By definition, the living Word is dynamic, not static. Just as John described Jesus as a living…human organism whom people could touch and feel, the Word of life continues to be fully alive among us through the presence of the Holy Spirit. If we believe anything less, we make Jesus Christ an artifact of history and his Word a static truth of limited contemporary value. Neither is true. For those who believe, the living presence of Jesus Christ and the relevance of his Word is as real today as when he walked and talked on earth. Eternal, final, alive, and relevant – these adjectives describe the living Word.
David McKenna

NEA Policy on Home Edu

NEA Policy on Home Edu

POLICY STATEMENT ON HOME STUDY

Approved by NEA Board of Directors
1984

The National Education Association believes all children have a right to develop their full potential for becoming productive and contributing citizens. Further, it is the obligation of a democratic society to assure that all students enjoy this right of citizenship by assuring that equitable and quality public educational opportunities are provided. The role of the public schools is to establish sound curricula determined through educational research and public dialogue; provide instruction through certificated professionals; regularly evaluate student academic achievement; and guarantee students the freedom to learn in a safe environment.

Although the NEA believes that a child’s educational and social development is best taught in a school setting, it recognizes the fact that in some cases children are being taught at home. Ambiguity in state statutes on compulsory attendance and home education permit home instruction programs of questionable academic quality. To assure that all children have an equitable and quality education, guidelines for home education programs must exist in those states where home study is permitted. We urge the adoption of the following guidelines:

  1. Teachers of home instruction programs should meet either the state certification requirements or special requirements approved by the state.
  2. Authorized state or local permission should be required annually for home study where the decision is based on an individual education program or on recommendation of professional personnel, where standards for student achievement are accepted, and where there is compliance with curriculum and health requirements.
  3. Home study should be monitored by local school administrative personnel knowledgeable about excellence in the teachinglearning environment.
  4. Students should receive regular and thorough instruction in a program of study comparable to that taught to students of the same age in a public school.
  5. Home study programs should comply with compulsory attendance laws on length of school day and school year, and age requirements.
  6. Students should participate in state or locally mandated testing programs in suitable settings and in other assessments conducted by the school district.
  7. Compulsory recordkeeping should include a register of work, time at instructional activities, daily attendance, and progress. Submission of these records should be required for transfer to a public school.
  8. Students should have the option of attending public school for part-time instruction. They should be counted in the average daily membership (ADM) without proration.
  9. When home study is a matter of parental preference, all expenses should be borne by the parents.

The NEA encourages its state affiliates to:

  1. Remain alert to home study issues and monitor political action and home study practice in the state.
  2. Develop and/or update state association policy on home study in accordance with these NEA guidelines.
  3. Work the the enactment, updating, or clarification of state home study laws to emphasize the protection of students’ rights and excellence in the quality of education programs.
  4. Work toward state statutes that include carefully delineated definitions of and distinctions among home study, private schools and home-bound students.
  5. Gather information on home study and disseminate it to members, locals, and the NEA.

The NEA should:

  1. Assure that home study issues and actions are brought to the attention of Association leadeship and membership.
  2. Distribute the guidelines on home study to leadership at the national, state, and local levels.
  3. Encourage efforts that will publicly point to the advantages of public schooling for learning, for varied experiences, and for human growth opportunities.
  4. Provide pertinent information to NEA leaders through NEA NOW and other communication channels.
  5. Include home study as an agenda item in Association meetings (meetings of UniServ directors, state presidents, and so forth).
  6. Provide technical assistance on home study to state affiliates.

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