Senator Dave Cox Defends Rights of Home-schoolers

The 2nd District Court of Appeal recently issued a decision that parents who do not posses a teaching credential may not educate their children at home. First District Senator Dave Cox is among several state lawmakers disappointed by the court’s finding, and he has signed on to co-author a state resolution urging the California Supreme Court to reverse this opinion.

This interpretation denies California parents their primary responsibility and right to determine the best place and manner of their own children’s education.

“Parents have a fundamental right to choose the type of education and upbringing their children receive,” said Senator Dave Cox. “A panel of judges should not take that responsibility away.”

Assembly Concurrent Resolution 115 by Assemblyman Joel Anderson of San Diego calls upon the California Supreme Court to reverse the opinion of the state appellate court’s decision.

On February 28, 2008, the Second Appellate District in Los Angeles issued an opinion in the case of In re Rachel L. that concluded parents do not have a constitutional right to home school their children unless they possess a valid teaching credential.

“The vast majority of parents know and want what is best for their children, and the favorable record of success of home schooling speaks for itself. It is my hope that the California Supreme Court will do the right thing and re-affirm the right of parents to be parents,” Cox concluded.

Sen. Dave Cox represents the First Senate District which includes the counties of Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Lassen, Modoc, Mono, Plumas and Sierra, as well as portions of Nevada, Placer and Sacramento Counties.