It’s bound to get me in trouble (no guts, no glory), but the position of parents of unenrolled children asking for public school services reminds me of the old Bill Cosby routine where he talks about women saying to their significant others during romantic interludes, “Come here, c’mere, c’mere, c’mere. No, go away, go ‘way, go ‘way.” On the one hand, some homeschoolers want to use governmentally overseen services. On the other hand, they want little to no government oversight of their private business. C’mere. No, go away.
(I redeem myself slightly concerning special needs children as I place medical reasons in a separate category from standard educational services)
Home-school kids barred from activities, 21 November 2007, Newsday, Long Island, New York
Their father, Alex, 45, said he has tried for a year to get permission for his children to participate in activities, arguing that they are entitled to because he pays more than $5,000 yearly in school taxes.
My response to the “I pay taxes” reason, is, ‘if that’s the case, where are my services?’
(For the irony-impaired, my point is that the taxes are to pay for a public good. The taxes aren’t an entitlement fee.)
The next part of the article made me laugh — sort of.
Eighteen states force public schools to allow home-schoolers access to sports and other activities, according to the Home School Legal Defense Association, a Virginia-based advocacy group established to defend and advance the rights of home-schoolers.
[emphasis added]
The states “force” the schools to do something? “Force?” Really? You mean all those laws out there are “forcing” people to do stuff, especially agencies paid by taxpayers? I thought that was how the system worked. When public money pays for services, the public’s representatives (legislators) spell out how to spend the money.
My laughter died away when I read that the reporter credited the information to a homeschool advocacy group whose specialty is the law.
posted by Valerie
HEM
Helen
Tracy
mark
marynix
ann-lahrson-fisher
valerie
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david
Well, to a point the father has a legitimate reason to ask for permission for participation. HOWEVER, the local boards can also determine if participation can be permitted. I have issues when three/four/five layers of admin are supposedly necessary to
run a school and three of the administrators are making 6 figures a year and up…I get no say in where my taxes go, but if I am not
in the PS system, I still have to pay without MY say. A rep is one thing…but parental input is vital. No, my children don’t participate
in school sports. That is what city leagues, the YMCA and dance lessons are for.
Sigh.