Newscomm October 15, 2003

In this Issue:

CBS Smears Homeschooling
Towards a Reasoned Response
Helping Homeschoolers Handle "CPS Anxiety"
But Why?
A Voting Bloc of 2,000,000?
Wowsers!
Anti-Homeschooling Sentiment in Florida
New For Military Homeschoolers
Homeschooling Learners In the News
Public Programs for Home-Based Learners
A Homeschool Start Up Business

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CBS Smears Homeschooling
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headline: A Dark Side To Home Schooling
CBS Evening News, By CBS News Correspondent Vince Gonzales, October 13

headline: Homeschooling Nightmares
CBS Evening News, CBS News Correspondent Vince Gonzales, October 14
http://www.cbsnews.com

Ann: By now you've had a chance to read or view CBS's shameful tactic of exploiting a few horrific tragedies in order to smear homeschooling as a hotbed of child abuse. I won't dignify the CBS report by including quotations here, but I would share my thoughts about ways homeschoolers might defend against this attack.

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Towards a Reasoned Response
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Ann: The first question is, how do we respond to our friends, family, and neighbors who are as shocked as we are by this report? With the facts, folks, with the facts. The Internet is ablaze with indignant discussions about the facts of what's right with homeschooling - see your favorite group for ideas and discussion about ways to tell the good truth about homeschooling.

CBS would have us disregard the old adage, "Hard cases make bad law." This wisdom demands that we avoid blasting an entire class of individuals for the failings of a few. Even if this story were precisely true, which it is not, these are the hardest of all cases. Nonetheless, the report implies that homeschool regulation is needed to "protect" children. This implication is emotion-ridden and sensationalist and, in fact, it is based solely on the understandably emotional responses of those who witnessed the cases. CBS does not cite a shred of evidence that regulation would make a whit of difference in these or other cases, nor could they, because there is no such evidence.

Keep in mind too that CBS played fast and loose with the facts. In each of these cases, homeschooling is incidental and regulation would not have protected the children. From links such as the ones I cite below, I glean that Yates and Laney were apparently mentally ill. The Warrens had worked with child welfare authorities in both Arizona and North Carolina. The children were not isolated as CBS suggests, but connected with local community members. But get this - the Edgar family cited in the report were not even homeschooling!

To review these cases for yourself, start here:
http://www.thekansascitychannel.com (Edgar)
http://www.homeedmag.com/ (Laney - three news stories cited)
http://www.courttv.com (Yates)
http://abcnews.go.com (Warren)

Another fact of interest: A CBS correspondent interviewed Hal Young of North Carolinians for Home Education at length. Mr. Young writes: "This is our organization's official response to CBS News from Monday night. I explained each of these points repeatedly to their correspondent, but when 45 minutes on camera is cut down to 44 words - and those inserted out of context - what can you do?" http://nche.com NCHE's Press Release closes, "And using old news to suggest that parents who desire the freedom to choose their children's schooling arrangements are part of a sinister pattern of abuse, neglect, and worse -- to coin a phrase, it simply doesn't add up."

Ann: You are right, Hal, it doesn't add up. More on that, but first - a bit of business.

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Helping Homeschoolers Handle "CPS Anxiety"
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Ann: There is no question that this type of television programming makes us jittery: homeschooling families, child welfare workers, and all of our friends and neighbors are on edge. It is more important than ever to remain calm and quietly aware of our rights and responsibilities. Here is a great resource. Let's reach out and support each other in acting reasonably.

Virginia Home Education Association addresses CPS fears in the following article.
http://www.vhea.org/cps.html
"A group of homeschoolers in my county decided to find answers... We invited Mr. Edwin Schuster, from the Virginia Child Protective Services, to speak with our group. Here is what we asked, and what he had to say...."

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But Why?
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Ann: Now, then, what were we talking about? Oh, yeah, "things not adding up." Yes, the actual facts tell me that CBS does not care for the facts as much as they care to exploit sensational cases and stir up trouble for homeschoolers. But why? Why would CBS stoop to this journalistic standard?

I hope I am wrong, but I wonder if CBS is firing a political salvo at the "Education President." The election is coming up in what, thirteen months? If homeschooling is to be used as a political football this electoral season, we'd better tighten our safety belts - it could be a rough ride.

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A Voting Bloc of 2,000,000?
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Ann: And as if life weren't already complicated, following is another look at homeschooling as a political football - from yet another quarter.

headline: Secret Weapon
World on the Web, By Joel Belz, October 18 print edition
http://www.worldmag.com
"Homeschoolers may become to conservative Republicans what labor unions are to Democrats.... Might homeschoolers come to be for conservative Republicans what the labor movement has traditionally been for Democrats? That is the goal of HSLDA and its new federal political action committee called Generation Joshua."

Ann: Here is what a couple of my favorite 'bloggers' have written in response to this article.

http://icky.blogspot.com
Blog - The Homeschooling Revolution, By Isabel Lyman, October 10
"This mixing of GOP politics and homeschooling and the exclusive quoting of you-know-who make for a monolithic perspective, instead of an authentic quirky one. Mr. Farris has made a name for himself as a political "player," thanks to conservative homeschoolers. But the irony is that Republican honchoes, at the national and state levels, aren't terribly loyal to loyal social conservatives."

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headline: I Homeschool and I Don't Vote Republican
Blog - Home Education and Other Stuff, by Daryl Cobranchi, October 11
http://www.cobranchi.com
"As homeschooling becomes more mainstream, it is inevitable that the politics of homeschoolers will mirror the nation as a whole. For HSLDA, that means a shift away from the direction Farris evidently wants to go. You've got to love the irony: the bigger the homeschooling movement grows, the less power Farris has.... Farris needs to convince the Republican leadership that he really does speak for a monolithic voting block of 2,000,000."

Ann: Now is a good time to remind ourselves that the greatest asset we as homeschoolers have as a group is our tremendous diversity, and yes, that includes political diversity. If we allow ourselves to become a political football by either the left or the right, wouldn't the advantage of our diversity be lost?

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Wowsers!
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Ann: Enough politics! On to the real stuff of homeschooling. What's going on in the neighborhood? Pretty great stuff!

headline: UW graduate Wins Prestigious MacArthur Fellowship
Canada Newswire, Waterloo, Ontario, October 06
http://www.newswire.ca
"A University of Waterloo computer science graduate, the youngest professor ever hired at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is one of 24 winners of the prestigious MacArthur Fellowships in the United States. Prof. Erik Demaine, now 22, ... was home schooled..."

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headline: Homeschooled Students Able to Make the Grade
The Ithacan, Ithaca College, New York, by Wendi Dowst,October 09
http://www.ithaca.edu
" Autumn Lee entered college this semester at with the option of completing her Bachelor of Arts in journalism in two years „ and she's only 18.... 'I didnÍt miss out on anything „ missed prom, but thatÍs not a big deal,' Lee said. 'I learned more in ninth grade at home than I did in two years at the community college.'"

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headline: Homeschool Haven
The Brown Daily Herald, Rhode Island, Editorial, October 06
http://www.browndailyherald.com
There's been a growth in the perceived legitimacy of homeschooling methods over the last decade, and Brown, always an innovator, is at the forefront... Americans from diverse backgrounds, concerned about poor public schools and school violence, have started doing everything from "school-at-home," where there are structured lessons and assignments, to "unschooling," which is looser and more student-led.

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headline: Raeke Named 2003-04 Fair Queen
Seguin Gazette, Texas, By Janet Grafe, October 12
http://web.seguingazette.com
"The pageantry of the Grand Entry at the rodeo included 10 contestants for the Miss Roundup title. Winning the Miss Roundup crown was homeschooled senior Nicole Fiedler, daughter of David and Kristi Fiedler. Fiedler sewed her own outfit for the competition. She won a new saddle and a trophy buckle.... homeschooler Ariel Hagen, daughter of Dean and Chris Hagen, won Second Runner-up and the Horsemanship award."

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Anti-Homeschooling Sentiment in Florida
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Ann: Some people in Florida believe they have a great environment for homeschooling and other educational choice options, and perhaps that is so. Floridians should take heed if the opinion cited below takes hold, though, or they might see a backlash of stricter regulations. I picked but two of many negative statements.

headline: What is Osceola County Commission Chairman Paul Owen Thinking?
http://www.oscnewsgazette.com
Osceola News Gazette, Florida, Editorial, October 09
"Home school begs questions such as how would school officials ensure that the parents who opt to teach their children at home are qualified to do so?"
...
"But the financially strapped school district will remain on shaky ground if Owen or any other official is successful in winning support for controversial and risky alternatives to funding public education."

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New For Military Homeschoolers
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headline: The Military Homeschooler
By Valerie Bonham Moon, September 2003
http://www.militaryhomeschoolers.com
Serving American military homeschoolers around the world.
"The doubly exciting life of military homeschooling brings with it special situations: do you ship your learning materials in the hold baggage or household goods during a PCS?"

Ann: This brand new site is jammed with info of both military and homeschool varieties as well as the blending of the two. The site is maintained by one who has been there and done it all. An excellent resource.

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Homeschooling Learners In the News
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headline: Homegrown Lessons
NY Newsday.com, By Nedra Rhone, October 12
http://www.newsday.com
"More African-American families turn to homeschooling. Cheryl Carter ... is able to mold her children into confident and competent individuals. "Homeschooling has given them a real zest for learning,' she said. 'As African-American children they get to do things the school doesn't provide for them.'"

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headline: Evidence of Learning
Fort Collins Coloradoan, By Stacy Nick, October 12
http://www.coloradoan.com
"Whether a child is homeschooled or at school, all parents want them to achieve their potential," Cisneros said. 'I want my child learning, and I'm not sure (achievement tests) show whether or not a child is learning.' Testing shows children are good at taking tests, she added."

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headline: Home Schoolers Learn History by Hands-on Project
The Herald Bulletin, Madison County, Indiana, By Avon Waters, October 10
http://www.theheraldbulletin.com
"Medieval and renaissance history came to life Thursday in Mounds State Park for nearly 40 home-schooled children during the sixth annual living history party. Home School United, a coalition of home schoolers working together, picks a period of history each year and lets students research it, make costumes, food and games to share with others at the annual event."

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headline: Homeschoolers Get Glimpse into Hospital
Valdosta Daily Times, By Jessica Pope, September 20
http://www.valdostadailytimes.com
"Renee Parker, her mother and president of the Valdosta Area Homeschooling Association, said the purpose of the field trip to Smith Hospital was to introduce the older students to the healthcare field and opportunities available therein and familiarize the younger students with the hospital setting and medical personnel. The students who participated in the two-hour tour -- which featured a visit to the nurses station, pharmacy, laboratory, and even the supply room -- included everyone from preschoolers to 11th-graders."

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Public Programs for Home-Based Learners
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headline: Home School Kids go to Public School for Special Courses
Star Tribune, Casper, Wyoming
http://www.trib.com
FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) - "The 73 home school students who attend the program this year are counted as part-time students by the district. That means PSD can add 36.5 students, half the number of home school students, to its enrollment count and will receive an additional $203,341 in state per-pupil funding. 'It provides the home school group with additional resources but also gives us money to buy extra teacher time,' Vanderpan said."

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headline: District Hopes Program Will Help Students SOAR
The Vindicator, Youngston, Ohio, By JoAnne Viviano, October 13
http://www.vindy.com
"A goal of SOAR developers is to target students who need to retake a course to graduate on time, who have dropped out of school, or are home-schooled „ and to 'pull them back into the district, if not physically,' said Pamela R. Logan..."

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A Homeschool Start Up Business
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headline: Store Offers Home Schoolers Books
Palm Beach Post, Florida, By Susan Port, October 09
http://www.palmbeachpost.com
"'All of a sudden I was inspired to open a bookstore...'Everyone was just talking and sharing successes and failures. A week later I had an appointment with a business analyst and had my business plan drawn up. 'Two months later, I opened my store,' [Cathy Grady] said."

Ann: Shouldn't every larger community have a store like this?

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Final Words
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Always keep me in mind as you find and make the news. Thanks to all who contributed to this and past issues.

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HEM News & Commentary is a weekly report on what's happening in the world of homeschooling. Gleanings from the news media, accolades and pans, hot discussions, legal and legislative successes and problems - all are fair game, and gathered in one column for your convenience.

And just in case you don't have the time to read every word in print, we will summarize and discuss key news and trends that we think are the most provocative or that may have the greatest impact on the future of homeschooling.

This service is available free. Archives can be accessed at http://www.homeedmag.com/nc/newscommentary.html

The weekly updates will be announced on HEM's discussion lists. You'll find a print version - the highlights of these reports - in a column by the same name in Home Education Magazine.

Your opinions and feedback are always welcome. Contact me.
Ann Lahrson-Fisher
HEM News & Commentary
News and Commentary Email

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