HEM's News and Commentary - April 14, 2003
Home Education Magazine
HEM's News and Commentary
by Ann Lahrson Fisher, HEM News Editor
mailto:NewsComm@...
April 14, 2003
******************************************************************************************
HEM's News and Commentary, edited by Ann Lahrson Fisher, is a weekly
feature produced by Home Education Magazine. When forwarding this
publication please include this credit and the following link:
Archives: http://www.home-ed-magazine.com/nc/newscommentary.html
******************************************************************************************
IN THIS ISSUE
The Deafening Sound of Silence
"The State Should Know" - Or Should It?
Secretaries of Education and Homeschooling
Homeschoolers in the News
Legal and Legislative News
Charter, Alternative Education, Cyber-schools
Self-Education
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Deafening Sound of Silence
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ann: What does it mean when a high impact homeschooling bill is
introduced in a state legislature and no one seems to be talking
about it? From South Carolina, here's the bill.
Headline: Proposed Legislation SC (Reimbursement), by Rep. Davenport,
March 19, 2003
http://www.lpitr.state.sc.us/sess115_2003-2004/bills/3821.htm
Currently residing in the House Committee on Education and Public Works
BILL H. 3821 "If a student is home schooled in the manner provided by
law, his resident school district annually shall reimburse his
custodial parent or parents or legal guardian for the cost of his
home schooling which is defined as one hundred percent of the
district's per pupil expenditure determined by the State Department
of Education based upon the Education Finance Act weightings."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor."
Ann: If I read this bill correctly, an equal number of SC dollars
will follow every SC student, whether they are educated in public
school or at home. That seems controversial to me, yet I can't find
any discussions. Why?
What do SC homeschoolers think about this bill?
Why would the state want this bill to pass?
What do South Carolina taxpayers think about this use of tax $$?
Does the Department of Education support or oppose this bill and what
are their reasons?
By accepting state $$, would homeschoolers bring themselves under "No
Child Left Behind?" Home School Legal Defense Association supports
this bill without comment - why?
Juicy carrots such as this bill are often followed by the stick of
stricter regulations - is the intent to scoop homeschoolers back into
the public system within five or ten years?
What about homeschoolers who don't want the state's $$? Do they
become exempt from following regulations?
Am I the only one with questions?
Or is this one of those token bills that is meant to die in
committee, so nobody cares?
Somebody say something - the silence is giving me a headache.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"The State Should Know" - Or Should It?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ann: Don't you just love it when folks use a position of authority to
pontificate about what "the state should know" and expect that
statement to stand as a fact? Co-director Plank's opinion that "the
state should know" is just that: his opinion. From the slant of the
article, though, I'd guess that the reporter has fallen under the
spell of authority and taken the opinion as fact.
The Detroit News, Detroit, MI Thursday, April 3, 2003
http://www.detnews.com/2003/schools/0304/03/d10n-126523.htm
Headline: Homeschooled kids elude state
Subhead: MSU report says over 200,000 students not accounted for in data.
LANSING -- "A Michigan State University report released Tuesday
suggests there are thousands of children being homeschooled in
Michigan that state education officials don't know about. Parents in
Michigan aren't required to tell the state they're teaching their
children at home. David Plank, co-director of the Education Policy
Center at Michigan State and one of the authors of the report, said
the state should at least know who is being homeschooled."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Secretaries of Education and Homeschooling
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ann: A former Secretary of Education is making big news of interest
to homeschoolers. Now I admit I am a little green - I could really
use a cool $20M to promote homeschooling as I think it should be
promoted, a joyful route to family living and personal freedom,
success, and responsibility. The first thing I'd do is pop off a
couple of checks to the homeschooling groups in states like Ohio that
are being targeted by Bennet's K12. Anyway, here's the story.
Suburban News Publications, Columbus, Ohio By Tyson Freeman,
Thursday, April 3, 2003
http://www.ipo.com/venture/news.asp?p=IPO&newsID=37809
Headline: Bennett-run startup gets $20M
"Entrepreneurs in the education sector could take a lesson in
fundraising from former U.S. Secretary of Education William Bennett.
While private investment in for-profit education startups has plunged
lately, K12 Inc., an education company led by Bennett, has wrapped up
a $20 million round of financing. K12 announced Wednesday, April 2,
it completed the round led by Constellation Ventures of New York with
participation from several undisclosed private individual and
institutional investors."
**
Ann: Current Secretary Rod Paige is in the news too, following a
Baptist Press interview. Although it is not at the center of the
controversy, I'll quote a sentence that mentions homeschooling.
Baptist Press News, April 11, 2003
http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/bpnews.asp?ID=15707
Headline: TRANSCRIPT: Interview with the Secretary of Education
Paige quote: "A child should be free to -- a parent should be free to
select a school that best meets that child's needs, whether it's
private or whether it's public or whether it's a cyber-school or
whether it's home schooling or whatever."
The interview has generated controversy all over the country. Some of
that discussion as it relates to homeschooling can be found at the
NHEN Forums.
http://www.nhen.org/forum/post.asp?method=Reply&TOPIC_ID=352&FORUM_ID=52
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Homeschoolers in the News
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ann: Homeschooling kids and parents are doing great things - take a look.
National Geographic News, April 8, 2003
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/04/0408_030408_statebeewinners.html
Headline: Geographic Bee State Winners Advance to Finals
"Three homeschoolers won their state titles: Minnesota: Nathan
Cornelius, 5th Grade, Cottonwood; South Carolina: Debbie Beihl, 8th
Grade, Saluda; Washington: James Williams, 8th Grade, Vancouver."
Way to go, kids! The championship round is on May 21 on the National
Geographic Channel.
**
Posted at t [email protected]
http://www.jsoft.com/archive/robotics/
Headline: LEGO League Robotics Homeschool Team BOB Wins Awards
"On April 11-12, 2003, our Team BOB, the only Texas team to win a
Director's Award, was among the 25 teams who competed at this event.
Homeschoolers once again did well. Team BOB ... is coached by Gary
and Susan Frederick of Spring, TX."
Good job BOB!!
**
HeraldTribune, Sarasota, FL By Alan Dell, April 10, 2003
http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Site=SH&Date=20030410&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=304100813&Ref=AR&Profile=1006&SectionCat=SPORTS
Headline: Home-schooled Bowen is a fast study for Manta runners
"Linton Bowen...has been a home-school student since the fourth grade
and didn't participate on any Lemon Bay teams until last year."
***
Seattle Times, Seattle, WA By Michael Ko and Tan Vinh, Friday, April 11, 2003
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/education/134673614_smart11m.html
Headline: Issaquah 11-year-old wows state science fair
"Andrew, 11, of Issaquah, won the Silver Medal and became the
youngest participant to be awarded a grand prize in the fair's 46
years....That Andrew is home-schooled initially raised eyebrows among
judges over the legitimacy of his entry, titled "Identification,
Characterization and DNA Sequencing of the Homo Sapiens and Mus
Musculus COL20A1 Gene (Type XX Collagen) with Bioinformatics and
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)."
**
The Oregonian, Portland, OR by Paige Parker, April 10, 2003
http://www.oregonlive.com/metrowest/oregonian/beaverton/index.ssf?/base/metro_west_news/104980370450700.xml
Headline: A Scout Set on Soaring
"Ryan Heath, age 16, lives in Aloha and attends home school. Eagle on
the horizon: Ryan, a scout for 11 years, could be among Washington
County's next Eagle Scouts if he completes a book drive Saturday."
**
Billings Gazette, Billings, MT - March 27, 2003
http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2003/03/27/build/local/88-awards.inc
Headline: Science Fair Results
"The Deaconess Billings Clinic Research Division Science Expo 2003's
top winners include:
Grades 9-12, International Science and Engineering Fair Finalist:
Bryan Vanderloos, grade 11, Hysham Public School. Derik Bowen, grade
9, LongShore Homeschool."
**
The Boston Herald, Boston, MA By Roberto Scalese Wednesday, April 9, 2003
http://www.townonline.com/winchester/news/local_regional/win_newaaculverhouse04092003.htm
Headline: A Place for Home-schoolers
Subhead: Mystic River school based in West Medford church
"The Mystic River Learning Center is just beginning. Arlington
resident Lynette Culverhouse started the center last year as a
complimentary tool for home schoolers."
**
The Oregonian, Portland, OR By Sarah Linn, April 8, 2003
http://www.oregonlive.com/metrosouth/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/metro_south_news/104980350050700.xml
Headline: Home School Students Expand Their Horizons
"Shannon Armstead, part of a 35-member group...embarked March 20 on
an educational tour of Italy and Greece....The group, which included
Willamette Valley home schoolers...returned home April 1."
**
Traverse City Record-Eagle, Traverse City, MI By Vanessa McCray, April 4, 2003
http://www.record-eagle.com/2003/apr/04home.htm
Headline: Homeschool Expo Aims to Open Doors
"Parents who choose to homeschool their children know the undertaking
can be more than a little daunting at first. That's why a group of
parents has organized the Homeschool Information Expo...to alleviate
novice jitters and inspire more experienced homeschoolers."
**
Naples Daily News, Naples, FL By Jennifer Grant, Friday, April 4, 2003
http://www.naplesnews.com/03/04/neapolitan/d924737a.htm
Headline: Centerpiece: Cinderella for a day
Subhead: Naples teen plans first home school prom
"Beth Slaby, 18, and friend Jillian Windham, 17, finally let loose
with other guests on the dance floor of Cypress Woods Golf and
Country Club after 9 months of preparation for the first ever Naples
Home School Prom."
Ann: Be sure to check out the photos!
**
Bennington Banner, Bennington, VT By Andrew McKeever, Monday, March 31, 2003
http://www.benningtonbanner.com/Stories/0,1413,104~8676~1284920,00.html
Headline: Homeschooling is the latest trend
"The appointment last week of a parent [Susan Schill of Belvidere]
who homeschooled her children to a post on the Vermont Board of
Education highlights a growing trend in the state."
(A positive and informative spin off.)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Legal and Legislative News
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
ARKANSAS update
Times Record, AR By David Robinson, March 28, 2003
http://www.swtimes.com/archive/2003/March/28/news/HomeSchoolBill.html
Headline: Legislators Delay Home-Schooling Bill
"LITTLE ROCK -- Surrounded by dozens of home-schooled children, a
legislative panel decided to punt Thursday on a measure that would
have given the Department of Education broad authority over home
schools. The matter was referred for interim study, meaning it will
be discussed by the House Education Committee in the months leading
up to the 2005 legislative session."
Ann: Now Arkansas home educating families can circle the wagons and
get to work.
GEORGIA update
WTVM, Columbus, GA - April 8, 2003
http://www.wtvm.com/Global/story.asp?S=1222092&nav=8fapF74X
Headline: Homeschool Activities
Subhead: Bill would let homeschooled students to join public school activities
"The bill introduced today by Republican Senator Mike Crotts of
Atlanta was unanimously passed. But it has little hope of passing the
Democrat-led House."
NEVADA
http://www.nevadahomeschoolnetwork.com/ (Current Alerts)
Headline: Nevada Steps Towards Relief
"AB311 The Homeschool Sports Bill was heard and passed by the
Education Committee April 9th, 2003. It certainly isn't all that we
had hoped for, but it is better than what we currently have across
the state."
"AB264, The Testing Bill, was a HUGE bill, heard April 9th...AB264
was voted on, and they amended out the offensive Section 49, along
with many other sections. The passed sections were 12, 13, 17, 18,
41,68, & 70."
OREGON update
http://www.ohen.org
http://www.leg.state.or.us/03reg/pubs/s3rd.html
http://www.nhen.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=373
Headline: The Homeschool Equity Bill
S.B. 761, a bill seeking full deregulation of homeschoolers for
parity with private schools, passed the Education Committee
unanimously on April 8, 2003. The Senate will vote on it sometime
next week.
PENNSYLVANIA
The legal and legislative issues in Pennsylvania are monumental. To
learn some of the history, read through the pages at
http://www.nhen.org/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=31&sortfield=lastpost&sortorder=0&whichpage=2
Current items include:
Lebanon Daily News, Lebanon, PA By Sondra Smith Friday, April 04, 2003
http://www.ldnews.com/Stories/0,1413,139~10142~1298882,00.html
Headline: Bills endangering homeschoolers
"...an open letter to Sen. David J. Brightbill and Rep. Mauree Gingrich:
"...items of great concern are HB36 and HB340. These bills lower or
appear to lower compulsory attendance age for our children.
...Removing funding for children's services and requiring them to
leave their homes at younger and younger ages will not strengthen the
American populace. It will create a nation of sheep who cannot think
for themselves but only follow whoever happens to be leading them."
****
http://www.geocities.com/hardingpj/hsexc.html
Headline: Interest for Senate Bill 384
"...equal access for homeschoolers and has a powerful host of
cosponsors...I understand that not everyone wants or needs services
from their local district, but some homeschoolers find it to be a
valuable part of their homeschooling." Pauline
TEXAS
http://click.topica.com/maaaYQbaaXcEma3Bgppe/
Headline: An Interscholastic Bill has been proposed.
The Texas House Public Education Committee will hold a hearing on HB
214 on April 8. This bill would allow home school students to
voluntarily participate in UIL extra curricular activities. Not all
Texas homeschoolers think this is a good idea.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Charter, Alternative Education, Cyber-schools
and District-sponsored Home Study Programs
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
OHIO update
Ann: In the last issue of News & Commentary, the link to the
Homeschool Freedom website was incorrect. The correct URL is
http://www.homeschoolfreedom.org/
The site is a terrific resource and has grown significantly in a very
short time. There are many links and articles that can help sort out
the various homeschooling / charterschooling issues that some
homeschoolers are struggling with.
**
Suburban News Publications, Columbus, OH By Jef Benedetti
http://www.snponline.com/NEWS1-01/ryschoolreview.htm
Headline: Facilities plan for district dominates news of 2002
(Ann: Scroll through this recap of 2002 to February for a telling
morsel about the Virtual Community School Ohio, an Internet-based
community charter school that markets heavily to homeschoolers.)
"Two interesting incentives pay the teacher $1,500 per school year
for each year the teacher maintains national teacher certification
and $5 for each student in the class who passes proficiency tests in
the five core subjects: math, science, reading, writing and
citizenship."
Ann: What about the kids? Do they get M&Ms?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Self-Education
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Self-University Newsletter, SPRING 2003 Vol. 11, No.1 ISSN 1080-8353
Headline: Books Worth Reading by Charles Hayes
http://www.autodidactic.com/selfnews.htm
"Committed to lifelong learning as the lifeblood of democracy and the
key to living life to its fullest. Dedicated to furthering education
not as something you get but as something you take."
Ann: Great mission, huh? A terrific source of thoughtful reviews of
books I wish I had time to read.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Finally
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ann: What is happening in YOUR part of the homeschool world?
Homeschooled kids and families in the news? Legal/legislative
challenges or successes? Are homeschooling issues being represented
accurately in the media and in advertising? Are there threats to
homeschooling freedoms that deserve a wider audience? Is something
happening today that will help assure that we - and our children and
grandchildren - can homeschool with the greatest freedom possible?
Please share so the rest of us can learn!
Ann Lahrson Fisher
newscomm@...
******************************************************************************************
HEM's News and Commentary, edited by Ann Lahrson Fisher, is a weekly
feature produced by Home Education Magazine. When forwarding this
publication please include this credit and the following link:
Archives: http://www.home-ed-magazine.com/nc/newscommentary.html
******************************************************************************************
by Ann Lahrson Fisher, HEM News Editor
mailto:NewsComm@...
April 14, 2003
******************************************************************************************
HEM's News and Commentary, edited by Ann Lahrson Fisher, is a weekly
feature produced by Home Education Magazine. When forwarding this
publication please include this credit and the following link:
Archives: http://www.home-ed-magazine.com/nc/newscommentary.html
******************************************************************************************
IN THIS ISSUE
The Deafening Sound of Silence
"The State Should Know" - Or Should It?
Secretaries of Education and Homeschooling
Homeschoolers in the News
Legal and Legislative News
Charter, Alternative Education, Cyber-schools
Self-Education
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Deafening Sound of Silence
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ann: What does it mean when a high impact homeschooling bill is
introduced in a state legislature and no one seems to be talking
about it? From South Carolina, here's the bill.
Headline: Proposed Legislation SC (Reimbursement), by Rep. Davenport,
March 19, 2003
http://www.lpitr.state.sc.us/sess115_2003-2004/bills/3821.htm
Currently residing in the House Committee on Education and Public Works
BILL H. 3821 "If a student is home schooled in the manner provided by
law, his resident school district annually shall reimburse his
custodial parent or parents or legal guardian for the cost of his
home schooling which is defined as one hundred percent of the
district's per pupil expenditure determined by the State Department
of Education based upon the Education Finance Act weightings."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor."
Ann: If I read this bill correctly, an equal number of SC dollars
will follow every SC student, whether they are educated in public
school or at home. That seems controversial to me, yet I can't find
any discussions. Why?
What do SC homeschoolers think about this bill?
Why would the state want this bill to pass?
What do South Carolina taxpayers think about this use of tax $$?
Does the Department of Education support or oppose this bill and what
are their reasons?
By accepting state $$, would homeschoolers bring themselves under "No
Child Left Behind?" Home School Legal Defense Association supports
this bill without comment - why?
Juicy carrots such as this bill are often followed by the stick of
stricter regulations - is the intent to scoop homeschoolers back into
the public system within five or ten years?
What about homeschoolers who don't want the state's $$? Do they
become exempt from following regulations?
Am I the only one with questions?
Or is this one of those token bills that is meant to die in
committee, so nobody cares?
Somebody say something - the silence is giving me a headache.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"The State Should Know" - Or Should It?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ann: Don't you just love it when folks use a position of authority to
pontificate about what "the state should know" and expect that
statement to stand as a fact? Co-director Plank's opinion that "the
state should know" is just that: his opinion. From the slant of the
article, though, I'd guess that the reporter has fallen under the
spell of authority and taken the opinion as fact.
The Detroit News, Detroit, MI Thursday, April 3, 2003
http://www.detnews.com/2003/schools/0304/03/d10n-126523.htm
Headline: Homeschooled kids elude state
Subhead: MSU report says over 200,000 students not accounted for in data.
LANSING -- "A Michigan State University report released Tuesday
suggests there are thousands of children being homeschooled in
Michigan that state education officials don't know about. Parents in
Michigan aren't required to tell the state they're teaching their
children at home. David Plank, co-director of the Education Policy
Center at Michigan State and one of the authors of the report, said
the state should at least know who is being homeschooled."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Secretaries of Education and Homeschooling
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ann: A former Secretary of Education is making big news of interest
to homeschoolers. Now I admit I am a little green - I could really
use a cool $20M to promote homeschooling as I think it should be
promoted, a joyful route to family living and personal freedom,
success, and responsibility. The first thing I'd do is pop off a
couple of checks to the homeschooling groups in states like Ohio that
are being targeted by Bennet's K12. Anyway, here's the story.
Suburban News Publications, Columbus, Ohio By Tyson Freeman,
Thursday, April 3, 2003
http://www.ipo.com/venture/news.asp?p=IPO&newsID=37809
Headline: Bennett-run startup gets $20M
"Entrepreneurs in the education sector could take a lesson in
fundraising from former U.S. Secretary of Education William Bennett.
While private investment in for-profit education startups has plunged
lately, K12 Inc., an education company led by Bennett, has wrapped up
a $20 million round of financing. K12 announced Wednesday, April 2,
it completed the round led by Constellation Ventures of New York with
participation from several undisclosed private individual and
institutional investors."
**
Ann: Current Secretary Rod Paige is in the news too, following a
Baptist Press interview. Although it is not at the center of the
controversy, I'll quote a sentence that mentions homeschooling.
Baptist Press News, April 11, 2003
http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/bpnews.asp?ID=15707
Headline: TRANSCRIPT: Interview with the Secretary of Education
Paige quote: "A child should be free to -- a parent should be free to
select a school that best meets that child's needs, whether it's
private or whether it's public or whether it's a cyber-school or
whether it's home schooling or whatever."
The interview has generated controversy all over the country. Some of
that discussion as it relates to homeschooling can be found at the
NHEN Forums.
http://www.nhen.org/forum/post.asp?method=Reply&TOPIC_ID=352&FORUM_ID=52
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Homeschoolers in the News
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ann: Homeschooling kids and parents are doing great things - take a look.
National Geographic News, April 8, 2003
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/04/0408_030408_statebeewinners.html
Headline: Geographic Bee State Winners Advance to Finals
"Three homeschoolers won their state titles: Minnesota: Nathan
Cornelius, 5th Grade, Cottonwood; South Carolina: Debbie Beihl, 8th
Grade, Saluda; Washington: James Williams, 8th Grade, Vancouver."
Way to go, kids! The championship round is on May 21 on the National
Geographic Channel.
**
Posted at t [email protected]
http://www.jsoft.com/archive/robotics/
Headline: LEGO League Robotics Homeschool Team BOB Wins Awards
"On April 11-12, 2003, our Team BOB, the only Texas team to win a
Director's Award, was among the 25 teams who competed at this event.
Homeschoolers once again did well. Team BOB ... is coached by Gary
and Susan Frederick of Spring, TX."
Good job BOB!!
**
HeraldTribune, Sarasota, FL By Alan Dell, April 10, 2003
http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Site=SH&Date=20030410&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=304100813&Ref=AR&Profile=1006&SectionCat=SPORTS
Headline: Home-schooled Bowen is a fast study for Manta runners
"Linton Bowen...has been a home-school student since the fourth grade
and didn't participate on any Lemon Bay teams until last year."
***
Seattle Times, Seattle, WA By Michael Ko and Tan Vinh, Friday, April 11, 2003
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/education/134673614_smart11m.html
Headline: Issaquah 11-year-old wows state science fair
"Andrew, 11, of Issaquah, won the Silver Medal and became the
youngest participant to be awarded a grand prize in the fair's 46
years....That Andrew is home-schooled initially raised eyebrows among
judges over the legitimacy of his entry, titled "Identification,
Characterization and DNA Sequencing of the Homo Sapiens and Mus
Musculus COL20A1 Gene (Type XX Collagen) with Bioinformatics and
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)."
**
The Oregonian, Portland, OR by Paige Parker, April 10, 2003
http://www.oregonlive.com/metrowest/oregonian/beaverton/index.ssf?/base/metro_west_news/104980370450700.xml
Headline: A Scout Set on Soaring
"Ryan Heath, age 16, lives in Aloha and attends home school. Eagle on
the horizon: Ryan, a scout for 11 years, could be among Washington
County's next Eagle Scouts if he completes a book drive Saturday."
**
Billings Gazette, Billings, MT - March 27, 2003
http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2003/03/27/build/local/88-awards.inc
Headline: Science Fair Results
"The Deaconess Billings Clinic Research Division Science Expo 2003's
top winners include:
Grades 9-12, International Science and Engineering Fair Finalist:
Bryan Vanderloos, grade 11, Hysham Public School. Derik Bowen, grade
9, LongShore Homeschool."
**
The Boston Herald, Boston, MA By Roberto Scalese Wednesday, April 9, 2003
http://www.townonline.com/winchester/news/local_regional/win_newaaculverhouse04092003.htm
Headline: A Place for Home-schoolers
Subhead: Mystic River school based in West Medford church
"The Mystic River Learning Center is just beginning. Arlington
resident Lynette Culverhouse started the center last year as a
complimentary tool for home schoolers."
**
The Oregonian, Portland, OR By Sarah Linn, April 8, 2003
http://www.oregonlive.com/metrosouth/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/metro_south_news/104980350050700.xml
Headline: Home School Students Expand Their Horizons
"Shannon Armstead, part of a 35-member group...embarked March 20 on
an educational tour of Italy and Greece....The group, which included
Willamette Valley home schoolers...returned home April 1."
**
Traverse City Record-Eagle, Traverse City, MI By Vanessa McCray, April 4, 2003
http://www.record-eagle.com/2003/apr/04home.htm
Headline: Homeschool Expo Aims to Open Doors
"Parents who choose to homeschool their children know the undertaking
can be more than a little daunting at first. That's why a group of
parents has organized the Homeschool Information Expo...to alleviate
novice jitters and inspire more experienced homeschoolers."
**
Naples Daily News, Naples, FL By Jennifer Grant, Friday, April 4, 2003
http://www.naplesnews.com/03/04/neapolitan/d924737a.htm
Headline: Centerpiece: Cinderella for a day
Subhead: Naples teen plans first home school prom
"Beth Slaby, 18, and friend Jillian Windham, 17, finally let loose
with other guests on the dance floor of Cypress Woods Golf and
Country Club after 9 months of preparation for the first ever Naples
Home School Prom."
Ann: Be sure to check out the photos!
**
Bennington Banner, Bennington, VT By Andrew McKeever, Monday, March 31, 2003
http://www.benningtonbanner.com/Stories/0,1413,104~8676~1284920,00.html
Headline: Homeschooling is the latest trend
"The appointment last week of a parent [Susan Schill of Belvidere]
who homeschooled her children to a post on the Vermont Board of
Education highlights a growing trend in the state."
(A positive and informative spin off.)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Legal and Legislative News
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
ARKANSAS update
Times Record, AR By David Robinson, March 28, 2003
http://www.swtimes.com/archive/2003/March/28/news/HomeSchoolBill.html
Headline: Legislators Delay Home-Schooling Bill
"LITTLE ROCK -- Surrounded by dozens of home-schooled children, a
legislative panel decided to punt Thursday on a measure that would
have given the Department of Education broad authority over home
schools. The matter was referred for interim study, meaning it will
be discussed by the House Education Committee in the months leading
up to the 2005 legislative session."
Ann: Now Arkansas home educating families can circle the wagons and
get to work.
GEORGIA update
WTVM, Columbus, GA - April 8, 2003
http://www.wtvm.com/Global/story.asp?S=1222092&nav=8fapF74X
Headline: Homeschool Activities
Subhead: Bill would let homeschooled students to join public school activities
"The bill introduced today by Republican Senator Mike Crotts of
Atlanta was unanimously passed. But it has little hope of passing the
Democrat-led House."
NEVADA
http://www.nevadahomeschoolnetwork.com/ (Current Alerts)
Headline: Nevada Steps Towards Relief
"AB311 The Homeschool Sports Bill was heard and passed by the
Education Committee April 9th, 2003. It certainly isn't all that we
had hoped for, but it is better than what we currently have across
the state."
"AB264, The Testing Bill, was a HUGE bill, heard April 9th...AB264
was voted on, and they amended out the offensive Section 49, along
with many other sections. The passed sections were 12, 13, 17, 18,
41,68, & 70."
OREGON update
http://www.ohen.org
http://www.leg.state.or.us/03reg/pubs/s3rd.html
http://www.nhen.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=373
Headline: The Homeschool Equity Bill
S.B. 761, a bill seeking full deregulation of homeschoolers for
parity with private schools, passed the Education Committee
unanimously on April 8, 2003. The Senate will vote on it sometime
next week.
PENNSYLVANIA
The legal and legislative issues in Pennsylvania are monumental. To
learn some of the history, read through the pages at
http://www.nhen.org/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=31&sortfield=lastpost&sortorder=0&whichpage=2
Current items include:
Lebanon Daily News, Lebanon, PA By Sondra Smith Friday, April 04, 2003
http://www.ldnews.com/Stories/0,1413,139~10142~1298882,00.html
Headline: Bills endangering homeschoolers
"...an open letter to Sen. David J. Brightbill and Rep. Mauree Gingrich:
"...items of great concern are HB36 and HB340. These bills lower or
appear to lower compulsory attendance age for our children.
...Removing funding for children's services and requiring them to
leave their homes at younger and younger ages will not strengthen the
American populace. It will create a nation of sheep who cannot think
for themselves but only follow whoever happens to be leading them."
****
http://www.geocities.com/hardingpj/hsexc.html
Headline: Interest for Senate Bill 384
"...equal access for homeschoolers and has a powerful host of
cosponsors...I understand that not everyone wants or needs services
from their local district, but some homeschoolers find it to be a
valuable part of their homeschooling." Pauline
TEXAS
http://click.topica.com/maaaYQbaaXcEma3Bgppe/
Headline: An Interscholastic Bill has been proposed.
The Texas House Public Education Committee will hold a hearing on HB
214 on April 8. This bill would allow home school students to
voluntarily participate in UIL extra curricular activities. Not all
Texas homeschoolers think this is a good idea.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Charter, Alternative Education, Cyber-schools
and District-sponsored Home Study Programs
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
OHIO update
Ann: In the last issue of News & Commentary, the link to the
Homeschool Freedom website was incorrect. The correct URL is
http://www.homeschoolfreedom.org/
The site is a terrific resource and has grown significantly in a very
short time. There are many links and articles that can help sort out
the various homeschooling / charterschooling issues that some
homeschoolers are struggling with.
**
Suburban News Publications, Columbus, OH By Jef Benedetti
http://www.snponline.com/NEWS1-01/ryschoolreview.htm
Headline: Facilities plan for district dominates news of 2002
(Ann: Scroll through this recap of 2002 to February for a telling
morsel about the Virtual Community School Ohio, an Internet-based
community charter school that markets heavily to homeschoolers.)
"Two interesting incentives pay the teacher $1,500 per school year
for each year the teacher maintains national teacher certification
and $5 for each student in the class who passes proficiency tests in
the five core subjects: math, science, reading, writing and
citizenship."
Ann: What about the kids? Do they get M&Ms?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Self-Education
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Self-University Newsletter, SPRING 2003 Vol. 11, No.1 ISSN 1080-8353
Headline: Books Worth Reading by Charles Hayes
http://www.autodidactic.com/selfnews.htm
"Committed to lifelong learning as the lifeblood of democracy and the
key to living life to its fullest. Dedicated to furthering education
not as something you get but as something you take."
Ann: Great mission, huh? A terrific source of thoughtful reviews of
books I wish I had time to read.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Finally
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ann: What is happening in YOUR part of the homeschool world?
Homeschooled kids and families in the news? Legal/legislative
challenges or successes? Are homeschooling issues being represented
accurately in the media and in advertising? Are there threats to
homeschooling freedoms that deserve a wider audience? Is something
happening today that will help assure that we - and our children and
grandchildren - can homeschool with the greatest freedom possible?
Please share so the rest of us can learn!
Ann Lahrson Fisher
newscomm@...
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