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Newscomm August 19, 2003
In this Issue:
Homeschooling Family Spotlighted in Parents Magazine
Federal Legislation Discussions
Not-Back-To-Homeschooling News
45,000 Homeschooled In Florida
Enrolled Home Study - First Steps
Justifying Homeschooling with Test Scores
Daytime Curfews
Legal- Interscholastics
Head Start Update: I Got It Wrong
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Homeschooling Family
Spotlighted in Parents Magazine
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The Morning News, Springdale, Arkansas, By Teresa S. Newton, August 19
http://www.nwaonline.net
Headline: Parents Magazine Features Duggar Family
Mom Discusses Life With 14 Children
"The article is written in first-person style, with Michelle Duggar (the wife of former Republican state Rep. Jim Bob Duggar) telling readers about her life rearing and homeschooling 14 children, the art of organization and the family's Bible-based approach to finances."
Ann: I'll be watching my newsstand for the September Parents magazine!
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Federal Legislation Discussions
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Ann: The conversations are going below the surface and exploring the story behind the story.
Headline: S. 1562
http://www.nhen.org
Discussions about several interesting elements of the bill - including the amendments to FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974) and Fair Labor Standards Act.
Headline: HR 2732
Four steaming pages of discussion begin here
http://www.nhen.org
and continue on to be thoughtful discussions about this legislation.
http://www.nhen.org
You can also subscribe to Yahoo Groups AHA-PA for more discussion. Read or jump into the conversation with your own comments.
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Not-Back-To-Homeschooling News
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Ann: Wow! There is a plethora of homeschooling articles mixed in the usual August back-to-school flurry. I noticed that homeschooling leaders and parents are speaking boldly and their quotes are not being cut. I am citing just a few stories.
Seguin Gazette, Texas, By Janet Grafe, August 15
http://web.seguingazette.com
Headline: Homeschool offers educational alternative
SEGUIN - "'If we,re schooling hard, the house falls apart, and if we,re cleaning hard, the schooling falls apart,' Kristi said."
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Shore Line Times, Connecticut, By Barbara Douglas, August 12
http://www.zwire.com
Headline: Taking control of education is a do-it-yourself project.
" Taking control of education is a do-it-yourself project. For some, this means homeschooling, an increasingly popular approach to learning that incorporates personal values and principles into a singular curriculum."
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Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune, By Mark Scarborough, August 17
http://www.wisinfo.com
Headline: More parents turn to home schooling
" ...'I [a kindergarten teacher] found out parents are doing a phenomenal job. I think that's because there are so many resources available, in terms of curriculum and support groups, and because the parents are so dedicated.'"
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Coppell Gazette-Star, Texas, By Cliff Despres, August 13
http://www.zwire.com
Headline: Event evidence of home-school growth
"'You have to find what works for your kids,' [Kathie Dargis] said. 'I always try to find what works for my kids, because what works for one child might not work for the next child.'
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Dayton Daily News, Ohio, By Ismail Turay Jr., August 03
http://www.daytondailynews.com
Headline: More blacks turn to home schooling
Up to 105,000 learning outside the classroom
"'People think you are living in a box (by home schooling), but it opens a whole new world,' Cross said."
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Del Rio News-Herald, Texas, By Bill Sontag, August 18
http://www.delrionewsherald.com
Headline: Laughlin AFB parents explain their concerns
"...Home-schooling mom Jennifer Seaberg...explained Sunday afternoon that the chief reason for home-schooling that she hears from parents who have chosen to do it is 'Because they don,t feel their children will get an adequate education in the local schools,' adding that, 'The number two reason is bullying.'0/00
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The Advocate, Stamford, Connecticut, By Gabrielle Birkner, August 14
http://www.stamfordadvocate.com
Headline: More parents make the decision to educate their children at home
"'If a parent is going to neglect a child, it's much easier to send a child to school for six to eight hours a day than to neglect a child at home,' [Deborah Stevenson] said."
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South Florida Sun-Sentinel, By Karla D. Shores, August 18
http://www.sun-sentinel.com
Headline: Home schooling an increasingly popular alternative for S. Florida families
"'A lot of moms can take their kids off Ritalin once they home school," said Anne Mejeur, a regional director for Florida Parent Educators Association, a statewide support group. 'If I would have taken my son to school they would have labeled him [with Attention Deficit Disorder]. If my kids want to hang from a tree and do their timetables, I don't care, just so they learn them.'"
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45,000 Homeschooled In Florida
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Ann: The growth of homeschooling there has spurred media attention in Florida. Here is a sampling.
WRUF, Florida, August 19
http://www.am850.com
Headline: More children are being home schooled
"Classrooms may be less crowded this year due to more parents choosing to home school... According to the Department of Education, thousands of school-aged children will NOT be returning to class this fall."
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Sun-Herald, Englewood, Florida, By Grace Gilbert, August 15
http://www.sun-herald.com
Headline: Center helps with home schoolers
"Parents within the home school community of Englewood and surrounding towns met with Erik Schlake at the Englewood Art Center Wednesday. 'I foresee this program as a resource for the home schooling community; a resource for families,' said Schlake..."
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St. Petersburg Times, Florida, By Michele Miller, August 13
http://www.sptimes.com
Headline: Your school cool? Tell Top of the Class
"So here we are again, plunging in with Top of the Class, getting the word out about the good news going on at schools - public, private and home..."
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Enrolled Home Study - First Steps
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Standard-Examiner, Ogden, Utah, By Marie Griffin, August 17
http://www.standard.net
Headline: Davis district sponsored homeschool draws interest
FARMINGTON -- "...Syracuse resident Joyce Kinmont said she understands why someone who has been a part of the regular school system would look favorably on the new program. It is a first step toward real homeschooling..."
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Vancouver Sun, Vancouver, BC, By Janet Steffenhagen, August 18
http://www.canada.com
Headline: Districts open door to students schooled at home
Langley, Surrey, Delta offer programs for home-learners
"The incentive for school boards is clear: Last year, the province changed the rules to allow full funding ($5,308) for every student registered for distance electronic learning, and districts -- hard hit by declining enrolments and funding restraints -- are hungry for money."
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The Salt Lake Tribune, Utah, By Fredreka Schouten, August 17
http://www.sltrib.com
Headline: Charter cyberschools educate within the comforts of home
"The popularity of Internet charter schools has grown as more parents clamor for choice in educating their kids. And profit-minded business owners, including former Education Secretary Bill Bennett, have moved quickly to meet the demand..."
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Channel 47, Jacksonville, Florida, August 19
http://www.wtev.com
Headline: New Program Designed to Help Home Schooling
"The Department of Education believes that this year 45,000 children will be home schooled. There is a new Florida program that uses computers to create a virtual classroom at home. The 'Florida Connections Academy' received a $4.8 million grant from the Florida Department of Education for the new program."
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Anchorage Daily News, Alaska, By Melissa DeVaughn, August 19
http://www.adn.com
Headline: Smart Starts
Anchorage schools offer children a variety of learning environments
"Family Partnership pairs homeschooling parents with teachers who share their instructional goals. Students learn at home but check in with their teacher regularly to make sure they are on track."
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Justifying Homeschooling with Test Scores
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The Washington Times, D.C., By George Archibald, August 18
http://washingtontimes.com
Headline: Conference highlights home-school benefits
"'Home-schooled teenagers nationwide in the 1990s scored on average in the 84th percentile on national standardized academic achievement tests...' said J. Michael Smith, president of the Home School Legal Defense Association in Purcellville, Va. 'With these test scores, we've been able to get [statutory] 'no qualification' [requirements] for parents who home-school their children in Virginia...'"
Ann: Just as I am never surprised when the media connects homeschooling success to test scores, I am always disappointed when a prominent homeschooling figure uses test scores to justify homeschooling. I am beginning to understand where media-types get the idea, though.
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Daytime Curfews
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Battle Creek Enquirer, Michigan, By Deborah Stevenson, August 17
http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com
Headline: Enforcing curfew is key issue
"We recognize that enforcing a daytime curfew, which likely would be in effect between 8 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on school days, would pose a number of challenges. A growing number of children today are homeschooled and it would be hard to distinguish them from kids who are supposed to be in school."
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Legal- Interscholastics
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Berkshire Eagle, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, By Ellen G. Lahr, August 14
http://www.berkshireeagle.com
Headline: School board to mull athletics policy for Lee home-schoolers
LEE -- "The question of athletic participation will also raise questions about home-schoolers' participation in other school-based activities, board members noted."
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Evening Sun, Hanover, Pennsylvania, By Melody Asper, August 14
http://www.eveningsun.com
Headline: Bermudian to alter home-school policy
"Some school board members worried the policy would allow the parent of a child with failing grades to take the student out of school, provide instruction at home and then claim the child is passing his or her classes and should be eligible for sports."
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Head Start Update: I Got It Wrong
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Ann: Last week I cited the so-called Protective Amendment to the Head Start Bill.
http://www.homeedmag.com
The Amendment states:
'Nothing in this Act shall be construed to require a State to establish a program of early education for children in the State, to require any child to participate in a program of early education, to attend school, or to participate in any initial screening. . .'"
My Comment: "I think HSLDA got this one right. This provision assures choice to ALL families." However, Daryl Cobrianchi points to clearer way to look at the provision.
He writes: "I'm not sure [that HSLDA got it right]. It's a little fuzzy but I think this is all about state's rights. Read it this way and you'll see:
'Nothing in this Act shall be construed to require a State to establish a program of early education for children in the State;
'Nothing in this Act shall be construed [to require a State] to require any child to participate in a program of early education;
'Nothing in this Act shall be construed [to require a State] to require any child to attend school;
Nothing in this Act shall be construed [to require a State] to require any child to participate in any initial screening."
Daryl concludes: "So, the states are not required under federal law to establish a program of early ed, etc. There is nothing in HSLDA's language, though, to prevent states from doing all of those things."
Ah, I think I see. Thanks for the food for thought, Daryl - you'll make me politically savvy yet! Read more of Daryl sharp thinking at "Homeschool & Other Education Stuff, A libertarian-leaning edu-blog"
http://cobranchi.com
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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
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