Comments on: Public School Programs Are Not Homeschooling http://www.homeedmag.com/editorial/269/public-school-programs-are-not-homeschooling/ From the editors and publishers of Home Education Magazine Sun, 28 Feb 2010 07:29:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Malc Dow http://www.homeedmag.com/editorial/269/public-school-programs-are-not-homeschooling/#comment-11351 Malc Dow Sun, 07 Dec 2008 16:02:55 +0000 http://www.homeedmag.com/editorial/?p=269#comment-11351 I keep wondering; why does the government have anything to do with education? The government as a body appears to get very little right, and while it a wonderful idea that as a body it might just stay home for a while and figure out for it is a) being paid to do and b) what exactly are they doing with all that money, this is perhaps a little too much to hope for. But education... one would think the government would be pleased to be rid of such a turbulent corner of its administration. There is an episode of Prime Minister - a tv series brought out in the '80s by the BBC that makes a good point about this state of affairs, it is available on YouTube in four parts. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZuKxP3JU6s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsrCHmLuiWw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLDb2V86Ei0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9lLIDvdSwE Apart from being quite entertaining, the amazing thing is that in 20 years so little has changed. I keep wondering; why does the government have anything to do with education? The government as a body appears to get very little right, and while it a wonderful idea that as a body it might just stay home for a while and figure out for it is a) being paid to do and b) what exactly are they doing with all that money, this is perhaps a little too much to hope for. But education… one would think the government would be pleased to be rid of such a turbulent corner of its administration.
There is an episode of Prime Minister – a tv series brought out in the ’80s by the BBC that makes a good point about this state of affairs, it is available on YouTube in four parts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZuKxP3JU6s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsrCHmLuiWw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLDb2V86Ei0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9lLIDvdSwE

Apart from being quite entertaining, the amazing thing is that in 20 years so little has changed.

]]> By: Mary Nix http://www.homeedmag.com/editorial/269/public-school-programs-are-not-homeschooling/#comment-11333 Mary Nix Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:04:46 +0000 http://www.homeedmag.com/editorial/?p=269#comment-11333 I've seen other subtle changes in my state since the schools came along. I don't blame families for using them. In fact I respect their right to do so. However, the two choices are distinctly different and we have to remain active making sure folks know that. If you want to take the time, you can read the Ohio Administrative Code concerning home education here: http://www.ohiohomeeducators.net/regulations.htm As many will recognize, we are at best, a middle of the road state when it comes to our regulations, still, we have made it work and when one understands how important it is that you are notifying and NOT seeking permission you do become empowered. Since the regulations were written in 1989, Ohio home educators have enjoyed helping others choosing to homeschool to understand their rights and responsibilities and to make sure others do not infringe on those rights. Last year, HEM sponsored a gathering in Ohio, bringing Valerie Bonham Moon and Susan Ryan to speak here. It was a wonderful gathering with good ideas and great company. Of course like all our gatherings, we welcomed anyone who wanted to attend and as usual a few families came that were enrolled in a cyber-charter school. One family in particular mentioned that cyberschooling had worked for their daughter in the early grades, but the rigorous standards were getting a bit much for her as she entered high school. They called me six months later to explore the option of independent homeschooling further and I agreed to get together with them to discuss the regulations. After we went over the paperwork and responsibilities, they were surprised that it was NOT as difficult as the cyberschool had claimed it would be. They shared a copy of the cyberschool's guideline to withdraw from their school for homeschooling. The difference may be subtle to some, but I'll let you decide. The section that addresses home education withdrawal and notification in our law can be read here: http://www.ohiohomeeducators.net/regulations.htm If you take the time to read it, you will see it is a simple process. Below are the guidelines listed at an Ohio Cyberschool for those wanting to withdraw to home educate: " Parents who decide to withdraw a student from OHVA are required by Ohio State law, to communicate their intentions (intent to withdrawal and notification as to where the student will be attending school- even if your intent is to traditionally home school your student) to their student's guidance counselor prior to the withdrawal from OHVA. Truancy charges may be filed with the local courts and educational neglect charges may be filed with Children and Family services, if this disrupts the student's continued school attendance as required by Ohio Law." Again, I'm happy for families to have many choices for their children. My objection is not to choice, but to the confusion that is added to a family's often full plate when fearful language like the above is used when the facts would serve them much better. I'm still a proud signer of the WSFH statement as I support clear, concise language to help parents find their responsibilities and easily claim their rights. The above paragraph from OHVA is just one small example of what has happened via the cyberschools in my state. I haven't seen anyone complaining that we clarify concerning these situations in my state. Actually, families seem to support and promote that. The only grousing I've seen is from a couple of bitter voices who seem to live in the past. Those in the present work together and help empower one another, no matter what their educational choice. I’ve seen other subtle changes in my state since the schools came along. I don’t blame families for using them. In fact I respect their right to do so. However, the two choices are distinctly different and we have to remain active making sure folks know that. If you want to take the time, you can read the Ohio Administrative Code concerning home education here: http://www.ohiohomeeducators.net/regulations.htm

As many will recognize, we are at best, a middle of the road state when it comes to our regulations, still, we have made it work and when one understands how important it is that you are notifying and NOT seeking permission you do become empowered. Since the regulations were written in 1989, Ohio home educators have enjoyed helping others choosing to homeschool to understand their rights and responsibilities and to make sure others do not infringe on those rights.

Last year, HEM sponsored a gathering in Ohio, bringing Valerie Bonham Moon and Susan Ryan to speak here. It was a wonderful gathering with good ideas and great company. Of course like all our gatherings, we welcomed anyone who wanted to attend and as usual a few families came that were enrolled in a cyber-charter school. One family in particular mentioned that cyberschooling had worked for their daughter in the early grades, but the rigorous standards were getting a bit much for her as she entered high school. They called me six months later to explore the option of independent homeschooling further and I agreed to get together with them to discuss the regulations. After we went over the paperwork and responsibilities, they were surprised that it was NOT as difficult as the cyberschool had claimed it would be. They shared a copy of the cyberschool’s guideline to withdraw from their school for homeschooling. The difference may be subtle to some, but I’ll let you decide.

The section that addresses home education withdrawal and notification in our law can be read here: http://www.ohiohomeeducators.net/regulations.htm If you take the time to read it, you will see it is a simple process.

Below are the guidelines listed at an Ohio Cyberschool for those wanting to withdraw to home educate:

” Parents who decide to withdraw a student from OHVA are required by Ohio State law, to communicate their intentions (intent to withdrawal and notification as to where the student will be attending school- even if your intent is to traditionally home school your student) to their student’s guidance counselor prior to the withdrawal from OHVA. Truancy charges may be filed with the local courts and educational neglect charges may be filed with Children and Family services, if this disrupts the student’s continued school attendance as required by Ohio Law.”

Again, I’m happy for families to have many choices for their children. My objection is not to choice, but to the confusion that is added to a family’s often full plate when fearful language like the above is used when the facts would serve them much better.

I’m still a proud signer of the WSFH statement as I support clear, concise language to help parents find their responsibilities and easily claim their rights. The above paragraph from OHVA is just one small example of what has happened via the cyberschools in my state. I haven’t seen anyone complaining that we clarify concerning these situations in my state. Actually, families seem to support and promote that. The only grousing I’ve seen is from a couple of bitter voices who seem to live in the past. Those in the present work together and help empower one another, no matter what their educational choice.

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