Written by Margaret O’Brien
The Dec. 23 Kalamazoo Gazette editorial advocating for more stringent regulation of home schooling is ludicrous. The Gazette’s position is that more stringent home-school laws would have protected Calista Springer. This is a far-reaching assumption.
Every day, children are abused in our country. And the majority of these children go to public schools. Thus, if we use the same reasoning as the editorial, we should also have more stringent laws for public education. After all, not only are abused children going undetected in the public school system, but violence is in our schools. Therefore, by the Gazette’s reasoning, this means our children are not safe, the schools are not doing their job and we need more laws governing public education.
Forcing harsher regulations onto home-school parents will not result in the elimination of abuse. Per previous Gazette articles, Calista’s family was reported by a number of caring people to state agencies and they were investigated without any abuse being detected.
Why is the Gazette assuming that restricting home schooling would have changed anything? Is it because this death is so troubling, and the prosecutor in the case has decided to blame home schooling laws? There are no good answers about why the abuse of Calista went undetected, but blaming home schooling is not an answer. Rather, it is being used as a scapegoat.
My children attend public schools, and overall we are having a good experience. However, I want the option of home schooling if my husband and I determine it would better serve our kids. Sometimes, children do not adapt to the pressures of public education. While we have excellent private schools, they may be too expensive for many of us. Home schooling can be an affordable option.
I know many home-schooled children, and they all have been bright, articulate and educated. Their parents are able to provide a more varied educational experience for their kids due to the individualized focus on each child. I have been fortunate to volunteer at a number of home-school functions, and I am always impressed with the kids’ maturity and their passion for learning.
Their parents are very focused on providing an enriching educational experience, with more hands-on learning opportunities and greater focus in areas that the children naturally excel in. It also provides a meaningful way to help those children who struggle with a learning disability or do not have a natural aptitude for a particular subject.
Protecting children is a top priority. Unfortunately, a small number of parents harm their children. We need to be vigilant in detecting abuse and protecting those innocent children. Parents, per the Michigan Constitution, have the right to direct their children’s education. We need to keep those rights in the hands of the millions of law-abiding parents.
Margaret O’Brien is the mother of two middle school children and serves on the Portage City Council.
10/8/09- Kalamazoo Gazette- In response to Poor Assessment Practices
"There's no excuse for poor treatment. We won't accept poor customer service. We'll make sure we move thoroughly and thoughtfully.'' -Margaret O'Brien
