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HEM SUPPORT GROUP NEWS - February 2005~FEBRUARY'S HIGHLIGHT
~ISSUES TO WATCH
~COMMUNITY SERVICE
~CONFERENCES
~WEB UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
~HEM RESOURCES
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FEBRUARY'S HIGHLIGHTED HOMESCHOOL ACTIVIST:
Litsong Lu and the Resource Center of Self-Directed Learning
This Month I am delighted to interview Litsong Lu. Litsong resides in Taiwan and weaves a network for all spirits at the Resource Center of Self-Directed Learning http://rcsdl.ngo.org.tw/
I began the interview by asking: Is home education legal in Taiwan? If so, can you describe the basic requirements?
Litsong: Yes. It is legal now. It's only five-years ago that the law has opened up for "alternative education" including the choice of Homeschooling. The change of the law is a new beginning-the children have the right and the obligation to be educated, yet the parents have the right to choose the kind of education that suits the family. In our country, each local government makes its own regulation. Before the law opened up, our education required each child 9 years of compulsory schooling (average age 7-16) including 6 years of elementary school and 3 years of junior high school. It takes a few years for the local government to catch up with the change or respond appropriately to the requesting families. This year (2004), among 18 counties and two major cities (Taipei and Kao-shung, directly under the central government), there are homeschoolers registered in 15 of them, 5 counties with no homeschoolers registered, and among the total number of 436 homeschoolers, Taipei city counted over 150 homeschoolers registered, compared to last year about 85, the number doubled. All the numbers above exclude those who hold foreign passport (in my family's case, my son was born in the states) and those under age 7 but already started self-directed learning.
As mentioned above, the regulation is formed by each local government so it does vary. Yet often there is the application form and deadline each year for parents to submit their "study plan". There are guidelines for parents to follow in writing their proposal, and there can be "evaluation" to follow up by the board of education or related committee. However, such "well-intended supervision" doesn't override the families' wish to homeschool if they insist. Negotiation and communication can be arranged but the school or the board of education hold no real power to force the homeschoolers into school system if they so insist. Quite often it is a process of negotiation and communication for the "authorities" to have the peace of their mind-in their trained specialties to ensure the "education" been delivered to the future citizens and the parents to compromise so as not to be bothered too much.
Most of the basic requirement parallel with what the schools are required to do ( our education department forms the committee and decide what need to be covered through out the school years for all school to use as the guideline for the curriculums). In some area, homeschoolers are requested to participate certain hours/days in school, or to participate in the exam.
Mary: What do you do in Taiwan to help new homeschoolers?
Litsong: I have shared my experience in consultation with whoever interested in alternative learning since 1995. We got started in RI/USA with extensive reading in GWS and HEM. I bought all the GWS as my encyclopedia of growing without schooling, all John Holt's books, and through the years I established a good collection of 'live-and-learn" kind of stuff. Lots of stories based on people we met in real life or read in articles are most helpful for those new and confused.
I "opened" my Resource Center of Self-Directed Learning in 1999 in order to take part in a international conference (Global Environment Youth Conference in Lund, Sweden --GEYC 2000). It's a chance too good to pass, free distant learning program networking with delegations from over 90 countries, 500 teenagers all over the world. I was invited to form and lead the Taiwan delegation. On the application form, they ask for "school or institution". So I made my own flag and raised it on that day.
Before that, we already have a group of friends sharing our resources, joy, pain and support in homeschooling. A year after I started the resource center (RCSDL), we started a magazine to share our stories and put out related resources. The magazine casts my vision to honor our quest of living fully and sharing our stories as self-directed learners. I have benefit so much from reading GWS, HEM when I first started this journey, I would like to offer such service to the society I live in, and be the change I wish to see in this world.
The magazine started from 16 pages, 200 copies to now 80 pages 500 copies. Since I was so inspired by reading GWS and HEM, I wish my magazine will be worth reading even 20 yrs later. I don't make the magazine to sell or preach. It's rather a journal I believed that will be passed to whomever has such a calling in the heart. And it has. From time to time, people come to us telling how this little magazine has helped them through some hard times, people still request for the old issues. I have been amazed how the magazine has traveled afar ---I have received requests or feedbacks from Japan, Germany, Malaysia, Hong Kong, USA, and of course, Taiwan. It's very interesting how things got spread. Because the distinct quality and style of the magazine, we attract like-minded supporters regardless of their age, many come to share their stories and personal inner evolution. Our readers include all ages and some are not parents but taking interest in reclaiming themselves from many y! ears of schooling.
In RCSDL, we don't preach for homeschooling because we view it as a personal choice. We do encourage people to find what they really want for their lives. If people ask for "homeschool" information, we tell them where to look for the resources; if they know what they are looking for, it's quite easy to send them to the right link. For those who read our magazine and find our spirit touching their deeper quest, we can arrange matching pairs among our circle of friends, and sometime, arrange an open house or gatherings for people to get a feeling of "being with us-a cluster of self-directed learners with various talents and pursuits". People who came to our gatherings often refer their experience to be very exciting yet relaxed, a lot of fun, refreshing and the interaction being liberal yet cozy and comfortable. We (RCSDL) take our inner growth with open honesty and support each person's current choice as we know life is forever evolving and there is no need to make judgments.! We treat children with great respect and cherish what they have to share with us. As we say, homeschool or not is each family's choice, but along the line of living truthfully, we hold no boarder to exclude anyone, so we have lots of friends and readers who are school students, parents or teachers or principles.
Mary: What are the challenges facing homeschooling in Taiwan?
Litsong: It depends on the person you ask. As my answer to a FAQ, "What's the requirement/ criteria for homeschooling", in my experience, is the willingness of see the truth and make changes along the way. For most of the parents, the hardest part is "self-confrontation"-be prepared to re-examine almost all your assumptions, face your hidden fear over and again until you find the way to heal it with love. My belief is, when we adults try our best to live our life fully and truthfully, we have offered our children our best gift for them, their own growing shall be in their hands. "Let them be what they grow". Another one of the hardest things is to let love be love, no if no but, just love-open and free as our blessings.
Parents have to learn to love themselves and find the strength to handle the situations. If they have done their own work and search for selves, challenging from outside (the system or the peers) can be dealt with appropriately without causing more stress then necessary.
Some common challenges include the pressures from all directions, mostly only because homeschoolers are "out of sync". Such pressure can be painted with all colors but the core is "why are you different?" assuming that people shall all be the same - pieces on the assembling line. Once one learn about self-respect and have the inner strength -dare to live authentically, such questions or pushing-over can be viewed with clarity and handled easily (a sense of humor helps). For those tender at heart, frequent encounters of such persisting and invasive question can be taken as annoying harassments or attacks. When we give consultation, most of the challenges go back to the root to one's value and belives, it rarely is about "homeschooling or not", except, when you homeschool, you may have more time to take your truth more sincerely.
Mary: How does the general public view homeschooling in Taiwan?
Litsong:"the general public"? Who? What? How?and Why??? Well, I know what you mean, I just don't care. Ok, my personal observation is: Most people are curious with their own imagination when they see a school-aged child not in school during school hours.
Some of them (over the 5 years of media exposure) take it easily as a fact (tell them it's legal and they let you go; or remind them that's the way it has been before school was introduced); some of them may worry for you (interesting to see they project all their fear onto something they have no experience of), under some pretty crazy circumstances they consider you endanger the child's future (they accuse you of being selfish, naÔve or stupid). More now we come across people who know about it and regard such effort as worthwhile and a privileged choices (for those more capable or better children with well educated parents). Whatever people think, unless they do have true exposure in such life style, they are just projecting from their assumption, since most of them are too busy to ponder on such issue, we don't need to take their opinion too seriously either.
Back in 1996 when we first moved back from the states, homeschooling is still illegal and underground, the atmosphere was more offensive/harsh for people who wish to live free and stay free beyond age 7, now, 8 years later, maybe the law have opened up, the changes in the society (more liberal, democratic and diverse), or, maybe we have grown stronger and have better clarity in what we wish for ourselves, we enjoy our lifestyle and share our great journey with many who know about the power of love and respect of the diversity of individual development, we thrive on our daily practice of trust, freedom and love, the rest (such as learning) come naturally.
Taiwan, in general, is a young country of democracy, by law the human right is protected. When people make a conscious choice as how to live t heir live without harming others, they do have a fair chance---this doesn't guarantee an easy ride, but, isn't life by definition to be forever changing? All the twist and turn along the way, we take them as part of the journey and chances for inner training. While answering your questions, I took the chance to review the road we have traveled: from being out-lawed and a loner, to be loved, supported by hundreds of those free at heart, and respected by even those whose feet are deep in education system, I felt a great joy and deep appreciation to our society at large--in pursuing freedom of speech, (after 50 years of martial law) we were led to the transformation into a free country and along came our right by law -growing, with or without schooling.
I hope each of you enjoyed Litsong's account as much as I did. Litsong, your heart for freedom and your love of life is an inspiration. Thank you for taking the time to share with us.
ISSUES TO WATCH
Kudos-Tampa Bay Florida's Channel ten news should be the recipient of the logical reporting award of the year for their report, " Homeschoolers concerned about impact of Dollar case."
The story highlights a local FL family and their concerns about the impact of a recent FL child abuse case that is being connected to homeschooling. Other media have erroneously made this out to be about homeschooling and focused less on the actual crime. The homeschool father in this story was quoted as saying: "If somebody's going to do awful things like that - they're not playing by anybody's rules."
I tip my hat to Kathryn Bursch for this report that can be read in part and viewed via video at: http://www.tampabays10.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=11925
Legislation -There's a mixed bag of legislation pertaining to home education popping up across the country.
Utah's Bill SB 59 seems to be a very good move to expand the freedom of home educators there, but whenever new legislation is proposed it has to be followed step by step till it's signed into law to ensure no changes are slipped in.
To the north in Montana, home educators will be keeping a very close eye on SB 291 because it could greatly restrict freedom to home educate in that state.
At times, we might learn of a bill that affects us only because our statewide support group or some other organization has sent us an alert. Most of the alerts I see give a link or a citation to the source which is usually the state or federal legislative site. Monitoring our legislature, following bills that affect us and reading them is our responsibility. We can neglect this duty, but if we do, our silence allows others to presume that we accept the actions they may be taking on our behalf. If you visit The Library of Congress State and Local Government's page: http://www.loc.gov/global/state/stategov.html you will be able to find state legislatures in the US and search for legislation that could affect your family and your freedoms. If you have found an effective way to connect with your legislators and to monitor legislation, drop me a line at Support Groups Email
Here is a sampling of legislation from across the country and a link to the legislative sites they are listed at.
Utah's Senate Bill 59, Home School Amendments http://www.le.state.ut.us/~2005/htmdoc/sbillhtm/SB0059.htm
South Carolina, Put Parents in Charge in Act http://tinyurl.com/469j7
Oregon Senate Bill 415 http://tinyurl.com/5ccb5
New Mexico House Bill 158, Home school student testing requirements http://legis.state.nm.us/Sessions/05%20Regular/bills/house/HB0158.pdf
Mississippi House Bill 488: Dual Enrollment for Homeschoolers An act to authorize local school districts to dually enroll home school students under certain conditions; and for related purposes. http://tinyurl.com/5aeoo
Montana Senate Bill 291 http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2005/billhtml/SB0291.htm
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Some Washington home educators recently turned a party to celebrate their "Battle of the Bands" win into a benefit for tsunami relief. I asked one proud Mom to tell me more and she wrote:
"I am often charmed by the simple gestures that extend goodwill and fellowship. We learn so much by following a simple notion where it leads us and engaging in all the encounters along the way. We often find unexpected encouragement when we reach out to help others in a spirit of affirmation.
"Following the tsunami disaster, David Albert wrote an email about his adopted family in India. He and his daughter Aliyah had already planned a trip to India, and they decided to go as planned to see what they could do to help. There were areas near where his family lives and works that were hit hard. His family, including S. Jagannathan and Krishnammal, have dedicated their lives to helping the dalit or "untouchables" improve living conditions in their communities. This work, through Land for Tillers' Freedom (LAFTI) involves helping villagers replace mud huts with brick houses they learn to build themselves of bricks they manufacture themselves. They also help gather land and resources for child welfare, education and community development projects.
"My daughter and her band "The Mothes" were planning to have a party to celebrate their cd. They had won a "Battle of the Bands" competition sponsored last summer by a local community center and music store and were awarded studio recording time. The girls decided to make the party a benefit for tsunami relief and to give their cds out in exchange for donations to LAFTI.
"In a wonderful gesture of appreciation, David Albert and his wife Ellen came from Olympia to Seattle to attend the party and performance. He brought some beautiful picture boards he had made of people building houses (overcoming his "craft phobia" of producing something using paper and glue) and spoke to the gathering about the work of LAFTI and about the good will he had seen emerging in the midst of suffering as people reached out to comfort and assist those in need.
"David wrote to us that the benefit raised enough to provide a doorway. I imagine that doorway as a threshold of hope. I imagine that we might walk through that doorway any time, into the simple, rich shelter of human compassion."
You can mail a donation, earmarked "LAFTI tsunami relief," to:
David Albert
Skylark Sings
1717 18th Court NE
Olympia, WA 98056
Here is David's blog: http://shantinik.blogspot.com/
Here is LAFTI's website: http://www.lafti.net/
This Valentine's Day, homeschoolers with H.E.A.R.T.S. --Homeschoolers Educating, Assisting, & Reaching-out Through Service --will join with others in the community to reach out their hearts with a special delivery of valentines.
All across the country the H.E.A.R.T.S. to Hearts Valentines project will bring homeschoolers together, many times with members of the community at large, to make and deliver cards to area nursing homes, hospitals, and homeless shelters. "We want to share Valentine's Day warmth with those who might otherwise be forgotten," said Michele Pulis of H.E.A.R.T.S. "It's a special day and a special chance for our children to learn how important it is to reach out to people who might feel lonely and need an extra smile." Homeschooling families routinely get involved in community service as part of their daily learning experience. H.E.A.R.T.S. creates opportunities for homeschoolers to participate in coordinated group service projects, reaching beyond the barriers of religion, politics, educational philosophy, and distance. H.E.A.R.T.S. currently has 21 chapters covering 16 states - with additional chapters continually being added. All are invited to join! Together we will make a difference in our world!
For more information: http://www.h-e-a-r-t-s.org
Discussion List for HEARTS: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AHA-HEARTS
Post message: AHA-HEARTS@yahoogroups.com
Subscribe: AHA-HEARTS-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
CONFERENCES
California Homeschool Network Family Expo will be held on June 10th and 11th at the Riverside Convention Center. Conference details are available online at www.californiahomeschool.net/events/expo/familyexpo.htm or 1-800-327-5339.
WEB UPDATES, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND RESOURCE
AHA-PublicSchool-HomeschoolTransition
A new list has been started for homeschoolers and/or potential homeschoolers. The AHA-PublicSchool-HomeschoolTransition list is sponsored by the American Homeschool Association (AHA) for the discussion of issues related to the transition from public school to homeschooling.
Whether you're leaving the public school world of brick and mortar schools or virtual charters to home educate, we welcome you to ask questions or share information with list members.
The emphasis will be on helping families gain the confidence to make this transition. Information regarding state laws in making the transfer to home educate will be provided. We'll also share resources and materials that may work successfully for your family as you enjoy the freedom and independence of taking responsibility for your children's learning.
To subscribe, send a blank email to: AHA-PublicSchool-HomeschoolTransition-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
This Curriculum Will Teach the Kids, Wash the Dishes AND Do the Laundry! By Mary McCarthy http://wnla.tripod.com/id66.html
Gifted Home Scholars in NC
A group for parents who are educating their gifted children at home in NC, or have an interest in home education in our state. This group will give parents an opportunity to network, share experiences, and bounce ideas around. This group is open to all types of homeschoolers http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GHSNC/
The Military Homeschooler -- 16 Jan 05 Read the articles, with linked references, at: http://www.militaryhomeschoolers.com/
NHELD Bulletin #40, Homeschools are judged as being schools 01/13/2005 ttp://www.nheld.com/articles.htm#Bulletin%2040
American Homeschool Association Web Blogs
http://aha.typepad.com/
HEM RESOURCES and MORE
HEM Resources
Listings of resources reviewed or mentioned in the pages of Home Education Magazine http://www.homeedmag.com/HSRSC/hsrsc_gn.html
HEM's News and Commentary http://www.homeedmag.com/whts_nw.html
HEM's Online Newsletter http://www.homeedmag.com/wlcm_hemnewsltr.html
Be sure to bookmark Home Education Magazine's Support Group page, which can be accessed at: http://www.homeedmag.com/wlcm_groups.html
If you need your listing updated or your group would like to be added, email me at Support Groups Email and it will be added in a timely manner.
I look forward to writing to you next month!
Mary Nix
HEM's Support Group Liaison
Support Groups Email
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