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New Hampshire High Court Hears Arguments In Home Schooling Case

By Howard M. Friedman

The New Hampshire Supreme Court last week heard oral arguments (video of full arguments) in a divorce case that has gained national attention through the publicity given to it by groups that see it as an important religious freedom test.  As reported by AP, at issue is a disagreement between parents with joint custody of their 11-year old daughter over her schooling.  Amanda Voydatch was home schooled by her mother through the fourth grade using Christian-based material from Bob Jones University. In 2009, Amanda's parents were unable to agree on where she should continue her education. Amanda's father wanted her exposed to different points of view and more social interaction than was available through home schooling. When the parents could not agree on an alternative, a state family court judge ordered that Amanda attend public school. The mother's attorneys characterize this as punishing the mother and daughter for their religious views. However the case may turn on whether the lower court order is seen as a modification of the parenting plan, which would require the father to show that Amanda was being harmed by home schooling.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on January 10, 2011 (boomark / email).