This article from the San Francisco Chronicler  explains an appellate court’s decision concerning the rights of parents over the education of their children. California decided (within the application of a  compulsory education law, passed in the 50’s) that a parent must have teaching credentials to home-school. This has shocked the home-school world, as well as created minor paranoia (I heard one pastor berating the state for its hate of the family). I felt that Al Mohler had a balanced treatment of the issue here (refer to his March 7th blog).

What bothers me about these regulations was the state’s governing what determines a good education. But then I read where the director of the Childrens’ Law Center in Los Angeles (in the article) said that their

“chief concern was not the quality of the children’s education, but their “being in a place daily where they would be observed by people who had a duty to ensure their ongoing safety.”

I suppose this is a relief in one sense. In my three years at a community college (one as a remedial reading teacher) I have been discouraged with the lack of education in many government school graduates.

However, if parents do not possess the moral “duty to ensure” their own child’s “ongoing safety”, how can we expect paid teachers to take this duty seriously toward every child in their classroom?

In 1647, when the Old Deluder Act was passed, it was made a requirement for the town to offer (taxed) education, but not require it. Ironically, their intention was to help keep the scriptures accessible, since Satan attempts to keep Scripture from men. I think the State of California is doing an adequate job now.

Washington State has more relaxed regulations. I am covered because I have had at least 45 college level credit hours. Once my child is 8, I do have to provide a declaration of intent to my local school district every year, as well as comply with yearly assessment tests. Thankfully, the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Education still deems home based instruction an educational right. Should the law change, I figure I have 8 years to get my teaching certification in .