unusual unschooling situation
smartier_pantz
Hello,
I'm Ruby, and just joined this list. I have sort of an unusual
situation on my hands, and would greatly appreciate any advice you
can give me.
I've vacillated in my approach to home learning, but basically have
remained somewhat of a 'radical' unschooler, in that I can barely
stomache anything that even looks like 'school'. I don't judge
anyone else for thier different approaches to home learning, but for
our family, this just 'fits'.
But I will definately 'bend' in this particular situation, which
will 'probably' be temporary.
I live in Oregon, and tried to access the 'orsig' group, but it was
unavailable for some reason. I don't know of any other groups for my
state, so I decided to come here, because I'm an unschooler, and you
have lots of members for me to draw advice from.
I'm raising my grandson, and we've been, (for the most part),
unschooling since he was a baby. He's almost 7 now, and smart as a
whip, a whiz with math, yet slow to warm up to reading, or any type
of 'busywork'.
Oregon is a homeschooling friendly state, and basically stays out of
our business, with the exception of testing every three years. By
the time my grandson is seven, I will need to file an 'intent to
homeschool' with the school district, and have him tested every three
years from there on out.
I haven't been involved in any homeschool support groups, because
there just hasn't been the need for it thus far, and some of the
things I've read about 'cliques', and 'elitism' in some homeschool
groups, I don't know if I ever will join one, because I'm very
unconventional in my beliefs and in our home learning, I just don't
see me finding a group that would be supportive.
I have a friend who homeschools her children, in much the same way as
I do, and we get together often for outings and such, and that seems
to satisfy my grandson's need for social interaction.
Okay, at long last, here's the situation. Another grandson, from
another state...California, who is almost eight, is here with us now,
and will be with us at least until the end of the school year. There
were some serious personal problems in his family that prompted his
coming to us.
The two of them get along wonderfully, except for the
usual 'bullying' type stuff that he learned in public school, and in
his life thus far. But the new grandson responds beautifully to
being loved and respected, and has a sweet spirit in him that just
needs a little more encouragement than most, because his life has
been nothing but unpredictable, neglected, and emotionally abused.
He has expressed a great desire to be homeschooled with the other
one, rather than go to our local public elementary school.
I believe this would be the best for everyone concerned, but when his
mother disenrolled him in California, she was told that he would have
to recieve a passing grade to be enrolled again in California next
year.
I don't have a clue where to begin to find out what the requirements
are for a passing grade in California for second grade. I know I can
have him tested here, in Oregon, but I'm sure they test for Oregon
requirements.
There is a great likelihood that he might remain here with us in
Oregon after the current family crisis is over, but should things
improve enough that he should return to his mother, I don't want to
send him home without the requirements to enter third grade in
California.
Any advice you have would be so greatly appreciated! Thank you in
advance for anything you can advise me on here.
Ruby
I'm Ruby, and just joined this list. I have sort of an unusual
situation on my hands, and would greatly appreciate any advice you
can give me.
I've vacillated in my approach to home learning, but basically have
remained somewhat of a 'radical' unschooler, in that I can barely
stomache anything that even looks like 'school'. I don't judge
anyone else for thier different approaches to home learning, but for
our family, this just 'fits'.
But I will definately 'bend' in this particular situation, which
will 'probably' be temporary.
I live in Oregon, and tried to access the 'orsig' group, but it was
unavailable for some reason. I don't know of any other groups for my
state, so I decided to come here, because I'm an unschooler, and you
have lots of members for me to draw advice from.
I'm raising my grandson, and we've been, (for the most part),
unschooling since he was a baby. He's almost 7 now, and smart as a
whip, a whiz with math, yet slow to warm up to reading, or any type
of 'busywork'.
Oregon is a homeschooling friendly state, and basically stays out of
our business, with the exception of testing every three years. By
the time my grandson is seven, I will need to file an 'intent to
homeschool' with the school district, and have him tested every three
years from there on out.
I haven't been involved in any homeschool support groups, because
there just hasn't been the need for it thus far, and some of the
things I've read about 'cliques', and 'elitism' in some homeschool
groups, I don't know if I ever will join one, because I'm very
unconventional in my beliefs and in our home learning, I just don't
see me finding a group that would be supportive.
I have a friend who homeschools her children, in much the same way as
I do, and we get together often for outings and such, and that seems
to satisfy my grandson's need for social interaction.
Okay, at long last, here's the situation. Another grandson, from
another state...California, who is almost eight, is here with us now,
and will be with us at least until the end of the school year. There
were some serious personal problems in his family that prompted his
coming to us.
The two of them get along wonderfully, except for the
usual 'bullying' type stuff that he learned in public school, and in
his life thus far. But the new grandson responds beautifully to
being loved and respected, and has a sweet spirit in him that just
needs a little more encouragement than most, because his life has
been nothing but unpredictable, neglected, and emotionally abused.
He has expressed a great desire to be homeschooled with the other
one, rather than go to our local public elementary school.
I believe this would be the best for everyone concerned, but when his
mother disenrolled him in California, she was told that he would have
to recieve a passing grade to be enrolled again in California next
year.
I don't have a clue where to begin to find out what the requirements
are for a passing grade in California for second grade. I know I can
have him tested here, in Oregon, but I'm sure they test for Oregon
requirements.
There is a great likelihood that he might remain here with us in
Oregon after the current family crisis is over, but should things
improve enough that he should return to his mother, I don't want to
send him home without the requirements to enter third grade in
California.
Any advice you have would be so greatly appreciated! Thank you in
advance for anything you can advise me on here.
Ruby
[email protected]
In a message dated 4/17/2002 6:34:31 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
smartier_pantz@... writes:
--pamS
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
smartier_pantz@... writes:
> I believe this would be the best for everyone concerned, but when hisHe won't need anything to get back into school in California.
> mother disenrolled him in California, she was told that he would have
> to recieve a passing grade to be enrolled again in California next
> year.
>
> I don't have a clue where to begin to find out what the requirements
> are for a passing grade in California for second grade. I know I can
> have him tested here, in Oregon, but I'm sure they test for Oregon
> requirements.
--pamS
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Bonni Sollars
Hi Ruby, I'm Bonni and I live in Oregon, too. In second grade, I would
not be at all concerned about his placement in school. When he goes back
to California, they can just say he was homeschooled in Oregon and that
he "passed", if they even ask that question, which I really doubt.
Where are you? I'm in Springfield, by Eugene.
Bonni
not be at all concerned about his placement in school. When he goes back
to California, they can just say he was homeschooled in Oregon and that
he "passed", if they even ask that question, which I really doubt.
Where are you? I'm in Springfield, by Eugene.
Bonni
[email protected]
In a message dated 4/17/02 7:34:24 AM, smartier_pantz@... writes:
<< I believe this would be the best for everyone concerned, but when his
mother disenrolled him in California, she was told that he would have
to recieve a passing grade to be enrolled again in California next
year. >>
That shouldn't affect homeschooling, and certainly nothing they say in
another state can affect homeschooling in Oregon. And "a passing grade" in
what? (Probably they were assuming he would be in a school-at-home program.)
At least one state has some sort of requirement that if a child doesn't test
above the 30th percentile on a standardized test (or something like that)
they can't be homeschooled the next year. But that means "can't be legally
homeschooled in that state." If they move to Texas or New Mexico it matters
not one whit what the old state said or thought or intended.
<<but should things
improve enough that he should return to his mother, I don't want to
send him home without the requirements to enter third grade in
California.>>
There is a semi-secret thing called "social promotion." What it means is
that there is a legal liability to the schools if a much-older child harms a
much-younger/smaller child. Particularly, historically, a problem was
combining pubescent boys with younger children. That's part of why
midschools came to be.
So if he's more than one year past the age of being in second grade, they
won't put him in second grade. They'll put him in third by age.
The problem or concern might be "being behind" in third grade. If he can
read well and he knows addition and subtraction, there's nothing to "be
behind" in--the science and history aren't continuous, and even if they
weriting.
And if you say "He was homeschooled in Oregon last year," they will just put
him in by age, too, most likely.
Maybe it was just a threat by the district to try to scare her out of
disenrollment?
Sandra
<< I believe this would be the best for everyone concerned, but when his
mother disenrolled him in California, she was told that he would have
to recieve a passing grade to be enrolled again in California next
year. >>
That shouldn't affect homeschooling, and certainly nothing they say in
another state can affect homeschooling in Oregon. And "a passing grade" in
what? (Probably they were assuming he would be in a school-at-home program.)
At least one state has some sort of requirement that if a child doesn't test
above the 30th percentile on a standardized test (or something like that)
they can't be homeschooled the next year. But that means "can't be legally
homeschooled in that state." If they move to Texas or New Mexico it matters
not one whit what the old state said or thought or intended.
<<but should things
improve enough that he should return to his mother, I don't want to
send him home without the requirements to enter third grade in
California.>>
There is a semi-secret thing called "social promotion." What it means is
that there is a legal liability to the schools if a much-older child harms a
much-younger/smaller child. Particularly, historically, a problem was
combining pubescent boys with younger children. That's part of why
midschools came to be.
So if he's more than one year past the age of being in second grade, they
won't put him in second grade. They'll put him in third by age.
The problem or concern might be "being behind" in third grade. If he can
read well and he knows addition and subtraction, there's nothing to "be
behind" in--the science and history aren't continuous, and even if they
weriting.
And if you say "He was homeschooled in Oregon last year," they will just put
him in by age, too, most likely.
Maybe it was just a threat by the district to try to scare her out of
disenrollment?
Sandra
Fetteroll
In a message dated 4/17/2002 6:34:31 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
smartier_pantz@... writes:
previos year he wouldn't necessarily have either of those.
Joyce
smartier_pantz@... writes:
> I believe this would be the best for everyone concerned, but when hisIf he were moving from another state or had been homeschooled for the
> mother disenrolled him in California, she was told that he would have
> to recieve a passing grade to be enrolled again in California next
> year.
previos year he wouldn't necessarily have either of those.
Joyce
sharon childs
I think I can answer this pretty safely without a mistake (hopefully, I am
sure someone will be eager to correct me if I am wrong:) )
I am unschooling grandchildren also by the way, and welcome if I haven't
already said it.
I raised 6 children in California that went to public schools for the entire
education. They will not refuse to enroll that child, it is the law he go
to school, they can not refuse.
The person who told her that was just giving her static because a lot of
public school employees and workers do not believe in homeschooling or
unschooling so they were just giving her a hard time. They don't even have
placement tests for children that young. Otherwise they would be having to
pass a final exam at the end of the year and they do not do that in
elementary school for passing grades one into the other.
She will just tell them what grade to put him in, she can insist ( they try
to bully you into thinking you have no choice,,,not true ). Then if he has
problems they will contact her and try to get her to agree to put him back.
Life happens and this is one of those times what has to be done has to be
done. They can't take a whole year away from him and punish him because
there was a family emergency in the last few weeks of school.
.·:*´¨`*:·..·:*´¨`*:·.
*.* Sharon *.*
*·. .·*
`*·-:¦:-*´
³´`*:»§«:*´`³
sure someone will be eager to correct me if I am wrong:) )
I am unschooling grandchildren also by the way, and welcome if I haven't
already said it.
I raised 6 children in California that went to public schools for the entire
education. They will not refuse to enroll that child, it is the law he go
to school, they can not refuse.
The person who told her that was just giving her static because a lot of
public school employees and workers do not believe in homeschooling or
unschooling so they were just giving her a hard time. They don't even have
placement tests for children that young. Otherwise they would be having to
pass a final exam at the end of the year and they do not do that in
elementary school for passing grades one into the other.
She will just tell them what grade to put him in, she can insist ( they try
to bully you into thinking you have no choice,,,not true ). Then if he has
problems they will contact her and try to get her to agree to put him back.
Life happens and this is one of those times what has to be done has to be
done. They can't take a whole year away from him and punish him because
there was a family emergency in the last few weeks of school.
.·:*´¨`*:·..·:*´¨`*:·.
*.* Sharon *.*
*·. .·*
`*·-:¦:-*´
³´`*:»§«:*´`³
----- Original Message -----
From: "smartier_pantz" <smartier_pantz@...>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2002 8:08 AM
Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] unusual unschooling situation
> Hello,
>
> I'm Ruby, and just joined this list. I have sort of an unusual
> situation on my hands, and would greatly appreciate any advice you
> can give me.
>
> I've vacillated in my approach to home learning, but basically have
> remained somewhat of a 'radical' unschooler, in that I can barely
> stomache anything that even looks like 'school'. I don't judge
> anyone else for thier different approaches to home learning, but for
> our family, this just 'fits'.
>
> But I will definately 'bend' in this particular situation, which
> will 'probably' be temporary.
>
> I live in Oregon, and tried to access the 'orsig' group, but it was
> unavailable for some reason. I don't know of any other groups for my
> state, so I decided to come here, because I'm an unschooler, and you
> have lots of members for me to draw advice from.
>
> I'm raising my grandson, and we've been, (for the most part),
> unschooling since he was a baby. He's almost 7 now, and smart as a
> whip, a whiz with math, yet slow to warm up to reading, or any type
> of 'busywork'.
>
> Oregon is a homeschooling friendly state, and basically stays out of
> our business, with the exception of testing every three years. By
> the time my grandson is seven, I will need to file an 'intent to
> homeschool' with the school district, and have him tested every three
> years from there on out.
>
> I haven't been involved in any homeschool support groups, because
> there just hasn't been the need for it thus far, and some of the
> things I've read about 'cliques', and 'elitism' in some homeschool
> groups, I don't know if I ever will join one, because I'm very
> unconventional in my beliefs and in our home learning, I just don't
> see me finding a group that would be supportive.
>
> I have a friend who homeschools her children, in much the same way as
> I do, and we get together often for outings and such, and that seems
> to satisfy my grandson's need for social interaction.
>
> Okay, at long last, here's the situation. Another grandson, from
> another state...California, who is almost eight, is here with us now,
> and will be with us at least until the end of the school year. There
> were some serious personal problems in his family that prompted his
> coming to us.
>
> The two of them get along wonderfully, except for the
> usual 'bullying' type stuff that he learned in public school, and in
> his life thus far. But the new grandson responds beautifully to
> being loved and respected, and has a sweet spirit in him that just
> needs a little more encouragement than most, because his life has
> been nothing but unpredictable, neglected, and emotionally abused.
>
> He has expressed a great desire to be homeschooled with the other
> one, rather than go to our local public elementary school.
>
> I believe this would be the best for everyone concerned, but when his
> mother disenrolled him in California, she was told that he would have
> to recieve a passing grade to be enrolled again in California next
> year.
>
> I don't have a clue where to begin to find out what the requirements
> are for a passing grade in California for second grade. I know I can
> have him tested here, in Oregon, but I'm sure they test for Oregon
> requirements.
>
> There is a great likelihood that he might remain here with us in
> Oregon after the current family crisis is over, but should things
> improve enough that he should return to his mother, I don't want to
> send him home without the requirements to enter third grade in
> California.
>
> Any advice you have would be so greatly appreciated! Thank you in
> advance for anything you can advise me on here.
>
> Ruby
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ~~~ Don't forget! If you change the topic, change the subject line! ~~~
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> [email protected]
>
> Visit the Unschooling website:
> http://www.unschooling.com
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
Lynda
Hey, Bonni, what's this I hear that Salem has passed some anti/restricted
gardening laws? Have you heard anything about it?
Lynda
gardening laws? Have you heard anything about it?
Lynda
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bonni Sollars" <BSOLLARS@...>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2002 8:46 AM
Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] unusual unschooling situation
> Hi Ruby, I'm Bonni and I live in Oregon, too. In second grade, I would
> not be at all concerned about his placement in school. When he goes back
> to California, they can just say he was homeschooled in Oregon and that
> he "passed", if they even ask that question, which I really doubt.
> Where are you? I'm in Springfield, by Eugene.
> Bonni
>
>
> ~~~ Don't forget! If you change the topic, change the subject line! ~~~
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> [email protected]
>
> Visit the Unschooling website:
> http://www.unschooling.com
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
Bonni Sollars
Lynda, I have not been at all watching the news. I have been too much in
a bubble of children and taxes to even glance at what is going on in the
world. Sorry to show my ignorance of current events. I will be sure to
look into it now that you've mentioned it, though. I really have no idea
what you're talking about. I wasn't sure what you meant by
anti/restrictive gardening. Is it against restrictions on gardening, or
is it against gardeners, or is it restricting types of gardening? It's
late and I'm a little tired. I'm having a lot of brain farts lately.
Bonni
a bubble of children and taxes to even glance at what is going on in the
world. Sorry to show my ignorance of current events. I will be sure to
look into it now that you've mentioned it, though. I really have no idea
what you're talking about. I wasn't sure what you meant by
anti/restrictive gardening. Is it against restrictions on gardening, or
is it against gardeners, or is it restricting types of gardening? It's
late and I'm a little tired. I'm having a lot of brain farts lately.
Bonni
Cheryl Jones
Hi Ruby,
No worries.
We moved to california last year and my son who'd been unschooled wanted to try
school in the middle of 5th grade. On his registration form for "previous
school attended" all I wrote was homeschooled. They never asked about any
records. They didn't even ask if he "passed".
FWIW, he's back to being home (un)schooled - school was not what he expected.
And I would say truly a nightmare for all involved.
Cheryl
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Games - play chess, backgammon, pool and more
http://games.yahoo.com/
No worries.
We moved to california last year and my son who'd been unschooled wanted to try
school in the middle of 5th grade. On his registration form for "previous
school attended" all I wrote was homeschooled. They never asked about any
records. They didn't even ask if he "passed".
FWIW, he's back to being home (un)schooled - school was not what he expected.
And I would say truly a nightmare for all involved.
Cheryl
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Games - play chess, backgammon, pool and more
http://games.yahoo.com/
Lynda
I'm on a couple of gardening type lists and one poster mentioned that in
Salem they are now limiting the amount of space that can be used for
gardening on each lot and that there will be fines if one goes over the
designated maximum.
Lynda
Salem they are now limiting the amount of space that can be used for
gardening on each lot and that there will be fines if one goes over the
designated maximum.
Lynda
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bonni Sollars" <BSOLLARS@...>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, April 20, 2002 8:54 PM
Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] unusual unschooling situation
> Lynda, I have not been at all watching the news. I have been too much in
> a bubble of children and taxes to even glance at what is going on in the
> world. Sorry to show my ignorance of current events. I will be sure to
> look into it now that you've mentioned it, though. I really have no idea
> what you're talking about. I wasn't sure what you meant by
> anti/restrictive gardening. Is it against restrictions on gardening, or
> is it against gardeners, or is it restricting types of gardening? It's
> late and I'm a little tired. I'm having a lot of brain farts lately.
> Bonni
>
>
> ~~~ Don't forget! If you change the topic, change the subject line! ~~~
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> [email protected]
>
> Visit the Unschooling website:
> http://www.unschooling.com
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
Tia Leschke
>I'm on a couple of gardening type lists and one poster mentioned that inAnd the reason they give? Is that ornamental or food gardening, or
>Salem they are now limiting the amount of space that can be used for
>gardening on each lot and that there will be fines if one goes over the
>designated maximum.`
both? Could it be an effort to reduce water use? In that case,
Xeriscaping ought to be allowed. What do they expect people to do with any
leftover space? Pave it? Yuck!
Tia
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
Eleanor Roosevelt
*********************************************
Tia Leschke
leschke@...
On Vancouver Island