Home School Debate

By Valonda Calloway

Posted: March 17, 2009

Should children who are taught a religious based curriculum at home be challenged in their beliefs? That's what district court Judge Ned Mangum of Wake County thinks.

Venessa and Thomas Mills of Raleigh had been waiting on a temporary custody order from the judge in their divorce case. The order came today (Tuesday). The schooling of the children was one of the most emotional parts of the case. Judge Mangum ruled in the temporary custody order he signed today that the children must go from home school to public school. Venessa Mills will continue to home school the children until the end of this school year. They will start public school in the fall.

Many home school supporters and supporters of Venessa Mills have said the judge overstepped his bounds. Some of them have also said he has a liberal and religious bias. What do you think?

A big part of the debate has been over Venessa Mills church, Sound Doctrine of Washington State. The order mentions several sworn affidavits where witnesses described the church as a cult. Thomas Mills objected to home school saying he wanted the children to learn how to socialize within their peer group, learn how to deal with peer pressure and learn mainstream science.

Venessa Mills told me in an interview last week she taught straight from the bible. The judge as well as both parents agreed the children have thrived in home school and are very intelligent. But is that enough? The judge doesn't think so. What do you think?

6 Comments

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I also home school, and while none of us knows all of the details in this situation, I still find the ruling disturbing. For the simple reason that it sets a precedent. And in the future, how could our own freedoms be protected if we found ourselves in an unfortunate circumstance and it was our (adultering husband's) word against ours? I hope none of us is ignorant enough to not realize the media spin that affects public opinion; anyone, no matter how founded and sane and normal, could be made out to sound anything but with a few choice words from someone bitter. Home schoolers have come a long way in creating a new stereotype that includes well-mannered children, as well as well-educated AND socialized. They are often regarded positively by peers and parents of public schooled children, who sometimes emote jealousy of the ability to pursue that right. I hope that none of us will be used as pawns in judging this case unfairly and in so doing, pave a road that undermines our rights.

kaelha
March 19, 2009 11:07 a.m.

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This is not a homeschool issue but I fear it is giving homeschoolers a bad name. I homeschooled my daughter grades 7-12. She is now a sophomore in college with a 4.0 GPA, serves on a campus ministry leadership team, leads a Bible study, and teaches preschool dance. During her homeschool years she was very active in youth group, in a 4-H club, and worked parttime at our church preschool. She consistently scored above high school level on achievement tests, scored high on SAT, received Presidential scholarship as well as several other scholarships to college. After reading the court order for this case, I do agree with the judge. I am very concerned for the children's welfare emotionally, not academically. The court needs to carefully examine all aspects of this case and make a decision based on what is best for the children. Praying for all involved.

EphesiansOne
March 19, 2009 10:03 a.m.

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I agree. We do not know all of the facts and can not make a fair judgement based on what has been reported. If family and friends are concerned about the mother's state of mind, then she must be taken care of first. Once the mother is seen to be okay, then homeshooling can continue. Also, there are other options besides going back to public school. The judge should not have forced the public school issue, but maybe have said that the mother could not do it for the time being. As for the Bible issue, I don't think it meant she was only teaching from the Bible. It was meant that she is teaching from the Bible for that part of their schooling. If she is not teaching the other subjects, then she is not following the law for homeschoolers in NC. We need to know all sides and understand the issues with the mom before we can say who is wrong or right. And, yes, I do homeschool my children and have done so for 5 years. I have 2 in college and 1 headed to highschool. We do have laws to follow.

radba
March 18, 2009 5:09 p.m.

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"Should children who are taught a religious based curriculum at home be challenged in their beliefs? That's what district court Judge Ned Mangum of Wake County thinks."

Valonda, I was begining to believe the slant reported by WRAL and that the Judge had lost his mind. I was wondering why Tom Mills was not fighting for custody until I read the "Temporary Custody Order" and found he is fighting for custody and Vanessa's family and friends are very worried about her well being and mental state. I believe your comment "That's what district court Judge Ned Mangum of Wake County thinks." shows you have not read the Order and are not completely informed of what the court has found as fact. Please don't take it as a personal attack, I just don't understand how you can justifiy your first paragraph after reading the court order.

Fillet and Release
March 17, 2009 7:58 p.m.

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I homeschool my three children and I am not jumping to defend this woman. First, her husband has a right to be involved in this decision. For my family, although we happen to be a Christian household, my children need to be taught current subjects in order to have a well rounded education and pass end of year tests. I can't imagine teaching only from the Bible. This judge was doing his job, on a case by case basis. I don't see that he is taking away my freedom to homeschool my kids. Study the facts, neighbors, before think their is an injustice here. Otherwise, not only are we making a mountain out of a molehill, we are making homeschoolers as a group look ignorant.

jenniferkey
March 17, 2009 7:44 p.m.

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What exactly does "taught straight from the Bible" mean? Where are math lessons or current history or English grammar? I understand teaching Christian beliefs, but school curriculum?

r u crazy too
March 17, 2009 5:44 p.m.

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