In Buffalo, N.Y. a single mother has been arrested and lost custody of her kids after she decided to take her children out of public school to homeschool them. She felt as though her two children were in a "failing system" and officially un-enrolled them. A week after doing so, someone from Child Protective Services called and asked why her kids weren't in school. She claimed that she homeschools them and that she could furnish the documents if need be. She thought everything was in order, however a month later CPS and the police came to her home. She was told, "Its too late now to show these papers. The judge has laready made the order. We have to take your kids." The mother refused to give her kids up and was arrested for obstructing justice. The court summons was for child neglect. The mother hasn't seen her kids in three weeks.
1. Do you feel as though her prosecution is justified?
2. What are your views on homeschooling?
I don't think she deserved any of the punishment that she received. There may have been more going on in the home for all we know, but from the article itself I feel as though it was unjust to detain her and take her kids. I also don't agree with homeschooling because I feel that children should grow up around peers and learn to have social skills and such. I think kids should be around each other while growing up.
http://www.offthegridnews.com/current-events/mom-arrested-loses-children-because-theyre-homeschooled/
Replies
I don't feel that the mother's prosecution is justified, because it seems to me like she didn't get a fair chance to prove that she was really educating her kids from home. It seems like she was willing to show the papers to prove it, but they didn't ask her to, then decided to come again a month later and tell her it's too late. I believe that parents should be able to homeschool their kids if they want/need to. Although I believe that it would generally be best to send them to public school, I also understand that every situation is different, and the child may need to get away from regular school, at least temporarily.
If she was wiling to do all the according documents and so on, this punishment is way out of line. But if she actually didn't intend to do this legally then it's according. Did she know what she was supposed to do and refused or was it all a big, very unfortunate mistake? I hope if it's the latter, that she gets her kids back. I think homeschooling can be a excellent opportunity for some.
I don't think she should've lost custody of her kids for homeschooling them. They are still getting their education. I also don't really agree on homeschooling because I think kids need to be around other kids but again it would give them more one on one time with their learning.
I don't think they should've taken her kids or given her any punishment. I was homeschooled for years and it was good because if it was too easy, I could work on something above my grade level or if i struggled, then I could work longer on that subject to get a better understanding. The worst part was not being around my peers and I felt like I didn't get out much and was always at home.
1. i think the judge needs to be smacked in the mouth, the judge is wrong and she has the right to teach her own kids as long as she is doing it right and as long as she is handling all the right paper work
2. i have nothing against it and i would honestly go to actual school so i can get out and meet people.
She didn't deserve any of what happened. I don't necessarily agree with homeschooling but everyone has their own opinions on it. Homeschooling could be good for some kids. I don't think they're getting the socialization needed.
I think that she should have just agreed with the police. the fact that she was obstructing the police if a charge that should have been charged, but i am not sure about the other one. I think that Homeschooling is okay, as some parents want to directly make sure that their kids understand and know what they are learning.
I personally don't think that this mother deserved any of the punishment she received. I also don't think this situation was handled correctly. The mother offered to show Child Protective Services the documents, but CPS must have refused to look at them or acknowledge them and instead showed up later to arrest the mother for something that she already had handled. This makes me wonder if there was a miscommunication somewhere between the mother and CPS. I personally think that there are pros and cons to homeschooling. I feel that the choice of whether or not to educate your child at home all depends on how he or she learns best.
She had done nothing wrong. She had the papers. they were her kids. I dont see how she did anything wrong in any of this. My point of view is that its ok. I just think it takes away on the socialism in schooling
No, but it's not really wrong since they were only doing their job. if she had done the paperwork beforehand while they were in school then showed the school and CPS the documents that allows the children to be home-schooled, everything would have been fine. I don't think it changes anything since they are being taught at a pace they can follow and everything the teacher has learned in school or is supposed to teach.
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