|
Newscomm for December 17, 2004
In this Edition:
Sixteen-year-old U.S. Chess Champ Homeschooled
Akron Beacon Journal Generates Feedback
Ferreting Out Media Bias
Illinois - Daytime Curfew Repealed After Two Months
Why We Need to Watchdog Federal, State, and Local Truancy Efforts
Oregon - The Crux of the Blended School Problem
Banging the Drum for Homeschooling - To What End?
Alaska - When Parents Do Not Educate
Homeschooling Series in Pennsylvania
Iowa State Considers Actively Recruiting Homeschoolers
Dueling Homeschooling Resolutions -
From the Baptists and the School Boards Association
Poland - Freedom in Education Speaks English
Homeschooling Featured in Shanghai, China
The United Kingdom - Interview with Education Otherwise
Homeschoolers Sing on the Ellipse behind the White House
A Totally Different Child
From Homeschooling to Skiing
Family to stop PUBLIC schooling after tests show student far behind
Final Words
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sixteen-year-old U.S. Chess Champ Homeschooled
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
headline: New York teen is youngest U.S. chess champ
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Washington, The Associated Press, December 08
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com
SAN DIEGO -- "A 16-year-old boy has won the U.S. Chess Championship, making him the youngest player to claim the title since 14-year-old Bobby Fischer won it in 1958. Hikaru Nakamura of White Plains, N.Y., won the $25,000 prize Monday after beating Alex Stripunsky, 34, of Rego Park, N.Y., in two overtime matches....He is tutored at home by his mother. He said school would take too much time from chess."
Ann: You just keep playing chess and winning, Hikaru - we're pulling for you.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Akron Beacon Journal Generates Feedback
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ann: Thoughtful feedback on the recent ABJ homeschooling-basing series is still coming in. The Beacon Journal has published little from non-residents, although this CATO piece appears to be an exception.
headline: Learning Intolerance
CATO Institute, by Neal McCluskey
Neil McCluskey http://www.cato.org December 10
A version of this article originally appeared in the Akron Beacon Journal on December 3, 2004.
http://www.cato.org
Here are the final three paragraphs of McCluskey's article. "The series' overall conclusion -- that home schoolers are intolerant Christians bent on imposing their will on all Americans -- was captured by University of Wisconsin researcher Michael Apple: '"These are people who believe that God is on their side and they will stop at very little to make certain that God is brought not just to the home but to the school and government.' The nation should be 'very, very concerned."'
Yes, we should be concerned about home schoolers. We should watch them, control them. Why? With no proof of any home-school threat, there is likely only one answer: Because they are different.
Home schoolers believe that some things are right and others are wrong. They dare to have a say in how they are governed. Apparently, allowing them to exercise these basic rights is the one thing that society should not tolerate."
Ann: It all boils down to basic rights, doesn't it?
***
headline: Bad Parents
The Military Homeschooler, By Valerie Moon
http://home.kc.rr.com
"The overall theme of the articles, with elegantly embroidered emphasis on incompetents, liars, rapists, and murderers, is one of, 'If someone doesn't reign in these people, the bad and stupid ones among them will cause children to suffer.'
A sub-theme is the takeover of America. Political domination would take too long to analyze because, down through recorded history, invading the neighbors' turf, and often removing the neighbors from it, has been such a popular hobby for humans-in-general that it comprises most of what passes for world history. There is no doubt about it, homeschoolers fit the profile of Human."
Ann: Freedom to be human - is that too much to ask? In addition to these comments, this article includes many links to other commentary around the Internet. Definitely a good read.
++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ferreting Out Media Bias
++++++++++++++++++++++++
headline: How to Detect Bias in the News
Excerpted from Newskit: A Consumers Guide to News Media, by The Learning Seed Co.
http://www.media-awareness.ca
"The fact is, despite the journalistic ideal of 'objectivity,' every news story is influenced by the attitudes and background of its interviewers, writers, photographers and editors. Not all bias is deliberate. But you can become a more aware news reader or viewer by watching for the following journalistic techniques that allow bias to 'creep in' to the news."
The article then lists eight ways that bias sneaks into your news.
In the following article, Valerie Moon analyzes the ABJ articles for those eight points and pays particular attention to word choice.
***
Headline: November 2004 Akron Beacon Journal homeschooling series word frequency
The Military Homeschooler, By Valerie Moon
http://home.kc.rr.com
"'Last' Sunday (as of this writing) I sat at the computer and, with the ABJ articles pasted into a Microsoft Word document, I read through the series. When I came to a word that was 'interesting' (a subjective category), I used the Ctrl-F function to search for other instances of the same word. On a pad of paper I made tick marks each time I found one. When I finished I searched for words, or names, that I thought either should be in a series of articles on homeschooling, or that were the opposite in meaning of words I found. Sometimes these words were not found by the Word search function, and those searches are noted below by a zero. The reason I did this was to see if I was having a knee-jerk reaction to articles I didn't like, or if there was 'media bias.' In all fairness, I think there is."
Ann: Valerie's analysis has laid to rest some of my nagging worries about the ABJ series. There was little doubt in my mind that the series was deliberately skewed, but now I am beginning to understand how easily that bias was added to stories that were not new, that we already knew and understood. It is one thing to state an opinion - I know, I do it everyday. It is quite another to state facts and and lean on them until they too are little more than opinion.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Illinois - Daytime Curfew Repealed After Two Months
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
headline: Milford repeals truancy ordinance
Iroquois County Times-Republic, Watseka, Illinois, By Sherry Waters, December 09
http://www.watsekatimesrepublic.com
"Following a lengthy discussion, Milford village board members repealed the Truancy ordinance passed in October. That ordinance prohibited school-age children from being 'at large' in the community while school was in session.... [Board President Dave Maro] and board member Keith Roth said that youngsters who are home schooled may not necessarily follow the same schooling schedule as those who are attending public school. 'Why should they be penalized?' Roth asked Police Chief Mike Bane."
Ann: Can we hope that Milford's experience will set a trend?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Why We Need to Watchdog Federal, State, and Local Truancy Efforts
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
headline: Federal Agencies Team Up to Spotlight Truancy Concerns
Education Week, Washington, By John Gehring, December 8
http://www.edweek.org
"More than 600 educators, police officers, judges, and social-service providers gathered here at a major federal conference to share strategies and discuss model programs for reducing truancy and keeping students at risk of poor attendance engaged in school."
Ann: Truancy is a public school problem that is not being addressed successfully anywhere in the country. People looking to solve that problem will not be looking to protecting the rights of homeschoolers who may get swept up in broad efforts. Daytime curfews are a notable example, and Milford's withdrawal of its ordinance is a notably rare. Many homeschoolers across the country chafe under daytime curfews, often hiding their kids away during school hours rather than confront the violation of their children's right to move about freely.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Oregon - The Crux of the Blended School Problem
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
headline: Home-school center gets OK for new contract
The Oregonian, Portland, by Anitha Reddy anithareddy@news.oregonian.com December 15
http://www.oregonlive.com
BEAVERTON -- "Without the Beaverton School Board decision to renegotiate, the [Village Home] resource center would close. The school board voted Monday to negotiate a new contract with a private center that offers classes to home-schooled students, despite district officials' concerns that the facility does not meet state standards for programs financed with taxpayer dollars....District officials and the center's leaders argue about whether the center satisfies state regulations mainly because they're applying two sets of rules: Village Home points to state laws governing home-schooled children, and the district relies on public education laws....The Oregon Department of Education is studying how to reconcile laws that oversee home schooling and those that govern private alternative programs financed by state dollars, and is planning to announce its findings in January."
Ann: The problem of the blended school is two-fold - funding and accountability. The new contract between the district and the program is expected to require more traditional school classes and state required testing - in exchange for funding. The release of the state's study in January will bring some closure - one way or another - to this growing Oregon problem.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Alaska - When Parents Do Not Educate
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
headline: Lawmakers to look into children's services
FOCUS: They'll learn about abuse and neglect from state officials at meeting today.
Anchorage Daily News, Alaska, By Lisa Demer ldemer@adn.com December 13
http://www.adn.com
"Home schooling may be another area that gets a close look. The Kelley children hadn't been to school for years, they told troopers. Their adoptive parents said they were being home-schooled, but troopers found no evidence of that. Dyson said he would oppose a ban on home schooling of adopted or foster children but that there may be a need for more vigilance."
Ann: When parents do not educate their children, why insist on calling it homeschooling?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Banging the Drum for Homeschooling - To What End?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
headline: Home School, or Else...
Agape Press, Guest Commentary By Matt Friedeman, Ph.D., December 9
http://headlines.agapepress.org
"Our educational delivery system in this country is in a mess. And, really, there is only one solution. You! Mr./Miss/Mrs. Parent -- you must homeschool. You must."
Ann: Matt Friedeman - is he a friend or foe of homeschooling? This "bang the drum for homeschooling" headline, accompanied by a shrill demand that people absolutely must homeschool, is the kind of extremist editorializing that fuels attacks from so-called civic journalists, in the tradition of the Akron Beacon Journal. Yes, Friedeman later explains his point and softens his message, but no matter. The first thirty words are the words that linger in the mind and those are the words that arm those who want homeschooling supervised by goverment officials.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Homeschooling Series in Pennsylvania
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Not every homeschooling series attempts to influence through bias and innuendo. Some just stick with the facts and who said what, as this series does.
headline: Home is where the books are
First in a series on home schooling
The Daily Local News, Pennsylvania, By Pamela Batzel, December 12
http://www.dailylocal.com
"Beginning today and over the next two days, the Daily Local News will examine the subject of keeping one's children out of a traditional schoolroom setting. In dozens of interviews with home schooling students and parents, our reporters have questioned what makes a successful home schooled student, and why individual families began moving down this new road in education.
Ann: The reporter in this first article puts too much emphasis on the opinion of professors, in my opinion, and harps on the Fear of Bad Parents. But while this article does some fussing and fuming about homeschooled kids falling through the cracks, the reader is nevertheless allowed to weigh the issues presented and to make up her own mind. The reporter does not lead by the nose in the style of civic journalism.
***
headline: Home schooling: A social anomaly?
The Daily Local News, Pennsylvania, By Betsy Gilliland, December 13
http://www.dailylocal.com
"Sharon Sweitzer, a home school parent who also taught in public and private schools, said grade hierarchies can set up negative social experiences for schoolchildren. She also said grade segregation hinders interaction between students of different ages. 'When in life does that happen?' she asked of the class divisions. Sweitzer and Ross agreed that home schooling has enabled their children to be comfortable with people of all ages. 'Socialization is the ability to function in a community at large, not just in a classroom with people of the same age,' said Ross."
Ann: The tired old socialization story gets a refreshingly logical summation.
***
headline: Area families claim home schooling law erodes religious freedoms
The Daily Local News, Pennsylvania, By Jessica M. McRorie, December 14
http://www.dailylocal.com
This story is reviews the challenges to Pennsylvania homeschool laws under the Pennsylvania Religious Freedom Protection Act of 2002. It includes comments from Larry Frankel, the legislative director for the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, who said he was "'skeptical' that the lawsuits would hold up in court. If people are going to home school their children, then the courts will probably decide state requirements to make sure that the educational instruction going on are [sic] reasonable, he said. 'They will look to see that Pennsylvania has a good reason to do this,' said Frankel. Looking at the requirements, it does not appear to him that they target religion, he said. The proposed theory that the regulation is interfering with religion 'I think is a real stretch,' said Frankel."
Ann: I'll be watching this story as it develops.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Iowa State Considers Actively Recruiting Homeschoolers
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
headline: Home-schooled do well at Iowa's universities
Des Moines Register, Iowa, By Dawn Sagario, December 14
http://desmoinesregister.com
"Two Iowa universities say they've seen an increase in the number of home-schoolers applying to college, and the students are doing academically as well, or better, than those from traditional high schools. Iowa State University's positive experience with home-schoolers has led the school to consider actively recruiting them, said Phil Caffrey, senior associate director of admissions."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dueling Homeschooling Resolutions -
From the Baptists and the School Boards Association
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
headline: Southern Baptist Home-School Debate Continues
The Christian Post.com December 11
http://www.christianpost.com
"Although the controversial resolution to home-school Southern Baptist children was tossed and buried during the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC)'s annual meeting in June, it seems the issue is far from dead: The resolution resurfaced at 11 individual state conventions in October and November, where it received considerable support."
Ann: I found following commentary about the reasoning behind the proposed resolution interesting:
"'The main purpose for the resolution is not to make an abrupt change, but rather to inform the parent of what has been happening in our schools. The real purpose is to engender a debate,'" according to Bruce Shortt, The drafters of the original SBC-wide resolution.
Now, take a look at a very different homeschooling resolution proposed to the Minnesota School Boards Association.
***
Resolution Number Three - Home-school Student Accountability
http://www.mnmsba.org
(Submitted by Larry Andersen, Austin School Board Member)
Be it resolved, that the Minnesota School Boards Association urges the Legislature that in light of "No Child Left Behind," that we will no longer allow home-schooled children be [sic] "left behind" for: 1) All teaches [sic] must be college educated; 2) All tests must be proctored by licensed teachers in a public school; and 3) All home-schooled students must take all standardized tests the public school students must take and pass."
Ann: While the resolution has not been passed, there is no doubt that the reasoning behind the resolution is similar to, possibly in response to, that described by the Baptist Convention above. The real purpose is to engender a debate. And a power struggle. Yes, it is about power, and not about best education for a child.
Also interesting is the MSBA's commentary that second-guesses the proposed resolution.
On page 101, in the Background on Resolution Number Three, in a section titled "Issues to be considered," number (4) reads thus: "(4) This resolution urges MSBA to take a position that
home schools are 'leaving children behind' and that they are not trusted with testing or educating. Are we prepared as an association to take a position that essentially tells parents/guardians that their choice of providing a home school education is not the best choice for the child?"
Ann: Indeed. I'd be very interested in knowing the Association's answer to that question. And meanwhile, doesn't it feel like each side is polishing its armor? What can ordinary middle-of-the-road homeschoolers do to stop the insanity?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Poland - Freedom in Education Speaks English
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
headline: Too Cool for School
Tech Central Station, By Natalia Dueholm, December 09
http://www.techcentralstation.com
http://www2.techcentralstation.com for comment
"When Poland was devoured by its German and Soviet neighbors in 1939, the school system officially stopped functioning. The home became the underground seat of learning for more than a million young Poles. In 21st century Poland, some Poles still learn underground, although their war is different."
So begins a story about the roots of Polish homeschooling and its modern status. Dueholm continues: "The movement is small but growing. An estimated 20 Polish families teach their children at home. Since freedom in education speaks English, many of these parents have read English language books on home-based education. The most famous Polish home-schooler is Budajczak, a PhD and father of two teenagers, who was inspired by a book he read ten years ago. 'We would have never started (home-schooling) if I hadn't read two books by Prof. Roland Meighan about British experiences,' he said."
Ann: A fascinating read. Will the European Union weigh in on homeschooling at some point? With what result?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Homeschooling Featured in Shanghai, China
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
headline: Home schooling gains favour
Sina.com.cn December 16
http://edu.sina.com.cn
"Although it has grown into a popular educational format in the US, home-schooling is still quite new for Chinese parents. In today's China, public education occupies the dominant position with non-governmental education sprouting up only in the past 10 years. 'We need multiple educational formats to meet the needs of parents and their children, since every child is individually unique,' said Chen Lixin, The initiators of Shanghai Home-School Association. Chen's eldest son, Exir, is receiving home-schooling....'I like home school. In this way, I can learn a subject at my own pace,' he said. While in school, Exir always learnt faster than other children in his class and he felt frustrated because he could not absorb new knowledge at his own speed."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The United Kingdom - Interview with Education Otherwise
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
headline: Education Otherwise
Home Education Magazine's Support News, Edited by Mary Nix, December 2004
http://www.homeedmag.com
Jacqui Houlding of Education Otherwise: "Government is increasingly reacting to small problems by trying to create big laws. These laws will impinge greatly on the freedoms of home educating families. Your mention of truancy is one example. Home educated children are not truants but this information is not clearly expressed to our police forces when they assist education welfare departments on truancy sweeps."
Ann: This interview offers a timely peek at the issues facing homeschoolers in the United Kingdom.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Homeschoolers Sing on the Ellipse behind the White House
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
headline: Sweet harmony
The Princeton Packet, New Jersey, By Dennis O'Neill, December 03
http://www.zwire.com
"For choral director Denise Hayes and her group of home-schooled choristers, the road to next week's performance at "The Pageant of Peace" in Washington, D.C., began in the Westerly Learning Center parking lot five years ago... [Ms. Hayes] was asked to help develop a choral program for the Princeton area home-schooling community....(Dec. 10), the PAHC will be singing at the 'Pageant of Peace' held on the Ellipse behind the White House."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
A Totally Different Child
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
headline: Parents find homeschooling rewarding
Claremore Daily Progress, Oklahoma, By Stevie St. John trends@claremoreprogress.com December 04
http://www.claremoreprogress.com
It took Pam Rudolph about six months of consideration before doing something that changed the way her family lives....After being homeschooled for two or three weeks, Rudolph said, Clay, who had been withdrawn, was totally relaxed and happy ~ a 'totally different child.' 'I knew that a home environment would be so much better for him,' Rudolph said. The decision, Rudolph said, felt right to her."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
From Homeschooling to Skiing
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
headline: Miller's unusual training style works out
ESPN.com, Associated Press, December 15
http://sports.espn.go.com
"[Skier Bode Miller] always refused to conform, even from the youngest age. He was brought up in a cabin in the forests of New Hampshire, without running water or electricity, and was home-schooled until he was in third grade....Miller has a program all his own, stressing strength and balancing exercises. In the summer, he can be seen logrolling, tightrope walking, riding uphill on his unicycle, pushing a wheelbarrow uphill, rock climbing or sprinting up a strip of asphalt while pushing a 600-pound tennis court roller."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Family to stop PUBLIC schooling
after tests show student far behind
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
headline: Family to stop home schooling after tests show student far behind
WKRN TV News, Tennessee
http://www.wkrn.com
FRANKLIN, Tenn. (AP) - "The parents of a home-schooled teen agreed to enroll their daughter in private school after tests showed she was years behind her peers academically."
Ann: Yes, I played a headline trick on you and I admit it. I changed that headline to get your attention, and I'll tell you why. While you've seen many headlines such as the WKRN one that I altered, I'll bet you haven't seen MY version of it in print or on the air. You are not likely to ever see it either, even though it would tell the tale of untold thousands of families. Every year, many thousands of families with students who are "far behind" or "years behind [their] peers academically" in public or private school leave traditional education for homeschooling and a fresh educational start.
Now will someone please tell me why a single individual homeschooling failure is newsworthy, but twenty-five years' worth of individual public and private school failures are not? Is it because homeschooling failures are rare? Because public school failures are common? Or something else?
And by the way, isn't this family in enough pain without having to see themselves as a Poster Family of educational failure on the evening news?
+++++++++++
Final Words
+++++++++++
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. Please include a link if possible and a sentence or two of your own that summarizes the homeschooling aspect of the story. Thanks to all who contributed to this and past issues.
Ann Lahrson Fisher
News and Commentary Email
|
