Opinion: Home-schooled need oversight

In researching a story on home schooling on the Palouse, Daily News reporter Katie Roenigk wanted to know the number of students educated at home in Idaho. She was told such a number was not available.

The Idaho State Department of Education website indicates home-school education requires no oversight by the state or any other party. Parents or guardians are solely responsible when a child is home schooled. They also are not responsible to the state for testing or record keeping.

Further, department spokesperson Melissa McGrath said home-school parents are supposed to provide the same level or type of education as the public schools. In fact, there is very little to ensure a parent is doing a proper job educating their child.

It seems the only guarantee is if someone doubts a child is being educated properly and reports it to the authorities.

In Washington state, the opposite is in play. Home-schoolers have to meet some basic requirements before they begin the teaching process.

We realize most parents who elect to educate their children in the home do so with the best of intentions. Many work with the local school districts to ensure the education they provide is adequate for the child to compete in the workplace as an adult.

It disturbs us, however, that Idaho has no safety net for those home-school students who may need it. Once a child is removed from a public or charter school system, the state no longer seems to care.

We understand and respect individual rights and the need for less interference by the state in our lives, but there are some instances when that's just not practical - like education.

The state in general and the Department of Education specifically should take an equal interest in those children in public schools and the ones schooled at home. There is too much at stake for the children for the state to effectively act as if they don't exist.

Parents have a great latitude when they educate at home. We would just like to see the state make sure it's appropriate.

Source: Associated Press