More on American schools

We already have parents in prison because school is so unattractive to their children that they won't go and parents who are told they are not allowed to take their own children away during term time, unless you home educate it looks to me like you have sold your soul to the state in taking advantage of free schooling! THis video rings very true to me.

Are we heading this way?

I am so tired at the moment and sleeping so much in the afternoon that despite promises to the contrary I don't have the oomph to blog much.

Added to that the depression at so many Local Authorities acting outside their legal duties and so many tales of what amounts to abuse and neglect on the part of the NHS on the lists I belong to, something that resonates all too clearly in my own life, I do not feel I have anything useful to offer.

However this so shocked me that I had to share it.

'Fourth, such policies criminalize childish, otherwise innocent behavior and in many cases create a permanent record that will haunt that child into adulthood. Moreover, by involving the police in incidents that should never leave the environs of the school, it turns the schools into little more than a police state. For example, 9-year-old Michael Parson was suspended from school for a day and ordered to undergo a psychological evaluation after mentioning to a classmate his intent to “shoot” a fellow classmate with a wad of paper. Despite the fact that the “weapon” considered suspect consisted of a wadded-up piece of moistened paper and a rubber band with which to launch it, district officials notified local police, suspended Michael under the school’s zero tolerance policy, and required him to undergo a psychological evaluation before returning to class. Incredibly, local police also went to Michael’s home after midnight in order to question the fourth grader about the so-called “shooting” incident.'

Link here.

Is so then surely we will have uprising here as well!

A Home Ed Blog to watch

 Here at Learning Liberty is the latest on the Governments mistaken attempts to interfere in family life!

Read the Government’s response to the Home Education petition

The Government has always been clear that parents should retain the right to educate their children at home. Most home educators do an excellent job but we can’t afford to let any child slip through the net – in terms of their education, or safety.

The recommendations set out by Badman are proportionate and reasonable. Most developed countries require registration to home educate, with the majority also having a process of systematic monitoring. It is only right we afford our own children and young people the same checks and balances.

The report found significant flaws in the current arrangements for ensuring that home educated children are receiving their educational entitlement and recommended strengthening the system.  It also presented a persuasive case for providing home educators with greater support, particular those whose children have special educational needs.

The Government’s response to the Badman Report was published on 9 October and can be found on the Every Child Matters website (www.everychildmatters.gov.uk).  It sets out our strong commitment to supporting home educators, particularly those whose children have special educational needs and those who wish to have greater access to examination centres, courses at further education colleges, and a range of local services and activities.  Our proposals on a system of registration and monitoring of home education have been out for consultation and closed on 19 October.  We will take into account the responses to the consultation and any report arising from the Select Committee Inquiry into the review of home education when deciding how to proceed.

Home education is a well-established and important part of our education system.  The Government is committed to support its continuation as a choice for parents.