The resolution reads, "The National Education Association believes that homeschooling programs based on parental choice cannot provide the student with a comprehensive education experience. When home schooling occurs, students enrolled must meet all state curricular requirements, including the taking and passing of assessments to ensure adequate academic progress. Home schooling should be limited to the children of the immediate family, with all expenses being borne by the parents/guardians. 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.

The Association also believes that home-schooled students should not participate in any extracurricular activities in the public schools. 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."

Tell the NEA what you think

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Our three children left public schools when we all realized that the arbitrary forcing of facts down the throats of third graders in an effort to score higher on state achievement tests (Thanks in part to the Bush administration's No Child Left Behind policy), does nothing but pummel the love of learning right out of children -- and the love of teaching right out of teachers.

In our fifth year at home we couldn't be happier. And, when I go to the local elementary school to work at the polling place every November, I use the teachers' bathrooms and still see the heartbreaking cartoons taped to the inside of the stalls -- revealing the saddest development in education today: Children, as square pegs,  being asked to fit themselves into round holes.

Our kids are involved in unschooling, also known as natural learning. We do not believe that forcing kids into round holes at arbitrary ages is the best path to a productive and happy life. Humans were born-learners, and, if left to our own devices -- especially given the rich resources found in our homes today, will find our passions and strengths while turning into self-motivated livelong learners.

Child-led learning is gaining momentum. Approximately 100,000 kids in the U.S. are in families that practice this philosophy. 

Comments (4)

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geri said:

I just read some posts on my homeschool lists and apparently, this is not surprising, and very similar to resolutions against homeschooling since 2001.... I want them to advocate FOR teachers, not AGAINST homeschoolers... it's the good news philosophy, I guess... g

October 17, 2007

geri said:

An unschooling friend sent me this: This was originally passed in 1998 and has been included in the NEA platform ever since. NHEN (National Home Education Network) wrote to the NEA in 2002, and we got this response: February 26, 2002 Thank you for your recent comments about my speech at the National Press Club. I also appreciate the information on homeschooling and the National Home Education Network. The Association is very concerned about the education and well-being of all children, and works to ensure that they are taught in an environment conducive to effective learning. The NEA Representative Assembly, made up of 9,000 delegates who represent the 2.6 million members throughout the country, is the Association's primary policy- making body. This body thoroughly discusses and debates every proposed policy before voting to approve or reject it. During the 1998 RA, delegates approved the policy on homeschooling. They were concerned that homeschooled students were not provided a comprehensive education experience because they did not have an opportunity to interact with students of different cultures, economic status, or learning styles. They felt homeschooled students learned in a setting primarily made up [of] family members and friends. We know that parental involvement is imperative for school achievement, but delegates were concerned that home schools were not required to use state-approved curricula. They agreed that homeschooled students have done well on national tests and were the top spellers in the National Spelling Bee two years ago, but felt home school instruction should meet certain state education standards. These are some of the reasons delegates approved the 1998 resolution on homeschooling, and reconfirmed their position at the 2000 annual meeting. Members who want this policy reviewed may submit a proposal to the Resolutions Committee for presentation at the RA. Thank you again for your comments and the materials on homeschooling. Sincerely, Bob Chase President

October 17, 2007

Columbine Phoenix said:

Now that NCLB has reduced public education to a cramfest for standardized high-stakes tests, public schools should be grateful that parents who are willing and able to take the time to individualize their children's education are homeschooling their gifted/talented, learning-challenged, and medically diverse kids, so that they don't distract from the required rote memorization, stock-still inactivity, and homogenization of thought.

October 17, 2007

geri said:

exactly.

October 18, 2007