NC family no longer allowed to homeschool?

"Gifted" classes are the first to go when there are budget cuts. And just because they are "in" that track now, doesn't mean it will continue. Often times, it catches up with them.

We had a group of about five kids in my building who were "gifted". They went through grades 4 and 5 together, with a "gifted teacher" who came once or twice a week to meet and work with them. They were given advanced math, but when they went to the middle school, they were put in "regular" 6th grade math. The parents went to the principal, but it didn't do any good. Those kids were stuck in a regular 6th grade math class, doing all the stuff they had done the year before. And of course the bureaucracy of the district made it seem as if the teachers were out of line for letting them go ahead in the first place. (Of course, THEY had been the ones to hire the "gifted" teacher for them!)

 

From what I'm told, this is over Talented and Gifted.

 

Interesting...neat to know it exists. In places we've been stationed, TAG (talented and gifted) is all that has been offered at the elementary/middle school level. Guess it just depends where you live. Where we live here in VA, they have TAG and the magnet program but nothing above TAG until you get to the high school level...then they have tons of college board AP approved classes.

Our girls have taken a summer session for TAG level kids at the College of William & Mary (Center of Gifted Education). Being homeschoolers wasn't a problem with them at all. Actually probably easier because we have to test yearly and can prove their nationally normed scores where the ps kids aren't tested yearly with them...they take the SOL tests but those don't count for this program). So the non-hs kids parents' have more hoops to jump thru if their TAG kids haven't taken the right tests to prove the TAG designation W & M will test/interview kids though for consideration.

 

This makes me want to go hug my kids. Maybe I am weird, but I would be so broken hearted to have to sent my kids to ps. I know it's only part of the day, but I would so miss having them around!

 

That is odd that there would be actual AP classes in elementary. Sam will be going back to ps in the fall for 8th grade and they don't even have full AP classes. They have Pre Ap classes which is supposed to put them on the AP track for high school. Sam will be in all pre ap classes.

 

loveinhomeschool, your not weird, i had the same heart tugs when i read about this story, the fact that some judge could look at how i teach and decide they arent socialized enough so i have to sent them to ps????? Where are we? Europe?

 

Hmm, I don't know about Wake county, but our county in NC is mandating 75 million in cuts to the PS.

This means, no assistants, larger class size. They are looking and cutting middle school sports and the art, music classes.

In our county, and specifically the school we used to attend, the AP (called Talent and Development) teacher was an "add-on". The TD kids went to her from regular classes 1 or 2 times a week.

So, if this holds true in Wake, the kids aren't even going to get AP teaching but an hour or 2 a week.

Sad, hope it is an isolated case based on a divorce, and doesn't set a precident here in NC. I feel for this Mom and those kiddos.

 

I read today that the mom is going to appeal. And I think there's been enough publicity that she might win.

 

Here's what I don't get. It is NOT a judges job to MAKE law. It's his job to uphold the law that is already in place. It is NOT illegal to homeschool in NC, but it IS illigal to commit adultry. So, the person who is actually breaking the law is getting away with it while the person who has not is being punished. It makes no sense to me. So, if someone I know breaks a law and I don't then I can be punished???

This judge is serving his own interests. He HAS to uphold the law, weather he likes it or not. If we have judges running around making laws, we are doomed!

 

I didn't realize that adultery was actually against the law.

 

It still is on the books in NC. I think its a law from the days when our country still had morals

 

This makes me beyond angry. The man cheats on her and she is the bad one and the children are being punished??? I am just sooo angry!!

 

I think it comes down to the Dad saying that he's not going to pay for hs'ing anymore. (And of course the nudge/wink you mentioned).

If I were this mom, I would say 'give me a chance, let me prove that I can do what I need to afford homeschooling for my family'. Then I would proceed to get a job (hopefully at home, there are customer service jobs) and show that I can do it on my own WITHOUT his help. Then if they awarded alimony or child support all the better.

My husband said he could understand why the judge did this, because the dad said he doesn't want them homeschooling anymore. BUT IMHO if the mom is going to be the one homeschooling and having a majority of the custody THEN it should be HER decision.

I hope everything works out for them.

 

Even if the judge does have a point, which he does not, the Government has no business in our family life.. If this is what we as parents choose to do for our children's well being then we should not be challenged by a judge who clearly knows nothing about homeschooling. You don't go to school to "socialize"!! The children are performing above grade level so there is NO reason for him to decide what is in the best interest of "HER" children. It's NONE of HIS business!!!:evil:

 

They are now saying that the judge is claiming the church is a "cult". And, from what I read, the judge believes that the adultery is excused, because since she joined this church, it took over so much of her and the kids' lives to alienate her husband, in a sense. I have also read that none of this came out until the judge was questioned about his homeschooling ruling, and is using it as a smoke screen to the real issue.

 

Of course....you wouldn't expect him to actually admit mistake would you!?

 

Hmmmm!

I am wondering if the judge's decision was based on his own bias beliefs. I find it very peculiar that the judge ordered the mother to enroll the children in a “public” school, but didn’t offer her the option to enroll her children in a private school. However, the judge probably figured if the husband wasn't willing to pay for homeschooling, he probably wouldn't be opened to private school, either.

Most divorce papers states both parents have the right to have a say so in their children's education. However, this case seems to be one-sided. Despite the excellent job the mother has done with educating her children, the judge seems to have made a judgment based on his own personal beliefs.

 

Oh, yeah! Dad is fussing about the cost of homeschooling; can you imagine what he'd say about a PRIVATE school? But, you know, maybe that's what the judge WOULD say if he really wanted what was in the kids' best interests. A good (expensive) private school might be able to better accommodate children that are two grade levels above their peers. HMM.... Imagine the fuss if a judge ordered children into a private school!

 

Can you imagine to if it was the other way around. Imagine the 'trouble' and controversy that would get to the media if a judge ever ordered a family to homeschool. lol

 

The goodnews for those of us Homeschooling in NC is that the judge removed his remarks about homeschooling from his final opinion and instead went after this woman's church. Now I have no clue if it's a cult or not.

But I know NC judges, he's covering his butt after his outrageous homeschooling remarks earned him so much feedback. Also he's trying to make it look like the Mother's fault the father can't keep his pants zipped.

If I got into a cult my dh would do everything to get me out but he would protect our kids before condsidering an affair. That's what I hate about this case.