Motoring…Daryl Cobranchi is still displeased with Eduwonk’s view on the VA home-schooling law. You can read why for yourself here.
Cobranchi cites Pierce v. Society of Sisters (1925) to bolster the argument that the state should not regulate home-schooling noting that the SCOTUS said,
The fundamental theory of liberty upon which all governments in this Union repose excludes any general power of the State to standardize its children by forcing them to accept instruction from public teachers only. The child is not the mere creature of the state; those who nurture him and direct his destiny have the right, coupled with the high duty, to recognize and prepare him for additional obligations.
Right, but in the same decision SCOTUS also said,
No question is raised concerning the power of the state reasonably to regulate all schools, to inspect, supervise and examine them, their teachers and pupils; to require that all children of proper age attend some school, that teachers shall be of good moral character and patriotic disposition, that certain studies plainly essential to good citizenship must be taught, and that nothing be taught which is manifestly inimical to the public welfare.
Virginia’s law seems to fall within these broad parameters.