In September 2020, a controversial ruling made by a Missouri judge gained widespread attention. The judge ruled that a homeschooled boy must attend public school based on the argument that the parents were not providing the child with proper education. Despite the parents voicing disagreement with the decision, the ruling set in motion the possibility of more court intervention in the parental right to make major decisions like teaching their children at home.
This article seeks to provide comprehensive overview of this dispute by answering 15 key questions.
What is Home Schooling?
Home schooling is an alternative to the traditional public or private school education and allows parents to educate their children in the manner of their choosing. It is an option available to all parents in the United States.
Depending on the state and its laws, the parents may be responsible for obtaining a private curriculum for their child, for ensuring their child’s education is up to the state’s standards, and for providing a portfolio of their child’s work upon request.
What is Public School?
Public schools provide free education to children of certain ages and are supported with public tax money. The state provides the curriculum and educational materials, busses and lunches, as well as specially trained teachers and administrators.
The curriculum must meet the standards of the local and state education boards, and a child’s success is often met with academic prizes, awards and diplomas.
What were the Circumstances Leading to the Missouri Judge Ordering the Child to Public School?
In September 2020, parents James and Rachel Gray appeared in court to present their case that their 7-year-old son, Issac Gray, should remain homeschooled. The ruling of the Missouri judge stated otherwise, ordering the child to begin attending public school instead.
The court ruled in favor of the school district, stating that they believed the parents were not providing Issac with an education suitable to the standards of the school district. The judge argued that the parents had failed to provide evidence of their competency in teaching Issac, particularly in areas such as English, math and science.
What Were the Arguments From Each Side of the Dispute?
The school district argued that Issac should attend public school because the parents did not present an adequate education plan, nor did they have the educational ability to provide a “humane education” for their child. The school district contended that without any evidence of instruction in traditional school classes and without any proof of Issac’s academic progress, he would be better off attending a public school. Meanwhile, the parents maintained that Issac was learning the material expected of him and argued that homeschooling was a better option for their son due to the current public health situation.
They claimed that the local school was unsafe due to the potential of contracting the coronavirus from classrooms filled with students and teachers. The parents also argued that the school district had no legal right to intervene in their decision to homeschool.
Is Homeschooling Allowed in Missouri?
Yes, homeschooling is allowed in Missouri. However, there is a legal requirement that parents must notify the local school district of their intention to homeschool their children. Parents should also provide an educational plan, including details of their educational curriculum and goals.
Did the Parents Notify the School District?
It is unclear whether the parents properly notified the school district of their intent to homeschool their son. According to court documents, the school district alleged that there was no evidence of the proper paperwork being filed with them.
What are the Educational Requirements to Homeschool in Missouri?
Under Missouri state law, all homeschooled students must receive at least 900 hours of instruction per year. Of this, 300 hours must be in English, math, science and social studies.
As well, the instruction must span over a full school year, which is considered as running between August and May.
Did the Parents Meet the Educational Requirements?
It is unclear whether the parents met the educational requirements needed to homeschool their son. The court documents state that the parents failed to submit the portfolio of their son’s educational progress, which would have provided evidence of their curriculum and the materials used to instruct their son.
As a result, the evidence of the parents’ educational efforts were up to debate in court.
What was the Outcome of the Case?
Despite the parents’ objections, the court ruled in favor of the school district, ordering Issac to attend public school. In their ruling, the court stated that homeschooling would not be adequate for Issac’s education and that his best interests were not being taken into account by the parents.
What Was the Reaction to the Ruling?
The decision by the Missouri judge sparked criticism from the homeschool community, with many arguing that the ruling violated parental rights and set a dangerous precedent. They argued that the decision would open the door for more court intervention in the homeschool debate and that it should be left up to the parents to decide how their children should be educated.
Is this Case Considered Unique?
Yes, this case is considered to be unique. Although there have been other cases involving similar circumstances, this case is considered to be especially concerning due to its scope and the type of child in question. This case involved a child who was not attending a private school, which is commonly the target of court intervention.
The fact that the child was not attending a public or private school made this case particularly unique.
Is Homeschooling Regulated at the Federal Level?
No, homeschooling is not regulated at the federal level. According to the U. S.
Department of Education, schools are funded and managed through the state, not the federal government. As a result, each state has its own regulations for homeschools.
Could this Decision Impact Other States?
Yes, this decision could potentially influence the decisions of other states. Although this case took place in Missouri, the ruling has set a precedent that could be used as a justification for court intervention in other states. The ruling could also lead to other states scrutinizing the educational standards of homeschools more closely.
Will the Ruling be Revisited in the Future?
It is unclear if the ruling will be revisited in the future. However, the Missouri court system has stated that the decision is not precedent setting and that it will not be applied in future cases.
Are There Other Cases Involving Homeschool and Judges?
Yes, there have been other cases in the United States involving homeschool and the courts. In 2018, a Utah court ruled that the state must recognize a family’s right to homeschool their children. In another case, a Pennsylvania court ruled that a homeschool family was not breaking any laws.
In all of these cases, the judges ruled in favor of the parents and their right to homeschool their children.
Conclusion
The case involving the judge ordering a 7-year-old to attend public school despite his parents wanting to homeschool him sparked debate in the homeschool community and particularly around parental rights. The case set a precedent for more court involvement in the homeschool debate and for closer examination of the standards of homeschools. Although the decision was met with criticism, the court has since stated that it is not precedent setting and will not be applied to future cases.