WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania recognizes that healthy families are the fundamental building blocks of a strong society; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania also recognizes that parental involvement in and commitment to their children's nurture and education are essential elements of a healthy family; and

WHEREAS, the learning alternative generally referred to as “home education” requires parents to be actively involved in their children's education and upbringing; and

WHEREAS, the practice of home education boasts a long and notable history in our nation, having been the primary mode of learning when our nation enjoyed its highest level of literacy, and has produced such respected Americans as Thomas Edison, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Mark Twain, Andrew Carnegie, Abraham Lincoln, Booker T. Washington, Patrick Henry, and George Washington; and more recently, accomplished individuals such as U.S. Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers; Pennsylvania State Representative Jeff Coleman; Pennsylvania-native NFL defensive lineman, Jason Taylor; and popular vocal artists LeAnne Rimes and The Hansons.
 
WHEREAS, the United States Supreme Court repeatedly affirms the role of parental responsibility in the lives of their children with statements such as: "The child is not the mere creature of the state; those who nurture him and direct his destiny have the right and the high duty, to recognize and prepare him for additional obligations"; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania acknowledges this same Constitutional principle with the following statement in the Pennsylvania School Code of 1949: "It is the policy of the Commonwealth to preserve the primary right of the parent or parents ... to choose the education and training for such child"; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania statutorily recognizes the legality of home education as an educational option, and accords it equal standing with public and private education; and

WHEREAS, the 105th United States Congress commended home education saying it is "...a valuable part of our nation's efforts to prepare its youth for the demands of society at the edge of a new century," and passed legislation protecting the rights of home-educated graduates who apply for federal college funding or enlist in the military; and

WHEREAS, over 1.5 million children are in home education programs, with more than 24,000 of these being Pennsylvania residents; and

WHEREAS, home education is growing dramatically each year and attracts families from all walks of life, including members of the United States Congress and the Pennsylvania General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, the academic success of home education is well documented on the elementary, secondary, and post-secondary levels; and

WHEREAS, research also finds that home education is an excellent setting for healthy socialization and well prepares children to successfully contribute to society by providing students with many opportunities for real-life activities within their communities, giving them interaction with people of all ages and backgrounds, and creating a learning environment where values may be incorporated into the curriculum; and

WHEREAS, home education takes advantage of the many benefits of tutorial learning and the individualized, flexible instruction it allows, as well as providing a safe, non-distracting learning environment; and

WHEREAS, research shows that the academic performance of home-educated students is not dependent on the level of their parents' education or income, nor is it dependent on the degree of regulation imposed by the state; and

WHEREAS, families who educate their children make a tremendous contribution to the Commonwealth by financially providing for their children's education and molding responsible citizens who will lead the nation in the 21st century; therefore be it  

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives / Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania honors and commends home education and the thousands of students and families involved for their hard work, dedication, and accomplishments, as well as for their significant contribution to the success of our state in this new millennium; be it further

RESOLVED, That we, the House of Representatives / Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do hereby proclaim the week of May 5 through 10, 2003, as Pennsylvania Home Education Week and urge the appropriate recognition thereof.