Jack O’Connell, California’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction, issued a statement today regarding the recent California appellate court opinion on homeschooling.
(This was forwarded to our e-lists. If you have a link, please email me.)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PHONE:
916-319-0818
March 11,
2008E-MAIL: hmclean@cde.ca.gov
SCHOOLS CHIEF JACK O’CONNELL ISSUES STATEMENT REGARDING HOME SCHOOLING IN CALIFORNIA
SACRAMENTO – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell announced today that the California Department of Education has completed a legal review of the February 28 California Court of Appeal ruling regarding home schooling. O’Connell issued the following statement:
“I have reviewed this case, and I want to assure parents that chose to home school that California Department of Education policy will not change in any way as a result of this ruling. Parents still have the right to home school in our state.
“Every child in our state has a legal right to get an education, and I want every child to get an education that will prepare them for success in college and the world of work in the challenging global economy.
“As the head of California’s public school system, I hope that every parent would want to send their children to public school. However, traditional public schools may not be the best fit for every student. Within the public school system there are a range of options available. Students can take independent study classes, attend a charter school, or participate in non-classroom-based programs. But some parents choose to send their children to private schools or to home school, and I respect that right.
“I admire the dedication of parents who commit to oversee their children’s education through home schooling. But, no matter what educational program a student participates in, it is critical that the program prepares them for future success in the global economy. I urge any parent who is considering or involved in home schooling their children to take advantage of resources and support available through their county or district offices of education.”
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Just Enough, and Nothing More 
March 11, 2008 at 4:43 pm
It’s nice he offered that assurance, but I still hate the tone of it.
March 11, 2008 at 6:07 pm
[…] to this blog, the California Department of Education has completed its review of the February 28 appellate court […]
March 11, 2008 at 6:52 pm
[…] Via Just Enough and Nothing More […]
March 11, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Here’s the link:
Click to access oconnell.pdf
March 11, 2008 at 7:30 pm
I was actually surprised at how open-minded this sounded, coming from the gov’t.
March 11, 2008 at 8:12 pm
You know, even that bit about “As the head of California’s public school system, I hope that every parent would want to send their children to public school.” can be viewed two ways.
I would hope that it is his goal to help California’s public schools such a wonderful learning environment that parents didn’t feel they had to homeschool.
Anyway, nice to have the affirmation that the Department of Education isn’t going to be revising its policies anytime soon!
March 11, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Part of it makes me proud of our government then there is the following statements that just irritate me:
“and I want every child to get an education that will prepare them for success in college and the world of work in the challenging global economy.”
“I hope that every parent would want to send their children to public school.”
Not every child wants to go to college, or work for that matter. They are called entrepeneurs, and stay at home parents, lol. Rant over, lol.
June 26, 2008 at 10:36 pm
[…] Via Principled Discovery, via Just Enough, Nothing More […]
November 5, 2008 at 3:19 pm
As a local government employee who has to walk a thin line every day I really like the statement. Jack is a former assembly member from my area that was great to work with and a very caring person. I have talked to one of his aids whom I know personally about homeschooling and I got the impression that he is generally supportive.