News & Commentary March 12, 2004

In this Issue:

Building The Right-Wing Stereotype - Brick by Brick
Follow-Up: No Child Left Behind
Interscholastic Rule Changes - MI, NC, PA, SC, SD
Iowa Driver's Education Bill
Kentucky - An Ugly Bill Indeed
Mixing It Up in Pennsylvania
Virginia's Bill Criticized
Washington 2SHB 2704 On the Docket
Why We Homeschool: Locked In, Budgeted Out
The Winningest Homeschoolers
Private Schools Seeking Students
International - Homeschooling in the UK and China
Time For the California Prom!

Ann: I'll say this about the New York Times - they are good at what they do. In a pair of articles, the Times handily stereotypes homeschoolers without a word of editorial comment. Kirkpatrick shines his journalistic torch on one high profile conservative corner of the homeschooling world. With masterful finesse, the reporter selects facts that implicate homeschooling as shockingly right-wing. A mere nod to the majority is buried in the middle of a paragraph. Busy Times readers will conclude that most homeschoolers are ultra-conservative Evangelical Christians. After all, they read it in the Times.
A sampling from the articles -

headline: Ever Mindful of Bible, Chastity and the Rules
The New York Times, By David D. Kirkpatrick, March 07
http://www.nytimes.com
"Patrick Henry College in Purcellville, Va., does more than train home-schooled students. College administrators say that it also provides Evangelical Christian home-schooling parents with a campus culture uniquely suited to their values ...Every student takes a course called 'Foundations of Liberty,' which teaches that democracy rests on biblical principles, traditional sex roles, limited government and private property rights. Aside from the issue of slavery, the course suggests, that the early America was nearly ideal."

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headline: College for the Home-Schooled Is Shaping Leaders for the Right
NY Times, New York, By David D. Kirkpatrick, March 08
http://www.nytimes.com
"'We are not home-schooling our kids just so they can read,' Mr. Farris said. 'The most common thing I hear is parents telling me they want their kids to be on the Supreme Court. And if we put enough kids in the farm system, some may get to the major leagues.' That is an alarming prospect to some on the left. 'Mike Farris is trying to train young people to get on a very right-wing political agenda,' said Nancy Keenan, the education policy director at People for the American Way, a liberal advocacy group, and a former Montana state superintendent of public education. The number of Patrick Henry interns in the White House 'scares me to death,' she said."

Ann: See how this works? The true majority of homeschoolers - the middle-of-the-road crowd - are ignored by the Times, abandoned as nothing more than lion chow in both the right and the left arenas. Yet the Times is squeaky-clean in its reporting. I almost yearn for CBS's bumbling smear campaign. This Times story has been picked up by many, many papers, including the International Herald-Tribune, Paris. http://www.iht.com

headline: Bulletin #28 No Child Left Behind Update 3/8/2004
National Home Education Legal Defense, Judy Aron aronhome@att.net
"Even though states have the choice to participate in this federal legislation, none have yet outright rejected it entirely because the federal money tied to it is so compelling. It would mean relinquishing federal subsidies, which account for about 11 percent of total expenditures on education. Everyone is grumbling and complaining about the mandates, and lack of federal money to enact mandates, and the unfairness of the law."

Ann: Last issue I noted that five states want out of the NCLB Education Law. In fact, there are no fewer than fourteen asking hard questions about this law. That is good news. Homeschoolers may feel the weight of this law in some unexpected ways as the NCLB pressure builds in local districts.

You can read interesting discussions about this in other NHELD's Bulletins. #28 is interesting recap of how these fourteen states are responding, complete with links. For your copy of the Bulletins, or to rceive future announcements, contact Judy Aron aronhome@att.net

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Interscholastic Rule Changes - MI, NC, PA, SC, SD
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Ann: Interscholastic participation is a hot topic, with decisions being made both for and against homeschooler participation.

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Michigan

headline: Right Call Made on This Home School Rule
The Grand Rapids Press, Michigan, By Bob Becker bbecker@grpress.com March 05
http://www.mlive.com
"Son of a gun, the courts finally got one right! The Michigan Court of Appeals this week upheld a lower court decision that approved a Michigan High School Athletic Association rule that requires students taking part in athletics to attend that school for at least 20 hours a week."
http://www.geocities.com
The No Name Newsletter includes an interesting discussion of the pros and cons of this court decision from a homeschooler's point of view. The piece closes with this bit of wisdom: "...as Jodee says, 'If your kid is good enough, they'll figure out a way to get you in...'"

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North Carolina

headline: Board Denies Home-Schooled Boy Baseball Tryout
The Herald-Sun, North Carolina, By Carolyn Norton cnorton@heraldsun.com Mar 05
http://www.herald-sun.com
"CHAPEL HILL -- The city school board won't allow a home-schooled boy to play on the McDougle Middle baseball team, but it does plans to look at whether residents who aren't enrolled in the public schools can participate in other activities."

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Pennsylvania

headline: Home School Policy Upheld
Valley Independent, Pennsylvania, By Jeff Pikulsky jpikulsky@tribweb.com March 10
http://www.pittsburghlive.com
"MONESSEN - A change of heart by some Monessen School Board directors Tuesday was enough to keep home-schooled students from participating in extra-curricular activities. The board denied changing the policy with a 6-2 vote."

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headline: BASD Officials Argue Against Extracurriculars for Homeschoolers
The Morning Call, Pennsylvania, Genevieve Marshall genevieve.marshall@mcall.com March 09
http://www.mcall.com
"Homeschooled children won't be allowed to participate in sports, extracurricular activities or academic classes in the Bethlehem Area School District if the school board agrees with district administrators.... 'We do not want to become a smorgasbord that people can pick and choose from,' [Superintendent Joseph Lewis] said. 'Either students come to us for a complete education or they opt to receive their education elsewhere.'"

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South Carolina headline: South Carolina Home Educators Association
schea1@SCHomeEducatorsAssociation.org
www.schomeeducatorsassociation.org
A Constitutional Amendment to the South Carolina High School League that would allow certain homeschoolers to participate in high school sports will be voted on next week.

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South Dakota

headline: Madison Board Allows Home Schoolers Into Activities
Aberdeen News, AP, March 11
http://www.aberdeennews.com
MADISON, S.D. - "The school board in Madison has decided to let home-schooled students take part in interscholastic activities if they enroll in at least one academic class per year."

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Iowa Driver's Education Bill
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headline: Home School Driver's Ed
KWWL, Iowa, March 09
http://www.kwwl.com
Des Moines - "A bill that would allow parents to teach driver's education to their own home-schooled children has passed the House.... The bill passed 62-31 and next goes to the Senate for consideration."

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Kentucky - An Ugly Bill Indeed
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headline: Voluntary Certification in Kentucky
Judy Aron writes: "In Kentucky, a bill, House Bill 610, was introduced on February 25th by House member K. Stein. This bill is essentially a foot in the door to legislation. It is an act relating to voluntary certification of home schools....This is an ugly bill, and certainly 'voluntary' can easily become mandatory. Kentucky homeschoolers should fight this one, and other homeschoolers nationwide should also be vigilant that similar legislation doesn't pop up in their own legislatures."
Read the bill here http://www.lrc.state.ky.us

Ann: Voluntary Certification of Homeschools? There is an idea floating around out there that homeschoolers just love to show off their children's success. Is this bill supposed to draw proud parents into the fold? Does the Kentucky legislature think that, if they can entice the braggers to comply voluntarily, they can bully and shame the rest?

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Mixing It Up in Pennsylvania
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headline: Wohar Knows About Home Schooling, Claims It's Better
Valley Independent, Pennsylvania, By Jeff Oliver joliver@tribweb.com March 10
http://www.pittsburghlive.com

Ann: This is one of those articles that make you want to tear your hair out. Here is just one example: "Wohar said she had no choice but to send three of her kids to cyber school because, 'I asked California three times to allow my kids to participate in sports and they turned me down.'... California Area [High School] is paying $18,000 to $30,000 a year for the three Wohar children to be cyber schooled. Wohar said she believes home schooling is a better form of education. She says teachers have been against home schooling because such students do better."

Ann: Huh? I'm not sure why a parent would accuse teachers as anti-homeschooling when you have three of your kids enrolled in a public school. The reporter missed his chance to clarify the differences between homeschooling and cyberschooling in Pennsylvania. Too bad.

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Virginia's Bill Criticized
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headline: Home-schooled Children Deserve High Standards
The Virginian-Pilot, Virginia, March 8
http://home.hamptonroads.com
"No doubt there are some high school-educated parents who are more capable of guiding a particular child than some college-educated teachers. But, particularly when it comes to higher-level courses, such parents are more likely to be the exception than the rule. In weighing educational requirements for parents who teach their children at home, Virginia should aim for reasonable policies."

Ann: Time and again journalists need to be reminded that homeschooling success stems from educational freedom, not bureaucratic restriction. Here's a well-written rebuttal letter to the Virginia-Pilot editor:
http://epilot.hamptonroads.com

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Washington 2SHB 2704 On the Docket
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Washington Homeschool Organization
www.washhomeschool.org/
http://www.washhomeschool.org
From Mia Anderson of WHO: "This bill clearly takes care of three long standing issues: Re-establishing part-time enrollment for homeschoolers in alternative education programs; Drawing an unambiguous distinction between home-based instruction and public education programs; Requiring school districts to be clear about enrollment options (part-time, full time) and the resulting educational enrollments status (home-based, public ed.)."
Read the bill here:
http://www.leg.wa.gov/pub/billinfo/2003-04/House/2700-2724/2704-s2_ams_edu_s5078_1_03012004.txt

Ann: The clarification portion of this bill is lo-o-ng overdue.

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Why We Homeschool: Locked In, Budgeted Out
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headline: Schools Will Continue Using 'Time-out' Rooms
Pioneer Press, Minnesota, By John Welsh jwelsh@pioneerpress.com March 06
http://www.twincities.com
"Two years after considering a ban on locked time-out rooms for misbehaving students, the Minnesota Department of Education now hopes training of educators will reduce abuse of such rooms....'As the department drags its feet on this, we get more and more calls about kids being put in locked time-out rooms for hours at a time,' said Bob Brick, director of public policy for the PACER advocacy group. 'They are being locked up, kicked out and encouraged to drop out.'"

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headline: Gifted Program Faces Crisis
Indianapolis Star, Indiana, By Holly VanSlambrook, March 10
http://www.indystar.com
"A first-year program for elementary-age gifted students may face cuts or be eliminated unless Lebanon Community School Corp. officials can find $200,000 to fund it next year....Several urged the School Board on Monday to find funds for the program or risk losing academy students to private schools, home schooling or other school districts."

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headline: Pittsburgh Parents Worry About School Closings
Erie Times-News, Pennsylvania, AP, March 07
http://goerie.com
"PITTSBRUGH - Some parents voiced frustration over administrators' plans to close 15 underused city schools, but officials warned that they could make more cuts and changes as they try to reduce spending and address declining enrollment. Pittsburgh Public Schools could accommodate 50,000 students, but the district has an enrollment of only about 34,600....But the way former school board member Darlene Harris sees it, the district will lose many parents to suburban districts, home schooling and other options if the board votes to close the schools. "

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The Winningest Homeschoolers
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headline: Springhill Home Schooler Wins County Spelling Bee
Bozeman Daily Chronicle, Montana, By Erin Nicholes enicholes@dailychronicle.com March 05
http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com
"Anna Rose won the title of Gallatin County's champion speller at the Willson Auditorium Saturday after correctly spelling 'gossamer,' which is "a fine filmy substance consisting of fragments or strands of a cobweb," according to the definition used by the judges. It's the second year in a row that Anna Rose, who is home schooled and lives in the Springhill area, has won the countywide spelling bee....She will progress to the state spelling bee in Helena in April..."

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headline: Beauty, Brains, Poise
The News Tribune, Tacoma, Washington, By Martha Modeen martha.modeen@mail.tribnet.com March 07
http://www.tribnet.com/entertainment
"...Dustin Leigh Konzelman, 22, of Puyallup, was crowned Miss Pierce County, beating 11 other contestants vying for the title and the chance to compete in state and national pageants.... Konzelman was home-schooled but played sports at Puyallup High School. She graduated from Pierce College and plans to transfer to Biola University near Los Angeles, where she'll study communications and psychology."

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headline: Students Demonstrate Winning County Science Fair Projects
Mount Vernon News, Ohio, By George Breithaupt gbreithaupt@mountvernonnews.com March 10
http://www.mountvernonnews.com
"The 13th Annual Knox County Science Day was held Tuesday at the Mount Vernon Nazarene College. With 58 participants from public, private and home schools, the exhibits demonstrated a wide range of subjects ranging from organic produce to static electricity.... Winners in the High School Division [included] first place, Zach Tuggle, homeschooled.

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Private Schools Seeking Students
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headline: New Private School Looks for Home
Smoky Mountain News, North Carolina, By Becky Johnson, March 10
http://www.smokymountainnews.com
"A group of parents is launching a new private school in Haywood County named the Carolina Academy of the Arts that will be based on arts, hands-on learning, integrated curriculums and an educational track tailored to each student.... Kim Turpin [dean of elementary education] said demand exists in Haywood and surrounding counties for this type of school, pointing not only to students already attending Carolina Day but also to the dozens of homeschooled students and the changing demographics of the area."

Ann: Interesting to hear of a private school targeting the homeschooling population for recruitment. I wonder how this will play out.

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'Kiribath' - Hands-On Fun
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headline: Home Schooling Is a Shared Commitment in Clarke and Loudoun
Clarke Times-Courier, Virginia, By Stephanie Kenyon March 11
http://www.zwire.com
"Brenda Murn and her four young sons were busy baking 'kiribath' in their kitchen in Berryville. The traditional Sri Lankan dish of rice cooked in milk symbolizes a bountiful year ahead. But to the Murns it was a fun, hands-on way to augment the history lesson of the day for these home-schoolers."

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International - Homeschooling in the UK and China
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headline: New Moves Over Home Education
BBC News, UK, March 05
http://news.bbc.co.uk
"A leading education welfare manager has apologised for stating wrongly that a child, who died from natural causes, had been subjected to abuse. Jenny Price, general secretary of the Association of Education Welfare Managers, said she regretted that the information, published in good faith, had been incorrect.... [Education Otherwise's former chair, Jill Fisher said that]...anything coming from the Department for Education and Skills should encourage 'an understanding of and respect for the great diversity of ways in which people home educate - and acknowledge that parents do have primary responsibility not only for children's welfare but also for their education. Child protection fears were a red herring. 'If an education welfare officer has any kind of child protection concern about a home-educated child they should do the appropriate things and go to social services,' she said."

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headline: ARCH Issues Statement on the Children Bill
http://www.arch-ed.org
"The Government intends to put the details of every child on to a database and allow every agency with which a family comes into contact to share information about that family. There does not need to be any suggestion that a child is at risk of harm. All children will have their own file on the database. That is bad enough in itself. But thereäs more... No family will know what information is being shared ù or even that it is happening....We believe that ‘child protectionä is a cover story. This Bill is not about protecting children who are in danger. It is about supervising families..."

Ann: It looks like our friends in Britain are facing the same kinds of challenges we in the US face.

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headline: Homeschool Takes Flight
Shanghai Daily News, China, March 08
http://english.eastday.com
"A local expatriate group is organizing another class for 'homeschool.' It will be for children under 10 and comes after the success of the city's first homeschool the group had launched for teenagers....Parents committed to homeschool believe it is safer and that children are exposed to less peer pressure, bullying and violence. For more information, contact Catherine Lamb at ewema@aol.com "

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Time For the California Prom!
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headline: California Homeschool Prom
www.geocities.com/cahomeschoolprom
cahomeschoolprom@yahoo.com
P.O. Box 1861, Los Altos, CA 94022 (408) 371-5110
"On Friday, April 23, 2004, at 7:00 PM homeschoolers between the ages of 14 and 19 and their guests are invited to the California Homeschool Prom to be held at the Silver Creek Valley Golf & Country Club located at 5460 Country Club Parkway in San Jose. Tickets much be purchased in advance by March 31, 2004."

Ann: Sounds like a great time - I'd go for the limo!

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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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