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Journal pudge's Journal: Breakin' The Law 25

Journal by pudge
Washington state law says I am required, if I wish to homeschool my children, to, by the time they are eight years old:
  • Fulfill one of the following:
    • Earn 45 units of college credit
    • Attend and pass a "parent qualifying course"
    • Be "supervised" by a certified teacher who meets with my child an average of an hour per week
    • Be "deemed sufficiently qualified" by the local public school superintendent
  • Perform all of the following:
    • Annually register with the local public school district
    • Teach each of 11 require subjects (reading, writing, spelling, language, math, science, social studies, history, health, occupational education, and art and music appreciation), each for the amount of time required for that grade level
    • Participate in annual testing, either by a certified teacher, or through the state testing program

None of these are bad things. But that they are required certainly is bad. For example, if I had not attended college, I'd still undoubtedly be far more qualified than most college grads; why give them a free pass, but require me to do something additional?

And screw annual tests by a "certified teacher," let alone the state government. I am far more qualified to assess my children than anyone else is. This becomes, they say, part of the child's "permanent record." As if by rejecting the public school system I would want a government or government-licensed official to place something in my child's "permanent record" (whatever that is) that I cannot control?

Of course, all of this is based on the idea that the state has a right to make education compulsory in the first place.

I don't know if we will register as required. If I had not gone to college, I likely would not fulfill the required qualifications; but unfortunately, I have to follow that part of the law, because I cannot undo my college credit. But it is extremely unlikely that anyone outside of my wife and I will assess my children, annually or otherwise.

As to the curriculum: I'll make them a deal. I'll teach my children "occupational education" (whatever that is) if they start teaching their kids history. I won't hold my breath. And I certainly won't keep track of how many hours we teach any of it. Heck, I probably won't keep any records at all, about anything.

I couldn't find any specific consequences for failing to follow the law. But I'm willing to accept them, to assert my civil rights.

This discussion was created by pudge (3605) for no Foes, but now has been archived. No new comments can be posted.

Breakin' The Law More

Breakin' The Law

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  • You could always move to the Buckeye State. Not only would you then get some good college football, but the home schooling is much easier. My wife knows more of the details than I, but I think she would have had to type up a couple of pages to turn in to the local authorities once a year, or something, just outlining what she was doing with our daughters.
  • We get the test by mail once a year and then administer it. My wife is not a certified teacher.
  • Is that if your child eventually wants to attend college, s/he might not be allowed as they might not count them as having any actual eduction. Or employers might not see the education as valid either.

    Of course, if you kids start their own businesses or just find an employer that looks at knowledge/skills vs paper.. then they'll be fine.

    Though the number of people that place huge amounts of weight on paper (often from only specific places) is scary at times.
    • Is that if your child eventually wants to attend college, s/he might not be allowed as they might not count them as having any actual eduction.

      No, colleges actively recruit homeschoolers these days and couldn't care less about what the law says about the education. Worst case, they'd simply need to get a GED and take the SATs, or somesuch.

      Or employers might not see the education as valid either.

      That would only be an issue if they don't go to college. Employers couldn't care less about what you did before

    • Is that if your child eventually wants to attend college, s/he might not be allowed as they might not count them as having any actual eduction.

      I take it you know, personally, of several colleges that have this policy, and could list them on demand? Because I can name two colleges that accepted my homeschooled wife who had never set foot in an institutional school.

      • Uh, did you read his original post?

        I was referring to him homeschooling his children without following the mandated steps to make it "official" homeschooling. No, I don't know from personal experience of a school that would deny a homeschooled person who's education hadn't been state sanctioned. However, considering that even when you go to state sanctioned schools, you still have to give official transcripts to any college you want to attend, I don't think it's a stretch to think that a homeschooled educ

        • Uh, did you read his original post?

          Most definitely.

          However, considering that even when you go to state sanctioned schools, you still have to give official transcripts to any college you want to attend, I don't think it's a stretch to think that a homeschooled education that didn't follow state rules/laws and therefore wasn't considered "official" could cause problems.

          Assuming you go to a college in the same state and/or one that cares about those laws.

          Guess who filled out the transcripts for my

        • The real point though is that many more schools are accepting, even recruiting, homeschooled kids. No official pieces of paper required, but they will test you.

          Some schools won't be so accepting. It's a good thing there's a lot of schools out there.
      • Hi, Miguel- We've homeschooled since 1988 in two countries and five states, including Washington state. Your comment was indeed a huge stretch because it was based on several very mistaken assumptions. Colleges do not require an 'official transcript.' Homeschooled parents and students write their own, sign 'em, and submit them. There is no transcript that calls for listing the standardized tests a student has taken through out his school career. The college doesn't care. Most colleges DO care about th
        • Washington, Washington, Washington. I hate my keyboard. My fingers are not cooperative. And I'm getting brain fog more and more these days. Embarrassing.

        • Colleges do not require an 'official transcript.'

          Hmm.. interesting. When I was accepted to SDSU, after having spent 2 years in a community college, I had to go back to my High School and have a new set of official transcripts made (and notarized), which I then had to deliver to the college. The only reason I had to do this (at least I assume this was the reason) was because I attented a private high school, so my transcripts weren't "in the system" compared to kids that went to public school.

          Odd that they

          • Wait... now that I think about it. It didn't have to be notarized, but it had to have the school's official seal impression on it proving that it was an official copy of my record from the school.
          • I don't think there's any discrepancy here. You had to get a transcript from the folks who created and provided your educational program.
            So did we.

            In your case, that was a private school. I'd be surprised if the college really required that your private school be 'state certified' (do you mean accredited?). They just wanted a transcript from the institution where you got your education.

            In our case, it was a home school, ours. The people who provided that education were the parents, ergo, the parents had
  • I read somewhere (I forget where, so take it with a grain of salt) that in California you have to be a certified teacher to homeschool but you can get around this by registering your home as a private school because teachers in private schools don't have to be certified teachers.

    Here in Ontario, if you want to homeschool, you just do it. You don't have to tell anyone or meet any qualification or register anything. Education up to the age of 16 is required, so I suppose there's a possibility that someone wil
  • AFAIK Washington isn't known for being terribly obnoxious toward homeschoolers (compared to some other states at least).

    On the other hand I still think there is too much regulation of homeschooling here and would like to see the government butt out if a parent wants to homeschool. While there is a possiblity some children might recieve a less-than-ideal education it isn't as if that doesn't happen in the public schools.
    • AFAIK Washington isn't known for being terribly obnoxious toward homeschoolers (compared to some other states at least).

      You're right. Still too intrusive IMO though.

      On the other hand I still think there is too much regulation of homeschooling here and would like to see the government butt out if a parent wants to homeschool. While there is a possiblity some children might recieve a less-than-ideal education it isn't as if that doesn't happen in the public schools.

      Exactly. It's just like the socialization

  • couldn't find any specific consequences for failing to follow the law. But I'm willing to accept them, to assert my civil rights.

    They probably fall in to the state/local laws regarding how "truancy" is handled.

    Most of what I'm about to state is relevant to California -- so take it with a grain of salt:

    Education is compulsory [ca.gov].While there ARE exemptions (full time private school attendance or a "qualified, credentialed private tutor"), parents CAN take advantage of OTHER "48222" exceptions. [ca.gov]In CA, that mean

  • I'm torn. On the one hand, I'm looking forward to seeing how this plays out, and grateful that people like you are willing to fight for everybody's civil rights.

    On the other, I'd much rather encourage you to move to Texas, where even though there's still a weak assertion of the state's right to mandate that you teach a short list of subjects, you get to do it to your standards and not theirs. Would it help if I reminded you that we don't have a state income tax? :)

    • No state income tax in WA.

      And honestly, I hate Texas. Not the people or anything, and I kinda like some parts of it etc., but I hate living in Texas. I did it for a summer. Miserable weather you've got there.

      I like Washington. No reason to move. I don't chase easily, in case you didn't notice. :-)

      • And honestly, I hate Texas. Not the people or anything, and I kinda like some parts of it etc., but I hate living in Texas. I did it for a summer. Miserable weather you've got there.

        Believe it or not, I couldn't agree more, and I can't blame you at all. Hence my attempt to better the place by inviting people like yourself. :)

        But if you're ever stuck down here for a week or something, you're welcome to come crash here if need be. We may not get you for neighbors, but we'd love to have you for company

      • Where in Texas were you and what was the weather like? How is the weather in WA?

  • NCLB (Score:1)

    by Shmoe ( 17051 )
    "And screw annual tests by a "certified teacher," let alone the state government. I am far more qualified to assess my children than anyone else is. This becomes, they say, part of the child's "permanent record." As if by rejecting the public school system I would want a government or government-licensed official to place something in my child's "permanent record" (whatever that is) that I cannot control?"

    You wouldn't want them to be "Left Behind" or anything, would you?

    • Re:NCLB (Score:2)

      by pudge ( 3605 ) *
      You wouldn't want them to be "Left Behind" or anything, would you?

      Why would my children be left behind? Forgive me for being dense, but I don't understand the implication. You're obviously referencing the No Child Left Behind Act, which I am steadfastly opposed to.

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