MIDLAND, Texas (KOSA) - Midland ISD has released a statement after the Texas Homeschool Coalition claimed that MISD is “pushing to prosecute” after a mother withdrew her son from the district.
“In a dramatic turn of events, what started as a simple act of parental choice quickly escalated into a legal nightmare. On May 24, Texas homeschool mom Veronica Rodriguez will be required to appear in court for an inspection of her homeschooling.
Veronica joined the ranks of thousands of parents who are choosing to homeschool on March 18, 2024, when she contacted her local public school in Midland, TX to withdraw her son Joseph. What she didn’t anticipate was the fierce backlash from the school district.”
The district says this is a false accusation, and added that the article is part of a fundraising campaign by the THSC.
“Parents wishing to withdraw their child from school, for any reason, may do so by submitting a notification in writing to their campus or the district office. If a student is not withdrawn, yet is continually absent from school, it is the district’s responsibility to pursue the student, up to and including calling the student and parent to appear in truancy court.
The district must ensure students who are enrolled follow the state compulsory attendance law (FEA LEGAL AND LOCAL). Truancy cases are handled on an individual basis, with the court making the ultimate decision on how to proceed. MISD followed all protocols related to this law.”
You can read more about Compulsory Attendance laws here.
“While Midland ISD aims to be the best choice of education, the district understands and values the many educational pathways available to families.”
In an article written by THSC, the group says six weeks after the parent began homeschooling, she received a court summons charging her with truancy.
“Veronica was accused of allowing unexcused absences from public school on 10 separate dates from the fall and spring. This included multiple instances where Veronica had documented evidence showing that she had informed the school in advance about Joseph’s sickness and, on one occasion, a family emergency that required her son to be absent.”
At the court hearing, Veronica pled guilty, a plea THSC says was a mistake.
...At the court hearing, Veronica pled guilty, mistakenly thinking it was necessary for her to do so in order to simply pay a fine to resolve the issue. But instead of addressing the unexcused absences, the hearing turned into an inquisition of her homeschooling. She was bombarded with demands to provide curriculum details and weekly attendance logs, which are not legally required in Texas.”
You can read the full article written by the Texas Homeschool Coalition here.
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