Here in eastern New York State, homeschooling parents were arrested because they had failed to register their homeschooled children with the local school district, according to NYS law:
FONDA — A Montgomery County couple has been arrested on child endangerment charges for failing to register their children with the school district as they were home-schooled, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said Monday.
Richard Cressy, 47, and Margie Cressy, 41, both of the town of Glen, never registered their four children or their home-schooling curriculum with the local school district, said the Sheriff’s Office.
The Superintendent of the Fonda-Fultonville Central School District, Richard Hoffman, confirmed the four children, ranging in age from 8 to 14, had not been registered with the school district for the last seven years.
“From what I can gather, it sounds like there was education going on, so I don’t know if they really slipped through the cracks,” Hoffman said, “[but] they didn’t fulfill their legal responsibility to file with the school district to be home-schooled.”
Under state law, parents who choose to home school their children must register their curriculum with the local school district superintendent. The Cressys never submitted one in the seven years they lived in the Fonda-Fultonville Central School District, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, which began investigating the parents after receiving an anonymous tip.
There is a LOT to this story, so bear with me here…
Firstly, NYS law does require a homeschooling family to register with the school district. The law stinks, lots of people may not like it… but the law doesn’t really restrict home education in any way other than making sure the kids are registered AND are being taught something. (This DOES NOT mean that the school superintendent has any legal right to impose his values on homeschooling families! This has happened A LOT in New York State! But right now, I’m going strictly by what the law states and the information given me in this news report here). So in other words, a homeschooling family MAY LEGALLY practice their religion and teach their kids the way they want; but they must register the school curriculum that they are using with the superintendent. So all they had to do was register. (There are other stipulations, such as state-mandated tests where required, etc, but that’s beyond the scope of this post right now). The point is is that registering your kids with the state in no way affected the family to teach their kids the way they wanted. Correct?
On the other hand, the state coming down hard on this family may affect ALL of us with kids in the state, by causing a ripple effect of gestapo-like microscopic inspections of all children in the county or in the state.
Was it SO HARD to obey this law?? Was it SUCH a hardship to liberty to obey this law? I don’t think so, it doesn’t seem like it. The news report does not come out and SAY anything about it… but it seems like the superintendent isn’t an ogre, ruling over homeschooled families, does it? Too difficult to tell. If this was so and the school district out there is a ravenous tyrant looking to squelch parental rights, then I could understand why the family wouldn’t register. But judging by the facts I know, this does not seem to be the case. As a matter of fact, the parents’ reasons for WHY thy didn’t register isn’t even addressed in the story. That’s terrible, shame on the media for doing that! But it’s not surprising…
NOW DON’T get upset! I’m not defending the state!! Keep reading! Don’t run off and write your comment yet! Let me finish!
OK back to the point. This family’s actions may cause untold hardship for those who do obey the laws. This may cause a “crackdown” on homeschooled families everywhere, or the state may be motivated to start restricting the relative freedoms homeschooling parents do have.
You may say, “But it’s the principle of the matter! The state has no right to tell us how we can raise our children!” Well said. Just like the state has no right to tax us like they do… but you pay them, right? Just like they have no right to make us register with the state to get a driver’s license, to obey traffic laws, to put our kids in car seats…. I honestly don’t think that this homeschooling registry law was so difficult to swallow, as long as the parents aren’t being bullied or threatened by the district.
When Jesus and the others arrived in Capernaum, the collectors for the temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Does your teacher pay the temple tax?”
“Yes, he does,” Peter answered. After they had returned home, Jesus went up to Peter and asked him, “Simon, what do you think? Do the kings of this earth collect taxes and fees from their own people or from foreigners?”
Peter answered, “From foreigners.”
Jesus replied, “Then their own people don’t have to pay. But we don’t want to cause trouble. So go cast a line into the lake and pull out the first fish you hook. Open its mouth, and you will find a coin. Use it to pay your taxes and mine.” Matthew 17:24-27
We already know we are free. But we don’t want to cause trouble. As long as what they ask does not hinder us from serving God, give them what they ask. THAT’S the main point. What’s our goal, anyway? Don’t we want liberty SO we can serve God? Isn’t that the point of wanting liberty?
For the sake of liberty, we must be careful not to become slaves to liberty for the sake of liberty. We belong to God, and God would have us obey laws set forth for the protection of the community. This does not mean that all laws are good and that we must blindly obey simply because we are the subjects and they are the mighty rulers- there IS indeed a time for civil disobedience, yes. But it is not warranted in this case. It is a terrible thing for the state to ask parents to register their homeschooled children with the local school district? It hinders home education in no way to do so, right? If the state was using bully tactics such as we have seen in other areas (forbidding parents to teach their religion to their children; sending the SWAT Team, etc etc), there would be a good reason for the parents to disobey. But I don’t think that was the case with this family, was it? It’s tough for parents- our children are a BIG hot button with us. We DO NOT want the state to TOUCH them! But sometimes it’s better to obey a law for the sake of honoring God and not cause trouble. I think this individual case is like that.
Now I also see that the school district and the state were very harsh with their penalties; it’s obvious that they wanted to publicly punish the parents. The parents did not do anything that warranted an invasion and arrest. That was a bully tactic and tyranny, and THAT is what outrages me. In such a case, the school district should have sent a warning letter to the parents, and then a visit to the home, and then perhaps some other means of conciliating action. But to storm the home and rip the parents away from the kids… that’s evil. There should be harsh punishment on the officials for that. And Montgomery County does a lot of bullying, it is true.
Homeschooling was not initially legal in the United States, you know, even though billions of families have practiced it since the Pilgrims. There was a battle in the 1980s to make it officially legalized in each state (and thus protected by law). It was accomplished by a grassroots movement, by a lot of people who sacrificed greatly to get it passed. New York State is a restrictive state, yes, but at LEAST homeschooling is LEGAL now. There are a few requirements that must be met. I do not think these requirements are burdensome. If there have been cases of threats and bully tactics by the state, it is because those tactics are illegal and should be dealt with accordingly.
The media and the state find delicious opportunity to restrict us more and more when they find people not abiding by the law. These people are raised up as examples and are excoriated publicly so as to influence public opinion (which in turn changes laws). We as Christians must be very careful to abide by the laws. This DOES NOT mean we are to be jello-headed idiots, though. There IS a time for civil disobedience, and it is LEGAL to do so (Declaration of Independence). I do not think the state owns our children because of the homeschool registration requirement. Even if the state THINKS they own our children, we know they do not- our kids belong to God. We are free. And we don’t want to cause any trouble, for us or for others.
Addendum: I have no idea if this family in the news story is a Christian family. The news story does not say. Also, the “child endangerment” charges are over-bearing. It’s a truancy law that the parents broke. According to the information I have, the parents were schooling their children appropriately. The state or the school district should be sharply penalized for such overbearing brute tactics.
Moreover, the government and non-homeschoolers should have a LOT more respect for homeschoolers. We are dedicated to raising our children with values, to be disciplined and hard-working, and it is a FACT that homeschooled children are better educated than government-schooled children. The law is the law, but this crucifying of homeschoolers is WICKED.
8. January 2010 at 5:28 pm
Great points!
8. January 2010 at 6:23 pm
Did it cause a hardship to arrest (kidnap) peaceful people? I think so. That means the govt is the aggressor here.
9. January 2010 at 1:24 am
Methinks the state of NY needs to go worry about those kids dropping out of school in certain areas and learning nothing. (I do totally agree with you though, it’s not worth the headache. Who says you have to 100% follow the curriculum you register, anyways? *wink wink*)
9. January 2010 at 1:50 am
Good points, Rebecca. Not knowing more details makes me wonder if these kids were kept completely off the radar - no birth certificate, no social security number, etc. If that’s the case, then registering them at school would be a major shift for the family. Anonymous then becomes trackable, and their underground family is now busted. Just a thought.
9. January 2010 at 2:12 pm
Hey Jean. It is pretty obvious that this family was “hung out to dry” by this school district, probably as a means to scare everyone else. I cannot believe the media posted mug shots of the parents! You have some good questions…. although I wonder if this family was truly a non-conformist one, the media would have mentioned it with salacious glee.
9. January 2010 at 2:13 pm
Storm, you are correct. The state has a LOT of problems, and chasing after families doing a great job educating their own kids is not one of them. Like I said, people should be falling on their faces, thankful for homeschooling families in this state.
9. January 2010 at 6:23 pm
Rebecca, I admit that I skimmed so if you addressed this, I am sorry. All the parents had to do was register. I hate to think of kids being raised uneducated. This law is to protect the children. I wonder if the parents received any notice before they were arrested.
10. January 2010 at 3:14 am
There must be more to this story than this. I can’t imagine that the state would move from ‘no action in 7 years’ to ‘arrest’ without some notice or warning. That you mentioned authorities acted on ‘a tip’ also raises flags… who calls authorities about children unless there is reason to be concerned?! Ok, yes, it happens… but usually, there’s something to be concerned about.
Homeschoolers SHOULD be protected! There is no reason not to. Education is not one size fits all and this is an important alternative. The more homeschoolers in a community the better - families can network and combine classes and field trips. However, children also need to be protected… to a reasonable extent… by their communities. Not all parents are good parents - some because they try but fail, some because they do not bother. The children are our future (cliche, but true) and the lost should not be overlooked. Registering is not a big deal. Those of us who use public or private school do so… it’s a way of checking off that box that says ‘this job is being done’ and ‘I accept responsibility’. Why should homeschoolers be exempt?
Oh, and back to the arrest. Another reason I believe there’s more to the story… I was once stopped at a road block (non-local in a Southern city) and could not provide proof of insurance (I had it, just not the paper). The police sent me off with a ticket and told me to expect a note in the mail telling me when to go to court to provide proof of insurance - I was told it could take weeks. I waited. No notice. I called. No notice. I called again. I was told to come in immediately as there was a warrant out for my arrest! Car insurance is very serious business.. concerning NOT just yourself, but others too. But all I had to do was go to the courthouse, explain what happened to the clerk, and I didn’t even get a fine - the warrant was thrown out, the ticket was nullified - nothing on my record at all, and I paid not a single penny. All we had to do was make sure the paperwork was in order. So, what’s the rest of the story here? I would think that arresting a couple with children - over a matter of neglected paperwork, even long neglected paperwork - would be more of a hassle than it is worth, unless there’s more to it? (maybe not - I’m not saying corruption and bullying do not exist!! - but I am suspicious.)
Homeschool kids, as well as public/private school kids, do NOT belong to the state… anymore than anyone else does - ah, but there’s the rub.. we DO belong! We are all parts of a larger whole. We do have rights - my rights ending where yours begin and all that, but we are part of a team, and that comes with obligations to one another. We are citizens who band together and accept certain laws set forth for the public good, to, basically, keep life civilized for all of us citizens. Making sure ALL of our children receive an education is part of our civilization, part of our laws. True, the state should not have dictatorial powers over how the children are educated… but on the other hand, we sure do a lot of complaining when the state does NOT do enough to help educate kids. The government has to draw a line somewhere, and registration seems fair to me.
10. January 2010 at 9:24 am
@Connie There must be more to this story than this. I listened to a local call-in show on this subject. A friend of the family called. He said a neighbor has had a vendetta against the family since they moved in, and is probably the author of the “anonymous” tip. If you don’t believe anonymous tip lines generate unwarranted, vindictive investigations, go read some of Dan Weaver’s articles at examiner.com, including the one about his own experience with Montgomery County CPS. He’s been through several years of hell because of these bureaucrats.
If someone has a legitimate concern about their neighbors’ children, they should be willing to put their name to the complaint, as is required by the Sixth Amendment: to be confronted with the witnesses against him. Then if the charges are unfounded, the family under attack would at least have the option of suing their false accusers.
we are part of a team, and that comes with obligations to one another. We are citizens who band together and accept certain laws set forth for the public good
I am way too cynical to believe that laws are passed “for the public good.” Laws are usually passed because some lobbying group gets an advantage, or because career politicians gain some power hold. And I in no way consider myself part of a “team” simply because of geography. My only citizenship is in heaven. (Phil 3:20)
Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? (2 Corinthians 6:14-15)
10. January 2010 at 10:58 am
Anyone ever hear of the “Satan the Ol’ Deluder Act”? It was the first law in our country that established public schools. It was established by the Puritans, in Massachusetts. The community leaders decided to establish a group accountable to a board of men, to ensure that all children were able to read and write. (Some parents were neglecting their responsibilities). The purpose of reading and writing was so that the children could read and understand the Bible, because from the Bible comes the lessons of responsibility, charity, duty, and, of course, salvation. The Puritans did not want their community becoming deceived by delving into debauchery, immorality, irresponsibility, etc- these things destroy families and communities.
And thus the first public school was born. Families with children were taxed to support the schoolhouse and teacher, and parents who refused to send their children to school were penalized.
There is nothing wrong, per se, with public education. But today, public education is not education- it’s indoctrination. Even a cursory reading of the textbooks and test score studies prove this. THIS is why parents homeschool. Sure, there are some bad apples in the barrel. And the media and school districts just LOVE to hang these bad apples out to dry, as if the bad ones represent us all… the media and school system are part of that indoctrination agenda, and they aren’t going to give it up easily.
Every community- secular or Christian- has requirements. You can’t be a member of a community and do whatever you want. “As much as it is in your power, live peaceably with all men.”
And I wholeheartedly AGREE that the anonymous tipper should be exposed! That is so wicked, so, so wicked. It’s proof once again that the government CAN do whatever it wants, without penalty- the state can break the 6th amendment and get away with it… but God forbid somebody drives without insurance or an insurance card!! The world is upside down.
10. January 2010 at 11:04 am
I fully believe in neighbors with vendettas! No way will I disagree with that! I had a neighbor totally flip out when she saw me allowing my (then) toddler to barefoot through puddles one day - I honestly thought she was going to call CPS! She did have the gall to try and lecture me… I just smiled and took off my shoes too… she always glared at me after that. Seriously. Some people have only the loosest connection to reality.
However, I also believe in neighbors who are psycho child abusers. who may not hesitate to assault and abuse the family and property of any neighbors they hate as well, with or without valid reason… that type needs to be reported - and anonymously! - for the protection of the one doing the reporting. Just because you have legitimate concern for a neighbor’s child, does not mean you should be obligated to put YOUR children at risk. You cannot always just pack up and get away! I fully believe that a professional police force ‘gets it’ when neighbors do not get along. They’ll eventually see a neighbor with a baseless vendetta for what they are. I guess the question is - should we err on the side of being more, or less, vigilant about the children in our lives - whether they are our own, or our neighbors? That really is a tough and prickly question!
I am honestly curious to hear more facts on this - I fully support home schooling! Depending on future moves (we travel a lot) I may be a home schooler myself in the near future. I don’t like to hear of authorities messing with home school families, but I also do not like parents who abuse home schooling - and/or their kids! - and screw things up for those who want, and need, to home school!
10. January 2010 at 11:14 am
Rebecca - excellent EXCELLENT point about education. One of the biggest things ‘wrong’ with Islam is that many Muslims are illiterate! When I was in Pakistan, street kids were taken in by madrassas and taught to rote memorize the Quran - in Arabic, NOT their native languages of Urdu, Punjabi or whatever. They weren’t educated, they were (are) brain washed. They can ‘say’ the verses very prettily, but cannot interpret for themselves. That is NOT what the religious leaders want. It is much easier to lead the ignorant than the educated. Why do these parents allow this to happen to their kids? Well… THEIR religious leaders tell them it is the right thing, they are illiterate too, and besides, the schools often feed the kids, so the parents think they are doing a good thing. It’s a terrible cycle. With long reaching impact…
10. January 2010 at 11:19 am
(oh - and I in no way mean that Islam is wrong! Hope that is clear in the above… just that illiteracy is something wrong amongst some of those of that faith. Illiteracy is, of course, a serious issue for any true faith!)
12. January 2010 at 11:16 pm
Hi Connie. I appreciate your input on this. My husband was an AF brat, and attended various American military-public schools all around the world, so we certainly have a different perspective on education! My husband lived in Iran, which is Muslim but not Arab. I think the people there are relatively well-educated, but they are repressed, for sure. It’s like, they WANT to explore and be intellectually free, but the mullahs will punish them. There are many people turning to Christianity- not just for the freedom that Christianity affords, but the unconditional love of Christ. Love is a pretty foreign concept to many over there.
I think Islam is wrong. Why not say it, if it is? It’s a religious mix of moon-god cult worship and 7th century Arab culture. God loves those people, but their religion is kookified. And like you said, the poor people live in great darkness. Illiteracy on a large scale has a lot to do with the spiritual condition of a nation and less to do with their educational system.
13. January 2010 at 7:36 am
Hi Rebecca,
Iran is a fascinating culture. From what I’ve heard, outsiders tend to love AND hate it. Very cool that your husband had a chance to be there, and I too feel very blessed to, not only be learning of foreign cultures myself, but to be able to share with my own children.
Freedom is important. If a person is not free to choose, then it can not be claimed he is a true believer. I was in Cairo listening to a group of mullahs on tv debating foreign music. (This was during the ?Altlanta? Olympics when the Macarena song was used - how tacky.. anyway…) The guy who wrapped things up, did so very wisely. He said western music should not be banned as the youth need to have the freedom to choose between evil or good, they must be responsible for their own souls, making the choice for them, teaches them nothing.
I am from a mixed religion background. Mom was S. Baptist, Dad was Catholic. They accepted each other, but everyone else was determined we were all going to hell. I had tried to be accepting of both, but quickly decided they were all hypocrites and so I tried my best to turn my back on all religion. Didn’t work. I guess God had other plans for me and never let me ignore my spirituality. So, I started looking for “the one true path” again, and again found myself up against so many things that were very wrong. I eventually found my place with the Pagans - so you might say I am one of those moon gazing, kooky types too
I am a Druid and feel it my calling to improve myself with all knowledge, which means I have finally, fortunately, found my way to great respect for the teachings of Jesus, as well as other prophets and religious leaders. All of life is my church. However, for the longest time, I had tried to continue my belief that all other religions, except mine, were wrong. That didn’t work either. Despite the many bad things so easy to find in all religions, it’s impossible for me to deny the truths too. Somewhere along the line, it dawned on me. We were all created to be different from one another, so wasn’t it logical that our spiritual needs be different too? Doesn’t God provide? Once I accepted this, it became easier to accept that there might be more than one true path, and to remember that NO religion is perfect. Only God is perfect. All religions are faulty because they are all created by man…. yes, with divine guidance and inspiration… but interpreted by our imperfect human minds. So they are ALL wrong, in my opinion, BUT I no longer think of this as a bad thing, only natural. We are not perfect, therefore our creations are also imperfect. I think it must be part of God’s plan for us, an incentive to learn and grow … otherwise, why did he create us like this?
I hope this isn’t offensive, but my belief that all religions are merely man-made tools has actually given me a much stronger faith in God. God is great, it’s us humans that mess things up fighting over the details! God created us to be tool users, religion being one of those tools. In the right hands, great deeds can be accomplished with our ways and words of faith, but in the wrong, well, illiteracy and ignorance are only the start of the problems that can be brought about. All religions are guilty of being used improperly, but right now, I feel that Islam is one of the most misused, which can be bad enough for us outsiders, but what about those that God created to be Muslim?
I feel blessed to have had the freedom to find my true calling, so much so that I am also truly happy when I meet others who have also found their true connection to God, whether it is the path that their family and culture had started them on, or if they were led by God to follow in other footsteps. I don’t think it matters how we get there, as long as we are true in our hearts towards God as our ultimate goal. If only all people could be free, and enabled, to find their way, we could have more true believers, and less posers and abusers, and that would be good for us all.
13. January 2010 at 8:44 am
Hi Connie. I don’t agree with your conclusions, but I’m not going to start a “war” on Rebecca’s blog.
I do have a question that’s puzzled me for a long time, though, and I’m hoping you can answer it for me.
If you, and many others who are proponents of alternative or New Age religions, have great respect for the teachings of Jesus how can you accept some of His teachings and not all? If He was a real prophet of God, did He also tell lies? I’m thinking specifically of His statement that I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. (John 14:6)
It seems to me that either He truly is the Son of God and never lies - which I obviously believe - or He’s a complete fraud whose words shouldn’t be trusted. I don’t see how you can have it both ways.
13. January 2010 at 9:36 am
I would not expect you to agree with my conclusions… we are all different, which is why I have the conclusions that I have. I fully believe we are meant to have differences because if we were all the same, had all the same needs, wants, answers, etc., what desires would we have left to strive to fulfill? What questions would we have to ask? And if we have no questions or needs, what more would we have to learn? If we had no more to learn, or no need of anything, then we would be perfect - and as only God is perfect, then we must be meant to be different!
And, as far as I am concerned, we have no need to ‘war’ - only to learn from one another.
I am perfectly able to respect some of Jesus’ teachings and not all, because I do not believe Jesus is God. He is either a prophet, or the son of God, but I do not believe he IS God. Therefore, I do not attribute to him the same perfection as I do God. I also believe that all of the teachings of Jesus, that we know today, have become altered and made less perfect over time due to the mere fact of human interference. We tend to use our faith and religion to suit our needs… this is NOT necessarily a bad thing! Some people may intend evil, but I doubt all, or even most, do so… it’s just natural to use what we have to make our way through life. This human interference cannot be denied, and so not only do I not believe that Jesus’ teachings were ever the pure unfiltered words of God, I also do not believe that what we have now are necessarily the teachings that Jesus intended, 100%. There have been too many centuries of humans meddling in it, re-interpreting, re-translating. It is great wisdom, but biased by those who came after, and we should always keep that in mind (the mind, and logic, we were given by God!)
Now, do I have disrespect for Christians who choose to follow the Bible (much) more literally than I do? I admit, I used to. But I’ve opened my heart and mind, so now, of course not. Not at all. In my opinion, Jesus, the Bible… these are the sacred tools that God has given to those He created to be Christian. I believe He knew what you needed for your spiritual fulfillment and salvation, and He provided the ways and means of faith that was required. He created the Christians to be different from the Jews, who are different from Buddhists, (etc.) and He provided for all. Religion is a human invention. But one we need. How else do we communicate with the divine?! And I truly believe that religion cannot be a ‘one size fits all’ thing - because we are not all the same.
Anyway - I take the HUMAN interpretations of Jesus’ teachings, and the HUMAN interpretations of other teachings… and I find so much in common. I also see much that I do not agree with… but it is the mere fact that there are so many common truths throughout all, that has given me my deep faith in God, a faith that I never found when I tried to believe in only ‘one true way’.
13. January 2010 at 10:21 am
btw - to be clear - When I say that ‘God has given us or provided’ and then immediately say ‘humans invented it’, I do not mean that God handed us a gift from the clouds, or that humans do these things on their own, but instead, that God gave us the knowledge, inspiration and guidance to help us create what He knew we would need (although I still believe that things created by man, even with God’s guidance, are imperfect as we are imperfect). I believe it’s all tied together.
13. January 2010 at 10:52 am
Thanks for your amazing comments, everyone! This has become quite a discussion! Connie, thanks for sharing about yourself; I’ve been wanting to get to know you better. :D
Connie, you are correct: all religions are the same.
But you are incorrect in presuming that [true] Christianity is a religion. It is based on a historical fact: the Resurrection.
So did Christ rise from he dead?
That’s the clincher. That’s something worth discovering before making ultimate conclusions about religions. By the way, according to such incredible scholars as Simon Greenleaf, there is more evidence for Christ’s resurrection than for many of the historical facts we take for granted (such as the existence of Julius Caesar).
13. January 2010 at 11:24 am
Rebecca - thanks for an interesting topic to start off an interesting discussion. Sharing knowledge is good!