Virginia county requiring homeschool KIDS to request religious exemption - possibly explain beliefs

[underpants]

Goochland county is just outside Richmond and is [font color=red]RED RED RED[/font]
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The policy requires children ages 14 and up who want to be home schooled to provide a statement about their religious beliefs to the school system.

As part of that, the board reserves the right to bring the child and his or her parent in for a hearing.

The Home School Legal Defense Association said the policy violates Virginia law. State law allows children undergoing religious training to be taught at home without having to defend their beliefs.

(School Board Chairperson Michael) Payne, who voted against the new policy, also said state law on the issue is very vague, and he would like the General Assembly to clarify the law for school districts.

http://wtvr.com/2015/01/09/goochland-parents-upset-about-new-home-school-policy/

In the past, parents had to reach out for permission to teach their children at home. But now, the district wants to ensure kids are on board with their parent’s plan.

The school board chairperson tells 8News, the policy enforces a state statute that requires both parents and students request homeschooling based on religious beliefs.

http://wric.com/2015/01/12/controversy-in-goochland-over-homeschooling/

[DeadLetterOffice]

1. What if religion isn;t why you're homeschooling?

Maybe you're homeschooling because your public school system sucks. What then?

[underpants]

2. This was news to me too

I had no idea that there had to be a religious exemption.

[Yo_Mama]

11. Or acute allergies - another common homeschooling reason.

Is it even constitutional to say that a person can only be allowed to homeschool based on religious beliefs?

[ProdigalJunkMail]

3. clearly out of bounds... nt

[BillZBubb]

5. The law? or the requirement?

It sounds more like the law is wrong in only allowing home schooling for religious reasons. But under the law, there is a requirement that the student request home schooling for religious reasons. While the law is in effect, there is no problem verifying that is the case.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

6. both sound fishy

does the law state that you have a religion and not just a religious reason? maybe as an atheist, the religious reason could be to avoid the proselytizing in school? maybe my lack of religion requires that i study good science materials and not those offered by the school system?

just spitballing it... there should be no religious (or a-religious) test/requirement to obtain or abstain from any gov't service or function.

sP

[BillZBubb]

7. Then the law is at fault.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

8. ok n/t

[KamaAina]

4. Public school enrollment dropping because of homeschoolers?

And taking state funding with it?

[SickOfTheOnePct]

10. I don't believe homeschoolers get any state funding

The school might not get money for those students, but it's not like the parents are getting it, nor should they.

[KamaAina]

13. No, but in most states, public school funding is based on enrollment.

So if this ultra-Red county is hemorrhaging students to homeschooling, the school district is hurting.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

15. True, but pretty much unavoidable n/t

[jmowreader]

9. This is a lot better than you think

First, this is the actual Virginia homeschool policy: http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+22.1-254.1

Note: they allow an exemption from the school requirement for religious reasons. You can homeschool for any reason ("because the local school sucks" is probably pretty common) but if you want to exempt Junior because your religion says Schooling Is Of The Devil, you have to apply for a waiver.

In the "old days," just the parent needed to apply for the waiver. Now both the parent and student have to apply - so hardcore fundies can no longer pull their kids out of school against the kids' wishes.

[DeadLetterOffice]

12. Thanks for the clarification!

[greyl]

14. Family Foundation is against it, so

it's got that in its favor, too.