Arlington Diocese's Position Paper on Homeschooling

DRAFT - v. I

PART I. Foundations of Catholic Homeschooling

As the American Bishops wrote in their pastoral letter To Teach As Jesus Did, catechesis "is a perennial task and a joy for the Church of Jesus Christ…[Yet} rarely if ever has it been more pressing a need, more urgent a duty and more ennobling a vocation." Most recently, over the past decades, we have witnessed an emergence of a new-yet traditional-way of teaching the faith to the young: through Catholic home education.

THE PARENT AS PRIMARY EDUCATOR

"Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children," says the Catechism of the Catholic Church (2223). "They bear witness to this responsibility first by creating a home where tenderness, forgiveness, respect, fidelity and disinterested service are the rule. The home is well-suited for education in the virtues.' In his 1994 Letter to Families, Pope John Paul 11 wrote: "Parents are the first and most important educators of their own children, and they also possess a fundamental competence in this area; they are educators because they are parents" (16).

Catholic home educators have taken this teaching literally and taken it to heart. They have responded generously with their time, attention, and love, giving their days over to the personal care and tutoring of their children. Yet they do not labor alone. The community of faith finds order in the principle of subsidiarity, according to which "a community of a higher order should not interfere in the internal life of a community of a lower order, depriving the rafter of its functions. but rather should support it in case of need and help to co-ordinate its activity with the activities of the rest of society, always with a view to the common good" (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1883). The principle of subsidiarity dictates that parents receive proper assistance from the Church in this, their task of education. "For parents by themselves are not capable of satisfying every requirement of the whole process of raising children, especially in matters concerning their schooling... Subsidiarity thus complements paternal and maternal love and confirms its fundamental nature, inasmuch as all other participants in the process of education are only able to carry out their responsibilities in the name of the parents, with their consent, and to a certain degree, with their authorization" (Letter to Families 16). The Church, at the Diocesan and Parish levels, should in no way hinder parents from exercising their option to homeschool. If the local Church can assist the family in any way, she should, This duty of the Church was expressed by the U.S. bishops in To Teach as Jesus Did: "While it was relatively easy in more stable times for parents to educate their children and transmit their values to them, the immense complexity of today's society makes this a truly awesome task. Without forgetting, then, that parents are the first to communicate the faith to their children and to educate them, the Church must make a generous effort today to help them to fulfill their duty." Thus the generosity shown by homeschooling parents should inspire in pastors and educators an equal impulse to generous service. It should be noted, however, that while parents are the primary educators, their interpretation of doctrine can never supersede the legitimate teaching authority (the Magisterium) of the Church.

THE ROLE OF THE TEACHING CHURCH

Catechesis is the work of the whole Church, but the Church's members have different responsibilities (cf. Catechesi Tradendae 16). Parents are their children's primary educators, but not their only educators. The teaching Church is the guarantor of the soundness of Christian doctrine-the revealed truth that comes from Jesus Christ-whenever that doctrine is conveyed. Parents are obligated to fulfill their duties, as are deacons, priests and bishops, and all must cooperate in this single endeavor to educate in Christ's name. There is no other authentically Catholic way to teach except in union with the Pope and one's Bishop. "Because of their charge, pastors have, at differing levels, the chief responsibility for fostering, guiding and coordinating catechesis" (Catechesi Tradendee 16).

The details of homeschooling life vary from home to home. The uniqueness of family life will correspond to the experience of homeschooling. Homeschooling or home education can be described as the work of parents who have undertaken, to any degree and for any length of time, the formal academic or religious formation of their children, work that has been traditionally carried out in institutional classrooms.

EDUCATION AND COMMUNION

Though all things living fall within the loving interest of the Church, it is not the purpose of this document to examine the many issues surrounding academics in home education. The Church's primary concern in education is catechesis.

The authority of parents and pastors has sometimes come into conflict for various reasons. In part, a lack of communication and familiarity can sometimes exist between parish staff and homeschooling families, In other instances, there can exist a wide variety of readings of current diocesan policies for religious education and sacramental preparation. The official documents of the Church, however, all speak of the need for close cooperation between pastors and parents, especially in the work of catechesis. In such cooperation, a fundamental theological value is that of communion between the domestic church and the local church, between the local church and the universal church. Religious education and sacramental programs should not place undue burdens on homeschooling families. In general, if parents are providing their children regular and thorough catechesis, the children should not be required to attend additional parish religious education classes. The pastor, however, either personally or through his delegate, has the responsibility to evaluate a child's readiness for reception of a given sacrament (cf. Pope Pius X, Quam Singulari), and he should clearly state for all parish families how he will determine that readiness. Again, this process should not be burdensome to the family or traumatic to the children, and the requirements for home-catechized children should be neither more nor less demanding than they are for other children. When service projects or other works are required, the parents may be entrusted to oversee the works,

Here it must be acknowledged that not all Catholic homeschoolers are providing adequate catechesis. The home-education movement is broad-based, and as it grows it may take in more Catholic adults who may not be well-schooled themselves in Catholic doctrine. The children of such parents may not be dispensed from parish religious education programs simply because they are homeschooling. The pastor and his delegates are called upon to use discretion and prudence, so that the devout are not alighted because of the lax, and the lax are not further encouraged in their laxity, Furthermore, while parents are the primary educators, their interpretation of doctrine can never supercede the legitimate teaching authority set over them in the Church.

Part II. What is Homeschooling?

Because of its newness, Catholic homeschooling is sometimes misunderstood and misrepresented. The majority of Catholic parents who homeschool their children do not want to be seen as separating themselves from the Church's teaching mission, but as an integral part of the apostolate of Catholic education. Parents who have elected to homeschool their children have made a generous commitment of time, effort and energy. They recognize the totality of such a commitment and have accepted the fullness of its responsibility.

The details of homeschooling life vary from home to home. A study group established by the Diocese of Baltimore in 1996 concluded that it was impossible to make general conclusions about Catholic home educators. The group, which was itself made up of homeschooling families and education leaders, spent several months studying issues of concern to local Catholic homeschoolers and trying to find the best ways the Church could affirm and assist homeschoolers in their life and work.

The terms 'homeachooling" and "home education' are used to describe the work of parents who have undertaken, to any degree and for any length of time, the formal academic or religious formation of their children-work which has been traditionally carried out in institutional classrooms.

In that light, a key issue for homeschooling is the topic of catechesis, the means and methods that Catholic families use to pass on the faith, Home-catechized families have been found to fall into five general categories:

-- Families who provide academic and religious instruction at home, based on parental choice of material;

-- Families who provide academic and religious instruction at home and also use parish Religious Education classes;

-- Families who send their children to public school and use a parish- based or parish-supplied curriculum for religious education;

-- Families who send their children to public school and provide religious instruction at home, based on parental choice of material; Families who send their children to public school and agree to provide religious education at home because of a scheduling conflict with parish Religious Education classes.

The first two groups make up the great majority of families who identify themselves as horneschoolers. Some of these Catholic home educators do not belong to a support group, Catholic or otherwise; and as a whole they reflect the Catholic population in general, varying in their practice of the faith.

PART Ill. Homeschooling in the Church of Arlington

Home is where the school is for a growing number of families in the Diocese of Arlington. Estimates vary, and growth continues at such a pace that it is impossible to say.how many local parents have discerned the vocation to home education. In our diocese, several support groups meet regularly to serve the specific needs of homeschooling Catholics.

The Diocese of Arlington recognizes this movement as a gift to the Church. The popes of the twentieth century have called on parents to be primary educators of their children. Homeschooling parents have responded to this in a most comprehensive way, often making great sacrifices for the sake of their children's care. In doing this, they are exercising a right that comes from God; they are fulfilling a religious duty in a beautiful and sometimes heroic way. In their love for their children, their generosity, and their willingness to make great sacrifices for the sake of education, they offer an outstanding and exemplary witness in our parish communities.

Because of the newness of the movement, homeschooling is often not well known or understood in a community. This is sometimes the case in our parishes, where some homeschooling families feel as if they don't "Fit' into parish life-they are neither typical Catholic school households nor typical 'CCD" households. As a result, some feel reluctant to approach their pastor or director of religious education about assistance in catechesis and/or sacramental preparation.

Some pastors, on the other hand, are unaware of the homeschooling phenomenon or are subject to misconceptions about it. Some, perhaps, see homeschooling as a movement of "protest' against their own efforts, although, for a majority of homeschooling families, that is not the case. Many parents who choose home education do so because they have discerned it as a calling from God, because they enjoy the company of their children, and because they want to be there for their children's education and formation, especially in the faith, just as they were there when baby took her first steps.

Within parishes, pastors and homeschooling families should have clear lines of communication, particularly in areas that are essential to the children's growth in faith. Especially at times of sacramental preparation, homeschooling families should feel as much a part of the parish as other families do, even though their children are not required to attend the same classroom formation as other children. The Church is made one in the celebration of the sacraments and in her life of worship, not in the educational technique or textbook.

The parish should share the local Church's catechetical and sacramental guidelines with homeschooling families. These guidelines follow the Catechism of the Catholic Church as well as the Vatican's General Directory for Catechesis and the U.S. Bishops' National Catechetical Directory, setting some minimum expectations for catechesis at every grade level. The methods by which home educators meet these guidelines will vary greatly from home to home, and the Church respects this diversity. Some, for example, will follow packaged curricula: others may rely more on oral teaching, personal service, and primary texts such as the Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and the lives of the saints. The concern of the Church is that her doctrine be taught in its completeness and integrity---comprehending the dimensions of belief, worship, service and community-and that the methods and content of catechesis be age-appropriate and free from error in matters of faith and morals.

PART IV. Diocesan Position Statements

In light of the principles expressed above, the following are the position statements of the Diocese of Arlington on the relationship of homeschooling families and parishes with regard to catechetical formation accomplished within the home:

When properly undertaken, homeschooling is a valid ministry in the Church and makes a positive contribution to total Catholic education.

Pastors have the canonical responsibility to insure the orthodoxy and completeness of home catechetical instruction.

Homeschooling parents are to meet either with the pastor or his delegate to discuss their plans for catechesis, if they intend to include catechesis as part of their homeschooling efforts. Such plans should include a review of the diocesan guidelines for religious education and a review of the resource material expected to be used in the home.

A wide variety of resource material exists for catechetical formation. In general, the pastor or his delegate, in cooperation with the parents, should ensure that whatever material is used for home catechesis be in doctrinal conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The legitimate freedom of parents to select appropriate catechetical materials should be respected, while preserving at the same time doctrinal integrity and orthodoxy.

The immediate catechesis for a sacrament is integrally linked to a Catholic school or parish religious education program. This immediate catechesis involves the candidate, the candidate's parents and the parish community. Sacraments are never merely private celebrations; rather, they involve the entire Church. Therefore, homeschooling parents are to discuss with the pastor or his delegate how their children will be part of the parish's program for the immediate preparation and celebration of any sacrament.

-- The Offices of Catholic Schools and Catechetics welcome participation of homeschooling parents to the annual Diocesan Education Institute and the Catechetical Conference. These opportunities will assist the parents in participating in workshops, as well as to explore educational materials that would be helpful in their overall ministry,

-- The Diocesan Audio-Visual library will provide educational materials to homeschooling parents.

Other opportunities for closer collaboration between homeschooling families and diocesan institutions may include:

-- The ability to enroll for selected classes in Catholic schools

-- Use of school and parish facilities for athletics and other activities;

-- Participation in league and intramural sports;

-- Programs for children with disabilities and other special needs;

-- The use of diocesan facilities for gatherings of families;

-- Assistance from Catholic school teachers as evaluators to fulfill state requirements;

-- Creating more effective means of communication, in official diocesan media and through the parishes.

PART IV. Catechesis and the Sacraments

RIGHTS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

What is the Diocese of Arlington's position regarding home catechesis and a child's sacramental preparation? What is required of students? of parents? of pastors? The following passages are drawn from diocesan documents and adapted for homeschooling families and their pastors.

Parents who wish to provide their children with religious education at home should (feel welcome to) schedule a meeting with the pastor or his delegate to discuss their plans for catechesis. Parishes, for their part, should make available to homeschooling parents any resources, such as textbooks and support materials, that the parish uses in religious education. Homeschooling families can elect to use these materials or other suitable materials of their own choosing, Though homeschooled children are expected to meet the same standards as other students (the published catechetical guidelines), they are not required to attend religious education classes. When service projects or other works are required, the parents may be entrusted to oversee the work. Parish staff should include homeschooling families in any informational mailings from the parish dealing with the sacraments and surrounding events, as well as pertinent information about gathering the necessary certificates or other documentation that may be required. (Parents should be welcome to attend but they cannot be required.)

In preparation for the sacraments, however, the children should attend rehearsals, and their parents should attend appropriate meetings for adults. All materials that parents choose for home catechesis should be sound in Catholic doctrine and in conformity with the published standards of the diocese and the teachings of the Church. Parents should review their educational materials with their pastor or his delegate. It is the pastor whom the Church has called to work with parents to determine a child's readiness for reception of the sacraments. Both pastor and parent should be acquainted with the diocesan catechetical guidelines at the appropriate grade level for sacramental preparation. Assistance in this important work is available through the Diocesan Office of Catechetics. Call 703-841-2519.

PART V. CONCLUSION

At the end of the Gospel of St. Matthew, Jesus gave these instructions to His Apostles: "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations ... and teach them to observe all-I have commanded you" (Mt. 28:19-20). In obedience to this Great Commission, the Church throughout the centuries has proclaimed the Gospel and through her catechetical efforts has sought to bring to maturity the seed of faith planted by the Holy Spirit in the hearts of believers.

This commission is carried on in the educational institutions found in our parishes: our Catholic schools and religious education programs. In a unique way, this commission is carried on by those families who have embraced the vocation (their sacramental obligations) to teach their children the ways of faith in the setting of the home. The Diocese of Arlington recognizes, gives thanks for and supports all parents in their vocation as primary educators of their children. In matters of faith, all teachers are witnesses to the Gospel message and pass on God's gift of faith.

Realizing that we, as a diocesan church, are one family of faith, the Diocese of Arlington seeks to foster a spirit of mutual cooperation, understanding and respect between homeschooling parents and their parishes. In the religious education of children, despite the legitimate variety of methods, resources and educational options, the final goal remains always the same: that they may know the Eternal Father and the one He has sent, Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and for ever.