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Newscomm May 27, 2003
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In This Issue:
Congratulations, James!
Accolades for Anna
Chipping Away at Stereotypes
Homeschooling and Homeschoolers In the News
California: A Stunning Turn of Events
NY Coalition for Educational Freedom
Maine and Interscholastic Participation
Ohio Responses - clarifying directions
Charter Schools: Coming Soon to a State Near You
Online Schools - A Cross Between Homeschooling And Vouchers?
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Congratulations, James!
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Ann: The media was hopping with the news - another homeschooled student takes another national championship.
The National Geographic
http://www.nationalgeographic.com
Headline: 2003 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC BEE FINALS WITH ALEX TREBEK
"On May 21, 2003, ten finalists squared off against each other in the contest, vying for the top prize of a U.S. $25,000 college scholarship. Alex Trebek, host of Jeopardy!, moderated.
"James Williams, a homeschooled 14-year-old 8th grader from Vancouver, Washington, won the bee....
He is captain of the Washington-Oregon Science Bowl team and a member of the Washington State Science Olympiad team, both going to nationals later this year. He'd love to go to Antarctica to see the research stations...."
Other state Bee winners who homeschool are Nathan Cornelius of Cottonwood, Minnesota and Debbie Beihl of Saluda, South Carolina.
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Accolades for Anna
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Ann: Anna Irons is another real champion.
Bowling Green Daily News, KY, by Alicia Carmichael, May 24
http://www.bgdailynews.com
Headline: Home-schooler is a role model for community
"It would be hard to match the compassion and thoughtfulness of Anna Irons, an 18-year-old home-schooled high school senior who is truly an angel to some children in her community....Irons, along with some help from local 4-H leaders, applied for and received a grant to feed hungry children. Thanks to Irons, 40 children at the school have been getting a backpack filled with food each Friday. The backpacks are then returned to the school on Monday and refilled the following weekend."
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Chipping Away at Stereotypes
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Ann: I've sometimes wondered if stereotypes about homeschooling continue in part because we homeschoolers are so busy with our lives that we forget to let the community know what we are doing. We become invisible to everyone but each other, and because the rest of the community doesn't really understand homeschooling, they think homeschoolers sit alone, day after day, poring over books, friendless and forlorn. If they could but see our busy schedules!
I found three stories this week that really do suggest changes in the stereotype. In the first, the reporter makes my point perfectly, right there in her headline. The second story highlights a homeschooling coop that has been in operation continuously since - wow! - the late Seventies. Finally, a couple of enterprising support groups in Connecticut submit news announcements for their upcoming homeschooling activities for publication in the community paper.
Insightful reporters, successful homeschooling coops attracting attention, and routine public announcement of homeschooling events - now that is a future to look forward to!
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St. Petersburg Times, By Michele Miller, May 4
http://www.sptimes.com
Headline: Homeschooling: Drop the stereotypes
Subhead: Parents merge resources in a rapidly evolving homeschool system. It's no longer just mom and the kids at a kitchen table.
"NEW PORT RICHEY - "...Hekhuis teaches other homeschooled children as part of Educational Opportunities for Homeschoolers. It's a co-op in which parents pool their teaching resources. It holds classes at First Christian Church in New Port Richey."
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Eau Claire Leader Telegram, WI, by Pamela Powers, May 26
Headline: Home-schoolers share resources Families, students find support in Menomonie co-op
http://www.leadertelegram.com
MENOMONIE "Sixteen-year-old Jessica Kirkwood-Weaver enjoys seeking information on her own as a home-schooled student. "I like being surrounded by all age kids," said Kirkwood-Weaver, of Downsville. "You have role models right there with you. I like being around the younger kids."
The home-schoolers group meets at the Family Learning Center.... The group owns the center and rents it to other individuals or organizations."
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Voices, Southbury, CT - May 24
http://www.zwire.com
Headline: Home Educators Detail Programs
"This informal gathering gives parents an opportunity to network in addition to discussions on curriculums, educating styles and an overview of enrichment activities planned for the 2003-04 school year.... GWHE and LCHE welcome families of all curriculums, faiths and educating styles."
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Homeschooling and Homeschoolers - In the News
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Fox News Channel, with Tracy Gallagher and Samantha Jonas, May 19
http://www.foxnews.com
Headline: Homeschooling on the Rise in Black Communities
LOS ANGELES - "With a 4,000 percent increase in a 20-year span, homeschooling has become The fast-growing phenomenons, especially inside the black community. In fact, black children are now five times more likely to be homeschooled than they were five years ago.... and is partly fueled by groups like the Mocha-Moms http://www.mochamoms.org The Atlanta-based Mocha-Moms, which is a group of black housewives turned homeschooling mavens, offers tips and advice on the homeschooling experience."
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The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA, by Jim Szymanski, May 27
http://www.tribnet.com
Headline: Hands-on lessons - as a family Home schooling diversifies
"Home schooling is gradually growing beyond its conservative, white Christian roots in Washington state... Parents from a growing number of religions and races have joined the movement for a host of reasons...."
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The Boston Globe, MA By Associated Press, May 26
http://www.boston.com
Headline: R.I. boy, 12, aims for national spelling crown
PROVIDENCE - "Coburn Childs has spent much of the past two months memorizing a list of 250 frequently misspelled words. He's also been reading a book called ''Why Isn't Phonetics Spelled the Way it Sounds?'' Coburn, a 12-year-old from Pawtucket, is preparing for the National Spelling Bee, which starts this week in Washington."
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Honolulu Advertiser, HI, By Jennifer Hiller, May 25
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com
Headline: Hawai'i's gifted students struggling to adjust
"This year, the So family started homeschooling. "It's hard to change the system for one child. We cannot blame them for that," Myung Won So said. Instead, she has buried herself in research on homeschooling curricula. ... no choice other than to homeschool or move to a city that has schools that cater to the gifted."
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Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil, IA, by Brien T. Boyce, May 18
http://www.zwire.com
Headline: Making the grade: Homeschooled students
"...we were not ready to relinquish the training and influence of our children to the public school system," Michael said. "We had some friends who were home educating their children, so we considered that as a serious option for our family."
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Bega District News, Australia, 23 May
http://bega.yourguide.com.au
Headline: National Home Education Week
"Thousands of families across Australia, including many in the Bega Valley, happily, effectively and legally educate their children at home. Home education is the modern term for used to be called homeschooling and, yes, it is legal. Every State in Australia recognises home education as a valid alternative to school."
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Vineland Daily Journal, NJ, By Jodi Elbertson, May 22
http://www.thedailyjournal.com
Headline: Reining in her pain
With the debilitating pain of rheumatoid arthritis robbing her of life's most simple pleasures, Sandy Weires turned to natural remedies to deal with her condition
"Weires' greatest therapy is homeschooling her children. She is unable to hold a job because of the intensity of her disease. Some mornings, she suffers from stiffness and has to soak her body before she can start the day. Homeschooling provides her with flexibility"
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California: A Stunning Turn of Events
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From HomeSchool Association of California, May 22
http://www.hsc.org
Headline: California Department of Education Change in Policy
"For many years, the California Department of Education (CDE) has been espousing the opinion that homeschooling is illegal in California. We have always taken issue with their legal analysis, sending them numerous times our brief showing that, in fact, it is legal. In a stunning turn of events, HSC Legal Chair Linda Conrad-Jansen has just posted the following email to the HSC membership:
"Dear Homeschool Family,
"I have wonderful news to report. This evening I was sent an email by the California Department of Education Deputy General Counsel Michael Hersher that the CDE is no longer telling anyone that "homeschooling is not legal in California....Congratulations to each of you and all of us."
Linda J. Conrad, Esq., Legal Chair, HomeSchool Association of California"
Ann: I asked Linda why the sudden change in CDE's "heart." She says the change could possibly be the result of new CDE staff, including a new Superintendent of Schools, Jack O'Connell.
A stunning turn of events it is - congratulations from all of us to all of you Californians!
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NY Coalition for Educational Freedom
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From F.R.E.E (Families Restoring Educational Emancipation) in New York
http://www.open-ny.org
Headline: NY Homeschoolers Seek Freedom
"FREE in NY is a diverse coalition of families who believe that it is both their responsibility and their inalienable right as parents to direct the education of their children -- FREE -- from government oversight.
" FREE in NY was founded specifically to oppose government control of New York's home schooling families. However, we believe that all education should be parent directed. We stand opposed to any state regulation of private education. We believe that the government's "limited interest" in ensuring a literate and self-sufficient citizenry can be accomplished through many and diverse methods. Therefore, we support ending the government monopoly on education, through the repeal of equivalency and compulsory attendance laws. Support the "inalienable right of families to educate their children FREE from government control."
Ann: Creating this coalition is a mighty big step toward freedom, New Yorkers! You are on your way - congratulations! And don't forget to sign the Proclamation!
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Maine and Interscholastic Participation
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Ann: On May 9, U.S. District Court Judge D. Brock Hornby ruled that the Maine Principal's Association's (MPA) rule against [interscholastic participation in a Christian school] does not infringe on their constitutional rights. The following quote is from a strongly stated argument against interscholastic participation by any homeschooler in any school. I wonder how common this opinion is?
Central Maine Daily Sentinel, ME, By Travis Lazarczyk, May 25
http://www.centralmaine.com/
Headline: Home-schoolers learn lesson: life not always fair
"...Home-schoolers shouldn't be on teams at schools they don't go to, period. If you want to play sports for school X, then go to school X."
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Ohio Responses - clarifying directions
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Ann: Last issue my directions to documents at the Ohio Home Education Coalition website were a little vague, so I'll try again. To read the responses at http://www.homeschoolfreedom.org, click on Documents and News, then OHEC Documents and you will see the letters to Carey, Fessler and ABJ and a short explanation." The files are in Adobe format, so be sure to wait for each to download.
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Charter Schools: Coming Soon to a State Near You
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Ann: Generally, I prefer to think of charter schools as a hopeful alternative for kids who won't enjoy the benefits of individualized instruction any other way. Keeping that ideal is getting harder, though, when every week the news tells me that homeschoolers are the target population of these new public schools.
NewsWithViews.com , By Lynn Stuter, May 20
http://www.newswithviews.com
Headline: HOMESCHOOLS, PRIVATE SCHOOLS, AND SYSTEM EDUCATION
"...there is a movement afoot to pull homeschoolers back into the system. This is being done by offering homeschoolers incentives such as computers, money for curriculum, testing, supervision and assistance in weak areas ... this type of thing. One "incentive" that has reached across the nation is William Bennett's K12® Virtual Academy program."
PENNSYLVANIA
From a CCA News Release:
http://www.connectionsacademy.com
Headline: COMMONWEALTH CONNECTIONS ACADEMY APPLICATION APPROVED BY PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Harrisburg, PA (May 19, 2003) - "Commonwealth Connections Academy received state approval late last week to open its innovative 'school without walls' in Pennsylvania. The school becomes the first virtual charter school approved by the state Department of Education since the state legislature's new cyber-charter legislation passed late last fall...."The program targets students who are ahead or behind in the classroom, who need more individualized instruction and who are homebound, home-schooled, ...."
Ann: Perusing Connections Academy's website is very informative. CCA has wasted no time setting up informational meetings for May and June. Plans are in the works for other states, including Georgia, Texas, Florida, Ohio, California, and Minnesota. Colorado and Wisconsin schools are already open.
Ann: Is this story related in any way to the following one? I wonder.
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Washington Observer Reporter, PA, Friday, May 23
http://www.observer-reporter.com
Headline: Board approves transfer options for students in unsafe schools
HARRISBURG (AP) - "...Sen. James Rhoades, R-Schuylkill, wondered whether home-based instruction, either through homeschooling or enrollment in an online charter school, was acceptable for students in districts that could neither provide transfers to another local school nor find a neighboring district that would enroll them. "I think all of those things are on the table," Phillips said."
UTAH
DeseretNews.com By Dennis Romboy, May 26
http://deseretnews.com
Headline: Charter schools are catching on
Applications for more pending in Utah County
LINDON - "Dissatisfied with academics in public school and lack of sociality in home school, Eric and Michelle Smith started their own school. Two of the couple's children are among 350 kindergarten through sixth-grade students at Timpanogos Academy...one of two "charter" schools in Utah County."
Ann: I can't resist an aside here: lack of sociality? Put two more ticks in the column labeled "Folks Who Don't Really Get Homeschooling."
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Online Schools - A Cross Between Homeschooling And Vouchers?
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St. Petersburg Times, By Steve Bousquet, May 25
http://www.sptimes.com
Headline: Vote on vouchers a virtual letdown
"...Teacher unions also dislike online schools. 'It sounds like a cross between homeschooling and vouchers in many ways,' said Marshall Ogletree of the Florida Education Association. "If you've already made the decision to homeschool your child, it's not a whole lot different, except the state is going to buy your computer for you."
Ann: There are just a few teensy weensy details about cyberschools that Ogletree has chosen to overlook - the tax dollars that follow the child to the school of enrollment, the testing, state certified teachers, the controlled curriculum, accountability, and who's in charge of the student's education. Homeschooling's a WHOLE LOT DIFFERENT from online schooling, and Mr. Ogletree should know it.
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Final Words
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Keep me in mind as you find and make the news. Hugs and hearty handshakes go out to those who have contributed to this and past issues.
Ann Lahrson Fisher
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