Saturday, March 20, 2010

Republicans pledge to ease home school restriction (The Ames Tribune)

Republicans pledge to ease home school restriction (The Ames Tribune)

Republicans pledge to ease home school restriction (The Ames Tribune)

Posted: 20 Mar 2010 06:49 AM PDT

 DES MOINES — Iowa Republican gubernatorial candidates courted social conservatives on Tuesday by pledging to ease any remaining restrictions on parents who want to teach their children at home, a practice they said has boosted test scores.

 The three Republican candidates met with about 200 home schooling advocates at the Statehouse, where advocates lobbied for the ability to teach their children's driver's education course. An expanded home schooling bill had failed in the Legislature this year.

 Sioux City businessman Bob Vander Plaats said if elected, he will appoint representatives from the home school community to the state's Board of Education.

 Vander Plaats said the move would "symbolically, if nothing else, make sure this is about parental rights, not government control."

 "If we allow a Supreme Court to dictate what our freedoms are, how you educate your children is in jeopardy," Vander Plaats said. "This is a freedom issue."

 Former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad pointed to his success in legalizing home schooling in the state when he was governor.

 "Back on the day I became governor, home schooling was not legal in the state of Iowa," said Branstad. "I worked long and hard with the state Board of Education and the legislature, which was controlled by Democrats, to change it."

 State Rep. Rod Roberts cited his 20 years of fundraising for church-affiliated schools. Roberts has said he won't seek another term in the state legislature so he is able to focus on the June 8 Republican gubernatorial primary.

 Vander Plaats is generally considered more conservative than his two fellow candidates, but Branstad has been racing to prove his conservative bona fides in the closing months of the race.

 "As I look to the future, I want to assure you that with me you have a friend who understands that the primary responsibility for educating children lies with you, the parents," Branstad said.

 Vander Plaats said activists shouldn't be afraid of voting with their convictions.

 "We should not have to compromise, we should be able to vote for a principled conservative," Vander Plaats said.

 Whoever emerges will face Iowa Gov. Chet Culver, who has not made a formal announcement of his candidacy but filed his nominating petition this week. He has left little doubt that he will seek a second term in office.

 "I'll have a lot more to say about the campaign a little bit later," Culver said. "This isn't my first rodeo. We're going to be ready and we're going to win this race."

 Culver aides have said he's not likely to make a formal announcement until after the legislative session ends.

 "The campaign will get started in due time," Culver said.

 In Ames, home schooling advocates point out they are a diverse group with a broad range of convictions.

 "I know some people are disappointed the Legislature failed to lift restrictions on things like parents teaching drivers' education to their children," said Shelly Larson, coordinator of the Ames Home School Assistance program. "On the other hand, we enjoy a good relationship with the school district.

 "What we really hope for this year is more say in how we use the per-pupil funding the district receives for the homeschooling program. Right now, it could be restricted to salaries and supplies, and we'd like the flexibility to use it for other instructional programs and field trips."

Tribune staff writer Kathy Hanson contributed to this story.

 


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