I read a news story this morning that is sure to get many parents I know into a major uproar (perhaps rightfuly so). A New Hampshire court ruled that a girl “would best be served by exposure to public school setting in which she would be challenged to solve problems presented by a group learning situation and by social interactivity with children her age. She also would be best served by exposure to different points of view …”

This is all part of a divorce situation. The father wants his daughter to attend public school. When he petitioned for this three years ago the court found no fault with her current education, rejecting the request.

The Alliance Defense Fund on Wednesday announced that it has filed papers in Laconia asking to reconsider the decision issued last month. John Anthony Simmons, an attorney associated with the Defense Fund, who is representing the 10-year-old girl’s mother, said the judge has also been asked to stay the order so the daughter can continue with her home-schooling while the judge reconsiders the matter.

The guardian ad litem said in the current case that the girl “appeared to reflect her mother’s rigidity on questions of faith” and that the girl’s interests “would be best served by exposure to a public school setting” and “different points of view at a time when she must begin to critically evaluate multiple systems of belief…in order to select, as a young adult, which of those systems will best suit her own needs.”

The ADF article goes on to say that “in addition to home schooling, the girl attends supplemental public school classes and has also been involved in a variety of extra-curricular sports activities.”

So, do you think the court has overstepped? I think they have. If, as it appears, the mom has custody then she should be the one to decide how her daughter gets schooled. Provided she is following the state guidelines it seems odd for the state to try and force the child into public school. Yes, the state has a duty to ensure that the quality of education is there (and they should be scrutinizing their own schools), but I don’t think they have a right to decide that a child is too religious for their own good.

Simmons, the mom’s lawyer says that they will take this to the Supreme Court if the ruling isn’t overturned.

Freedom of Choice is a post from: Spiritual Tramp

If you enjoyed this post, consider subscribing to my RSS feed, either by reader or by e-mail. While you’re at it, connect with me on Twitter, too.