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September 2 News & Commentary
In this issue:
John Taylor Gatto on "Talk of the Nation"
Singling Out Homeschooled Students
Enrolled Homeschooling Programs
The Homeschooling Lifestyle - A Reasonable Educational Alternative
Private Enterprise Rises to Meet the Demand
Shouldn't We Share What We Know?
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John Taylor Gatto on "Talk of the Nation"
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National Public Radio, Talk of the Nation with Neal Conan, August 25
http://www.npr.org
"Modern-day debates over public school often focus on issues such as class size, test scores or bilingual education. John Taylor Gatto says the real problem is school itself. Join NPR's Neal Conan for a discussion with Gatto. John Taylor Gatto is the author of "The Underground History of American Education" and the lead essay, "Against Schools," in the September issue of Harper's Magazine. Hear why the former New York City teacher of the year says schooling gets in the way of education."
Ann: If you've never had a chance to hear Gatto speak, here is your chance to fall under the spell of his wise blend of common sense and extensive research. In this short segment, Gatto talks about the fourth purpose of public school, making people into good and obedient workers to make managing them more efficient. He talks about ways that parents and teachers can subvert that purpose to give their students a good education. Definitely a good listen.
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Singling Out Homeschooled Students
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Ann: The federal omnibus homeschooling legislation (HR 2732 / S1562) could result in homeschooling gaining "special interest group" status. The backlash of attaining "special interest group" status could be far worse than the problems that the bill attempts to fix. Parts of these two stories roil my "special interest group" anxiety.
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Milwaukee Journal Sentinal, Wisconsin, By Amy Hetzner, August 28
http://www.jsonline.com
Headline: Plan calls for home-schooler testing
Policy would help confirm students' work when entering district
"Mukwonago - Home-schooled students could have to take tests so high school officials can confirm that the teenagers have done the work their parents say they have...'If there is a strong basis for singling out a group of students, we would like to know what that basis is,' said Larry Kaseman, executive director of the Wisconsin Parents Association."
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Opelousas Daily World, Louisiana, By Rebecca Carroll, September 01
http://www.dailyworld.com
Headline: More families opting to homeschool their children
"'We think the same rules ought to apply to everybody, and this appears to be an instance in which an exception is being made,' said Bud Blakey, Washington counsel to the United Negro College Fund. 'We don't understand why this group of kids is being treated differently.'"
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Enrolled Homeschooling Programs
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Ann: Publicly funded homeschooling "enrichment" programs and online charter schools are opening all over.
Ames Tribune, Iowa, By Matt Neznanski, August 19
http://www.amestrib.com
Headline: Home-school programs not yet set
Ames waits for enrollment numbers before committing to more teachers
"In Ames, home-school students may opt to "dual enroll" in the school district, apply for the home-school assistance program, or both. There is no requirement for children taught at home to be involved in any of these programs, however."
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The Oregonian, By Paige Parker, August 21
http://www.oregonlive.com
Headline: County opens first home school out of home in Beaverton
BEAVERTON -- "In two weeks, the doors to Washington County's first home school-away-from-home will open, with as many parents sitting in on classes as children. Board members and teachers at Village Home Education Resource Center, which is publicly financed but privately run, hope to attract parents who have so far avoided traditional schools."
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San Francisco Chronicle, California, By Nanette Asimov,August 31
http://sfgate.com
Headline: Cyber school for kids logs in
Virtual academy is state's first for elementary students
"What I liked most was, I didn't have to pay -- and I didn't have to do lesson planning or grading. The school does it for you and saves hours of work, " said Debbie Dueck...What makes e-school possible are improved technology and a new taste among entrepreneurs for tapping into the riches that pay for American public schools. The speculator in this case is William Bennett, former U.S. education secretary under Ronald Reagan and founder of K12 Inc."
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Miami Herald, Florida, By Steve Harrison, August 31
http://www.miami.com
Headline: Pilot programs offer 'virtual' learning in Florida
"The music appreciation curriculum is perhaps the most incongruous. It's taught through compact discs, and students receive tambourines through the mail. Virtual-school parents in Arkansas have complained that it's a weak link. 'I have trouble getting my daughter to listen to it,' said mother Tanya Pinkerton, who lives south of Little Rock. 'We'll all laugh at it.'"
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The Homeschooling Lifestyle
A Reasonable Educational Alternative
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Ann: There are dozens of news articles on homeschooling published during the 2003 Back-to-School season! Most describe homeschooling just as I love to see it described -- as another reasonable educational alternative. Here are a few quotes.
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The Morning News, Arkansas, By Rose Ann Pearce, August 20
http://www.nwaonline.net
Headline: Home Schooling Increases In Washington County
Students starting school year at home number 769
FAYETTEVILLE -- "More than 760 Washington County youngsters have started the new school year by receiving their education at home, school districts reported Tuesday...Home school students in grades five, seven and 10 also are required to participate in statewide norm-referenced standardized testing, although the scores are reported only to parents."
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The Oregonian, By Linda Baker, August 21
http://www.oregonlive.com
Headline: Home-schoolers see learning as a year-round experience
"'For us, learning isn't 8 to 3,' Annette Salsman said. 'Sometimes it's at 10 p.m. at night. I want my children to immerse themselves for hours and hours in a subject. I want to instill in my children a lifelong love of learning. And I have done that.'"
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Atlanta Journal Constitution, Georgia, By D. Aileen Dodd, August 22
http://www.ajc.com
Headline: The rise of home schooling
Thousands take the opportunity to tailor their children's education
"Home schooling in Gwinnett offers the same experiences as public school, from advanced science labs to proms. The [home school expo] program choices were as diverse as the faces in the crowd -- music, art, history, literature, dance, drama and the fundamentals."
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The News Enterprise, Hardin County, Kentucky, By Letita M. Aaron, August 25
http://www.newsenterpriseonline.com
Headline: For home schoolers, summer's not quite over
"Even though it's back to school for most people, a group of local home schoolers are fitting one last shout into their summer. 'People worry about the social interaction aspect, but the kids do everything other kids do,' Schlueter said. 'We have pot luck dinners during the year, and they go on all kinds of field trips. They go bowling, they go swimming.'"
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CBSNEWS.com, Washington, August 25
http://www.cbsnews.com
Headline: More Kids Learn 'Three Rs' At Home
"In 2000, 50 percent of colleges and universities had a formal policy for home-schooled applicants. By 2003, 75 percent had such a policy. 'The colleges have responded probably as quickly as I've ever seen them respond to an admission-policy issue of this magnitude,' said David Hawkins, director of public policy at the National Association for College Counseling."
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Mt. Vernon Register News, Illinois, By Gregory R. Norfleet, August 26
http://www.zwire.com
Headline: JCCHE: More dads getting involved in home schooling
MT. VERNON - "A Christian home schooling organization saw more fathers getting involved in their children's education over the past dozen years.... Tim and Barbara Cole, support group leaders for the Jefferson County Christian Home Educators, said the involvement of more fathers has also helped the home school movement here."
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Jupiter Courier, Florida, By Jeff Alexander, August 27
http://www1.tcpalm.com
Headline: There's no place like home schooling
"Robin Vaughan of Jupiter Farms knew she wanted to homeschool her children even before her first child was born. And it's worked so far, she said. 'I've seen a lot improvements in (their) learning that I wouldn't see if they were in public school,' Vaughan said of her 5-year-old son, Matthew, and 2-year-old daughter, Emie."
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The Seattle Times, Washington, By Maria Gonzalez, August 28
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com
Headline: Home-school parents swap notes, gather resources before lessons start
"As the start of the traditional school year approaches, parents whose children belong to the untraditional-education sector swap favorite lesson books and teaching tips. Home-schooling is a lifestyle change, they say..."
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The Oregonian, Portland, By Elena Lesley, August 28
http://www.oregonlive.com
Headline: For this family, only home school makes grade
GRESHAM -- "Tamra Orr thinks some kids just don't belong in school. 'School can be a very damaging experience for a lot of kids," the Gresham resident said. 'It's against their every nature. They want to discover, learn, move. School's an artificial environment.'"
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Atchison Daily Globe, Kansas, By Melissa Shuman, August 29
http://www.atchisondailyglobe.com
Headline: Home school provides one-on-one education
"Allyson Fuhrman and her twin, Kayleigh, have been taking home-school lessons from their mother since last April. Mrs. Fuhrman decided to pull the children out of school from kindergarten last year and has been teaching them lessons ever since. 'Home school works well because I like to be with my kids,' she said."
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MSNBC News, By Molly Masland and Michael E. Ross,August 29
http://msnbc.com
Headline: Teach your children well - at home
Home schooling grows in popularity and credibility
"'It's not a panacea,' adds Ferrall. 'I don,t think there,s any option that,s a perfect answer. ... I know people who have these romantic notions that home-school families are better families, that home-schooled kids are better kids. I don,t think you have to overmake the case. It,s just a valid educational option.'"
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El Paso Times, Texas, By Erica Molina, August 30
http://www.borderlandnews.com
Headline: More kids learn ABCs from parents
"Parents often cite their children's customized curriculum as a big part of home-schooling's appeal. 'I've come to see how easy it is and how nice it is to be able to go faster and not have to wait for the rest of the classroom,' Ortiz said."
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The Toronto Star, Canada, By Laurie Monsebraaten, August 31
http://www.thestar.com
Headline: No place like home for 'un-schoolers'
Parents who home-school pay for educational materials
They often forgo careers and a second family income
"Twelve-year-old Travis Sherriff-Clayton ... who loves reading and statistics, is one of an estimated 80,000 Canadian children who are home-schooled and learn everything they know outside the formal public and private education system."
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Private Enterprise Rises to Meet the Demand
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El Paso Times, Texas, by Erica Molina, August 30
http://www.borderlandnews.com
Headline: Parents give store with home-school supplies 'A'
"The couple decided to open a store, Longing for Home, in far East El Paso to give parents of home-schooled children a place to buy the materials their children need....'I love the fact that she has several curriculum choices available for you,' said Dora Ortiz, who home-schools her three children. "You don't have to wait for it to come.'"
Ann: Best of luck to the Longs in their business adventure! I wish more homeschooling families would create small businesses and offer resources, rather than waiting to be served by big business. I'd love to see a grassroots homeschooling home business or store front in every 'burb and town, and dozens of stories like this one.
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Shouldn't We Share What We Know?
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Washington Post, DC, By William Raspberry, August 25
http://www.washingtonpost.com
Headline: Reaching Parents Early
Ann: In his August 25 editorial, "Reaching Parents Early," Raspberry points to research citing the significant role of verbal stimulation in predicting a child's future academic, economic and social success, and reluctantly agrees with the researchers conclusion that middle class children have a verbal advantage that cannot be bridged.
Raspberry closes: "Poor parents love their children and want them to be happy and successful. The problem is, they don't always know how to make it happen. I've concluded that it may be easier to teach the parents some of the necessary "tricks" than to rescue children who've already fallen behind."
Ann: I hope other homeschoolers will join me in writing to Raspberry ( willrasp@washpost.com ). Let's remind him that there is hope, and that language experience gaps can be bridged -- because many homeschoolers have done it and are doing it. My letter is in the mail.
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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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