Home School Regulations Revisited

Lawmakers say they want to take a look at whether Arkansas` home schooling law ensures children obtain a quality education. The issue has resurfaced with the death of a 10 year old Clarksville girl found chained to bed after she perished in a fire. The girl was home schooled, and reportedly could not read or write. State representative John Lewellen says he heard complaints about home schooling long before the Clarksville incident. Lewellen introducted legislation last session that would require more regulations. The bill did not move, instead is now under an interim study. "I think there`s a misnomer here that a parent is competent in all of the areas.. foreign language to trigonometry," says Lewellen. Home schooling parents disagree. Joetta Whitkowski of Little Rock believes being a good teacher is about caring not about state regulations. She has two sons in college on full academic scholarships. Close to 12,500 students are currently home schooled in Arkansas.