A Choice of Shepherds? by Sue Duncan

Many Ohio homeschoolers choose to purchase pre-paid legal insurance and join HSLDA in an effort to protect themselves against government encroachment upon their homeschooling rights. Also available to homeschoolers nationwide is a new organization of homeschool attorneys, ASHA-USA.org. “ASHA is a network of homeschool attorneys and experts formed for the purpose of referring attorneys and experts to homeschoolers, providing information to attorneys representing homeschoolers and to develop a plan of action to prevent further government action against homeschoolers.”

But the deeper question should be asked: are these services necessary or even desirable? The home education regulations in Ohio are relatively simple, easy-to-understand, and straightforward. Each homeschooler should have a copy and should read it; and having done so, would be equipped to respond appropriately to requests and approaches by their school districts. Further, in Ohio, there are many seasoned homeschoolers, well-versed in the home education regulations, the history of the movement in Ohio and appropriate, effective strategies and responses. The services of these “experts” are free. AND, with the extra added benefit of enabling homeschoolers to resolve their own issues without the necessity for expensive and potentially-divisive legal representation and with a consequent gain in confidence and independence.

In fact, one of the things that homeschoolers do when we decide to home educate, is take back our personal power; we decide what we shall do, when we shall do it, how we shall do it…we are the experts on our own families and what is best for them. It is unseemly that we would take this very basic step towards independence with our own families and not pursue it the next step into society.

There is oftentimes worry, especially by new homeschoolers, about threats and police authority of government institutions. Understand, we homeschool under regulations which carry the effect of law. This cannot be ignored by the school districts or the courts. Keep in mind, this is not merely an educational option, the state specifically safeguards the “primary rights of parents to provide the education for their child(ren).” AND…such rights are further protected by the Ohio and U.S. Constitutions. These are your children; state’s interest does not overcome parental rights.

When will we learn that the best way to preserve our rights is to WORK for OURSELVES? Who are the experts? We are! Who should be informing attorneys who “represent” homeschoolers? We should! Who should and could develop a plan of action to prevent further government action taken against homeschoolers? We can…we have…and we are!

Whatever the brand name, turning our rights over to any outside “experts” sacrifices the very essence of what homeschooling is about. We stand in the face of “experts” regarding what is best for our children’s educational well-being. Why can we not do the same regarding preserving the well-being of the community to which we belong?

Rather than go under the assumption that homeschoolers will need protection from government institutions, we should be taking a proactive position and working toward strengthening our freedoms ourselves. We can educate ourselves and each other on the regulations; on appropriate, effective responses to our school districts, and we can ally ourselves with other voices in our community and stand together to resist erosion of our freedoms. We can do all this without HSLDA or ASHA.

A choice of shepherds? I choose homeschoolers in Ohio.

Susan M. Duncan, 08/00 (Please do not reprint for distribution or publication with prior permission)

May 1, 2008 | Filed Under Sue Duncan's HS Alerts