09 LC 94 1338

House Resolution 850

By: Representatives Setzler of the 35th, Loudermilk of the 14th, Casas of the 103rd, and Walker of the 107th

A RESOLUTION

Requesting that the German federal government recognize the rights of parents to home school their children; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, parents hold the fundamental responsibility and right to ensure the best quality education for their children, and parental choice and involvement are crucial to excellence in education; and

WHEREAS, members of this body recognize the importance of religious liberties and the right of parents to determine their child's upbringing and the method in which their education should be provided; and

WHEREAS, Germany infringes upon the parental rights of its citizens by forcing children to attend brick and mortar schools for their education and denying parents the right to home school their children; and

WHEREAS, the federal government of Germany justifies its policy against home schooling on a desire to prevent the emergence of parallel societies based on separate philosophical convictions; and

WHEREAS, however, home educated students around the world have continually exhibited high standards of academic achievement and citizenship; and

WHEREAS, many American statesmen and leaders, including George Washington, Patrick Henry, John Quincy Adams, John Marshall, Robert E. Lee, Booker T. Washington, Thomas Edison, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Mark Twain, and Andrew Carnegie were home schooled; and

WHEREAS, home school education offers parents the option of personalized learning opportunities for their children, customized to meet each child's needs and tailored to their particular learning style and strengths; and

WHEREAS, denial of the basic right of parents to choose the manner in which their child is educated goes against the ideals of individual liberty and freedom.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body request that the German federal government recognize the basic, fundamental rights of parents and allow their citizens to determine the educational upbringing of their own children.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the federal government of Germany.