I’ve read a few articles and posts recently about the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and their recommendations for how state governments should govern homeschoolers. It took me a while to find the original statement online; it’s in a 52-page document that details the current platform of the NAESP. Here is the complete platform plank from page 38.
4. Home Schooling
NAESP is concerned with the increasing number of individuals and groups who are avoiding public education in favor of at-home schooling. When alternative options such as home schooling have been authorized by state legislation, resources and authority should be provided to make certain that those who exercise these options are held strictly accountable for the academic achievement and social/emotional growth of children.When home schooling options are exercised, NAESP strongly recommends that state governments establish safeguards to ensure each child:
1. participates in appropriate social experiences;
2. interacts with students from other social/racial/ethnic groups;
3. receives the full range of curricular experiences and materials aligned with state standards;
4. is guaranteed instruction by certified and highly qualified persons;
5. is required to participate in state-mandated assessments; and
6. learns in a healthy and safe environment.NAESP strongly urges states to require home schools to comply with state and federal laws addressing children with special needs.
NAESP strongly urges local and state associations to address these issues as critical to the education of children. (’93, ’03, ’04)
Anne Sterling at FamilyFun.com characterized the NAESP’s resolutions regarding homeschooling as concerns. I think these go beyond concerns. They are advocating government policy. Crimson Wife has a great post that itemizes the list with public education’s own documented failures for each point.
I would suspect that since the NAESP is a group of school principals they are most interested in what affects school principals. If there are fewer kids in public schools there are potentially fewer schools and, thus, fewer principals needed. It would be a disturbing trend indeed.
Thank you for finding this and bringing it to light. If everything we do has to be dictated by the state we are not free. Our liberties are in jeopardy in this country.
I recall a survey of school principals/superintendants about homeschooling published by American School Board Journal (c. 1997-8) that was rather negative towards homeschooling. Even though only around a fourth of those surveyed responded that they’d actually had personal contact with any homeschool families.
I suspect that there will be quite a flood of proposals about homeschooling in the next couple years. There is also a law review article forthcoming that argues states have the consitutional responsibility to regulate home education.
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