|
Newscomm September 23, 2003
In this issue:
USA Today on Homeschooling: Pro and Con
Support Groups in the News
Contributing to Confusion
Banned Books Week
As Commonplace As Their Primitive Counterparts?
Local and Regional Legal News
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
USA Today on Homeschooling: Pro and Con
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ann: USA Today kicks off the new homeschool year with two articles from two perspectives. The first suggests that homeschooling is a mainstream and growing practice, and that valuable alliances between taxpayers and schools are lost when schools choose to condemn homeschooling. The second opinion blasts homeschooling as being isolationist and homeschooling parents as being unqualified to teach.
Headline: Support For Home-Schoolers Can Pay Off For All Students
USA Today, September 02
http://www.usatoday.com
"The growth reflects a vast broadening in the types of families that embrace home schooling. The stereotype of home-schoolers as religious separatists or the offspring of New Age seekers has not been true for years. Now, though, local home-schooling organizations report that about 10% of their families are black or Hispanic. Yet instead of accepting „ even welcoming „ the valuable role home-school supporters can play in increasing choices, too many traditional educators are setting up roadblocks. Some states impose excessive paperwork demands on home-schooling parents, even when their children appear to be flourishing academically. Many school districts deny home-schooled children the opportunity to participate in music and sports activities at local schools."
***
Headline: Home Is No Place For School
USA Today, By Dennis L. Evans, September 03
http://www.usatoday.com
Dennis L. Evans directs doctoral programs in education leadership at the University of California, Irvine. In an attempt to marginalize the entire homeschooling movement, he begins his piece, "The popularity of home schooling, while not significant in terms of the number of children involved, is attracting growing attention from the media, which create the impression that a 'movement' is underway. Movement or not, there are compelling reasons to oppose home teaching both for the sake of the children involved and for society."
Ann: Unfortunately, Evans' supportive arguments indicate nothing more than how poorly he understands homeschooling and how children learn in the home. His first argument assumes that it is impossible to be competent to teach without "training." He is apparently ignorant of the fact that homeschooling is a different approach to learning altogether, and that homeschoolers succeed regardless of their parent's training. Quite frankly, I suspect a conflict of interest when someone who makes their living in public education condemns as incompetent those who opt out of that system.
Not surprisingly, Evans' second argument, "The isolation implicit in home teaching is anathema to socialization and citizenship. It is a rejection of community and makes the home-schooler the captive of the orthodoxies of the parents," is based in the popular myth that homeschoolers want to withdraw from society. Oh please. All he has is that old argument of protecting children from their parents? He doesn't have a clue about what homeschoolers do and think.
Evans closes with "The strengths of our educational system is the wide range of legitimate forms of public, private or parochial schooling available for parental choice." Excuse me? Wouldn't that "wide range of legitimate forms" include homeschooling?
***
Headline: More Families Opting For Home Schooling
CNN.com, September 03
http://www.cnn.com
Ann: Many articles about homeschooling are copycats of each preceding article. This one offers some unique perspectives. Bud Blakey of the United Negro College Fund wonders "why this group of kids is being treated differently." Craig Williams, father of James Williams, the second homeschooler in two years to win the National Geographic's Geography Bee, comments that "We believe in natural curiosity, and as long as there's curiosity to learn, they will learn."
I almost look forward to the reliably negative opinions from "The National Education Association, which represents 2.7 million teachers and other school workers, [which] says home schooling as a parent's choice 'cannot provide the student with a comprehensive education experience.'"
Wow. Twice in the same day, I get to say it - Conflict of interest, anyone?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Support Groups in the News
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Headline: Unschooling Adds Up To Individualized Learning
The Daily Astorian, By Jennifer Collins, September 03
http://www.dailyastorian.info
"We feel like individualized education is the way to go," said Tonia Mock, the coordinator for the Gentle Rain Homeschool Group. "Individualized" school takes on a different look for the Mock family. Also spotlighted in the article is a privately funded resource center, The Two Wings Learning Center. The Center "provides curriculum and teaching units for families who need more structure and a place to study away from home. Learning tools - computers, overhead projectors, among other things - are available. The center also hosts workshops."
The article closes with words from one homeschooled student: "'I still think there's a lot of stereotypes for homeschooling,' Aimee said - referring to the 'wild eyed homeschoolers who don't brush their hair.' Aimee, who styles her coiffure each morning, finds the myth laughable."
***
Headline: Group Offers Home-Schoolers Secular Alternative To Learning
The Leaf-Chronicle, Clarksville, Tennessee, By Amy Ritchart, September 10
http://www.theleafchronicle.com
Some local families say a new, alternative home school support group called SHARE is offering families another choice. The SHARE mission identifies the group as Secular Home-schoolers: any religion, eclectic and inclusive. 'The home-schooling community is very diverse,' said founding member Jelan Nabholz. 'All home-schoolers are welcome....We have many different religions,' she said. 'We have many military families. We realized that there's not a group around here for every religion.'"
***
Headline: As Teachers
Sun-Sentinel, South Florida, By Ashley Miller, September 19
http://www.sun-sentinel.com
This piece, about the activities of the Broward Homeschool Parent Support Group, includes this interesting quote. "I decided to home school because of my son, David," said Paige Rispoli of Lauderdale Lakes. "When he began school, within four months his entire personality changed. He went from being a loving, affectionate kid to being distant and cold. But when I began to home school him he went back to being the kid I knew."
How many times over families have witnessed the same transformation!
***
Headline: More Parents Opt To Home School
Citizen Online, Georgia, by Roger Barnes, September 14
http://www.citizenonline.net
"'WeÍre growing faster than the private schools,' said Montemayor. 'Home schooling his becoming a viable option for many parents. There are a lot of parents who are not very satisfied with sending their children to public schools.' According to Montemayor, unlike REACH or PEARL, two other county home school groups that have their roots in Christianity, Creative Home Schoolers is a secular resource group for parents who are just seeking an alternative to public education."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Contributing to Confusion
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ann: Many a new homeschooling parent has told me that beginning to homeschool felt like jumping into the deep end of a swimming pool without knowing how to swim, without a life jacket, without waterwings. Of course, most bob up dogpaddling along with everyone else, but they couldn't have known before they jumped in that, Hey! the water's fine, and this is do-able. I hope families who use the lifejackets and waterwings of public school programs will not grow dependent on them, and perhaps explore the freestylin' ways of homeschooling once their dogpaddling days are behind them.
***
Headline: Virtual School Daze
ABCNEWS.com, By Paul Eng, September 16
http://abcnews.go.com
Online Tech Offers New Choices in Education
"...the Ellises are not just one of millions of American families that have decided to home-school rather than send their children off to public or private classrooms. In fact, Angie Ellis and her brood aren't out of the local school system's loop at all. Instead, they are part of a growing experiment called "virtual schooling" „education systems that use Internet technology to bring a local kindergarten to 12th-grade classroom curriculum into students' homes. The parents or guardians then become "teaching coaches," presenting the lesson plans to their children."
***
Headline: Younger Students Enroll In Virtual Learning
Programs for kindergarten to eighth-graders available
The News-Press, Southwest Florida, By Jennifer Booth Reed, September 21
http://www.news-press.com
"The image of a 5-year-old glued to a computer screen may make people shudder, but online learning is morphing as it is expanding. The two schools, Florida Connections Academy and Florida Virtual Academy, keep their students off line as frequently as they put them online...the K-8 programs require an adult "learning coach" to work side-by-side with the children. That makes for an almost full-time job for at-home mom Tia Willin of Cape Coral."
Ann: Teaching coaches? Learning coaches? Come on in, the water's fine!!
***
Headline: More Help For Home-Schoolers
The Oregonian, by Jason Begay, September 17
http://www.oregonlive.com
Clark County, Washington -- "The Home Choice Academy is, after Battle Ground's Homelink program, the county's second facility for home-schooled children. The academy has more than 125 full-time-equivalent students signed up... The Buranov sisters are enrolled to attend Home Choice for the maximum two full days a week."
Ann: Washington's public alternative school programs allow the program to draw full time equivalency funds for just five hours of weekly attendance. Apparently, The Home Choice Academy limits student attendance to two days per week. I can't think why since the Academy has full time funds.
***
Headline: Home-School Event Features Science
Fairbanks Daily News, Alaska, By Marmian L. Grimes, September 06
http://www.news-miner.com
"Seven-year-old Blayde Smyth has a detailed explanation for the hair-raising phenomenon that results from touching a Van De Graaff generator... Smyth was one of more than 100 home-school students and their parents who stopped by The Alaska Centennial Center for the Arts Friday for a science event sponsored by the Chugach School District's Fairbanks Extension School, a correspondence program."
++++++++++++++++++++
Banned Books Week
++++++++++++++++++++
Ann: The great advantages of homeschooling is the intellectual freedom that it affords us as we raise our children to be thinkers. According to the American Library Association, September 20-27, 2003 is Banned Books Week, a great time to explore intellectual freedom with your family.
Headline: Open Your Mind to a Banned Book
http://www.ala.org
"Since 1990, the American Library Association's (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom has recorded more than 7,000 book challenges, including 515 in 2002... Challenges are not simply an expression of a point of view; on the contrary, they are an attempt to remove materials from public use, thereby restricting the access of others. Even if the motivation to ban or challenge a book is well intentioned, the outcome is detrimental. Censorship denies our freedom as individuals to choose and think for ourselves. For children, decisions about what books to read should be made by the people who know them best - their parents or guardians."
Headline: Intellectual Freedom for Young People
http://www.ala.org
Also from the American Library Association, this page offers links to information on basic intellectual freedom principles.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
As Commonplace As Their Primitive Counterparts?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Headline: Ask Ella: Do Home Schooling, Online Degrees Count?
http://www.wesh.com
WESH.com, Florida, September 16
Ella Kallish is a nationally syndicated columnist with 17 years experience marketing candidates directly to decision-makers inside business organizations throughout the United States. Her "Ask Ella" column now offers you personal, strategic and tactical advice on all your workplace questions.
Question: "I am concerned about the reaction of prospective employers to seeing "home schooled" on [my daughter's] job applications. Also, I have looked into getting a college degree online. Do you know how employers react to hose?"
From the answer: " Due to many factors (especially cost), by the time
your daughter enters the workforce, online degrees and home schooling will be as commonplace as their primitive counterparts: certificates of learning from brick-and-mortar schools."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Local and Regional Legal News
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Headline: Board Postpones Approval Of Policy On Home-Schooling
Providence Journal, Rhode Island, By Katherine Boas, September 11
"The proposed policy exceeds the requirements of state law, parents who educate their children at home told the committee. The parents, who came from several towns, said they would prefer a policy that does not restrict their curriculum, teaching time or testing requirements. They said the proposed two-page agreement, which requires signatures from a parent and the district, was unnecessary and illegal."
***
Headline: Haddonfield BOE Discusses Home-Schooling...
The Haddon Herald, New Jersey, by Brian P. Nanos, September 17
http://www.zwire.com
" Board member Edward Borden Jr. suggested that in the next two weeks, the board prepare a report on the legal issues involved with allowing home-schooled students to participate in extra-curricular activities."
***
Headline: Home-School Activity Issue Still Creating Debate Across South Dakota
Yankton Daily Press, South Dakota, By Randy Dockendorf, September 15
VERMILLION -- "While school districts have already decided whether to allow home-schooled students to participate in school-sponsored extra-curricular activities, the issue continues to generate heated debate across the state."
***
Headline: Regional School Chief Seeks Proof Of Home Schooling
Peoria Journal Star, Illinois, By Jessica L. Aberle, September 16
Attorney: Superintendents have no right to approve curriculums, pay visits
http://www.pjstar.com
Ann: You may remember that a year ago, instigated by Regional Superintendent of Schools Bruce Dennison, some 24 Illinois homeschooling families in three counties were visited by truant officers, sometimes accompanied by police officers, and were threatened with the loss of their children.
"With school once again under way... many home-school families are waiting for their first contact. Dennison, however, said he reviewed his home visit protocol and will no longer encourage such meetings. 'We will review each case on its merits and proceed accordingly,' he said. 'Our current protocol is if we need to meet with a parent, we don't meet at the home,' he said, adding a library, school office, court house or other location of the parent's choosing would be more appropriate."
***
Headline: Home schoolers form support network, but some say students lack social skills
Adrian Daily Telegram, Michigan, By Jennifer Burd. September 07
http://www.lenconnect.com
"Michigan has liberal laws regarding home schooling, which state that the education of children "is the natural, fundamental right of parents and legal guardians." The state has no requirements for parents to seek approval for home schooling or to meet teacher qualifications, and the burden is placed on the state to prove that children are not receiving an adequate education."
***
Headline: Survey To Look At Why Parents Home School Children
Newton Daily News, Iowa, By Erin Haller, September 09
http://www.newtondailynews.com
"'The whole standards movement has contributed to an increase. There is a concern with parents that standards may contribute to a watered-down curriculum.' Hoover said school officials believe that is 'not true' adding that the intent is to make standards more rigorous. Hoover is hoping for a good response to the surveys and would like to have results back in October. 'We want to develop positive, trusting relationships with home school families so they may consider us in the future.'"
++++++++++++++
Final Words
++++++++++++++
Please keep me in mind as you find and make the news and let me know what you discover. Thanks to all who contributed to this and past issues.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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
top index
|
