I received this statement from Arizona Families for Home Education,www.afhe.org :
As you might be aware, a California Court of Appeals case involving a homeschooling family has gained national attention because the ruling, if left unchanged, would make it illegal to homeschool unless performed by a tutor certified to teach in California. This would effectively eliminate the vast majority of parent-led home teaching. It would make homeschooling nearly impossible at the secondary level because to teach a high school curriculum the tutor would have to be certified in every subject area. The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) was not aware of this case before the decision of the three-judge appellate court was published on February 28, 2008. HSLDA is mounting a response, and you can go to their website at www.hslda.org for more information.
Please visit the HSLDA web site to sign a Petition to Support Homeschool Freedom in California.
You might wonder what ramifications this may have to homeschooling in Arizona. California's courts do not determine the law in Arizona. Our right to homeschool as a legal, alternative way of meeting the compulsory education requirements of the State of Arizona is found in A.R.S. §15-802. The term "home school" is defined by statute and the practice is recognized by that name. Therefore, we are distinct in this regard from California where homeschooling has been allowed in practice under their private school statute. AFHE has always encouraged Arizona parents to carefully monitor their rights and freedoms. Our laws are made by our state legislature, and can be changed. This is why AFHE has built a reputation over the past 25 years of having a presence at the legislature in the form of a lobbyist and allied ourselves with other pro-family organizations who aid us in keeping ahead of proposed legislation that might affect our ability to homeschool.
AFHE will watch the developments in the California case closely, and we encourage our membership to do the same. Dr. James Dobson dedicated his program on Friday March 7, 2008 to this topic and we encourage you to go to the Focus on the Family website at www.family.org and listen to the broadcast. We join in his call to pray for this situation. The case that prompted the ruling is atypical of the majority of homeschooling families and presents some serious legal issues because of a 20 year history of contact with the child welfare system on the part of the family involved. But the broader question is whether one family's problems should impact the personal liberty and educational choice of everyone else through the vehicle of a court decision? We want to believe that those charged with leadership -both at the Supreme Court of California and the California legislature---can and will see the difference.
Visit www.cheaofca.org to read the statement issued by CHEA of California (Christian Home Educators of California, state homeschool organization).
This blog features news, events, articles, field trips, educational opportunities, legislative updates, website links, and other resources for the Arizona homeschool community... from the Arizona State Coordinator for TOS Homeschool Nation. Happy Homeschooling! ~Teri
Our e-Newsletters give you wonderful, informative information about homeschooling, news bits, contests and PRIZES for homeschoolers, articles to encourage you, calls for writers, free unit studies and lesson plans, and just a lot of FUN. Bring the community to your inbox – and no worries, we never sell, trade or give your email or any other information out to anyone.
Come join the homeschool party!
Subscribe to *FREE* newsletters offered by The Old Schoolhouse Magazine.
TOS Store
To see a close-up of the current cover, click here.
Do you have the whole set of back issues from The Old Schoolhouse
Magazine?
Click
here to view all back issues and read the themes - you
will want to collect the ones you've missed!!
At Bookstores NOW!!
eBooks to Help You!
Join Our Affiliate Program!
Earn Money Every Time
TOS Magazine is Sold in
Partnership with You.
more . . .
CONTACT ME
I like to hear from home educators all around the state. If you have any homeschool news, events or other info that you would like to share, please feel free to e-mail me at
ATTENTION LEADERS!
If you would like your homeschool support group to be listed on the Arizona page at Homeschool Nation, please fill out and submit this form
Andros Books Publishing Susanne Bain, a good friend of mine and author of Home Schooling: A Better Education For Your Child, gives FREE homeschool workshops once per month at the Arrowhead Barnes & Noble bookstore in Peoria. Click here for schedule.
The Salt Seller Tami Lopez, another friend of mine, gives FREE homeschool workshops on the 3rd Monday of every month at the Fire Station on Belmont & 27th Ave. in West Phoenix. Click here for more info.
Do you live in Arizona? Do you have a homeschool blog? E-mail me at and I will add your blog to this list. Let's all keep in touch! Thanks!
* * *
See also Len Munsil's blog. Len is a Christian homeschool dad of many years who is running for governor.
HOMESCHOOL PIONEERS WANTED
If you were involved in the Arizona homeschooling movement during the 1980's or earlier and would like to share your story, please e-mail me at We are also looking for information about your homeschooling ancestors, and historical photographs related to homeschooling in Arizona. This is for a book on the history of homeschooling in Arizona.
1.) Most items posted in this blog are compiled from articles and information I've found on the web, or that have been e-mailed to me. I always provide links to the original source when possible. 2.) This information is provided for your personal education or consideration only; it does not necessarily imply that any such products, services, or resources are endorsed or advocated by TOS or myself. Please investigate all businesses prior to using any services. 3.) My own articles that I post here may not be reprinted without permission, but I will be happy to grant permission in most cases - all you have to do is ask! :) 4.) Just so you know, I am not an employee of TOS but rather a homeschool mom who volunteers my time to help educate, inform, and encourage Arizona homeschoolers. 5.) Event locations and times are subject to change without notice.
Please contact event personnel for updates.
on Amazon!
