10. The Primary Role of Parents in Education (4/91)

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Whereas parents are the primary educators of their children; and

Whereas the family has consistently been shown to provide the best environment for a child’s growth and development; and

Whereas the family provides continuity of significant human relationships that provide academic, social, emotional, and moral support for a child’s learning; and

Whereas a child’s interaction with people of many different backgrounds and ages (rather than isolation with age-mates) provides him or her with adult role models and lessens stress and problems of peer pressure and dependence; and

Whereas children are individuals who vary in talents, abilities, and needs and in how and when they learn best; and

Whereas parents understand their children and their styles of learning and their special abilities better than persons who interact with them on a much more limited basis and parents have a stronger bond and commitment to their children; and

Whereas the one-on-one tutorial approach to education available to a home schooled child supports learning without undue pressure or labeling; and

Whereas parents rather than the state are responsible for their children, including their educations, and the state cannot be held accountable for the education of children (as shown through court cases where parents have consistently lost suits against school districts for failing to educate their children);

Be it resolved by members of the Wisconsin Parents Association (WPA) that WPA and its members will inform the general public and policy makers of the primary and central role of the parent in education; and

Be it further resolved that WPA and its members will work to ensure that parents retain their freedoms in education. 4/91