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Alohamelly · 11-17-2008, 06:08 PM

Is anyone else getting these annoying emails about how Obama is going to do away with homeschooler's rights? This is one I got today (apparently it is from HSLDA) and it doesn't seem as scary as some of the others I've gotten lately:

Quote:

Feel free to distribute this message to other interested parties.

I sympathize with your concerns about President Obama's likely stance
regarding homeschooling. There are groups in society, including the
teachers unions and, to a lesser degree, the Democratic party, that
are suspicious of homeschooling and homeschoolers. I cannot tell you
with any certainty what policies President Obama will pursue regarding
homeschooling, since, as you correctly observed, he has been
strategically evasive regarding the issue. What I can do is provide
you with some reasons to be more or less concerned about the future of
homeschooling in America.

Reasons to be More Concerned:

1. The teachers unions and the education establishment hold great
influence within the Democratic party. The political gains realized by
Democrats in this election mean that any alternative to traditional
public schooling -- vouchers, homeschooling, independent charter
schools -- will be un der greater political scrutiny.

2. Obama does speak of requiring "greater regulation" of and
"accountability" in independent charter schools. Such language
suggests that Obama may be skeptical of the effectiveness of
autonomous educational institutions that are free of government
control. Homeschools are the most autonomous educational institutions
we have. President Obama may distrust them and attempt to "regulate"
them to death.

3. Most southern states, in which homeschooling is especially popular,
sided with McCain over Obama in the election. Obama may view them as
"outside" of his governing constituency and therefore be willing to
attack homeschooling.

Now that I've really scared you, let me list the more compelling

Reasons to be Less Concerned:

1. Homeschoolers represent a large, motivated, and networked political
constituency. A smart politician like Obama is not likely to take us
on directly. Generally, all forms of school choice are like genies let
out of bottles -- they quickly become so popular that it is very
difficult for politicians to stuff them back in. No politician wants
to throw any kids out of their schools, much less 2 million of them.

2. Over-regulation of homeschools may seem like an attractive option
to Obama, but actually doing it would be difficult. Government
bureaucrats face what we call "The Agency Problem" in this case. It is
virtually impossible for them to see and know about what is happening
in a homeschool.

They might try to avoid the agency problem by requiring silly things
like teaching credentials of homeschool parents, but California
recently tried that and the courts ruled against them. Homes are
treated as sanctuaries by politicia ns and judges -- perhaps
especially by liberal ones. If liberal politicians and judges will let
people keep guns in their homes, even if they are banned elsewhere (as
Obama and the courts said about DC), then presumably they will let
them teach their kids in their homes without too much government prying.

3. Even if homeschoolers aren't a big part of Obama's political
constituency, he wants to broaden his political support, not shrink
it. He wants more southern states to vote for him in 2012 than did so
in 2008. Attacking homeschooling would endanger his prospects for
re-election. Surprisingly soon, that is something he'll be thinking about.

4. Although Obama's main educational advisor, Linda Darling Hammond,
is a big supporter of teacher credentials and an opponent of school
choice, several of his other close advisors are fierce supporters of
school choice including home schooling. African American families are
a fast-growing subgroup of homeschoolers. I just don't see President
Obama turning on them.

5. You probably noticed that Obama's educational platform is short and
vague. That suggests to me that education will not be the high
priority for him that it was for President Bush. President Obama will
be saving his political capital to invest in battles he cares most
about, such as ending the Iraq war, establishing universal health
care, and reducing restrictions on abortion. Homeschooling is likely
to remain under his radar.

So, basically, I'm reasonably confident that homeschooling will be
okay during the Obama Administration. If President Obama and his
Democratic allies do take on homeschooling in any serious way, they
definitely will have a major battle on their hands. I doubt it is a
battle they want to fight.

patrick

Patrick J. Wolf, Ph.D.
Professor and 21st Century Chair in School Choice
Department of Education Reform
College of Education and Health Professions
201 Graduate Education Building
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
Phone: 479-575-2084
FAX: 479-575-3196
http://www.uark.

edu/ua/der/ People/wolf. htm

So what do you think? Will he have any impact on homeschoolers?

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