Huh? Sweden outlaws home schooling?!

As a proud product of home-schooling, I find this decision deeply disturbing:

The founder of the Home School Legal Defense Association says home schooling in Sweden will soon be banned altogether, with a few minor exceptions.

Mike Farris says that Sweden will ban all home schooling except for children with medical exemptions and foreign workers with the appropriate work visas.

"That's it. People who have religious convictions or are home schooling for religious reasons will not be given one of these very rare exemptions," he points out. "And so for all intents and purposes, home schooling is going to be banned in Sweden. They're following the German statute, following the German model."

In Germany, parents face stiff penalties if they are caught illegally home schooling their children. The Romeike family recently left Germany and is seeking asylum in the U.S. after facing stiff fines and the potential loss of custody rights for home schooling their children. The Home School Legal Defense Association is offering them legal help. (OneNewsNow)

Whatever other intentions a country may have when they outlaw home-schooling, the bottom line is that it undermines the fundamental right of parents to be the primary education of their offspring.

By the way, if you are homeschooling in the United Stares or are considering it, you need to know about the Home School Legal Defense Association. They are your friends.

Tip: Online summer courses for Catholics

Next tip from AmP reader Maureen:

"Have you been wondering how to get your teens excited about all things Catholic? Homeschool Connections is offering online summer classes for all Catholic high school students (home, public, or private educated) that will keep them engaged and learning over the summer. There are even one or two that will help prepare graduating seniors for college. 

Homeschool Connections uses webinar technology so students can see and hear the professor via a webcam and mic in addition to his Power Point presentation. In turn students can communicate with the class through chat or their own microphone. Teens love the technology, making learning all the more enjoyable. Be

cause this is done over the Internet, participation can take place anyplace -- in the kitchen, at the library, on vacation. Additionally, each class is recorded and accessible to students for 6 months. All courses are taught with a focus on the Catholic perspective. It's a great deal for the dollar. For details, visit http://www.homeschoolconnectionsonline.com (use the scroll bar to see all courses) or email Maureen Wittmann, mwittlans@aol.com.

Some of the courses are taught by Dr. Henry Russell, a former professor of mine. Your children are in the best of care with him. All the teachers are completely loyal to the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Oh, and for those of you looking for little Amp tidbits - I'm a proud product of home education.

Judge compels homeschoolers into public school, cites religion

Just your friendly neighborhood anti-religious-education representative reporting for duty:

A judge in Wake County said three Raleigh children need to switch from home school to public school. Judge Ned Mangum is presiding over divorce proceeding of the children's parents, Thomas and Venessa Mills.

Venessa Mills was in the fourth year of home schooling her children who are 10, 11 and 12 years old. They have tested two years above their grade levels, she said.
"We have math, reading; we have grammar, science, music,” Venessa Mills said.
Her lessons also have a religious slant, which the judge said was the root of the problem.

Of the problems (unfortunately) to be found in this situation, I don't think "religious slant" is one of them.

And while we're on the topic of homeschooling, do check out Homeschool Connections which offers free online seminars for Catholic Homeschool Families.

"Court Reverses Decision, Admits California Parents Have Right to Homeschool"

Happy to see this decision come down favorably for homeschoolers:

"Court Reverses Decision, Admits California Parents Have Right to Homeschool"
Court adds that homeschooling is not absolute and can be revoked in cases of suspected parental abuse

Leading up to this ruling, there was a great deal of grassroots activities taking place to safeguard the right of parents to educate their children themselves:

"After enormous public outcry from homeschool advocacy groups and many others, including Governor Schwarzenegger himself, the Court agreed in March to reconsider the case, and invited interested parties to file amicus briefs in a new hearing."

I'm sure this won't be the last time "public outcry" will be required to have judges come to their senses.

Video: Laugh, then help a big Catholic family win $25k

From Marcel LeJeune of the MarySaggies blog:

Some friends who have a wonderful Catholic family of 9 kids, all home-schooled, are in the final 10 of a $25,000 college scholarship contest (and the parents are Aggie Catholics if you needed more incentive). They created a great video, but now need your votes to help them win. Go here to vote for them (yes, you have to fill out a short registration).

Hey, it's worth the time. If you're feeling industrious, consider blogging it or sending out an email!

CA supreme court could effectively outlaw homeschooling

From the LA Times:

Ruling seen as a threat to many home-schooling families

State appellate court says those who teach children in private must have a credential.

Parents who lack teaching credentials cannot educate their children at home, according to a state appellate court ruling that is sending waves of fear through California's home schooling families.

Advocates for the families vowed to appeal the decision to the state Supreme Court. Enforcement until then appears unlikely, but if the ruling stands, home-schooling supporters say California will have the most regressive law in the nation.

Commentary and action points at the Ecclesia Domestica blog.

Related: "California ruling could put homeschooling in jeopardy" (CNA)

As a product of several years of CA homeschooling myself, I know these guys can help.

Video: The Homeschool family

If you haven't seen this before, you should:

Original source: http://www.doublesharpevideo.com/HomeSchool2/Homeschool2.html