Home Schooling

Photo of Marty Barrack

The War Between Parents and Schools

Catholic parents have long known that the liberal establishment consistently opposes parental notification when a junior high or high school age girl seeks an abortion, which in many schools can be arranged by school authorities. Most of us are also aware that most government schools take active measures to prevent parents from finding out what their own children are being taught in classrooms. A few years ago, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) promoted a program called “Becoming a Responsible Teen.” The program required that each student taking it sign a contract of secrecy. If the student talked to his parents about what he has learned in the class, he is thrown out of the program. That information from National Review, Sept 11, 2000, p. 44, “What to Tell the Children: The battle over sex ed” by Daniel Mindus. Apparently, after word got out, the program was quietly deep-sixed, but the liberal impulse to bypass parents is alive and well.

Take a look at what the government schools are teaching. This review of the popular Harry Potter books is an eye opener.

Faithful Catholics are Responsible for Teaching Children

The Catholic Church teaches that parents are the primary teachers of their children. Where children are sent to a school, that school is properly the agent of the parents, not of the state. The parents pay the taxes and the parents send the children. Parents should review everything their children are being taught to be sure it is consistent with Catholic teaching.

As a practical matter, the only way to do that these days is by home schooling. Home schooling is legal in all 50 states and rapidly entering the American mainstream. No one knows the exact number of children being homeschooled in the United States, but best estimates are between 1 million and 2 million, with the number rising as more and more parents realize what their children are being taught in the government schools.

There are plenty of homeschool support networks out there to help parents who would appreciate additional guidance. The best way to get a current list is to google: homeschool support networks. And my good friend and neighbor Anne Kootz, who has homeschooled her four children for many years and is part of a neighborhood homeschool support group, is happy to answer questions. E-mail Anne Kootz.

Schools

The Seton Home Study School program is highly respected. Parents considering home schooling their children should certainly look it over.

The Regina Coeli Online Academy offers an all-online college preparatory program. My good friend and neighbor Anne Kootz, and my good friend Jay Olaguer, are on the faculty, so it has to be excellent.