The IL-legalities of Homeschooling
“Those of us who homeschool should be concerned because the Attorney General of the United States, Eric Holder, in the government’s arguments essentially said that he believes that a law that bans homeschooling would violate no fundamental liberties.”
Full article can be found here.
I have been following the story of the Romike family quite closely, as I am sure other homeschooling, unschooling, home education advocates, and advocates for the freedom to choose the education for our children are as well. Holder wants to deport the German homeschoolers who claimed asylum here, as homeschooling is forbidden in Germany. His argument is worrisome. I am seriously concerned as should all homeschoolers be in the US.
It’s scary and frustrating to think that this could possibly be in our future. That as an educator, a parent and a homeschooler, I could be forced to choose a method of education that I am not comfortable with and that is quite disconcerting. I feel that this erodes the rights of the parent who know what their child needs. To have that option, is a fundamental right. To be taught in a loving home by your parent or caregiver should be the right of any child.
In the original piece by Michael Farris, founder and chairman of Homeschooling Legal Defense Association, he states,
“It is thought control. It is belief control. It is totalitarianism dressed up in politically correct lingo.”
It’s frightening to think that banning homeschooling may not be considered a violation of fundamental rights. I am not against school, I am simply for a parent’s right to choose the type of education they feel is best for their child.
Mr Farris said it best,
“It is important that Americans stand up for the rights of German homeschooling families. In so doing, we stand up for our own.”
What are your thoughts on this? As homeschoolers? As educators?
black board, white chalk 
Why would ouir federal government get involved in taking liberty away from folks who had already received aslumn from state leadershp? Evidently our government no longer beleives in the freedom of its people. I support the Romeike’s right to stay in america to pray with the rest of americans that maybe we will get our freedom returned to us as well.
Thank you for taking the time to comment. Apparently the fear is the precedent it is setting for other German families. There are also issues of foreign policy at stake. Fundamentally though, is the recognition that homeschooling is a fundamental right (i.e. parents should be able to choose how they educate their children), and that is the crux of the issue. Sigh…