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Newscomm for January 19, 2005
In this Edition:
Massachusetts - A Bill to Watch
Oregon - Superintendent Proposes Tighter Requirements Texas - A Bill For Public School Access
South Carolina - Tax Credit Bill Heats Up Iowa Consultant Attacks Public School
Mixing Messages
New Resources for Homeschoolers
Fighting The Rod - Update
German Homeschoolers - Persecution, History, and How to Help Six Oregon School Blenders to Close
Continental Airlines - Simply Not Acceptable Around and About the World of Homeschooling Buying Curriculum - Caveat Emptor
Final Words
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Massachusetts - A Bill to Watch
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Massachusetts Home Learning Association
mhla@mhla.org, January 18 Announcement
http://mhla.org
"[A] bill concerning Homeschoolers and MCAS, filed by State Representative Paul Loscocco (Republican, 8th Middlesex district), is on the docket queue at the State House. The bill should appear as #4132 on the 2005-2006 House Docket. As of January 17, 2005, the bill does not appear on the State House billsearch website, http://www.mass.gov/legis/hbillsrch.htm. The MHLA Announcement goes on: "It is our understanding that the filing intends to address two items:
1) To permit non-public school students ('students otherwise instructed' - including homeschoolers) to voluntarily take the MCAS exams 2) To permit schools to grant high school diplomas to non-traditional students ('students otherwise instructed' - including homeschoolers) if they meet the local requirements for graduation" MLHA has taken no position on the bill so far.
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Oregon - Superintendent Proposes Tighter Requirements
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headline: Senate Bill 165
http://landru.leg.state.or.us
This bill was introduced at the request of Superintendent of Public Instruction Susan Castillo and if passed, would go into effect under Emergency Rules on July 1, 2005. This bill would tighten Oregon homeschooling law in two ways. First, notification requirements from one-time notification at the onset of homeschooling, to annual notification. In addition, parents would be required to submit test scores to the ESD, rather than submitting scores only upon request by the ESD.
Follow the progress of the bill here:
http://www.leg.state.or.us/05reg/pubs/senmh.html
1-10(S) Introduction and first reading. Referred to President's desk. 1-14 Referred to Education & Workforce.
Ann: Oregon's homeschoolers have their work cut out for them this year.
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Texas - A Bill For Public School Access
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headline: HB 386 Part Time Public School
http://groups.yahoo.com
For the text of the bill: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/ Texas HB 386 was introduced this week by Brian McCall (R) Plano. The bill is designed to require school districts to offer part time services, activities, and classes to homeschooled students. You can read discussion at the location above. Problems with the bill, as pointed out by Texas homeschooler Susan Frederick, include introducing the term "homeschooler" into legislation in a private school state and the fact that for the most part, public school access is not needed because the homeschooling community is so rich.
Ann: It might make more sense for Texas homeschoolers to lobby for a law that extends the desired public school access to all private school students, not just homeschoolers.
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South Carolina - Tax Credit Bill Heats Up
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headline: Parents square off on schools
Private school tax credit creates already heated debate The Herald, Rock Hill, South Carolina, By Karen Bair kbair@heraldonline.com January 11, 2005
http://www.heraldonline.com
"....[David Limbaugh] champions home-schoolers as 'carrying the banner of liberty for all of us'...The bill would give tax credits on state income tax to families that earn less than $75,000 a year and homeschool or send their children to private schools. The credit would be subtracted from the families' income tax bills. Gov. Mark Sanford was its first supporter."
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headline: Tuition credit bill faces uphill fight Democrats oppose Sanford plan, which has tepid support from GOP
The State, South Carolina, By Jennifer Talhelm jtalhelm@thestate.com and Aaron Gould Sheinin asheinin@thestate.com January 16, 2005
http://www.thestate.com "...'Put Parents in Charge' - had only tepid support among Sanford's fellow Republicans and hostile opposition from Democrats.... Anti-tax-credit groups have reached out to teachers, local school boards and other state employees who might lose out if the tax credit were to siphon money from state coffers."
Ann: Homeschoolers who oppose this bill have a rare opportunity to build trust with their usual opponents in traditional education. If any homeschoolers decide to speak out in opposition, how I would love to be there to watch the educators' jaws drop!
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Iowa Consultant Attacks Public School
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headline: Superintendents call him bond issues' 'kiss of death' Des Moines Register, Iowa, By Jennifer Dukes Lee, January 16, 2005
http://desmoinesregister.com
"A northwest Iowa man is earning a reputation - and a living - as the newest threat to Midwest educators trying to raise money for new schools. Paul Dorr, an activist and home-school parent from Ocheyedan, sells his services to taxpayers who want to derail school bond issues."
Ann: Dorr makes me uncomfortable, but he has a right to a political opinion. So what's the problem? The problem comes near the end of the article.
"Dorr has called on other home-schooling parents to start their own political consulting services. 'In the struggle for true liberty and in opposition to tyranny, we need to become more offensive-minded and show that we have a superior educational program to replace the rapidly failing government system,' Dorr wrote in an online essay. 'And we need to do everything else we can to speed it on towards its certain demise.'"
Ann: Dorr wants homeschoolers to help kill neighborhood public schools. Instead of wanting more educational options, he wants fewer options, and to me that's a big problem. Public schools can crash nicely all on their own, or they can recover on their merits. I do not believe that a campaign of overt attacks on public schools led by homeschoolers would be in the best interest of homeschoolers.
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Mixing Messages
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Are homeschoolers sending a mixed message? In Texas, a bill favors part time access to public school programs for all homeschooled students. Up in Iowa, a homeschooling parent advocating for the demise of public schools. In South Carolina, folks are lobbying for tax credits for private schools and homeschoolers.
So what's it going to be? Should parents who decline public schooling get financial credit for doing so? Is public school access an entitlement to all? Or is it a doomed system that needs to be killed?
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New Resources for Homeschoolers
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Ann: These web log style pages are just getting under way, but already they are chock full of good and useful information. Bookmark 'em Dan-o.
headline: The AHA Homeschool Resources Guide
http://aha.typepad.com/resources/
"This Guide is designed to provide reviews and links to resources for homeschooling - and comments and feedback about those resources from the homeschoolers who use them!"
headline: The AHA News Weblog
http://aha.typepad.com/aha_news_blog/
headline: American Homeschool Association Blog
Homeschoolers Helping Homeschoolers Since 1995
http://aha.typepad.com/american_homeschool_assoc/
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Fighting The Rod - Update
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headline: Sale of spanking tool points up larger issue
The Boston Globe, Massachusetts, By Patricia Wen wen@globe.com January 10, 2005
ARLINGTON -- "On a spring day, Susan Lawrence was flipping through a magazine, Home School Digest, when she came across an advertisement that took her breath away. In it, 'The Rod,' a $5 flexible whipping stick, was described as the 'ideal tool for child training.'...Lawrence's campaign has reached Clyde Bullock of Eufaula, Okla., the creator of The Rod. Bullock told the Globe last week that he has decided to voluntarily halt production for now, in part because of pressure from Lawrence and her supporters. 'I feel it's run its course,' said Bullock, an auto mechanic who said he had sold hundreds of rods through his small-business venture, Slide's Manufacturing Co. Another reason he is halting production, he said, is that the company that makes the cushioned grips for the rods has pulled out of the venture."
Ann: Good work Sue and friends! Thanks also to Patricia Wen and the Boston Globe for bringing this story into daylight. I encourage Mr. Clyde Bullock to permanently close the door on production.
Many homeschoolers have joined Susan Lawrence's campaign against this device. Their work continues with an effort to urge the US Consumer Product Safety Commission to recall or ban The Rod. To learn more, visit http://stoptherod.net http://parentinginjesusfootsteps.org
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German Homeschoolers - Persecution, History, and How to Help
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headline: German official declares "home-schooling illegal"
Catholic World News
http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=34616
Paderborn, Germany, Jan. 13 (LifesiteNews.com/CWN) - "A German school official has ordered seven families home-schooling their children in northwest Germany to enroll their children in public schools immediately, or the children will be forcibly removed by police and taken to school."
Ann: The comments section following this article suggests some confusion about whether this action persecutes homeschoolers or Christians. Persecution is intolerable in either case, of course, but I wonder which is the core issue. Here is more from an Australian's perspective.
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headline: Home Educators Persecuted in Germany, (Nazi attitudes alive and well)
Homeschool Australia Newsletter, by John Peacock, December 2004
http://groups.yahoo.com
History: For a greater understanding of the problems of homeschoolers in Germany, Peacock includes a bit of history in this article. For example, "...home education was common in the past in Germany and that at the turn of the last century there was a home education magazine/newsletter called "Der Hauslehrer" (The home teacher) founded by one Berthold Otto who not only home educated his own children but started what must be The earliest movements of modern home education... [Otto] died in 1933 and the Nazis soon eradicated the movement..."
History of Persecution: German parents have not recovered the above rights to direct their children's education, "...the Basic Law of Germany, article 6, states that the education and the raising of children is the natural right of the parents. However, the education authorities argue that the level of education meant is below school age and after that they take over the role of the parent in order to guarantee democracy, the passing on of basic constitutional values and by doing so they ensure the continuing existence of the state and society." Peacock then gives details of several remarkable examples of parents who chose fines and jail terms rather than compliance.
How to help: Peacock calls for individual actions of support such as: supporting individual families who are faced with legal action; informing our personal friends, family and acquaintances who live in Germany with information about home education and the problems German homeschoolers have. American-style homeschooling organizations should ponder the Golden Rule at some length before taking action.
What not to do: Don't support groups or actions that further the ugly image of Americans throwing their money and power around. Don't presume that tactics that work in the US would have the same result in Germany.
Ann: Homeschoolers in the English-speaking world have gained their rights largely through grassroots action. Fledgling grassroots homeschooling movements in other countries deserve no less - individual action and self-determination will make the movement strong.
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Six Oregon School Blenders to Close
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headline: Education centers face layoffs, closures
The Oregonian, By Richard Cockle rcockle@ucinet.com January 18, 2005
http://www.oregonlive.com
LA GRANDE -- "The Baker-Union Education Service District, which has been accused of fraud, pares its budget. Thirty instructors face layoffs, and six education centers will close Feb. 1...The centers offer a core curriculum and specialty classes for home-school students and alternative education for at-risk students.... The district's home-school children will be hardest hit, said parent Ann Camarata of Baker City. 'Somehow, the kids are having to pay the piper for their (district staff's) stupidity,' she said. 'Their main agenda is to shut down the home-school program no matter what.'"
Ann: This is more evidence that blended public-school-at-home programs come with risks and they are definitely not about homeschooling. I hope these families return to private homeschooling and work together to build reliable private learning centers of their dreams.
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Continental Airlines - Simply Not Acceptable
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headline: Continental Airlines not accepting homeschool diplomas
http://groups.yahoo.com
Posted by Susan Frederick, January 10, 2005 "This is simply not acceptable. If the military can accept a homeschool diploma, a commercial airline company certainly should. While I can't control who they hire, I can certainly control who I spend my money with. It's simply not acceptable."
Ann: Not acceptable is right! For the full story, read the entire post which includes the December letter to Continental Airlines written by Tim Lambert, president of Texas Home School Coalition.
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Around and About the World of Homeschooling
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Ann: Those homeschooled kids and families are in the news again. Science projects, homeschool games, spelling bees, bonding, Scouts, and MIT students caught my eye this week.
headline: This science project a home-school success
Chicago Tribune, Illinois, By Lisa Black, January 6, 2005
http://www.chicagotribune.com
"[Kaylani Thorne] and nine other home-schooled teenagers meet regularly at Shimer [College] for science lessons that require special equipment and material and are led by college professor Jim Donovan. The classes benefit the students and the small liberal arts school, which traditionally recruits about 5 percent of its 120 undergraduates from home-school backgrounds, Donovan said. The college piloted the science program last summer, and found a ready population of new students as word spread among parents, he said."
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headline: National Homeschool Games
Ace Young, President, 347 Tunbridge Drive, Rockledge, FL ASEM@ASEM16.com
http://www.leaguelineup.com
"All Sports and Event Management is excited to announce the first ever National Homeschool Games. This event will take place May 19 through May 26, 2005." If you've never heard of All Sports and Event Management, we learn from their web site, "All Sports and Event Management (ASEM) is a not for profit Christian corporation (501(c)(3) status pending) created to inspire youth to practice the ideals of sportsmanship, scholarship and physical fitness; to provide opportunities and safe venues for youth athletic competition by promoting tournaments, league play, camps, and schools."
Ann: Interested athletes should visit the web site for more information.
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headline: How is that spelled? Home school association has annual spelling bee for pupils
Bowling Green Daily News, Kentucky, By John Van Vleet, January 12, 2005
http://www.bgdailynews.com
"The bee was organized by grade level, with contests in each grade from first through seventh. The winners from grades four and up then met for a spell-off and the right to represent [Barren River Home School Association] at the district spelling bee, to be held March 2 at St. Joseph's Catholic School. Sixth-grader Maria Burnett was the only contestant without competition in her grade level. Although she was named sixth-grade winner by default, she took home a much larger prize - she prevailed in the spell-off and was named BRHSA champion."
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headline: Parents find homeschooling offers greater bonding, freedom than traditional methods
Athens Banner-Herald, Georgia, By Victoria Smith January 16, 2005
http://onlineathens.com
"...after six years of homeschooling, [Rachel Simmons of Watkinsville] is glad she did not give up quality time with her family to someone else. 'Academically, I believe a one-on-one education is better. A ratio like that you can't beat or improve on,' she said. Parents who homeschool also reap benefits for themselves. [Katy Garner of Hull] and Simmons are getting to know their children through the work they do together. Both are gaining an education they didn't have as youngsters. 'I am getting to do it with my kids and it is so fun,' Simmons said."
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headline: Homeschooled Scout units formed
Fingerlakes Times, Geneva, New York, By Brian P. Heffron bheffron@fltimes.com January 18, 2005
http://www.fltimes.com
"A new group of Boy Scouts may be the first in the nation to be sponsored by a Christian homeschooling organization. 'We're getting calls from all over,' said Scoutmaster Don Rettberg Jr., 47, of Freshour Road, Hopewell. 'We can show them this is really easy to start, really easy to get involved with.'" Cub Scout Pack 413 and Boy Scout Troop 413 meet in Farmington and draws members from several communities across the Finger Lakes. It is chartered through homeschooling organization Loving Education At Home's extracurricular activity branch, Home Instructed Students."
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headline: At Home with School
MIT TechnologyReview.Com, By Tracy Staedter, Febuary 2005
http://www.technologyreview.com
"With its high-powered curriculum, MIT seems an unlikely place to attract or produce homeschoolers. But in fact it does both. Anecdotal evidence from alumni gatherings, online forums, and articles from the Alumni Association indicates a growing interest in homeschooling among MIT graduates with families of their own. In addition, the number of homeschooled students applying to MIT has nearly doubled since 2001, with several admitted each year."
Ann: The article cites a number of MIT students who have been homeschooled, including challenges and successes.
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Buying Curriculum - Caveat Emptor
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headline: Quality Child-friendly Cutting-edge Schooling, ONLY Pennies Per Day, that YOU Can Afford!: Homeschooling Yourself to Read Advertising Copy, By Valerie Moon
headline: This Curriculum Will Teach the Kids, Wash the Dishes AND Do the Laundry! By Mary McCarthy
http://home.kc.rr.com
"As homeschoolers we have a lot of products and services to choose from. There are a lot of really great companies and individuals marketing homeschooling supplies and services. There are also a few `bad apples' in our basket. How can you tell the difference, and how can you know whether the products or services are worth what you are paying for them?"
Ann: We all need an occasional reminder that there really is nothing new under the sun, that you get what you pay for, and if you are looking for curriculum, there are no magic bullets regardless of attractive advertising claims. Two veteran homeschoolers give sound advice on how to spot the workhorses among the glitzy wannabes BEFORE you pony up your bucks.
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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. 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
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