Homeschooling Illegal?

I just stopped by the shop Generationz where I first met Jasper.  He is a highly bright and energetic kid exuding  joy and creativity.  My favorite kind of student.  

When I first met Jasper he introduced himself and told me his birthday was coming up.  He then told me a few facts about his life and showed me his toy spiders.  He was enthusiastic, engaged and curious.  So many of the Highly Creative kids I have worked with have this energy, and yet traditional schooling tends to squash it.  By the end of elementary school, and at times even before, these energetic kids are sullen, withdrawn and distant. Often they are forced onto medication by the schools themselves, leading to unspeakable long-term issues. I have shared that I left the field of neuropharmacology to get into educational leadership just for this reason.  It hasn't gotten any better, in fact, after what I learned today, I believe it is getting worse.

By the time many of these kids get to Highschool, or even Jr, High, they believe they are dumb and bad.  They have been punished for not doing the work, or not paying attention, or speaking out of turn, or moving when they were supposed to be still.  They have been labelled as unteachable, and dull.  Not only did I see this in the students I worked with, but I experienced it first hand.

By the time I was in 4th grade, and to be honest, way before, I thought I was dumb.  I did not learn like the others, I was socially awkward and anxious.  I would have failed out, but my test scores were good.  Finally one good thing about the testing (not that it's worth the trade-off).

So, when Jasper's parents told me they had to go to court to be able to homeschool their own child, I decided to help.  I said if they didn't think you were qualified to teach him, then they certainly wouldn't have a problem with me teaching him and giving you support in the process.  I mean, I have developed a curriculum designed for the non-traditional learner.  Everything I have made is for kids like Jasper to love to learn, know who they are and build foundational learning skills.

So we started working together.  Jasper learned quickly and easily.  Every self-selected lesson was followed by his moving around the room, climbing the rock-climbing wall, and playing the piano or discovering some other amazing item in the Art Garage.

This is what I love.  Learning in Motion!

I wrote a letter explaining that I would be supporting his learning and gave it to them to take to court.  That was Friday, and now, Monday, I went to check on them and see how court went.  

"What a disgrace!"

The court basically threatened to take Jasper away from his parents if they did not enroll Jasper in public education immediately.  They were forced to admit they were wrong for taking him out of school, and to state that they couldn't manage his education.  I am so disgusted with what they told me.  

This is total government over-reach.  I had no idea it was this bad.

The one good thing is that it has fully energized me to dive more deeply into homeschool support.  My signs are printed, and I am ready to go.  I have completed my self-directed learning workbook.  All I need now are some frustrated parents and creative kids.  We definitely need some lawyers on our team!