Is it illegal...?

Question

is it illegal for a parent that graduated with a special ed diploma home school a child?

if so, what can i do to stop it?

Answer 1

My dd if she were to graduate through a school system down there would get a special ed diploma.   That would in no way preclude her from being able to homeschool her own kids.  

Maybe the spouse helps in the areas that are harder.  Maybe they are doing online schooling.  

I don't know what the situation is but please think before you butt in.

Answer 2

It depends who you are.  Just a busybody?  Home schooling, I believe, must be approved by the local school district.  If the parent is not capable, they won't allow it, as far as I know.

You're missing the point:  it's not your business if it's illegal or not.  There are agencies who oversee this kind of thing; let them deal with it.  There are a lot of really stupid parents who homeschool.

Answer 3

It really is non of your business.  Just because those parents are not capable in your opinion, does NOT mean that they are not capable.  Education takes many forms.  Have you not ever heard of unschooling?  There are many talented, intelligent kids who have unschooled their whole lives and have gone on to college and started wonderful careers.  

Please take the time to do some research into this matter before you proceed to disrupt these peoples lives and cause them trouble and pain.   No teacher will care about their children, and care about their children's education as much as loving parents will, regardless of the parent's formal education.

What the world needs is less people interfering in the lives of others for no good reason.

Answer 4

Some of the people I know who were in special ed programs are significantly brighter than others I know who are college graduates. Unless you have legitimate grounds for suspecting the child is being abused or neglected, mind your own beeswax!

Answer 5

As far as I understand it isn't illegal.  But, then again, I've never heard of a special ed diploma.  Do special ed students get a different diploma?

Answer 6

To determine if it is illegal, you need to check the laws where this person lives.

What can you do to stop it?  Why would you think you should be involved?  Is it your child?

Answer 7

Each state has their own requirements, you can view them on the following web site:

http://www.hslda.org

It is not illegal for any parent to exercise their parental right to direct the education of their child.

You ask, "How can I stop them".

It may come as a surprise to you to know that  many "special education" students are actually highly capable, intelligent, and gifted students.

I would say, it's really none of your business.

Addition:

Even the added information does not alter my previous answer.

You may not call it discrimination but it in a way it is, as well as judgmental since you assume that they are less capable than someone who graduated with a regular diploma; is that why so many with those "regular diploma's" end up in remedial classes in college, or can barely read and write?

Answer 8

the easiest way to get an answer is to call childrens protestive services and let them, do an inspection this falls into the child welfare act and should get results unless the local agebcy is overworked (as in most cases) and it slips through the cracks...

Also ask the local school board what is required for home schooling and what measures they take to insure that the standards are met...

Answer 9

I don't think it's illegal, you should probably speak to the parents or maybe find an older neighbor kid that wants to tutor the child

Answer 10

Our local public school special education department has one certified teacher in the department.  The remaining are non-certified  and student helpers.

I am not concerned about the care that these children receive because the student helpers are as important in the education process as the certified teacher.  

If a student graduates with a certificate, the certificate is as valuable as a diploma.  The student has earned it with doing their best.

As for it being illegal in the homeschool realm, it would be according to your state law.

Answer 11

I don't believe that it is illegal, but I would say that it depends upon what state in which the homeschooling parent lives.

Just because a parent has a special education diploma does not mean that he/she is incapable of homeschooling his/her child.  The parent may have the assistance of his/her spouse or other relatives to assist with the homeschooling.

It is not your judgment call to try to stop it.  Unless you know without a doubt that the children are not being educated, it would be unwise and unjust for you to interfere.

Answer 12

sometimes when people home school unfortunately when they sign the papers to register with the state to home school  you cant do much they don't over see anything once you home school your on your own free to do as you please most do very well a few fall into the cracks its a shame indeed but it might be better to mind your own business.

Answer 13

God gave her the child(ren), it really is her responsibility to teach him/her something.  Try to help the parent as much as possible to find the resources if you are concerned with the education of the child(ren).  I commend the parent for wanting to be an active part in the education of their

child(ren).

I didn't get the best grades in school.  Actually graduated toward the bottom of my class.  I homeschool my children and you would not believe all that I have learned this past 10 years.  Things that I don't remember doing in school are now being learned by this homeschool mom.  I'm learning right along with my kids and I'm pleased to do so.  I think it would be beneficial for the parent as well as the child(ren) if homeschooling took place in the home.  Help if you can.  If you can't,  find others that may be in the position to help but not to stop it.  They all need your support.

Answer 14

As nearly everyone else has said, it is probably not illegal.  It is not necessarily a bad idea either.  People can be put into special ed for many reasons, many of which have nothing to do with a low I.Q.    Deafness, physical handicaps, dyslexia, ADHD, Aspergers (high functioning autism, usually accompanied by a higher than average I.Q.) and in some school districts even giftedness can land a student in special ed.  None of the conditions I mentioned above automatically indicate low intelligence.

Really, without knowing more, its impossible to say whether the person is capable of homeschooling, and unless this is your child, you should mind your own business.

Answer 15

It is only illegal if the particular state requires a high school diploma and doesn't consider a special ed diploma to be its equivalent.

Check with http://www.hslda.org for information on homeschooling in the state in question. How to stop it will also depend on the regulations: if a school is receiving intents to homeschool, then the school needs to be contacted. If it's simply a government matter, you'd have to call up the department of education for your state. In many states, though, there are no qualifications needed.

Btw, just because somebody graduated with a special ed diploma doesn't mean they aren't capable of homeschooling their kids, or finding additional assistance to do so.

ADDED: If both parents went through special ed, don't you think it's possible that the child may have the same difficulties? Btw, when community schools started up, kids didn't go to school often until they were between the ages of 8-10. They still got educated. My own grandfather, born into a German-speaking home in Minnesota, didn't go to school until the age of 8, where the language of instruction was  English, and still got a college degree and led a great adult life. They were well off and once my grandmother had her first child, she never had to work after that. Don't judge a person based on where they fit into our current cultural norm because our norm isn't how it HAS to be.

SECOND ADDITION: Georgia has some pretty strict laws and it sounds like they are monitored fairly well. The family will have had to submit an intent with the local superintendent and are supposed submit not only an annual report, but also undergo standardized testing every 3 years. Don't you worry about them as the local district will take care of it IF there's something to take care of.

Answer 16

Uh, no.  It's not illegal.  (Thank God!)  And anyway, it's none of your business.  

But if you want to be the most hated member of your community, sure, call Child Protective Services on all your neighbors.  There's no better way to disrupt a family.  And there's no better way to earn the hatred of every decent member of the community.  I already think you're nothing but a busybody.

Why not let people raise their own children?

Answer 17

Since you mentioned this in in GA, I have a strong suspicion that the parents might be using one of the new virtual public schools.  In that case, there is certified teacher oversight.

Also, since the parents had SpEd (how do you *know* that anyway?), then their child may have some of the same issues.  This could be THE very reason the child is NOT in public school.  Many districts are not able to give SpEd kids the services they need, especially accomodations in the classroom.  I HS my DS but my DD is in PS because of her many disabilities.  Once her need for SpEd is lessoned, I plan to HS her, too.  Just because a child has an IEP (Individualized Education Plan), does NOT mean it's individualized.  With HS'ing you can do all the individualization you want.

***EDITED TO ADD***

If this child is 7, she very well may not even be at the age where required schooling is mandated.  If she missed the birthday cutoff this year, she may not need to be "in school" until next fall.  BTW, *many* kids are late readers but end up surpassing the kids who read at age 4.

Answer 18

Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states.  But that never prevents school districts from charging homeschoolers with truancy, contrary to the law (and usually being laughed out of court).  Besides that, there exists an organization of lawyers which defends homeschoolers from charges against them.

Answer 19

Wow that is really scary and I say that from a teacher's point of view. Unfortunately they are the legal parents and anyone; I mean anyone can homeschool. You don't have to know how to properly put your pants on to be a homeschool teacher. The only way you can get these people is to build a case of neglect, as in they aren't doing a proper of educating their child or the child has a learning disability and they are not doing he/she a service. From what you said at seven and just learning those skills the child must have a problem. You can then call DSS and report what you know.  For the child's sake I wish you luck.