WAR On HomeSchoolers: Pavlov Blasts Controversial New Legislation, Calls It Bullying

  

By Brandon Hall
(Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com)

After two Detroit area children died at the hands of their Mother, a legislator  in the area wants to use the tragedy to pass new regulations on home schooled students. State Senator Phil Pavlov blasted the bill, saying it's an attempt to bully home schoolers and he won't even give it a hearing.

I met with some home schooled students in Lansing last week, and I can tell you, the home school community is immensely concerned about this legislation. It's quite disappointing to see this attack on home schoolers, and attached to a tragedy nonetheless? Disgusting.

State Rep. Stephanie Chang

The bill, introduced today by State Rep. Stephanie Chang, would require at least two visits annually with a child from a number of entities the parents would be forced to choose from.

The legislation reads, in part:

"if a child is being educated at home, the child's parent or legal guardian shall ensure that all of the following are met:

(a) The child meets in person at least twice a year with aphysician, licensed social worker, physician's assistant,individual employed in a professional capacity in any office of thefriend of the court, school counselor or teacher, audiologist,psychologist, law enforcement officer, marriage and familytherapist, member of the clergy, or regulated child care provider.

(b) The parent or legal guardian maintains and makes available upon request records of the meetings required under subdivision(a), including signed documentation from the individual meeting with the child."

State Sen. Phil Pavlov

State Sen. Phil Pavlov, a top-tier candidate to replace Congresswoman Candice Miller, blasted the legislation, expressing his disappointment at its "bullying," proclaiming he won't even let the bill get a hearing in his Senate committee.

"This tragic situation is not, and never was, however, a homeschooling problem, "Pavlov said. "That's why I am so dismayed by the introduction of a new bill in the state House of Representatives to exploit Stoni and Stephen's tragic deaths as an excuse to impose new regulations on loving, committed, and law-abiding Michigan families.

Let's be clear-this legislation would not have stopped Ms. Blair from killing her children. Blair was willing to break every law on the books, and routinely and effectively lied for years to hide her crimes.Instead, the new bill is a transparent attempt by some in Lansing to bully, threaten, and intimidate parents who choose not to send their children to traditional public schools... As the Chairman of the Senate Education Committee I wanted to write you today to assure you that this anti-parent legislation will not see the light of day in my Committee."

Full statement from Pavlov:

"Dear Parents,

Stoni Ann Blair and Stephen Gage Berry were precious children with limitless potential, and their senseless deaths at the hands of their mother have shocked and saddened the entire state of Michigan.

Mitchelle Blair, the Detroit woman accused of killing Stoni and Stephen and then hiding their bodies, is a murderer who deserves, at best, to spend the rest of her life in prison.

This tragic situation is not, and never was, however, a homeschooling problem.

That's why I am so dismayed by the introduction of a new bill in the state House of Representatives to exploit Stoni and Stephen's tragic deaths as an excuse to impose new regulations on loving, committed, and law-abiding Michigan families.

Let's be clear-this legislation would not have stopped Ms. Blair from killing her children. Blair was willing to break every law on the books, and routinely and effectively lied for years to hide her crimes.

Instead, the new bill is a transparent attempt by some in Lansing to bully, threaten, and intimidate parents who choose not to send their children to traditional public schools. The legislation would force every homeschooling family to register with local officials and to open their homes twice yearly for police inspections, to prove that they have not murdered their own children.

Parents have rights. Parents deserve choices. And parents deserve so much better from Lansing.

As the Chairman of the Senate Education Committee I wanted to write you today to assure you that this anti-parent legislation will not see the light of day in my Committee.

Parents who choose homeschooling as the best education option for their children lovingly pour themselves into their kids, and they get great results. Homeschooled children are among the most successful in the state, go on to attend colleges and universities, get and keep great jobs, and help lead our communities.

Every child learns differently, and no one understands the needs of a child like his or her parents. That's why when it comes to making education decisions for their children, or for choosing the kind of education that will work best, Lansing should trust parents, not bully them."

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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.
>>>Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com 

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Photo By Darlene Dowling Thompson