Instead of criminalizing parents whose children miss school, sometimes for heartbreaking reasons such as bullying, we should seek instead to abolish compulsory schooling statutes.
Homeschool rules in many states are far more onerous than public school.
I think going back to the Druid way, or the early colonial way would be better.
Druids went to a designated place and sat there, kids/people showed up who wanted to learn, Druid taught them. You don't want to learn that? Then don't show up. Learn what Mom or Dad or an apprenticeship teaches you.
Early way, One room school, people of THAT town/area hired in a teacher, maybe local, maybe distant, depending on whether they had someone educated enough that the town agrees. Everyone that wants their kid to go there, chips in to pay the teacher. Teacher doesn't have unions and Admin and all that overhead to deal with, so much cheaper, maybe a school board of parents to report to and to ask for supplies and such. People not happy with teacher - hire a new one. Teacher not happy with town? Look elsewhere. Learning done at school, no homework needed unless there is a special project that needs extra time. Scholarships for kids who want to go, but parents can't afford it.
It would be hard to implement in a fast manner, but removing the compulsory nature would be a good start.
Agreed.
Homeschool rules in many states are far more onerous than public school.
I think going back to the Druid way, or the early colonial way would be better.
Druids went to a designated place and sat there, kids/people showed up who wanted to learn, Druid taught them. You don't want to learn that? Then don't show up. Learn what Mom or Dad or an apprenticeship teaches you.
Early way, One room school, people of THAT town/area hired in a teacher, maybe local, maybe distant, depending on whether they had someone educated enough that the town agrees. Everyone that wants their kid to go there, chips in to pay the teacher. Teacher doesn't have unions and Admin and all that overhead to deal with, so much cheaper, maybe a school board of parents to report to and to ask for supplies and such. People not happy with teacher - hire a new one. Teacher not happy with town? Look elsewhere. Learning done at school, no homework needed unless there is a special project that needs extra time. Scholarships for kids who want to go, but parents can't afford it.
It would be hard to implement in a fast manner, but removing the compulsory nature would be a good start.