by KYW's Dr. Marciene Mattleman

In 1983, only four states permitted home- schooling. By 1985, there were 50,000 kids learning at home and today, that number is closer to 1.5 million.  Because there is no formal way to collect data nationally, the count is approximate.

A great number of home-school families are religious Christians; others are displeased with the public schools, citing factors such as safety and inadequate teaching.

While the movement has grown rapidly, a California appeals court has just ruled that under state law, parents have no right to teach their kids at home. Based on a 50-year-old law, parents who home-school their kids must have a teaching credential.

While the case is being appealed, Governor Schwarzenegger has indicated that if it is not overturned, he will push for legislation allowing home-schooling to continue.

According to a report in Education Week, outraged parents and advocates have been picketing and have gathered 180,000 signatures asking the California Supreme Court to decide whether the decision applies to the family involved in the particular case or to other families who home-school their children as well.