statistics
Kim
Just curious ... does anyone have statistics on the reasons why people
choose to homeschool (I'm lumping unschooling into that term)? It
irritates the hell out of me when people, who are in no way involved in
any form of homeschooling, try to tell me why people choose to do it!
One friend in particular told me that "it's a fact that MOST people
choose to homeschool for religious reasons." I know of no such fact!
However, I generally don't have a good arguement without solid
information (in other words, I'm not interested in shooting off my
mouth if I don't know what I'm talking about). Can you tell this bugs
me? I don't really know why, as I shouldn't care what other people
think. I'm just looking for information ...
Kim
choose to homeschool (I'm lumping unschooling into that term)? It
irritates the hell out of me when people, who are in no way involved in
any form of homeschooling, try to tell me why people choose to do it!
One friend in particular told me that "it's a fact that MOST people
choose to homeschool for religious reasons." I know of no such fact!
However, I generally don't have a good arguement without solid
information (in other words, I'm not interested in shooting off my
mouth if I don't know what I'm talking about). Can you tell this bugs
me? I don't really know why, as I shouldn't care what other people
think. I'm just looking for information ...
Kim
Sandra Dodd
-=-One friend in particular told me that "it's a fact that MOST
people choose to homeschool for religious reasons." -=-
I believe that's true. If it's not true now, it was ten years ago
when there was a big survey and people said why they were unschooling.
Why does it make you mad, though?
What if it made mer mad that people who didn't live in New Mexico
tried to tell me stuff about New Mexico? Someone who has read recent/
current articles or history or who just knows a lot about some aspect
or other of government or geology could EASILY tell me things about
New Mexico that I don't know. I have a friend who knows WAY more
English history than probably anyone in England knows, outside of a
small handful of medieval history professors, and he was there once
(to be in the re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings a few years
ago). He knows LITTLE details, because of his interest and memory.
So it's not worth getting emotional about other people knowing about
homeschooling. It's not a secret society or anything.
It kinda bugs me when people who are homeschooling like to assume
they're the norm or the average. NO unschoolers are the norm or the
average. There are way (WAY) more families using school-at-home, and
some of them don't even know we exist. That's fine. But I don't
think it's nearly as fine for unschoolers not to know of the huge
conservative body of Christian homeschoolers in the United States.
Some countries are spared.
If anyone here is unaware of the HSLDA, of Bob Jones University's
ties with unschooling, with (is it Liberty College?) the college
that's preparing young homeschooled men to take over the U.S.
government? Which college is that?
Here's a peek through a pinhole at portion of the tip of that iceberg:
http://www.pcci.edu/WhyHomeSchoolersChoose.html
http://www.thejubileeacademy.org/?ac=seppcg
https://www.homeschoolingbooks.com/
http://www.sonlight.com/aboutus.html
http://www.abeka.com/
http://www.homeschooldigest.com/
Avoid going to the heart of wisdom site. Google has a notice that says
This site may harm your computer.
I have not idea what that might mean, but some of the home school
digest stuff might lead there, so just be careful with links.
Sandra
people choose to homeschool for religious reasons." -=-
I believe that's true. If it's not true now, it was ten years ago
when there was a big survey and people said why they were unschooling.
Why does it make you mad, though?
What if it made mer mad that people who didn't live in New Mexico
tried to tell me stuff about New Mexico? Someone who has read recent/
current articles or history or who just knows a lot about some aspect
or other of government or geology could EASILY tell me things about
New Mexico that I don't know. I have a friend who knows WAY more
English history than probably anyone in England knows, outside of a
small handful of medieval history professors, and he was there once
(to be in the re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings a few years
ago). He knows LITTLE details, because of his interest and memory.
So it's not worth getting emotional about other people knowing about
homeschooling. It's not a secret society or anything.
It kinda bugs me when people who are homeschooling like to assume
they're the norm or the average. NO unschoolers are the norm or the
average. There are way (WAY) more families using school-at-home, and
some of them don't even know we exist. That's fine. But I don't
think it's nearly as fine for unschoolers not to know of the huge
conservative body of Christian homeschoolers in the United States.
Some countries are spared.
If anyone here is unaware of the HSLDA, of Bob Jones University's
ties with unschooling, with (is it Liberty College?) the college
that's preparing young homeschooled men to take over the U.S.
government? Which college is that?
Here's a peek through a pinhole at portion of the tip of that iceberg:
http://www.pcci.edu/WhyHomeSchoolersChoose.html
http://www.thejubileeacademy.org/?ac=seppcg
https://www.homeschoolingbooks.com/
http://www.sonlight.com/aboutus.html
http://www.abeka.com/
http://www.homeschooldigest.com/
Avoid going to the heart of wisdom site. Google has a notice that says
This site may harm your computer.
I have not idea what that might mean, but some of the home school
digest stuff might lead there, so just be careful with links.
Sandra
Pamela Sorooshian
On Jul 27, 2008, at 7:30 PM, Sandra Dodd wrote:
In 1999, they found that three reasons for homeschooling were most
frequently cited:
49% said "ability to give child a better education;" 38% gave
religious reasons; 26% said it was because of a poor learning
environment at school.
In 2003, they first asked parents to state any/all reasons contributed
to their decision to homeschool, and then they asked them which was
the most important reason.
So - in answer to the first question, 85% said they were concerned
about the school environment, 72% said they wanted to provide
religious or moral instruction, and 68% said they were dissatisfied
with the academic instruction in schools.
When asked what was the most important reason, 31% said it was concern
about the school environment; 30% said it was to provide religious or
moral instruction; 16% said it was dissatisfaction with academic
instruction in schools.
These are pretty good studies - reasonably reliable data. They
definitely have less bias than all the NHERI/HSLDA studies. The
studies were done by the National Center for Education Statistics and
I think they're titled: "Homeschooling in the United States:1999" and
"Homeschooling in the United States:2003," although I may have the
title of the first one wrong.
-pam
> -=-One friend in particular told me that "it's a fact that MOSTUS Dept of Education did statistical studies in 1999 and 2003.
> people choose to homeschool for religious reasons." -=-
In 1999, they found that three reasons for homeschooling were most
frequently cited:
49% said "ability to give child a better education;" 38% gave
religious reasons; 26% said it was because of a poor learning
environment at school.
In 2003, they first asked parents to state any/all reasons contributed
to their decision to homeschool, and then they asked them which was
the most important reason.
So - in answer to the first question, 85% said they were concerned
about the school environment, 72% said they wanted to provide
religious or moral instruction, and 68% said they were dissatisfied
with the academic instruction in schools.
When asked what was the most important reason, 31% said it was concern
about the school environment; 30% said it was to provide religious or
moral instruction; 16% said it was dissatisfaction with academic
instruction in schools.
These are pretty good studies - reasonably reliable data. They
definitely have less bias than all the NHERI/HSLDA studies. The
studies were done by the National Center for Education Statistics and
I think they're titled: "Homeschooling in the United States:1999" and
"Homeschooling in the United States:2003," although I may have the
title of the first one wrong.
-pam
Pamela Sorooshian
On Jul 27, 2008, at 7:30 PM, Sandra Dodd wrote:
There is a book about Patrick Henry College that is fascinating - here
is the Publisher Weekly review of it, which contains some info about
Patrick Henry College itself:
"Envisioned by its founder as a "Christian equivalent of the Ivy
League," Patrick Henry College positions itself as a training ground
for God's cultural soldiers to take on the secular mainstream; at the
seven-year-old Virginia school for evangelicals, religion and
political journalist Rosin reports, girls are warned by e-mail if
their bra strap is showing, dating requires parental permission and
students fast forward through sex scenes in movies. Though they might
seem out of touch, students here are as ambitious as any Ivy Leaguers,
interning in the White House and Hollywood, volunteering on political
campaigns and doggedly pursuing studies like baraminology (creationist
biology). Having spent a year and a half immersed in the campus
culture, Rosin weaves a deft and honest narrative of evangelical
education, combining historical background (the roots of evangelism,
the story of founder Michael Farris), close observation and skeptical
wit. Among other students and faculty, Rosin introduces Derek, the
fresh-faced, idealistic political volunteer; and Farahn, who gave up
dancing for the Lord. Making it clear that the American evangelical
population is growing in political and cultural influence, Rosin
provides an illuminating, accessible guide to the beliefs, aspirations
and ongoing challenges of its next generation. "
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>Patrick Henry College - young men AND women.
> If anyone here is unaware of the HSLDA, of Bob Jones University's
> ties with unschooling, with (is it Liberty College?) the college
> that's preparing young homeschooled men to take over the U.S.
> government? Which college is that?
There is a book about Patrick Henry College that is fascinating - here
is the Publisher Weekly review of it, which contains some info about
Patrick Henry College itself:
"Envisioned by its founder as a "Christian equivalent of the Ivy
League," Patrick Henry College positions itself as a training ground
for God's cultural soldiers to take on the secular mainstream; at the
seven-year-old Virginia school for evangelicals, religion and
political journalist Rosin reports, girls are warned by e-mail if
their bra strap is showing, dating requires parental permission and
students fast forward through sex scenes in movies. Though they might
seem out of touch, students here are as ambitious as any Ivy Leaguers,
interning in the White House and Hollywood, volunteering on political
campaigns and doggedly pursuing studies like baraminology (creationist
biology). Having spent a year and a half immersed in the campus
culture, Rosin weaves a deft and honest narrative of evangelical
education, combining historical background (the roots of evangelism,
the story of founder Michael Farris), close observation and skeptical
wit. Among other students and faculty, Rosin introduces Derek, the
fresh-faced, idealistic political volunteer; and Farahn, who gave up
dancing for the Lord. Making it clear that the American evangelical
population is growing in political and cultural influence, Rosin
provides an illuminating, accessible guide to the beliefs, aspirations
and ongoing challenges of its next generation. "
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Kim
>Good question! Perhaps it was the authoritative tone used by someone
> Why does it make you mad, though?
who I didn't think had facts to back up what she was saying. I'm not
really sure - guess I need to give that some more thought.
> It kinda bugs me when people who are homeschooling like to assumeYes, this is something I am totally aware of. I've only met two other
> they're the norm or the average. NO unschoolers are the norm or the
> average.
unschooling families. Whenever I do talk to any schooled aquaintances,
they automatically make the assumption that we school-at-home, and I do
understand the basis for that assumption.
Thanks for your input!
Kim
Joanna Murphy
--- In [email protected], "Kim" <kimjimstudz@...> wrote:
me what unschooling was without ever asking me one question. She is a "need to know
more than you" type who, after her first child, was looking at tapping into the
homeschooling market as a tutor, so she'd done her research.
Although a little irritating, I just chalked it up to her issues in not wanting to create
connection with me around the topic--she just wanted to establish superior knowledge
because that's who she is.
Maybe your friend is a little threatened by your lifestyle--or maybe she's even thinking
about it in the back of her mind and trying to see if she might fit into that world.
It's funny how clear it is from the outside that engaging her in arugument isn't going to
make your life happier, because there can be steep costs to either engaging or winning an
argument with a friend. When I'm in that kind of situation it's not always clear! lol
Joanna
>I can relate to some of your feelings of frustration. I had a schoolteacher cousin once tell
> >
> > Why does it make you mad, though?
>
> Good question! Perhaps it was the authoritative tone used by someone
> who I didn't think had facts to back up what she was saying. I'm not
> really sure - guess I need to give that some more thought.
me what unschooling was without ever asking me one question. She is a "need to know
more than you" type who, after her first child, was looking at tapping into the
homeschooling market as a tutor, so she'd done her research.
Although a little irritating, I just chalked it up to her issues in not wanting to create
connection with me around the topic--she just wanted to establish superior knowledge
because that's who she is.
Maybe your friend is a little threatened by your lifestyle--or maybe she's even thinking
about it in the back of her mind and trying to see if she might fit into that world.
It's funny how clear it is from the outside that engaging her in arugument isn't going to
make your life happier, because there can be steep costs to either engaging or winning an
argument with a friend. When I'm in that kind of situation it's not always clear! lol
Joanna
Sandra Dodd
-=-It's funny how clear it is from the outside that engaging her in
arugument isn't going to
make your life happier, because there can be steep costs to either
engaging or winning an
argument with a friend. When I'm in that kind of situation it's not
always clear! lol-=-
That's for sure.
When the adrenaline is upon me, I just want to win, and in the case
of someone thinking they knew more about unschooling than I did, I'm
sure I would not look back to my friends saying "let it go."
Twice now adults (unschoolers I think both times) have left snarky
notes for Holly somewhere. I guess it's because they have something
against me and are too afraid to leave something directly to or for
me, so they went to Holly!? The urge came upon me to go and do or
say, but they've already proven they're small and lame by picking on
a little girl. So probably the best thing to do is nothing. But the
emotional core of me thinks otherwise. :-)
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
arugument isn't going to
make your life happier, because there can be steep costs to either
engaging or winning an
argument with a friend. When I'm in that kind of situation it's not
always clear! lol-=-
That's for sure.
When the adrenaline is upon me, I just want to win, and in the case
of someone thinking they knew more about unschooling than I did, I'm
sure I would not look back to my friends saying "let it go."
Twice now adults (unschoolers I think both times) have left snarky
notes for Holly somewhere. I guess it's because they have something
against me and are too afraid to leave something directly to or for
me, so they went to Holly!? The urge came upon me to go and do or
say, but they've already proven they're small and lame by picking on
a little girl. So probably the best thing to do is nothing. But the
emotional core of me thinks otherwise. :-)
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Ed Wendell
This reminded me of when I was in school, and other children tried to tell me what I believed in - as in, my "religion" was not Christian and did not believe in Christ - DUH - the word Christ was in the name of our church! ;) I always just laughed and moved on (unless I was on the bus and then I'd just ignore them) . They wanted to argue and I think it frustrated them that I would not argue with them. We were the only family of that "religion" in that elementary and then high school.
Lisa W.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Lisa W.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Sandra Dodd
When unschoolers express disbelief that unschoolers are a small
minority, it's good for them to know that a big unschooling
conference will draw a few hundred people from EVERYwhere, but a big
homeschooling conference can draw thousands of people in some of the
states of the SE U.S. and the people there will be almost exclusively
Christian (or overtly exclusively Christian, depending on the
conference). THOUSANDS of people. One state (any of several).
There are lots of other kinds of homeschoolers, in the range between
the most conservative and the most liberal (if we get the "most
liberal" end of the single line I just made up <bwg>), but we are an
elite group, doing something that can't be bought off the shelf, that
can't be picked up and put down, that can't be forced on anyone. A
church or a support group or even a judge can say a family must use a
certain curriculum, in the way it's designed to be used. Trying to
force someone to unschool would be like pushing a rope.
Sandra
minority, it's good for them to know that a big unschooling
conference will draw a few hundred people from EVERYwhere, but a big
homeschooling conference can draw thousands of people in some of the
states of the SE U.S. and the people there will be almost exclusively
Christian (or overtly exclusively Christian, depending on the
conference). THOUSANDS of people. One state (any of several).
There are lots of other kinds of homeschoolers, in the range between
the most conservative and the most liberal (if we get the "most
liberal" end of the single line I just made up <bwg>), but we are an
elite group, doing something that can't be bought off the shelf, that
can't be picked up and put down, that can't be forced on anyone. A
church or a support group or even a judge can say a family must use a
certain curriculum, in the way it's designed to be used. Trying to
force someone to unschool would be like pushing a rope.
Sandra
Cameron Parham
Hi, Pam. I just wanted to tell you that we were recently lent the collection of CD's from L&L 2005. My kids and I loved what you and ROYA had to say. Thank you! CameronP
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Pamela Sorooshian
Thanks - I could give you a short update on Roya -
She graduated from college with a degree in Recreation and Leisure
Studies. She worked in Alaska for a summer as a backcountry ranger.
Then she came home and got a job for an agency called "Access to
Adventure" - she organizes trips and events for adults with mental
disabilities. They've gone to a dude ranch in Arizona, a cruise to
Alaska, a trip to Santa Barbara (California), and they have a trip to
London coming up. I between the big trips, she plans movie nights and
bowling parties, etc. She LOVES her job and they love her.
She's 23 now. I keep trying to get her to speak more at conferences,
but, like most grown unschoolers, she's so darn busy it is hard to
make it happen.
-pam
She graduated from college with a degree in Recreation and Leisure
Studies. She worked in Alaska for a summer as a backcountry ranger.
Then she came home and got a job for an agency called "Access to
Adventure" - she organizes trips and events for adults with mental
disabilities. They've gone to a dude ranch in Arizona, a cruise to
Alaska, a trip to Santa Barbara (California), and they have a trip to
London coming up. I between the big trips, she plans movie nights and
bowling parties, etc. She LOVES her job and they love her.
She's 23 now. I keep trying to get her to speak more at conferences,
but, like most grown unschoolers, she's so darn busy it is hard to
make it happen.
-pam
On Jul 29, 2008, at 11:49 AM, Cameron Parham wrote:
> Hi, Pam. I just wanted to tell you that we were recently lent the
> collection of CD's from L&L 2005. My kids and I loved what you and
> ROYA had to say. Thank you! CameronP
Joylyn
I always really enjoy reading about the older homeschoolers...
Thanks, Pam.
Joylyn
---- Pamela Sorooshian <pamsoroosh@...> wrote:
Thanks, Pam.
Joylyn
---- Pamela Sorooshian <pamsoroosh@...> wrote:
> Thanks - I could give you a short update on Roya -
>
> She graduated from college with a degree in Recreation and Leisure
> Studies. She worked in Alaska for a summer as a backcountry ranger.
> Then she came home and got a job for an agency called "Access to
> Adventure" - she organizes trips and events for adults with mental
> disabilities. They've gone to a dude ranch in Arizona, a cruise to
> Alaska, a trip to Santa Barbara (California), and they have a trip to
> London coming up. I between the big trips, she plans movie nights and
> bowling parties, etc. She LOVES her job and they love her.
>
> She's 23 now. I keep trying to get her to speak more at conferences,
> but, like most grown unschoolers, she's so darn busy it is hard to
> make it happen.
>
> -pam
>
> On Jul 29, 2008, at 11:49 AM, Cameron Parham wrote:
>
> > Hi, Pam. I just wanted to tell you that we were recently lent the
> > collection of CD's from L&L 2005. My kids and I loved what you and
> > ROYA had to say. Thank you! CameronP
>