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Does Barack Obama Support Homeschool? Should Those Who School Their Kids at Home Only Vote for a Pro-Homeschool Candidate?

By Momie Tullottes, published Feb 14, 2008
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Many parents who school their children at home have been curious as to what all of the 2008 candidates' views are on homeschooling. A good number of them have been backing Republican Mike Huckabee. The HSLDA has even endorsed Huckabee, but are there other choices available for the homeschooling family - namely Barack Obama? It seems there are and it seems Barack might support home schools. But, should a presidential candidate's view on homeschool really be the only deciding factor from which to make a choice for president?

Does Barack Obama Support Homeschooling?

There didn't seem to be much in the way of proof that Barack Obama supports homeschooling when I did an internet search. However, in researching the internet for a blog post of mine (Click Here for the post), I did come across some interesting information.

The quote "none of these policies need discourage families from deciding to keep a parent at home...For some families, that may mean doing without certain material comforts. For others it may mean home schooling....Whatever the case may be, such decisions should be honored.", which is stated to come from Barack Obama's book, "Audacity of Hope", was found on a personal blog written by someone named "Kemlo" or "K" on the Barack Obama website. Click here for that post.

A later quote in the same blog post, also said to be from Mr. Obama's book, says that we should go by "Lincoln's simple maxim: that we will do collectively, through our government, only those things we cannot do as well or at all individually and privately. In other words, we should be guided by what works."

Based on those quotes, assuming they are, in fact, from Barack's book, it does seem that he may well support the choice to school children at home.

Should Homeschool Be A Homeschooler's Only Concern When Voting?

Now that we have examined Barack's possible views on homeschooling, I think it's important to discuss the matter of who to choose for president. While homeschooling is an important issue for those who homeschool their children, should that really be the only deciding factor in choosing a presidential candidate?

Takeaways
  • Do you really know who you are voting for and what they stand for, besides the issue of homeschool?
  • It is possible that a federal law against homeschooling (or any other law) could be introduced.
  • Does the same candidate who you feel supports homeschool also support other important issues?
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I'm a homeschooling dad (I found this link after looking into how bad obama will be for the country). If he doesn't support private schools then I'm almost certain that he'll be against the home schools. http://www.nysun.com/new-york/obama-tells-teachers-union-he-opposes-vouchers/81801/

Posted on 10/05/2008 at 9:10:39 AM

 
In fact based on this posting, we do not know Obama's stance on homeschooling. Everything here seems to be hearsay. And Should I vote solely on a candidate's view of homeschooling? For me, this is a crucial issue,as a homeschooling parent because I put my kids education and well-being first. I wouldn't support a candidate who was against such an important part of our family's life.

Posted on 09/17/2008 at 2:09:17 AM

 
I couldn't agree more. As a former public teacher and now a home educator, I do not want my rights as a parent to be determined by someone who does not even know my child or his needs. That is my job! Obama is supported by unions in a big way. The teachers unions in this country are very strong. I can assure you that they hate homeschooling. It isn't good for their job security and frankly makes them look bad. This is why I feel that Obama may say he supports homeschooling but in reality, I believe he would side with the unions, bigger government, etc. Not only do I teach my own learning disabled son, I tutor other homeschooled children with learning disabilities. Interestingly all of my students this year, including my own son, have been to public schools. Their learning needs were not met. Quite the contrary, when children in the higher elementary years are unable to spell their last name and have been in public school (this is the case with several of my students), I t

Posted on 09/15/2008 at 3:09:06 PM

 
Truth is, we really don't know where a candidate stands on an issue(s) until he/she wins. Actually, they'll ALL say whatever we wanna hear to gain control of the levers of power. Just look at the Bush years: Talk about a "bait and switch"!

Posted on 06/12/2008 at 7:06:33 AM

 
Thanks for sharing your thoughts PrincessMom. Yes, it was written before the California fiasco, which might be turned around after the retrial (at least the part about home school). I have noticed that since the California situation, home school is being shown in a more positive light in the media and I'm glad for that. Homeschool has been misunderstood for a long time. True, there are some people that shouldn't homeschool, but in truth, some of those same parents probably wouldn't help their kids with homework in "regular" school either, still leaving them to fall behind. I don't yet know a good solution there, but going by research studies, as well as personal experience, there are more successful homeschool stories than failures. I would hope that law-makers would keep that in mind when making any decisions.

Posted on 04/15/2008 at 11:04:13 AM

 
"I'm no expert in legal issues and don't claim to be, but to legally challenge the rights of parents regarding their own children seems pretty unlikely to me. " I'm guessing this was written before the whole blowup in California, yes? It may be hard to believe but thirty years ago it *was* illegal to homeschool children and it could be so again. I know the teachers' union in my home state (not CA) would love to see homeschooling eradicated. They've already had some success getting virtual schools shut down, partly by arguing in state court that virtual school parents were *too involved in their children's education.*

Posted on 04/01/2008 at 8:04:41 PM

 
Thanks for the feedback Andrew. I did later have that affirmed from someone that those quotes are from the book.

Posted on 02/26/2008 at 11:02:50 PM

 
[continued from prev. comment] I know this totally sounds like I'm flaming Ms. Tullottes; please believe I am not. I would however urge anyone who was interested enough to Google this topic or read the article through, to go to the source. Heck, borrow a copy of "Audacity of Hope" from someone at least. I sure wish our nation wasn't divided, much less divided over this topic, but if we must be 'armed,' let's be sure we're armed with the facts as well as the Truth. All done; gonna score me a copy of that book.

Posted on 02/26/2008 at 9:02:40 AM

 
I'll preface by saying I'm a homeschooling parent and an unabashed Jesus-lovin'-type. While the author here may or may not have a journalism degree, I'm a bit bothered that you've neglected to actually verify the quotes from the book. Not terrifically hard to do, you just check the book. Or ask a friend to. *Does* Obama's book make these statements? This has a yes/no answer, and if you really intend to help inform, please don't give us what some blogger says about the book. Please don't post it until you do. Like anyone among us, I encounter stereotypes of people in our sub-culture all the time, and 'ignorant' is a badge that gets tacked on all the time. Unfortunate, because it's not entirely untrue. Many decent folks don't care whether or not these statements are accurately cited; they'll run with it as is forwarding it on or telling their friends, because it affirms whatever bad vibes they already had over Obama. I know this totally sounds like I'm flaming Ms. Tullottes; please b

Posted on 02/26/2008 at 9:02:40 AM

 
Thanks for the feedback everyone. VeteranMom, homeschooling is also important to me, as I homeschool my children. I wouldn't support a government decision on changing the control of homeschooling either. I just don't see that happening. To mess with homeschool, too many other laws would also have to be tackled and some of those laws may mess with private schools, parental rights, and possibly public schools. A law against homeschooling is not very likely at this point. Sure it could happen, but it just doesn't seem like something lawmakers would want to tackle, considering the fact that many of them also have children. If parental rights laws were tampered with, that would affect everyone with kids, not just homeschools.

Posted on 02/25/2008 at 5:02:04 PM

 
Homeschooling is a very important issue. Parents have the "ULTIMATE'" rights in how to raise and educate their children. This should never be given to the state or the federal government. When Barack Obama or Hillary or whoever starts giving birth to our children then they can have a say in how to raise them.

Posted on 02/23/2008 at 5:02:10 PM

 
Great article and I especially like your suggestion that voting on one issue may not be the best way to make a decision. I don't know much about homeschooling but I believe in Barack Obama's commitment to education so I don't find it hard to believe he would support those who feel it is in the best interests of their children.

Posted on 02/23/2008 at 3:02:23 PM

 
Very interesting topic. Since I don't have kids, I've never really considered that question, but you did a wonderful job with this.

Posted on 02/22/2008 at 1:02:07 AM

 
Great article! I support homeschooling for those who find it best and can handle it. Public school isn't always great.

Posted on 02/20/2008 at 6:02:50 PM

 
cool. hi.

Posted on 02/20/2008 at 7:02:33 AM

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