A California court has ruled that several children in one home school family must be enrolled in a public school or "legally qualified" private school. The ruling came in a case brought against Phillip and Mary Long over the education being provided to two of their eight children.

The decision from the 2nd Appellate Court in Los Angeles granted a special petition brought by lawyers appointed to represent the two youngest children, after the family's home schooling was brought to the attention of child advocates.  The appeals ruling said California law (Compulsory Education Law) requires "persons between the ages of six and 18" to be in school, "the public full-time day school," with exemptions being allowed for those in a "private full-time day school" or those "instructed by a tutor who holds a valid state teaching credential for the grade being taught.”

Since neither Mr. or Mrs. Long has a “state credential”, the Court order that the children be placed in either a public school or approved private school.  This ruling would then prohibit most home schools in the State of California!

"We find no reason to strike down the Legislature's evaluation of what constitutes an adequate education scheme sufficient to promote the 'general diffusion of knowledge and intelligence,'" the court said in the case. "We agree …the educational program of the State of California was designed to promote the general welfare of all the people and was not designed to accommodate the personal ideas of any individual in the field of education.” 

The quality of education did not seem to be the concern of the Courts.  In fact, the Appeals Court found that that "keeping the children at home deprived them of situations where (1) they could interact with people outside the family, (2) there are people who could provide help if something is amiss in the children's lives, and (3) they could develop emotionally in a broader world than the parents' 'cloistered' setting." 

The family’s religious beliefs did not matter to the court.  In fact, the Court stated “sincerely held religious beliefs” are “not the quality of evidence that permits us to say that the application of California’s compulsory public school education law violates their First Amendment rights.”  They went on to say, "Such sparse representations are too easily asserted by any parent who wishes to home school his or her child.”  

The decision goes beyond just the Long family.  Justice H. Walt Croskey, whose opinion was joined by two other judges, ordered:  "Parents who fail to [comply with school enrollment laws] may be subject to a criminal complaint against them, found guilty of an infraction, and subject to imposition of fines or an order to complete a parent education and counseling program."

Brad Dacus, President of the Pacific Justice Institute called the decision “stunning.  The scope of this decision by the appellate court is breathtaking.  It not only attacks traditional home schooling, but also calls into question home schooling through charter schools and teaching children at home via independent study through public and private school. If not reversed, the parents of the more than 166,000 students currently receiving an education at home will be subject to criminal sanctions.”

This is an outrageous decision!  God gave parents, not the State, the responsibility to teach their children.  This decision is a clear violation of the 1st Amendment of the Constitution and should be overturned.  The parents are planning to appeal to the California Supreme Court and every Christian should pray for their success.

Source: World Net Daily, February 29 & March 6, 2008