Posted on 08/30/2009 8:37:09 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Amanda Kurowski is a 10-year-old homeschooled girl who performs well academically and is socially well-adjusted. But her strong Christian beliefs were reason enough for a New Hampshire court to order her out of homeschooling and into a public school.
The daughter of divorced parents, Amanda has been homeschooled by her mother, Brenda Voydatch since first grade. Her father, Martin Kurowski, is opposed to homeschooling, arguing that it prevents "adequate socialization" for Amanda with other children. He requested that she be placed in a government school.
In the process of renegotiating the terms of a parenting plan for the girl, the Guardian ad Litem – who acts as a fact finder for the court – reported that Amanda was found to "lack some youthful characteristics," partly because "she appeared to reflect her mother's rigidity on questions of faith."
The GAL concluded that Amanda "would be best served by exposure to different points of view at a time in her life when she must begin to critically evaluate multiple systems of belief and behavior and cooperation in order to select, as a young adult, which of those systems will best suit her own needs."
Although there is no dispute that Amanda is excelling academically and is generally interactive with her peers, her religious beliefs were seen as being held a bit too sincerely, Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney John Anthony Simmons explained to The Christian Post.
"What this has become is an assault on the child’s faith," Simmons said.
Judge Lucinda V. Sadler approved the GAL's recommendation earlier this summer and ruled that it would be in Amanda's best interests to attend a public school in the 2009-2010 academic year.
"[E]ducation is by its nature an exploration and examination of new things," the court order reads. "[A] child requires academic, social, cultural, and physical interaction with a variety of experiences, people, concepts, and surroundings in order to grow to an adult who can make intelligent decisions about how to achieve a productive and satisfying life."
Sadler stated in the order that the court did not consider the merits of Amanda's religious beliefs but only the impact of those beliefs on her interaction with others.
And while the court is "extremely reluctant to impose on parents a decision about a child's education," Sadler noted that there was an absence of effective communication between the parents.
Simmons filed a motion this week asking the court to reconsider and stay its decision. He contends that the mother enrolled Amanda in three public school courses and got her involved in extra-curricular activities such as gymnastics and softball in an effort to acknowledge the father's concerns.
Evidence also reveals that homeschooling has not deprived Amanda of socialization, as the father has argued. The order issued by the court also acknowledged that Amanda is "generally likeable and well liked, social and interactive with her peers, academically promising and intellectually at or superior to grade level."
"Parents have a fundamental right to make educational choices for their children. In this case specifically, the court is illegitimately altering a method of education that the court itself admits is working," Simmons stated. "It is not the court’s role to decide whose beliefs are right or whether or not someone is as skeptical as the court thinks she should be."
"Can anyone imagine a court ordering a child out of a government school and into homeschooling because the child is a 'rigid' secularist? Of course not," he noted. "The court has intruded on the child’s most fundamental liberties and should reconsider this unconstitutional encroachment."
If this is the case that I’m thinking of, Dad pays all expenses while Mom stays home to homeschool. Since this is a divorce case, it is tricky. Dad used religion as a tool to get out of paying for everything.
I’ll bet the farm they wouldn’t do this to a Muslim kid.
Unless those "new things" include learning about God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit right?
Folks, if you love your children you will teach them yourself and stand up against radical judges like the one that made this criminal ruling.
JMHO
With a Muslim goat the parent’s would not be divorced. Mommy would be beheaded for even thinking of divorcing her master/husband.
“With a Muslim goat the parent’s would not be divorced. Mommy would be beheaded for even thinking of divorcing her” owner.
“lack some youthful characteristics,” partly because “she appeared to reflect her mother’s rigidity on questions of faith.”
...what “youthful characteristics”? Texting 24/7? Drinking? Sex? Gulping down 12 diet Cokes a day? Watching R rated movies? Wearing a “Che” t-shirt?
Did this judge fail to read Wisconsin v. Yoder? Who has primary custody?
I agree; this is more of a custody and divorce case than a ‘too much religon’ case. However, the ‘too much religon sells papers.
I think so too. However the court and it’s gaggle of bureaucrats certainly made some inflammatory statements.
Maybe I missed it...but what does the CHILD want? Does that matter?
Yup, very very interesting case.
I was wondering reading the title, just what the
“grounds” could be for such a radical intrusion into
the lives of both mother and daughter, then was made aware
it was probably hatched as a plan between a Father with a Grudge, and his lawyer. THis brings in a whole new backdoor dimension into the issue of homeschooling, which I am surprised I’ve never heard of before. Don’t know whether custody or dollars are the paramount issues, but of course the Father looks like he’s imposing his “authority” on the situation because his own money is going into supporting the girl. Thanks, lawyers, for finding so many previously hidden opportunties for yourselves.
Yup, very very interesting case.
I was wondering reading the title, just what the
“grounds” could be for such a radical intrusion into
the lives of both mother and daughter, then was made aware
it was probably hatched as a plan between a Father with a Grudge, and his lawyer. THis brings in a whole new backdoor dimension into the issue of homeschooling, which I am surprised I’ve never heard of before. Don’t know whether custody or dollars are the paramount issues, but of course the Father looks like he’s imposing his “authority” on the situation because his own money is going into supporting the girl. Thanks, lawyers, for finding so many previously hidden opportunties for yourselves.
Or they are ‘concerned’ she is missing out on the sex education classes and sensitivity classes aka ‘indoctrination’.
The Government shall make no laws concerning the establishment of a religion unless some unelected judge deems it too ridged.
The father is supporting the mother also so that she can homeschool.
What expenses do you mean? As a homeschooler of 3, I can speak to the fact that materials for a 10 year old are probably around $500 a year, and that’s being generous, buying mostly new.
If you refer to the possibility that Mom has no job and stays home with her daughter, then I would think that Dad should revisit the divorce decree, which no doubt established a monthly amount of support years ago.
Maybe Dad just has a problem with his wife and daughter’s beliefs period.
““adequate socialization” you mean she does not act like a freaking brat?”
They could just hire a group of girls to criticize her clothes, hair and makeup, and to shun her for not being cool enough. Then the girls could beat her up and show the video on Youtube while one of the girls’ moms taunts her on myspace until she kills herself. Would that be adequate socialization?
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