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News & Commentary March 03, 2004
In This Issue:
Cover Story - Teacher Magazine Showcases Grace Llewellyn
Ready for Army Ants?
No Child Left Behind
Florida Disses Maine Homeschooling Diploma Program
Why We Homeschool: It Strengthens the Family
Why We Homeschool: Oregon's Budget Crunch?
Alaska Correspondence School Abuses Exposed
California Charter Academy Woes
South Carolina Heads Down the Tax Credit Path
Tennessee Bill Dies
Virginia - Bill Passes Senate
Washington - Public Hybrid Programs Grow
Why We Homeschool: To Spend More Time With Family
Homeschooled Athletic Leagues
The Separation of School and State
Unschooling Ourselves and Learning to Think
Homeschooling Success In France
On Education and Groceries
Final Words
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Cover Story - Teacher Magazine Showcases Grace Llewellyn
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headline: Grace Under Pressure
Teacher Magazine, By Brett Schaeffer http://www.teachermagazine.org March 2004
http://www.teachermagazine.org
This is an intelligent and faithful look at one piece of homeschooling history and one of its influential forces during the 1990's, Grace Llewellyn, author of "The Teenage Liberation Handbook." At one point during the interview, the reporter asks Grace, "[Do you] still play a significant role in the alternative world of home- and unschooling?" "It doesn't need me," [Grace] dismisses. "The movement is fine." (The reporter who interviewed Grace did note several serious challenges looming on the horizon.)
Ann: Are you sure, Grace? Frankly, I could use a triple shot of your idealism and good sense - just about now.
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Ready for Army Ants?
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Ann: For a while now I've felt that nature of the attacks on homeschooling has changed. The attacks used to be direct and head on - we either won or lost bigtime, but we always knew what we were up against. Now, I sense a new strategy from those who oppose homeschooling - you might call it the army ant approach. Numerous small attacks, coming from every direction, even if no single one is fatal, could hurt. Some legal and legislative attacks are small and local, sometimes threatening, but often sugar-coated or otherwise disguised. The media attacks from the rear, with big stories like the CBS abuse story, small distortions of fact, and sneaky suggestions that "real homeschoolers" would welcome government regulation. And we are just beginning to see the ways No Child Left Behind add to this load.
What to do? If you are interested in discussion and working on strategies, e-mail lists are there to serve. Here is a snip from one discussion this week.
http://groups.yahoo.com
headline: Bulletin #25 No Child Left Behind
"Did you know? The primary means that the federal government uses to regulate education is through its power enumerated in the Commerce Clause of the Constitution."
This message explains in some detail how the federal government "encourages" states to comply with NCLB. Consider this provocative statement: "Despite the exemption language, No Child Left Behind does affect homeschoolers."
Ann: And speaking of NCLB affecting homeschoolers -
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No Child Left Behind
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headline: Five States Want Out of Education Law
Lack of funding, and local control spark mini-revolt
The Detroit News, Michigan, By Maureen Feighan mfeighan@detnews.com and Christine MacDonald February 29
http://www.detnews.com
"The No Child Left Behind Act is only 2 years old, but the federal education law is already sparking a mini-revolt from some states. Outraged by the law's perceived intrusiveness, unfunded requirements and infringement on local control, at least five states, including Virginia, Arizona, Maine, Vermont and Minnesota, have either passed resolutions or are considering ones that rebuke the education law."
Ann: I've heard of teachers, parents, and students grumbling about NCLB - now entire states want out? Expect reverberations no matter what happens.
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headline: Report Puts Dropout Rate at 25 Percent
The Union Leader, New Hampshire, By Garry Rayno February 27
http://www.theunionleader.com
"A Concord think tank director says that 1 in every 4 students entering public high schools in the state drops out before graduating ~ a statistic made more significant by the No Child Left Behind Act." Later in the story we read the recommendations, two of which directly mention homeschooling. "The department ensure that each district counts students it has expelled as dropouts unless the district documents that those students have enrolled within the year in a different school or a home-schooling program."
"The Legislature amend RSA 193-A and require parents of home-schooled high school students to report on whether their children have completed minimum high school graduation requirements or have terminated home-schooling without meeting those requirements."
Ann: Will the pushout problem, where failing public school students are urged leave school and sign up as homeschoolers, proliferate in New Hampshire? This is going to be messy, folks.
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Florida Disses Maine Homeschooling Diploma Program
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Ann: With NCLB breathing down the necks of public schools across the country, homeschooling programs are getting slapped - for not being public schools, I guess. Here are two versions of Florida/Maine story.
headline: Failing Students Get Diplomas From Maine School
Portland Press Herald, Maine, March 01
http://www.pressherald.com
"... North Atlantic Regional High, a private school designed to assist home schoolers, is issuing diplomas to seniors who flunk the Florida test.... The school's husband-and-wife administrators, Steve and Carol Moitozo, say the state of Maine is trying to discredit a legitimate program. North Atlantic Regional, Steve Moitozo says, screens students' accomplishments - course work, standardized test scores, internship experiences - and converts them into measurable credits. When a student has met Maine's graduation requirements they receive a diploma."
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headline: School Provides FCAT Loophole
Miami Herald, Florida, Matthew I. Pinzur mpinzur@herald.com
http://www.miami.com
"Dozens of county students are transferring their high school credits to an out-of-state private school, using a loophole that lets them earn a diploma without passing the state's graduation test."
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Why We Homeschool: It Strengthens the Family
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headline: Home Schooling Wins Converts
Parents like being able to tailor lessons to kids' strengths.
The Detroit News, Michigan, By Janet Sugameli, February 02
http://www.detnews.com
"Erin Rybicki, a Sterling Heights mom, said The benefits of home schooling is that it strengthens the family. 'You have a good relationship with your kids,' she said."
Ann: This is an upbeat and positive story. I have one beef: The reporter lists only Christian contact sources. Other folks want to homeschool too, you know!
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Why We Homeschool: Oregon's Budget Crunch?
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headline: More Parents Turn to Home-Schooling
The Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, By Luciana Lopez lucianalopez@news.oregonian.com February 26
http://www.oregonlive.com
"The number of home-schooled students in most districts in Washington County rose this year and could rise again next year. While reasons for home schooling run the gamut, many home-schooling families say school budget crunches -- including bigger class sizes and fewer school resources -- influenced their decision to learn from home."
Ann: Lopez set out to discover whether homeschooling numbers were expected to grow as a result of a tax measure being defeated. She ended up with a positive story about homeschooling in general and interesting discussion of the many reasons people choose to homeschool. She even used few of my comments.
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Alaska Correspondence School Abuses Exposed
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Headline: Correspondence Schools Warned
STATE: Stop reimbursing parents for questionable expenses or face an audit.
Anchorage Daily News, Alaska, By Katie Pesznecker, March 01
http://www.adn.com
"Education Commissioner Roger Sampson... in a memo to superintendents dated Feb. 19, said ongoing spending practices by some programs have "resulted in a very negative image for Alaska education." Some statewide correspondence schools are largely enrolling full-time private school students and reimbursing them for nonacademic items and activities -- from $1,400 for a family pass to a water park to $700 for ski lessons to $900 for horseback riding lessons."
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California Charter Academy Woes
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headline: Embattled Charter School Drops 200 Students Midyear
Contra Costa Times, California, By Jennifer Coleman February 29
http://www.contracostatimes.com
"Adella Santo, a Monrovia mother who enrolled her 6-year-old daughter in California Charter Academy's independent study program last fall, said she was allotted $300 for textbooks and supplies, but never received the math and reading aids she ordered.... Santo said she's now home-schooling her daughter, without the support of a charter school. 'It was my first exposure to a charter school,' she said. 'My feelings have sort of soured on them now. It's very disheartening.'"
Ann: This charter school seems to have gotten itself in trouble with the state more than a year ago, primarily for exorbitant administrative costs. Are Santo's feelings typical of those who were dropped, I wonder?
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South Carolina Heads Down the Tax Credit Path
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headline: Private School Tax Credit Unveiled
Educators say Sanford tax breaks would take money away from public schools
The Post and Courier, Charleston, South Carolina, By Seanna Adcox and Clay Barbour February 27
http://www.charleston.net
COLUMBIA-- "Gov. Mark Sanford unveiled details Thursday of an education bill that would give parents a tax credit toward private school tuition. Under the proposal, parents making less than $75,000 annually could receive up to $4,600 in tax credits as reimbursement for private school tuition, home-schooling costs or 'tuition' for attending a public school in another district."
Ann: Didn't SC see a similar bill last year? The bill's advocates claim that this is "about choice." However, the article cites a great deal of opposition to the bill.
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Tennessee Bill Dies
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headline: 2004 Legislation Alert
TnHomeEd, Nashville, Tennessee, By Kay Brooks, March 03
http://www.tnhomeed.com
"HB2163 requiring private and home schoolers to submit to gateway testing has been withdrawn. It is dead for this session."
Ann: Congratulations, Tennessee! Tennessee homeschoolers worked long and hard to achieve this result, as a quick review of this website will tell you. I see why Tennessee is nicknamed "The Volunteer State!"
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Virginia - Bill Passes Senate
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headline: School Smarts
The Freelance Star, Fredericksburg, Virginia, February 25
http://www.freelancestar.com
"If the kids are doing well, free up the parents. As Habitat for Humanity's Millard Fuller wisely notes, 'It's not your blue blood, your pedigree, or your college degree. It's what you do with your life that counts.'"
Ann: This story was published just before the second Virginia Senate vote (see below). I include it because the reporter writes circles around many reporters, even catching the significance and sharp irony of the Belle Wheelan quote. Smart writing. Too bad I couldn't find a reporter byline - I'd be sending a letter of admiration.
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headline: State Senate Passes Bill Relaxing Homeschooling Standard
Wavy TV, Virginia, By Larry O'Dell, March 01
http://www.wavy.com/
"After spirited debate, the Virginia Senate passed legislation Monday to relax the academic qualifications required of parents who teach their children at home.... 'I find it sad that there are those in this body who don't think that parents are capable of protecting their children and have that philosophy that only government can protect children and only government knows how to raise children because some parents are incompetent,' Sen. Jeannemarie Devolites, R-Fairfax said...."
Ann: Sen. Devolites' comments take the debate directly to the bottom line.
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Washington - Public Hybrid Programs Grow
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headline: How We Learn - Options to Public Schools Abound
The Columbian, Vancouver, Washington, By Amy McFall Prince and Gregg Sherrard Blesch
February 29
http://www.columbian.com
"The popularity of home schooling has grown steadily since it was made legal in 1985. ... Washington does not, however, require that home-schooling families work with public school districts.... For more information about the rules, call the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction..."
Ann: These reporters tried to cover every educational option in one short story and gave short shrift to all, especially homeschooling. There are many confusing points, but the one referring potential homeschooling parents to the Superintendent of Public Instruction for homeschooling information really galls me. No, No, No! The SPI office will refer parents to The public alternative hybrid programs. That's fine for those who want that but what about options? For information about state or local homeschooling support groups for private home-based instruction, parents should contact www.washhomeschool.org
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headline: Home School Support Advised
Proposal would set up resource center in Stanwood area
Herald, By Victor Balta vbalta@heraldnet.com March 02
http://heraldnet.com
STANWOOD -- "A home-school resource center that would provide school district-sponsored assistance to students who get most of their education at home could be on its way to the Stanwood-Camano School District...."
Ann: This report disregards important differences among families who homeschool privately and those who enroll in public programs.
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Why We Homeschool: To Spend More Time With Family
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headline: Homeschooling In 2004
WOKR-13, Rochester, New York, By Susan Harf February 26
http://www.wokr13.tv
"Susan Rogowski and her husband Jay say they decided to try homeschooling to spend more time with their two boys and to have more control over what Alex and Christian learned."
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Homeschooled Athletic Leagues
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headline: We Band of Brothers
The Winchester Star, Virginia, By Val Van Meter February 27
http://www.winchesterstar.com
"Honing playing skills or looking ahead to athletic scholarships aren,t the motivations behind the Home School Basketball League. 'Basically, this gives homeschool students a chance to play in regular team sports,' said Tracy Pitcock, recreation program coordinator at the Clarke County Recreation Center. The team members say they like the action and the camaraderie."
Ann: Homeschooler participation in athletics through Park and Recreation Centers - I'd like to see this solution to interscholastic activities grow.
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The Separation of School and State
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headline: The Separation of School and State
Fox News, By Wendy McElroy, February 25
http://www.foxnews.com
"My purpose is not to dispute with parents who send their children to public schools. I believe the system is a brutal failure, but parents must decide for themselves. I advocate extending alternatives far beyond the typical private versus public school debate, and even beyond homeschooling. Apprenticeships, experiments like Montessori and the School of Living, self-guided education, mentoring..."
Ann: This is the first time I've seen a call for separating school and state in national news. Separate or not, parents need true options that will engage their children in learning, not thinly disguised "homeschooling" programs that draw them back into the public fold.
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Unschooling Ourselves and Learning to Think
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headline: We're So Easily Delphied Because We Ignore Its Techniques
Ether Zone, By Joan E. Battey edithrb@earthlink.net March 01
http://www.etherzone.com
"Until Americans learn to re-activate their memory-retrieval systems, apply that in assessing news, politics and things that are affecting them, and to decipher the Delphi-ing that is coming at them from all sides, they will have no major overall cultural, political and religious impact with input they make."
Ann: I was first "delphied" many years ago. I went to a meeting with some opinions to share and came out having "learned" that my opinions were of no value (to the group) and that the group had no power other than to regurgitate what some "power" wanted us to accept as true. A few years later, I found an antidote that helped shore me up against this manipulation - unschooling my children and myself.
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CBS's Fearmongering Crosses the Pond
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headline: Home Education Child Abuse Fears
BBC News Online, By Gary Eason, February 27
http://news.bbc.co.uk
"The Association for Education Welfare Management has asked the Children's Minister, Margaret Hodge, for the power to check up on home educators.... Belinda Harris Reid, spokesperson for...Education Otherwise, was 'appalled' that people might think the majority of home educators were child abusers. There was no need for LEAs to regulate home education, she said."
Ann: See what you started, CBS, with your fearmongering?
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Homeschooling Success In France
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headline: Children's Books That Break Down Barriers and Open Up Possibilities
The Daily Star, By Olivia Snaije
http://www.dailystar.com.lb
"Since 1986, Nadja, her brother Solotareff and their mother Lecaye have written and illustrated between the three of them well over 100 children's books....[Lecaye] had chosen home schooling as she had hated school herself and found it a waste of time. By noon the children had finished their correspondence courses. This left them the rest of the day to draw and paint. Lecaye made books with the children, read fairy tales to them and at bedtime, invented stories."
Ann: Three fascinating and adventure-filled lives make for an interesting multi-cultural and multi-national homeschooling success story.
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On Education and Groceries
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Ann: Although I've seen this analogy before, this is a good rendition. Here's an excerpt, but you'll enjoy the whole thing.
headline: If We Bought Groceries the Way We Buy Public Education
680 WPTF, By Jerry Agar jery@wptfmail.com
http://www.wptf.com
"...'Home-growers' would also proliferate, to the dismay of the NGA, who would openly fret about the lack of quality guarantees on the food grown by home growers. The grocers lobby would seek to stifle the movement by the sheer weight of new state and federal regulations on home growing. Media reports on home growing would seek to damn the movement by association, by focusing exclusively on hillbillies making white lightnin'. CNN hosts would regularly make snide comments about home growers as toothless, drunken hicks in a trailer at the end of the road, who don't know how to behave in a public grocery."
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Final Words
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E-mail addresses of reporters or their editors are now included with their stories when available. Please send feedback to reporters who make you think, who tell a great story, or who have wrong information. A pat on the back or a respectful correction is usually appreciated. As always, keep me in mind as you find and make the news. Thanks to all who contributed to this and past issues.
Ann Lahrson Fisher
News and Commentary Email
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