NEA
Resolution B-75 on homeschooling: twenty years of contempt for parents
and for choice
b.
b. bennett
We don't think parents can educate their
own children. - The National Education Association (Motto: We
know what's best.)
Insomnia? If you really need to get to sleep
one night, print this out - NEA
2007-2008 Resolutions (PDF) - and you'll be snoring before
resolution 10... maybe before the end of the table of contents!
You can thank me later.
But if you want to find out what the NEA thinks
of you, as parent and home educator, skip ahead to Resolution
B-75.
I can't think of any other organization that
can get away with praising parents for their involvement in their
own child's education, then in the next breath, paint you as an
idiot who is more likely to damage your child academically, than,
say, a Union Teacher in charge of twenty kids.
Oh yes! Save Resolution B-75 for when you are
in a mood for condescension.
NEA
Resolution on Homeschooling
Page 45
B-75. Home Schooling
[Editor's comments added for clarity
and levity.]
The National Education Association
believes that home schooling programs based on parental choice
cannot provide the student with a comprehensive education experience.
[You aren't allowed to choose how your child
should be educated. However, if the NEA forced you to use
a home schooling program and union teachers. That would be okay.]
When home schooling occurs,
students enrolled must meet all state curricular requirements,
including the taking and passing of assessments to ensure adequate
academic progress.
[Like the average 40% or more of public school
kids who are failing their assessments? Are the parents or the
schools failing the children in those cases?]
Home schooling should be limited
to the children of the immediate family, with all expenses being
borne by the parents/guardians.
[Well, we're already doing that. And a bonus
for the public schools; we're paying our taxes like everyone else.
So we get to pay for the union teachers to allegedly educate other
people's children. Cool!]
Instruction should be by persons
who are licensed by the appropriate state education licensure
agency, and a curriculum approved by the state department of
education should be used.
[Has anyone every really thought about how expensive
this would be? Approvals, meetings, forms, employees checking
up on every private homeschool in the state? It's mind boggling.
It's also hard to believe that the NEA is ignorant of this fact.
I think that they know that their curricula is partly to blame
for America's public schooling problems. But admitting that diversity
of learning works, is to admit that public schools are bureaucratic
nightmares, stunting the education of generations of Americans.]
The Association also believes
that home-schooled students should not participate in any extracurricular
activities in the public schools.
[Might show up the other kids, fighting to maintain
good grades in classes that are meaningless to them.]
The Association further believes
that local public school systems should have the authority to
determine grade placement and/or credits earned toward graduation
for students entering or re-entering the public school setting
from a home school setting. (1988, 2006)
[That way, if your children are above grade
level in all or some of their studies, they can make up some excuse
to hold them back to set an example of them. After all, they shouldn't
be further ahead of the others their same age/grade. Remember,
according to the NEA, homeschooling doesn't work. And besides,
it would make the public school kids feel bad.]
Feeling small yet?
Me neither, But the NEA has been wishing and
wishing for almost twenty years that homeschooling parents would
please stop being so independent.
Some might think that this resolution conflicts
with the NEA Resolution A-4: Parental Involvement. Not
really. What Parental Involvement means, is more involvement with
the school and school employees. You are supposed to
work with the public school which in turn, works with your
child. You shouldn't work with your child independently or directly.
You see, that would undermine the school's authority and dominion
as surrogate parent of your child. God forbid you tell Johnny
to, "Forget about New, New, New Improved Math... just do
it like we did in the old days."
I resolve that the NEA figure out how to teach
the Three "R's" and leave parenting, to the parents.
P.S.
Valerie Bonham Moon has a comment and an entertaining
rewrite of the NEA
Resolution on the Home Education Magazine Blog Check it out
if you need a laugh more than sleep.
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The
National Education Association believes that home schooling
programs based on parental choice cannot provide the student
with a comprehensive education experience.
