Tell it to Mrs. Kravitz

I believe that in very general terms it seems society is more and more like Mrs. Kravitz. The busy body that is so worried about what everyone else is up to and thinks nothing of calling the authorities or anyone else when they are sure the neighbor is up to no good, even without any more proof other than their feelings.

Illinois has TWO pending bills. Both bills if passed will change the compulsory ages.  The first is SB 2075. SB 2075 is meant to change the compulsory age from 6 to 5 and make Kindergarten mandatory.  The second SB 1478 will change the compulsory age from 17 to 18.

It seems to me many within the homeschooling circles who rightly fought against the bill to make Illinois homeschoolers register are having a hard time understanding or seeing how changing the compulsory age effects homeschoolers.

First, if the registration bill would have passed or if future bills come up and do pass the state's compulsory age is going to determined who homeschooling laws apply too. So for example if the registration bill would have passed and if these two pending compulsory bills pass then families with children 5-18 would have to register.  If other bills such as making homeschoolers take standardized testing or submitting a portfolio of sorts then the compulsory laws will dictate who has to do that!

Second, many families enjoy going on outings with their families, many homeschool families do this with little to know fan-fiar and older homeschool families are well seasoned and think nothing of it, but newer families are often scared and don't know how to handle it. Mrs. Kravitz comes along and sees that 4/5 year old and guess what she makes a phone call -- changing compulsory laws raises the stakes for the families and the likelihood of them having CPS show up at their door for suspected educational neglect.

Third, just like lowering the age from 6 to 5 may cause Mrs. Kravitz to call so does raising it from 17 to 18.  Raising it could also mean our children are stopped and questioned by authorities for no reason, other than they are young.  I have heard of homeschooling teens who got a job during school hours (public school hours) already being questioned -- it will continue but it will be worst with expanding compulsory ages.

There is no valid reason for Illinois or any state to lower the compulsory age or raise it for that matter. Raising it just stops teens from moving on with their life goals and post-high school plans. Yes, I know the law says x age or graduated, but still there is no good reason to raise it.

Lowering it is no good either. There are plenty of studies that show how starting school younger does not equate higher eduction. There are studies that show that whatever gains head start programs have stopped by 3rd grade. Which means by 3rd grade the studentst that went to pre-k, kindergarten, or earlier are at the same level as those that did not there is no difference between those that went and those that did not -- meaning there is no long term gain to headstart programs. Which means there is no long term benefit to kindergarten. Which means there is no reason to make it mandatory for kids to go to school younger.

What can you do?

If you are in Illinois you can fill out the witness slips for both bills. You can call or email your state senator, or both. You can share this information with others. 

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photo credit: rytc