is not legal; and

WHEREAS, This misguided interpretation denies California parents' primary responsibility and right to determine the best place and manner of their own children's education; and

WHEREAS, The fair opportunity of California families to educate their children should not be undermined; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, that the Legislature hereby calls upon the California Supreme Court to reverse the opinion.

RESOLVED, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.