Appellate court says a credential is needed to teach children by Maureen Magee A recent state appellate court ruling that it is illegal for thousands of California parents to home-school their children without credentials has resulted in a firestorm of controversy. It is the subject of much speculation on blogs, Web sites and networks that link thousands of home-schoolers statewide. Many parents, educators and even lawyers are unsure exactly what the decision means for the future of homeschoolers in California. San Diego Times, 3/7/2008