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Newscomm July 9, 2003
In This Issue:
NEA Debates: "Unfunded Homeschooled Student Participation"
Moves to Restrict Homeschooling Freedoms
Declining Student Enrollment
Homeschooling and Homeschoolers Make News
Charter, Alternative Education, Cyber-schools, Etc.
"The world is all a-swirl..."
Homeschooled Students at Risk?
"...the best model of education available"
WSFH Discussion Continues
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NEA Debates: "Unfunded Homeschooled Student Participation"
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Ann: For some time now, the National Education Association (the largest national teachers' union) has written a decisively-worded anti-homeschooling resolution at their annual Convention. So it is no surprise that a homeschooling resolution came to the floor again this year.
It is stunning, however, to learn that the delegates spent much time discussing the Home-Schooling Resolution, debating whether to retain or remove a single word - "unfunded." Leaving the word in the Resolution would have been a radical departure from their usual unilateral position against homeschooling. The long debate suggests sharp disagreement in the ranks.
Here is an excerpt from a report from
The Education Intelligence Agency, NEA Convention Coverage -- July 05
Reports are archived at http://www.eiaonline.com
Headline: One Word in Home-Schooling Resolution Causes Long Debate
"...The most contentious amendment involved the deletion of a single word in Resolution B-69, which deals with home-schooling. The resolution had a sentence that read: "The Association also believes that unfunded home-schooled students should not participate in any extracurricular activities in the public schools." Some states provide funding for home-schoolers to participate in after-school activities. The amendment was to remove the word "unfunded" so that NEA's opposition would be categorical... the will of the majority of delegates was to delete "unfunded," reasoning that with or without the money to do so, they didn't want home-schoolers in any way to edge out those students who were "with us all day."
The Education Intelligence Agency conducts public education research, analysis and investigations. Director: Mike Antonucci. PO Box 580007, Elk Grove, CA 95758. Ph: 916-422-4373. Fax: 916-392-1482. E-Mail: EducationIntel@aol.com
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Moves to Restrict Homeschooling Freedoms
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New York
WOKR13TV, Rochester, New York, July 7
http://www.wokr13.tv
Headline: Home-Schooled Student Could Be Denied College Diploma
"According to New York State law, students who are homes schooled through high school cannot get their college diploma, because they do not have a high school diploma... After being home schooled, [Paul Owens] enrolled at MCC. A year later, he received a letter from the school notifying him he could not graduate without a high school diploma or the equivalent."
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West Virginia
The Herald-Dispatch, Huntington, West Virginia, By Christina Redekopp, July 02
http://www.herald-dispatch.com
Headline: Progress reports proposed for home-schooled children
Wayne County school board considers introducing new requirements for parents
WAYNE - "Wayne County Board of Education members discussed Tuesday making progress reports for home-schooled children part of a school board policy. Of 188 students who are home-schooled in the county, 119 have failed to comply with state law by not reporting to the school board, said Carl Steele, Wayne County attendance director, in a report to the board..."
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Declining Student Enrollment
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Ann: Louisiana ponders the causes of declining public school enrollment, while Pennsylvania posts its first ever decline in the number of homeschooling students.
The Advocate, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, By Will Sentell, July 06
http://www.2theadvocate.com
Headline: Public school drop raises questions
Subhead: La. enrollment decline bucks national trends
"Public school enrollment in Louisiana is falling and shows no signs of turning around. The drop during just one period -- from fall 1991 to estimates for fall 2005 -- would essentially fill all 91,600 seats in Tiger Stadium. Theories for the decline vary.... Picard blames the drop on residents leaving the state, the growth of home schooling and smaller families..."
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From Barbara Page in Pennsylvania, as posted at http://www.nhen.org
"The Pennsylvania Department of Education has completed its annual census of home educated students. There has been a decrease - the first time since such numbers have been reported."
http://www.pde.state.pa.us
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Homeschooling and Homeschoolers Make News
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Tuscaloosanews.com, Alabama, By Chad Berry, July 07
http://www.tuscaloosanews.com
Headline: Family garden
Parents, children work together to raise day lilies
"...When not gardening or home schooling, the Hollimans are usually burning a trail between Pickens County and Tuscaloosa."
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Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas, By Dave Ferman, July 06
Headline: Fiddling with success
Subhead: Winning a national contest was nice. So was a surprise invitation to join Ricky Skaggs onstage.
Burleson - "... The [Quebe] girls' mother, Debra...is home-schooling the sisters ... who read -- often about music -- raise a garden and 12 chickens, and practice..."
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Capitol City Weekly, Juneau, Alaska, By Amy Maio, July 08
http://newspapers.mywebpal.com
Headline: Salsman earns highest Scouting honor
"The 18-year-old Juneau resident and home-school graduate became an Eagle Scout, the highest rank available in the Boy Scouts of America, in a May 28th ceremony at Valley Chapel..."
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Polkonline.com, Polk County, Florida, By Steven N. Levine, July 08
http://www.polkonline.com
Headline: Young divers gets their water wings
"Erin Grace Whisler, 11...who is home-schooled, would have gotten 100 on the written exam had her dad not tried to lend a helping hand ...'Kids are kids, but the home-schoolers are really focused,' Konitzer said..."
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Concord Monitor, New Hampshire, by Lisa Wangsness, July 06
Headline: Politics or principle in budget veto?
Governor's GOP detractors see election-style dramatics
"And the House chopped nearly all of Benson's proposed $15 million in new programs he designed to foster entrepreneurship, charter schools, home-schooling and nurse recruitment. Benson didn't make a peep."
Ann: Is homeschooling becoming a political football in New Hampshire?
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Philadelphia Inquirer, Pennsylvania, By Gaiutra Bahadur, July 06
http://www.philly.com
Headline: Muslims meet on activism, liberty issues
"Fifteen thousand members of two major Muslim organizations have gathered this weekend for the first time in Philadelphia... This meeting, which ends today at the Convention Center, included sessions on home-schooling..."
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News3 WRBL TV, Columbus, Georgia, Katie Weitzner, July 02
http://www.wrbl.com
Headline: Home School: Georgia vs. Alabama
"Next year, some valley students may not be headed back to the classroom! The number of students choosing to home school is on the rise, but depending on where you live, the way your child learns may be drastically different."
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Charter, Alternative Education, Cyber-schools, Etc.
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California
Modesto Bee, California, By Susan Herendeen, July 08
http://www.modbee.com
Headline: Charter school opening campus
"School officials in Ceres are putting the finishing touches on a new charter school that will offer a campus-based program for traditional students as well as an independent study program for home-schoolers. Whitmore Charter School, which offered an independent study program for home-schoolers in the 2002-03 school year, will open a new campus Aug. 13."
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Minnesota
The Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minnesota, By John Welsh, July 06
http://www.twincities.com
Headline: Cuts affect Virtual Academy
"Minnesota Virtual Academy attracted strong interest -- especially from home schoolers -- with its promise of a tuition-free education and curriculum directed by former U.S. Education Secretary William Bennett, author of the 'Book of Virtues'... But the state's new education bill limits online enrollment for students not previously in public school to about 200...
Rejection letters -- 395 of them -- arrived a few weeks ago....It all comes down to money."
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Ohio
Dayton Daily News, Ohio, By Ismail Turay Jr., July 06
http://www.daytondailynews.com
Headline: Fairborn schools cast Net to tailor help for students
Subhead: Digital Academy for those who shun traditional setting
FAIRBORN | "Michael Paxson spent more time in detention the past five years than he did in the classroom...Paxson, 16, is going into his second year with the Fairborn Digital Academy.... Grimshaw... plans to target homeschoolers in the fall because 'we can give them a more structured curriculum and good materials.'"
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Washington
The Oregonian, Clark County, Washington, by Holley Gilbert, July 01
Headline: Former educator admits abusing child
http://www.oregonlive.com
VANCOUVER - "A former Battle Ground educator... resigned in May as assistant principal for Character, Academics and Marketplace, the district's alternative high school program, and Homelink, a home-school program."
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"The world is all a-swirl..."
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Ann: It is not often that we get to read homeschooling articles from three perspectives. First, check out this positive article. Then, read the reflections on the article by one of its quoted subjects, Sandra Dodd. Finally, take a look at the editor's overview.
Albuquerque Journal, New Mexico, By Jane Mahoney, July 6
http://www.abqjournal.com
Headline: Homeschooling: Teaching Thy Children Well
"Homeschooling is a misnomer. Learning takes place not only at home, but in museums and grocery stores, nature hikes and routine visits to the doctor's office. It may happen around the kitchen table, but it's just as likely to flourish in back yards and gardens, libraries and the mall..."
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Upon reading the published version of the story in which she is prominently featured, Sandra Dodd writes at Unschooling-Discussion@yahoogroups.com
"...It's positive, though, and pretty uplifting. My stomach fell when I saw [someone else's] quote about homeschoolers spending all their time telling their kids what to do, so that a break each week was really welcome..."
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And from Carolyn Flynn, Editor of SAGE, July 6
http://www.abqjournal.com
Headline: Parents as Educators Part of Larger Movement
"In this month's cover story, we...look at why homeschooling has gone mainstream - and whether it's working. Right off the bat we learned we had to bust some myths many people have about it - some of which we had ourselves. The first myth was..."
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Homeschool Students at Risk?
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Reno Gazette-Journal, Nevada, By Sheila Gardner, July 07
http://www.rgj.com
Headline: Sando stands up for charter schools
Sierra Crest Academy recently received a $100,000 planning grant from the Nevada Department of Education with a goal of serving "at risk" students. Sando said the designation covers a wide range...Until recently, home school students were considered at-risk."
Ann: Homeschooled students were considered "at risk" in Nevada? What about other states? Do you know whether or not your children are considered "at risk" by your state's officials?
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"...the best model of education available"
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The Hartwell Sun, Hartwell, Georgia, By Phil Hudgins
http://www.thehartwellsun.com
Homeschooling is a valid...
"We human beings sometimes jump to conclusions. I did that with homeschooling...Jay L. Wile, who has a Ph.D. in nuclear chemistry and who taught at Ball State University, says he was ignorant of homeschooling. Then he studied the data. Today, he says, 'I consider homeschooling the best model of education available' in the nation..."
Ann: What we've been saying for years!
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WSFH Discussion Continues
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Ann: In the July 01 issue I asked, "Readers, if your WSFH discussion list has enlightened or informed you about these important issues in a civil and respectful way, won't you let me know?"
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In response, Theresa Willingham, UU Homeschoolers, Tampa, FL writes: "I am also on two lists, different from the ones you've mentioned, that have managed extraordinarily civil and insightful discussion on WSFH: Parent Directed Education at www.parentdirectededucation.com, and UU Homeschoolers at www.uuhomeschool.org (discussion list, which I manage myself, at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UUHomeschoolers )."
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Ann: I hope everyone takes the time to read, think, and weigh the issues - chew on it as long as you like. Go back and read the original document in light of what you've learned at http://www.westandforhomeschooling.org and then decide for yourself. Thanks, Theresa. Anyone else?
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Final Words
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Always 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.
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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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