Wonderings and ramblings from the mother of a highly gifted child - journal from an unanticipated educational parenting journey
Why do I ask?
When I was pregnant with Morgan, I worried that she would inherit my seasonal allergies, that I might have forgotten to take my prenatal vitamin, etc. When she was born, I worried that I would make mistakes that would cause damage to this perfect creation of God. I never worried that she might be "too smart" . . .
Monday, December 3, 2012
CRPD - will the UN govern educational decisions in the US?
There is an upcoming vote in the US Senate about a UN Convention for the Rights of People with Disabilities on December 4th. It affects homeschoolers and parents of kids with disabilities, as well as the population as a whole, but has been remarkably unknown. I'll do my best to summarize, and you can find ample information on the web if you feel inclined.
The UN would be able to regulate what is considered necessary for the education of people with disabilities. However, disabilities is not defined, so this could mean children who are very young and have a mild (and possibly temporary) speech impediment. It has the potential to negate parents' rights to homeschool, or make educational decisions for their children, and moves that to the UN. Part of my issue with that is the obvious infraction of freedom granted in the US constitution. Part of my issue with it is that the UN is not an elected group, so we have no say in the individuals making the decisions. They are also quite removed from our immediate viscinity and unlikely to fully comprehend what is necessary in individual cases.
The US is widely acknowledged to have the most extensive support offered to people with disabilities, so it is unlikely to enhance the programs offered here. Reportedly, Obama has acknowledged this fact. However, it is unclear how much fiscal involvement might be involved. For instance, currently Kansas does not consider dyslexia a learning disability (or at least it is not covered by their state special education). Another example in the US is that dysgraphia is not recognized, as I have mentioned before. With the increased expense of social workers who monitor and take families to court "in the best interest of the child" to insist that they be returned to school, the funding for education is not going to be enhanced. The list of problems addressed by our government, if history is an indicator, are likely to decrease, rather than increase. Also, I have yet to see any proof that the US will not be required to send money to other countries in order to have this educational change implemented similarly throughout the UN countries. I have seen indication that it will increase expenses to the US related to education, but not any enhancement in education of US citizens. It also give the UN and unprecedented amount of power within the US. The expense part of it affects every American, and our education system as a whole.
The fact that parents of children with disabilities who are using the public education are against it, in general, nullifies the argument that it will serve people and families with disabilities, in my opinion.
The vote is imminent. What can you do? Learn more. I am biased, as our daughter could be labeled and targeted, and possibly required to return to school "in her best interests" even though she is many grade levels ahead of her age. If you read my previous posts, you'll see how damaging that would be to her - how damaging school attendance was for her in first grade. You can sign an online petition - there are online petitions both against and to ratify the change, so you can act either way. There are many blogs and group references to the effort, so you can compare different accounts in an attempt to get an unbiased picture. You can e-mail and/or call your senators. I am concerned. People including Dr Ruf who I've mentioned in this Blog have gone to a lot of trouble to make sure that homeschooling is a legal option in all 50 states. She did not hear about this effort ahead of time, either, but is taking action and continuing as an advocate for educational choice. While I am admittedly bitter that the government doesn't provide for my child, I certainly don't want my decision to find an option that works for her taken away. Please look into this & weigh in if you feel so inclined.
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