Dr. James Dobson used today's Focus on the Family radio broadcast to tell his listeners about an "egregious decision" handed down by a California appellate court recently.
The 2nd District Court of Appeals ruled that California parents without teaching credentials do not have a right to home-school their children.
"The court has assaulted parental rights again, and this time with a sledgehammer," Dr. Dobson said. "Listeners in all 50 states should take notice."
Dr. Mike Farris, co-founder and chairman of the Home School Legal Defense Association, said the ruling "effectively is slamming the door on home schooling for everyone."
If the ruling is not overturned, Farris said, California home schooling families could face criminal charges. Already, families in Brazil and Germany are facing charges over home schooling.
Joining Dr. Dobson and Farris on the broadcast were: Carrie Gordon Earll, senior director of issue analysis at Focus on the Family Action; Roy Hansen, executive director of Family Protection Ministries in California; and a home schooling mom from northern California.
Dr. Dobson wrapped up the broadcast by urging listeners across the country to sign a petition asking the California Supreme Court to limit the ruling. He also put out a call to prayer.
"I just pray that you all will be on your knees before the Lord, symbolically or otherwise," he said, "and ask Him to protect those children in California and all over the country."
TAKE ACTION
We are asking concerned citizens across America to sign a petition asking the state Supreme Court to "depublish" the case, which means to apply the case to the family involved — not to all California families.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Visit the Home School Legal Defense Association Web site.
Dr. Dobson discusses the California ruling on today's radio broadcast. Find a station or listen online.
(NOTE: Referral to Web sites not produced by Focus on the Family is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute an endorsement of the sites' content.)
