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| Date: From: Subject: | 9/20/2004 5:00:26 PM Home School Legal Defense Association New Jersey--Bill Would Outlaw Homeschooling for Some Kids Who Need It the Most |
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====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== September 20, 2004 New Jersey--Bill Would Outlaw Homeschooling for Some Kids Who Need It the Most A bill has been introduced in the New Jersey legislature, A3185, that would outlaw homeschooling for children in the care, custody, or supervision of the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS). The Task Force of homeschool organizations that came together to defeat Assemblywoman Loretta Weinberg's A1918 is taking steps to oppose A3185. ACTION REQUESTED Please stay alert for future developments. REASONS TO OPPOSE A 3185 1. Tragically abused and neglected children are often placed in the care of the Division of Youth and Family Services. These children may never have received stable, loving parental care, or consistent support from a responsible adult. They may have suffered unspeakable maltreatment. For some of these children, the best possible therapy might be to allow a foster family, with an excellent track record, to homeschool them. Healing for them may come while spending time with a loving adult, rather than being placed in a crowded classroom and bounced from teacher to teacher. 2. This bill may prevent a judge from doing what is best for a child. Under current law, a judge can permit a child who is under DYFS care to be homeschooled, if that would be best for the child. Sometimes judges take jurisdiction over a child but let the child stay with his parents. Continuation of homeschooling may be the very best choice in that case. What is best for one child may not be best for another. The judge's hands should not be tied. If a judge has fewer options, it's going to be harder for him to do what is truly best for the child. 3. This bill will traumatize children by causing them to be abruptly yanked out of the educational setting to which they are accustomed. In some cases, DYFS can have control of a child for three days before a judge even looks at the case. During this 3 day period, it may be best for the child to stay in his customary homeschool setting. DYFS should have the authority to do that. Some homeschoolers live in districts where the local public school is very violent. A child who is safe in homeschool may suddenly be placed at risk of attack and injury if thrust into a violent public school. 4. A3185 ignores reality. Millions of children across the country are being homeschooled safely with superb results--including many foster children. Study after study has shown homeschooling is successful, including a study just published by David Frances, a public school psychologist, and Timothy Keefe, a professor of educational psychology at the University of Texas, Austin, showing that homeschoolers have better social skills than others. Homeschooled children are no more likely than others to be victims of abuse or neglect. By forbidding homeschooling for every child in DYFS custody in every circumstance, the law says homeschooling is always the worst choice. This is simply wrong. Sincerely, Scott Woodruff HSLDA Staff Attorney ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -> You can get a little latte or a lotta legal. With our new payment options, you can join HSLDA for as little as $8/month, less than the price of a cup of coffee a week. More reasons to join HSLDA... http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=1109 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ====================================================================== The HSLDA E-lert Service is a service of: Home School Legal Defense Association P.O. 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