How many homeschoolers posting on this thread are committed Christians?

To Kenny and Realist:

The fact that neither of you can comprehend home education makes no difference. The fact that the earth looks flat does not make it so.

We, who have indeed committed our lives to education, really do know what we are talking about, because we see the evidence daily. If you could meet and chat with the children and young people we know who have not been to school, you would find them friendly, knowledgeable, well-balanced, thoughtful, conscientious, and not only employable, but actively sought out by employers because of their outstanding initiative and ability to take reponsibility and solve problems.

What a pity you are able to speak only from assumption, and not from experience!

Discussion on this review have been going on since it was first publicly announced on 10th Feb 2005. That is almost a year of time for discussion, hardly sneaking it out at Christmas.
The title of the webpage I referred to is : Proposed Changes to Education Act –September 2005. Hardly taking something out of context.
You state “We are not totally opposed to registration, simply to the fact that the Act, if passed in its present form, means that registration will be tied to compliance with any regulations decreed in the future, no matter how unreasonable.”
But all of us are in the same situation; most laws have regulations that can be changed at the whim of a minister. That is how our government’s govern, and that is why we have elections, we can kick them out.
I am glad you are on holidays for the “long summer break” most people I know went back to work after the New Year weekend. Really is a 446 page document that hard to digest? Or is it just a little more difficult to rally your lobbying forces?
Chris1
“political proclivities are blatantly obvious”? I did not think I was at all political, but for a movement not to get its views across to Government in almost 12 months shows how ineffective you are.
I have always acknowledged that home education is a viable option for some parents, I even agree that you should get funding to help you educate your kids, but sorry I believe you should be registered and monitored if you are doing such a wonderful job what is the problem?
Have you ever heard of a case of home education that was not good for the child? I have. Would you like me to tell you about the failures that registration may prevent? Probably not.
What is your “real” agenda you have no issue with the Education Minister. Maybe we should stop governments from regulating anything – anarchy I think it is called

Realist -
All home educators have access to sporting facilities. or do you think schools are the only place children can play sport??

All home educators have access to employers ( for work experience i assume you mean)

All home educators have access to uni's - Monash Uni runs a science program specifically for home educators, Perth Academy of science runs a mathmatics and science program for home schoolers ( available online.As do many other uni's.)

Tafe colleges run courses that are part time that high school home ed students can access whilst doing their final subjects.

All written material that schools access can be obtained at any educational supplies store ( or do you think schools print the only available material)

Career path's can be accessed at any Job Centre.
Do you believe that schools are the only ones that can show you your career path? If this is the case why do most young people not discover their career path till long after they have left the school system?T

The internet and all "new innovations" are available to all Australians (or do you think that only schools know about new innovations).

If you believe kids are individuals why do you think that a system that makes them all conform regardless, is such a good one?

Some books for you to read and inform yourself of the facts. This is just the beginning -

1. Uni of western Sydney-Prof Singh25.11.05 "Welcome to the classroom of tommorow"
2. Tizara,Hughes,Pinkerton&Carmicheal 1982" Journal of child Psycology & Psychiatry
3. Calvary,Bell,& Vaupel 1992"The difference between home school and public school.
4. Delahooke 1986 "Home educated children's social and emotional adjustments.
5. Meighan 1996 Homebased education Not why it works-but why it works so well(Research info for teachers by Australian Council for education Research)

When you get through these much much more is available.Most of it can be accessed on that "New Innovation" The Internet

Realist - A list of some of the Uni's that Home Educated students have graduated from.

Victoria - Avondale College, Ballarat Uni, Bendigo Uni, Boxhill TAFE, Bible College of Victoria, Burwood Teachers College, Casey TAFE, Deakin Uni, Dookie College of Agricultre & Horticultre, Frankston TAFE, Gippsland Institute of Advanced Education, Glenford Hunter TAFE, Goulbourne Ovens TAFE, Holesglen TAFE, Latrobe Uni, Loddon Compaspe TAFE, Macquarie Uni, Monash Uni, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, R.M.I.T. Uni, Sunraysia TAFE, Swinburn Institute of Technology, Tabor College, University of Melbourne, Vicotian University of Technology, Wodonga TAFE, Yallorn TAFE, Bunbury TAFE,Eduth Cowan Uni, Midland TAFE, Murdoch TAFE, Murdoch Uni, Northam TAFE, Perth Metrololitan TAFE, Thornlie TAFE, Western Australian School of Nursing, Mt Lawley Tafe, Curtin Uni of Technology

N.S.W-
Canberra TAFE, Uni of Canberra, Albury TAFE, Austrakian College of Christian Education, Avondale College, Bankstown TAFE, Bedford Business College, Bourke Technical College, Cambelltown Business College, Charles Sturt Uni, Cumberland College of Health Sciences, Granville Tech College, Coffs Harbour Tafe, Hawkesbury Agricultral College, Lismore TAFE, Liverpool Tech College, Macquarie Fields Tech College, Murrimbidge College of Agriculture, N.S.W conservatorium of Music, Uni of Western Sydney,Uni of Sydney,

All other states and international uni's to follow shortly

They're a vicious bunch, aren't they Realist. Had me surprised!
We dont need to reiterate what was said in the previous forum on this topic. Home schooling is a happening thang & should be supported at many a government level. I do think there should be some accountability on the part of the parent, some form of monitoring on the part of the Ed authorities. I do not think it is a mistake for the gov to ask why kids aren't at school. There are simply too many 'not' at school, for the wrong reasons now.
Two factors - A law is only a law if it is enforceable.
- I agree with a previous post in that the author of the Journal seems to be reading a little too much, at this stage, into the situation regarding Home ed & the Victorian Govt. If the legislation is as described, it borders on the ridiculous & will be unworkable. This will become obvious.