'Parents should not be penalized for acting in the best interests of children's education'
By Bob Unruh
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger today blasted a court ruling that endangered homeschooling and homeschoolers statewide.
"Every California child deserves a quality education and parents should have the right to decide what's best for their children," the governor said in a prepared statement. "Parents should not be penalized for acting in the best interests of their children's education."
The comments came after a state appellate court ruling essentially concluded California state law allows no option for parents to school their children at home. Homeschool and legal experts have expressed concern that the move puts all of the parents of the estimated 166,000 homeschooled children in the state at risk of both criminal and civil penalties.
"This outrageous ruling must be overturned by the courts and if the courts don't protect parents' rights then, as elected officials, we will," he said.
The governor's office said the ruling from the 2nd District Court of Appeal in Los Angeles concluded "all children ages 6 to 18 must attend public or private school full-time until graduation from high school or be tutored at home by ...   more »