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Newscomm March 31, 2003
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NCLB, Homeschooling, and You
Ann: When "No Child Left Behind" (NCLB) legislation passed, I was thrilled to find that homeschoolers had been specifically "written out" of the legislation. Homeschoolers are not subject to any NCLB mandate, including the excessive burden of high-stakes testing and the negative impact of that testing on children's love of learning. This week, though, I read a press release that gave me pause. It came from the US Department of Education and announced guidance and information on the ways that NCLB impacts charter schools and school choice.
That press release got me to thinking. There are thousands - or hundreds of thousands? - of children learning at home under the direction of public education institutions, including charter schools, alternative schools, independent study programs, cyber schools, and the like. These children are NOT "written out" of NCLB.
I wonder, do families whose children are enrolled in public programs REALIZE that they fall under all aspects of NCLB? Do they understand that their children will be subjected to more bouts of invasive testing? Do they mistakenly believe they are excused because the children do not attend regular public school classes?
I don't know these answers, but I do know that to make informed choices, parents need relevant information. To that end, here are some resources to help families learn more about NCLB issues.
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Headline: Resources to help you find out if a program falls under NCLB A couple of checklists of helpful questions to ask of a program's staff are found in this discussion about charter schools, starting with March 24. http://www.nhen.org
Alternatively, your local or state homeschooling support group leader will know or know who to ask.
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Home Education Magazine provides background material:
*How William Bennett's Public E-Schools Affect Homeschooling*
http://www.homeedmag.com/HEM/196/ndtch.html
*Why Independence Is Essential To Homeschooling*
http://www.homeedmag.com/HEM/195/sotch.html
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Learn more about the drawbacks of "No Child Left Behind" from the viewpoint of a former teacher / principal / public school administrator:
http://www.nochildleft.com
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Headline: From the U.S. Government
"No Child Left Behind"Legislation
Near the bottom of this page is the code that excludes homeschoolers, SEC. 9506.
http://www.ed.gov
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Press Release from The U.S. Department of Education, March 25, 2003
Headline: Department Issues New Charter School Guidance
http://www.ed.gov
"The U.S. Department of Education has issued guidance [that] provides general information on how No Child Left Behind (NCLB) impacts charter schools..."
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Homeschoolers - and a Mom - in the News
Ann: Congratulations and a big thank you, Gov. Douglas, for your vision!
The Burlington Free Press, Burlington, VT The Associated Press Saturday, March 29, 2003
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com
Headline: Homeschooler to serve on state Board of Education
"Montpelier -- Gov. James Douglas has appointed a homeschooler to serve on the state Board of Education. Susan Schill of Belvidere is believed to be the first board member to educate her children at home." "An increasing number of Vermont families are choosing home schooling," Douglas said Friday. "I think it would be helpful to have that perspective represented on the board. The board is responsible for the education for all Vermonters."
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Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Seattle, WA by Lisa Stiffler
Monday, March 24, 2003
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com
Headline: Homeschooled Burien teen wins title after intense spell
"The winner of the Regional Spelling Bee Championship for King and Snohomish Counties is 8th grader Natasha Smith of Manhatten Home School in Burien."
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The Herald-Mail, Hagerstown, MD by Scott Butki, Monday March 24, 2003
http://www.herald-mail.com
Headline: Homeschoolers are dominant in annual reading competition "The team of homeschooled students who won the annual Battle of the Books contest last year came in second this year, bested by another team of homeschooled students they practiced with."
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Providence Journal, Providence, RI 03/27/2003
http://www.projo.com
Headline: Mom schools state spelling bee winner and four siblings
Subhead: Honed at home
Ann: The Journal spins a second article off Coburn Childs' spelling win that focuses on his family. "Elliot Krieger, a spokesman for the state Education Department, says about homeschooling, 'The downside I see is the lack of socialization, the lack of interaction, the lack of other points of view which a student would get on the same subjects in a group setting,' he said."
Ann: Dusting off that old socialization myth again? Let's debunk it one more time.
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Teen Homeschooling Proms
Christian Science Monitor, By Ashley Chapman, March 25, 2003
http://www.csmonitor.com
Headline: Home schoolers get out of the house
"NEW YORK The Holiday Inn banquet hall was packed with teens clad in tuxedos and taffeta. They danced the macarena, sipped lemonade, and cast interested sidelong glances at one another.
The Orlando, Fla., event had all the trappings of a standard high school prom, with one exception: There were no high schoolers present. All the teens at the Orlando prom were home schoolers."
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"NJ Spring Prom 2003" [for homeschoolers] is on April 25
If you are in the New Jersey area and your sons or daughters are interested...hurry before the tickets are gone.
http://mywebpages.comcast.net
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Legal and Legislative News
ARKANSAS
KARK-TV, Little Rock, AR Story by The Associated Press, 3/28/2003
http://www.kark.com
Headline: Home Schooling Bill Delayed After Protest
"The sponsor for a bill putting more requirements on parents who teach their children at home says he's not trying to attack home schooling. Parents and children packed a legislative meeting Thursday to protest a plan for new regulations on home schooling."
"Members of the House Education Committee opted to delay acting on the bill [..] The plan would require the state's 12,474 home school parents to submit a curriculum plan for their child, a proposed teaching schedule, a list of the parent's qualifications as a teacher and a written statement that they will provide their child a quality education."
Ann: Wow. The sponsor says he's "not trying to attack home schooling." I'm confused - if this is not an attack on homeschooling, what would be? This is a bill to fight tooth and nail. We're pulling for you, Arkansas homeschoolers.
A discussion has begun at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HEM-PoliticalAction
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GEORGIA update
Ann: This article revisits Georgia's "access" to interscholastic sports bill.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Atlanta, GA By Darryl Maxie 3-30-03
http://www.accessatlanta.com
Headline: GHSA keeps 'em homeward-bound
"Recruiting was a hot-button issue that led to threatened state legislative intervention and upheaval only three years ago. The GHSA fears that allowing home-schoolers would undermine what little it can do to prevent recruiting."
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And what do homeschoolers in Georgia think about this bill? Read a special issue of "Musings for Georgia Home Educators" http://llghomeschool.org
LOUISIANA
The Advocate, Capital City Press, Baton Rouge, LA Saturday, March 29, 2003
http://www.theadvocate.com
Headline: Bill would let home school students play
Subhead: Extracurricular activities part of school life, parents say
"A new bid [House Bill 261] is under way to let students educated at home join public school football teams, bands and other extracurricular activities."
"Rep. Rick Farrar, D-Pineville, says parents of children who learn at home pay taxes just like those who attend public schools and are entitled to similar privileges.
"Farrar also says the change would help home-schooled children get around The pitfalls of staying home -- social isolation."
Ann: I know this veers from the main topic here, but "social isolation?" I'm thinking Rep. Farrar might be socially isolated - from his homeschooling constituency.
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Track the bill:
http://www.legis.state.la.us
Louisiana Home Education Network, http://www.la-home-education.com
and read discussion about the bill at the NHEN Forums:
http://www.nhen.org
TEXAS
A list of bills that could affect Texas homeschoolers and the most recent actions is at
http://www.homeedsa.com
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More on Charter, Alternative Education, Cyber-schools
and District-sponsored Home Study Programs
Ann: Ohio homeschoolers, some 120,000 strong, believe they are targeted as a cash cow by the charter and cyber schools that proliferate there. Public programs designed to attract homeschoolers are popping up in other states as well, including cash-strapped Oregon and Washington. Here is how some Ohio homeschoolers are reacting.
Ohio Home Education Coalition March 26, 2003
http://www.homeschoolfreedom.org
Headline: K12 (Again!) and others who covet homeschoolers and why
"Ohio homeschoolers were again bombarded with unsolicited mailings last week from K12. A lavishly-produced public relations mailing announces a clearly expensive April 5 "K12 Innovation in Education" [..] Homeschoolers should be aware of the dangerous trends toward homeschooling being integrated into government school in their homes. Unless we work to preserve our independence, we may find that our rights are quickly eroded."
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From Mary Nix in Ohio: "Last year we had under 10 virtual schools and just this week I checked and we now have over fifty here in Ohio. All are looking for recruits to help recoup their shrinking budgets. I have not been to one online virtual site yet that doesn't attempt to confuse the issue of definition. Below are two examples."
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Corporate sample:
http://www.ohdela.com
Headline: "What if I am already home schooling?"
" OHDELA can provide an additional platform of choices for your home education experience."
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Public school sample: Akron Digital School
http://www.akronschools.com
Headline: "For parents who prefer home schooling"
"Akron Digital Academy offers a variety of choices for your home education tuition free."
Ann: Thanks for the heads-up, Mary.
My thought is: Shouldn't these programs target currently enrolled public school kids and families who have NO access to ANY benefits of homeschooling?
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"Homeschooling: Who knew how positive it could be?"
Ann: We've been saying that for years, but thanks for noticing! Check out these positive headlines.
The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA Saturday, March 29, 2003
http://ledger.southofboston.com
Headline: Homeschooling: Who knew how positive it could be?
"When Joe and Pam Roderick of Marshfield decided to homeschool their two children, they wondered if they were doing the right thing. Their concerns gradually diminished as their daughter Chantelle and son Brett embraced homeschooling and thrived with it. Now Chantelle, 29, plans to homeschool her two children." [..]Homeschooling, once viewed as a curious novelty, has become an established alternative to traditional schooling [..]"''I would say that generally speaking, homeschooling has worked,'' state Education Commissioner David Driscoll said. 'It is something that has become a natural part of the landscape now.'"
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From Voice of America
Millington, Maryland 29 Mar 2003
Read this story on line or listen to the RealAudio report at
http://www.voanews.com
Headline: Home Schooling No Longer Domain of Pioneers
"They are no longer pioneers embarking on a risky adventure, those men and women who homeschool their children go where many others have tread. While an estimated 15,000 young people were home schooled in the late 1970's, now nearly two million receive their education at home."
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Jacksonville Times-Union, Jacksonville, FL Saturday, March 29, 2003
http://jacksonville.com
Opinion Piece
Headline: EDUCATION: Parents undeterred
"Parents who want an education for their children are not easy to deter, to the education establishment's great despair. Black parents are joining white parents and multiracial parents in discovering homeschooling -- an escape route not yet blocked by the special interests."
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The Boston Globe, The Chalkboard, By Laura Pappano, Globe Staff, 3/30/2003
http://boston.com/dailyglobe2/
Headline: Family pupils are homing in on college
"As home-schooling has moved from a fringe to a mainstream educational option, increasing numbers of home-schoolers are negotiating the college admissions process. More colleges today have policies to make sense of home-schoolers' academic experiences - a January 2003 report by the National Association of College Admission Counseling in Alexandria, Va., showed 74 percent of colleges surveyed had formal policies to judge home-school credentials, up from 52 percent in 2000."
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Homeschooling in Young Adult Fiction
Ann: Have you wondered about the dearth of homeschooled kids in the pages of fiction? Where is the giggle-fest of predicaments that star homeschooled kids, stories written to delight homeschooled readers? Wonder no more - the Applewhites are here!
Book Title: Surviving the Applewhites
by Stephanie S. Tolan, Newbery Honor Book Award
Harpercollins Juvenile Books; 1st edition (August 2002), ISBN: 0066236029
At Amazon.com you can read several reviews. Here is a sampler:
http://www.amazon.com
From School Library Journal: "Grade 5-8. In this laugh-out-loud novel, a young teen on the fast track to the juvenile detention center suddenly finds himself living [..]with the [..]Applewhite clan [..] to be homeschooled."
From Booklist: "*Starred Review* Gr. 6-9. Clever, clever....a screwball comedy that pushes the story to a whole new place."
Ann: Homeschoolers must be starved to find themselves in interesting stories. I placed a hold on "Surviving the Applewhites" at the library - I am number twenty-two in line!
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Finally
Ann: Please let me know what is happening in YOUR part of the homeschool world. Are there homeschooled kids and families in the news? Do you have legal/legislative challenges or successes? Are homeschooling issues being represented accurately in the media and in advertising? Are there threats to homeschooling freedoms that deserve a wider audience? Is something happening today that will help assure that we - and our children and grandchildren - can homeschool with the greatest freedom possible? Please share so the rest of us can learn!
Ann Lahrson-Fisher
HEM News & Commentary
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