HEM News & Commentary - July 9, 2003
Home Education Magazine
HEM News & Commentary - July 9, 2003
http://www.home-ed-magazine.com/whts_nw.html
Compiled and edited by Ann Lahrson Fisher
In this Issue:
NEA Debates: "Unfunded Homeschooled Student Participation"
Moves to Restrict Homeschooling Freedoms
Declining Student Enrollment
Homeschooling and Homeschoolers Make News
Charter, Alternative Education, Cyber-schools, Etc.
"The world is all a-swirl..."
Homeschooled Students at Risk?
"...the best model of education available"
WSFH Discussion Continues
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NEA Debates: "Unfunded Homeschooled Student Participation"
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ann: For some time now, the National Education Association (the
largest national teachers' union) has written a decisively-worded
anti-homeschooling resolution at their annual Convention. So it is
no surprise that a homeschooling resolution came to the floor again
this year.
It is stunning, however, to learn that the delegates spent much time
discussing the Home-Schooling Resolution, debating whether to retain
or remove a single word - "unfunded." Leaving the word in the
Resolution would have been a radical departure from their usual
unilateral position against homeschooling. The long debate suggests
sharp disagreement in the ranks.
Here is an excerpt from a report from
The Education Intelligence Agency, NEA Convention Coverage -- July 05
Reports are archived at http://www.eiaonline.com
Headline: One Word in Home-Schooling Resolution Causes Long Debate
"...The most contentious amendment involved the deletion of a single
word in Resolution B-69, which deals with home-schooling. The
resolution had a sentence that read: "The Association also believes
that unfunded home-schooled students should not participate in any
extracurricular activities in the public schools." Some states
provide funding for home-schoolers to participate in after-school
activities. The amendment was to remove the word "unfunded" so that
NEA's opposition would be categorical... the will of the majority of
delegates was to delete "unfunded," reasoning that with or without
the money to do so, they didn't want home-schoolers in any way to
edge out those students who were "with us all day."
The Education Intelligence Agency conducts public education research,
analysis and investigations. Director: Mike Antonucci. PO Box 580007,
Elk Grove, CA 95758. Ph: 916-422-4373. Fax: 916-392-1482. E-Mail:
EducationIntel@...
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Moves to Restrict Homeschooling Freedoms
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Idaho
HSLDA, July 08
http://www.hslda.org/hs/state/id/200307080.asp
Headline: Restrictions on Homeschooling in Idaho Averted
"...The Governor's Task Force was considering a proposal for
mandatory registration, testing, and oversight of homeschoolers...The
Executive Director of the Idaho Education Association (IEA)
successfully introduced a motion asking the Governor for greater
study of whether there is a need for regulation of homeschooling. The
IEA's motion passed with only two dissenting votes..."
***
New York
WOKR13TV, Rochester, New York, July 7
http://www.wokr13.tv/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=2CCAE543-4453-492C-8FAB-412D935339A2
Headline: Home-Schooled Student Could Be Denied College Diploma
"According to New York State law, students who are homes schooled
through high school cannot get their college diploma, because they do
not have a high school diploma... After being home schooled, [Paul
Owens] enrolled at MCC. A year later, he received a letter from the
school notifying him he could not graduate without a high school
diploma or the equivalent."
***
West Virginia
The Herald-Dispatch, Huntington, West Virginia, By Christina Redekopp, July 02
http://www.herald-dispatch.com/2003/July/02/LNlist5.htm
Headline: Progress reports proposed for home-schooled children
Wayne County school board considers introducing new requirements for parents
WAYNE - "Wayne County Board of Education members discussed Tuesday
making progress reports for home-schooled children part of a school
board policy. Of 188 students who are home-schooled in the county,
119 have failed to comply with state law by not reporting to the
school board, said Carl Steele, Wayne County attendance director, in
a report to the board..."
++++++++++++++++++++++
Declining Student Enrollment
++++++++++++++++++++++
Ann: Louisiana ponders the causes of declining public school
enrollment, while Pennsylvania posts its first ever decline in the
number of homeschooling students.
The Advocate, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, By Will Sentell, July 06
http://www.2theadvocate.com/stories/070603/new_schools001.shtml
Headline: Public school drop raises questions
Subhead: La. enrollment decline bucks national trends
"Public school enrollment in Louisiana is falling and shows no signs
of turning around. The drop during just one period -- from fall 1991
to estimates for fall 2005 -- would essentially fill all 91,600 seats
in Tiger Stadium. Theories for the decline vary.... Picard blames
the drop on residents leaving the state, the growth of home schooling
and smaller families..."
***
From Barbara Page in Pennsylvania, as posted at
http://www.nhen.org/forum/post.asp?method=Reply&TOPIC_ID=444&FORUM_ID=42
"The Pennsylvania Department of Education has completed its annual
census of home educated students. There has been a decrease - the
first time since such numbers have been reported."
http://www.pde.state.pa.us/k12statistics/lib/k12statistics/hmedtbl1-0102.pdf
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Homeschooling and Homeschoolers Make News
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Tuscaloosanews.com, Alabama, By Chad Berry, July 07
http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20030707/NEWS/307070322/1005
Headline: Family garden
Parents, children work together to raise day lilies
"...When not gardening or home schooling, the Hollimans are usually
burning a trail between Pickens County and Tuscaloosa."
***
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas, By Dave Ferman, July 06
Headline: Fiddling with success
Subhead: Winning a national contest was nice. So was a surprise
invitation to join Ricky Skaggs onstage.
Burleson - "... The [Quebe] girls' mother, Debra...is home-schooling
the sisters ... who read -- often about music -- raise a garden and
12 chickens, and practice..."
***
Capitol City Weekly, Juneau, Alaska, By Amy Maio, July 08
http://newspapers.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?show=localnews&pnpID=475&NewsID=472498&CategoryID=9945&on=0
Headline: Salsman earns highest Scouting honor
"The 18-year-old Juneau resident and home-school graduate became an
Eagle Scout, the highest rank available in the Boy Scouts of America,
in a May 28th ceremony at Valley Chapel..."
***
Polkonline.com, Polk County, Florida, By Steven N. Levine, July 08
http://www.polkonline.com/stories/070803/loc_divers.shtml
Headline: Young divers gets their water wings
"Erin Grace Whisler, 11...who is home-schooled, would have gotten 100
on the written exam had her dad not tried to lend a helping hand
...'Kids are kids, but the home-schoolers are really focused,'
Konitzer said..."
***
Concord Monitor, New Hampshire, by Lisa Wangsness, July 06
Headline: Politics or principle in budget veto?
Governor's GOP detractors see election-style dramatics
"And the House chopped nearly all of Benson's proposed $15 million in
new programs he designed to foster entrepreneurship, charter schools,
home-schooling and nurse recruitment. Benson didn't make a peep."
Ann: Is homeschooling becoming a political football in New Hampshire?
***
Philadelphia Inquirer, Pennsylvania, By Gaiutra Bahadur, July 06
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/6242879.htm
Headline: Muslims meet on activism, liberty issues
"Fifteen thousand members of two major Muslim organizations have
gathered this weekend for the first time in Philadelphia... This
meeting, which ends today at the Convention Center, included sessions
on home-schooling..."
***
News3 WRBL TV, Columbus, Georgia, Katie Weitzner, July 02
http://www.wrbl.com/frontpage/MGB9VM95OHD.html
Headline: Home School: Georgia vs. Alabama
"Next year, some valley students may not be headed back to the
classroom! The number of students choosing to home school is on the
rise, but depending on where you live, the way your child learns may
be drastically different."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Charter, Alternative Education, Cyber-schools, Etc.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
California
Modesto Bee, California, By Susan Herendeen, July 08
http://www.modbee.com/local/story/7088938p-8021800c.html
Headline: Charter school opening campus
"School officials in Ceres are putting the finishing touches on a new
charter school that will offer a campus-based program for traditional
students as well as an independent study program for home-schoolers.
Whitmore Charter School, which offered an independent study program
for home-schoolers in the 2002-03 school year, will open a new campus
Aug. 13."
***
Minnesota
The Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minnesota, By John Welsh, July 06
http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/living/education/6231212.htm
Headline: Cuts affect Virtual Academy
"Minnesota Virtual Academy attracted strong interest -- especially
from home schoolers -- with its promise of a tuition-free education
and curriculum directed by former U.S. Education Secretary William
Bennett, author of the 'Book of Virtues'... But the state's new
education bill limits online enrollment for students not previously
in public school to about 200...
Rejection letters -- 395 of them -- arrived a few weeks ago....It all
comes down to money."
***
Ohio
Dayton Daily News, Ohio, By Ismail Turay Jr., July 06
http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/localnews/daily/0706digital.html
Headline: Fairborn schools cast Net to tailor help for students
Subhead: Digital Academy for those who shun traditional setting
FAIRBORN | "Michael Paxson spent more time in detention the past five
years than he did in the classroom...Paxson, 16, is going into his
second year with the Fairborn Digital Academy.... Grimshaw... plans
to target homeschoolers in the fall because 'we can give them a more
structured curriculum and good materials.'"
***
Washington
The Oregonian, Clark County, Washington, by Holley Gilbert, July 01
Headline: Former educator admits abusing child
http://www.oregonlive.com/metronorth/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/metro_north_news/1057061240177681.xml
VANCOUVER - "A former Battle Ground educator... resigned in May as
assistant principal for Character, Academics and Marketplace, the
district's alternative high school program, and Homelink, a
home-school program."
++++++++++++++++++++
"The world is all a-swirl..."
++++++++++++++++++++
Ann: It is not often that we get to read homeschooling articles from
three perspectives. First, check out this positive article. Then,
read the reflections on the article by one of its quoted subjects,
Sandra Dodd. Finally, take a look at the editor's overview.
Albuquerque Journal, New Mexico, By Jane Mahoney, July 6
http://www.abqjournal.com/sage/57977venue07-06-03.htm
Headline: Homeschooling: Teaching Thy Children Well
"Homeschooling is a misnomer. Learning takes place not only at home,
but in museums and grocery stores, nature hikes and routine visits to
the doctor's office. It may happen around the kitchen table, but it's
just as likely to flourish in back yards and gardens, libraries and
the mall..."
***
Upon reading the published version of the story in which she is
prominently featured, Sandra Dodd writes at
[email protected]
"...It's positive, though, and pretty uplifting. My stomach fell when
I saw [someone else's] quote about homeschoolers spending all their
time telling their kids what to do, so that a break each week was
really welcome..."
***
And from Carolyn Flynn, Editor of SAGE, July 6
http://www.abqjournal.com/sage/57982venue07-06-03.htm
Headline: Parents as Educators Part of Larger Movement
"In this month's cover story, we...look at why homeschooling has gone
mainstream - and whether it's working. Right off the bat we learned
we had to bust some myths many people have about it - some of which
we had ourselves. The first myth was..."
+++++++++++++++++++++++
Homeschool Students at Risk?
+++++++++++++++++++++++
Reno Gazette-Journal, Nevada, By Sheila Gardner, July 07
http://www.rgj.com/news/stories/html/2003/07/07/46369.php?sp1=rgj&sp2=News&sp3=Local+News
Headline: Sando stands up for charter schools
Sierra Crest Academy recently received a $100,000 planning grant from
the Nevada Department of Education with a goal of serving "at risk"
students. Sando said the designation covers a wide range...Until
recently, home school students were considered at-risk."
Ann: Homeschooled students were considered "at risk" in Nevada? What
about other states? Do you know whether or not your children are
considered "at risk" by your state's officials?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"...the best model of education available"
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Hartwell Sun, Hartwell, Georgia, By Phil Hudgins
http://www.thehartwellsun.com/tr/articles.asp?ID=1903&cat=opinions
Homeschooling is a valid...
"We human beings sometimes jump to conclusions. I did that with
homeschooling...Jay L. Wile, who has a Ph.D. in nuclear chemistry and
who taught at Ball State University, says he was ignorant of
homeschooling. Then he studied the data. Today, he says, 'I consider
homeschooling the best model of education available' in the nation..."
Ann: What we've been saying for years!
+++++++++++++++++++++
WSFH Discussion Continues
+++++++++++++++++++++
Ann: In the July 01 issue I asked, "Readers, if your WSFH discussion
list has enlightened or informed you about these important issues in
a civil and respectful way, won't you let me know?"
In response, Theresa Willingham, UU Homeschoolers, Tampa, FL writes:
"I am also on two lists, different from the ones you've mentioned,
that have managed extraordinarily civil and insightful discussion on
WSFH: Parent Directed Education at www.parentdirectededucation.com,
and UU Homeschoolers at www.uuhomeschool.org (discussion list, which
I manage myself, at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UUHomeschoolers )."
Ann: I hope everyone takes the time to read, think, and weigh the
issues - chew on it as long as you like. Go back and read the
original document in light of what you've learned at
http://www.westandforhomeschooling.org
and then decide for yourself.
Thanks, Theresa. Anyone else?
+++++++++
Final Words
+++++++++
Always keep me in mind as you find and make the news. Hugs and hearty
handshakes go out to those who have contributed to this and past
issues.
Ann Lahrson Fisher
newscomm@...
+++++++++ +++++++++ +++++++++
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.home-ed-magazine.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
mailto:newscomm@...
+++++++++ +++++++++ +++++++++ ++++
http://www.home-ed-magazine.com/whts_nw.html
Compiled and edited by Ann Lahrson Fisher
In this Issue:
NEA Debates: "Unfunded Homeschooled Student Participation"
Moves to Restrict Homeschooling Freedoms
Declining Student Enrollment
Homeschooling and Homeschoolers Make News
Charter, Alternative Education, Cyber-schools, Etc.
"The world is all a-swirl..."
Homeschooled Students at Risk?
"...the best model of education available"
WSFH Discussion Continues
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NEA Debates: "Unfunded Homeschooled Student Participation"
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ann: For some time now, the National Education Association (the
largest national teachers' union) has written a decisively-worded
anti-homeschooling resolution at their annual Convention. So it is
no surprise that a homeschooling resolution came to the floor again
this year.
It is stunning, however, to learn that the delegates spent much time
discussing the Home-Schooling Resolution, debating whether to retain
or remove a single word - "unfunded." Leaving the word in the
Resolution would have been a radical departure from their usual
unilateral position against homeschooling. The long debate suggests
sharp disagreement in the ranks.
Here is an excerpt from a report from
The Education Intelligence Agency, NEA Convention Coverage -- July 05
Reports are archived at http://www.eiaonline.com
Headline: One Word in Home-Schooling Resolution Causes Long Debate
"...The most contentious amendment involved the deletion of a single
word in Resolution B-69, which deals with home-schooling. The
resolution had a sentence that read: "The Association also believes
that unfunded home-schooled students should not participate in any
extracurricular activities in the public schools." Some states
provide funding for home-schoolers to participate in after-school
activities. The amendment was to remove the word "unfunded" so that
NEA's opposition would be categorical... the will of the majority of
delegates was to delete "unfunded," reasoning that with or without
the money to do so, they didn't want home-schoolers in any way to
edge out those students who were "with us all day."
The Education Intelligence Agency conducts public education research,
analysis and investigations. Director: Mike Antonucci. PO Box 580007,
Elk Grove, CA 95758. Ph: 916-422-4373. Fax: 916-392-1482. E-Mail:
EducationIntel@...
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Moves to Restrict Homeschooling Freedoms
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Idaho
HSLDA, July 08
http://www.hslda.org/hs/state/id/200307080.asp
Headline: Restrictions on Homeschooling in Idaho Averted
"...The Governor's Task Force was considering a proposal for
mandatory registration, testing, and oversight of homeschoolers...The
Executive Director of the Idaho Education Association (IEA)
successfully introduced a motion asking the Governor for greater
study of whether there is a need for regulation of homeschooling. The
IEA's motion passed with only two dissenting votes..."
***
New York
WOKR13TV, Rochester, New York, July 7
http://www.wokr13.tv/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=2CCAE543-4453-492C-8FAB-412D935339A2
Headline: Home-Schooled Student Could Be Denied College Diploma
"According to New York State law, students who are homes schooled
through high school cannot get their college diploma, because they do
not have a high school diploma... After being home schooled, [Paul
Owens] enrolled at MCC. A year later, he received a letter from the
school notifying him he could not graduate without a high school
diploma or the equivalent."
***
West Virginia
The Herald-Dispatch, Huntington, West Virginia, By Christina Redekopp, July 02
http://www.herald-dispatch.com/2003/July/02/LNlist5.htm
Headline: Progress reports proposed for home-schooled children
Wayne County school board considers introducing new requirements for parents
WAYNE - "Wayne County Board of Education members discussed Tuesday
making progress reports for home-schooled children part of a school
board policy. Of 188 students who are home-schooled in the county,
119 have failed to comply with state law by not reporting to the
school board, said Carl Steele, Wayne County attendance director, in
a report to the board..."
++++++++++++++++++++++
Declining Student Enrollment
++++++++++++++++++++++
Ann: Louisiana ponders the causes of declining public school
enrollment, while Pennsylvania posts its first ever decline in the
number of homeschooling students.
The Advocate, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, By Will Sentell, July 06
http://www.2theadvocate.com/stories/070603/new_schools001.shtml
Headline: Public school drop raises questions
Subhead: La. enrollment decline bucks national trends
"Public school enrollment in Louisiana is falling and shows no signs
of turning around. The drop during just one period -- from fall 1991
to estimates for fall 2005 -- would essentially fill all 91,600 seats
in Tiger Stadium. Theories for the decline vary.... Picard blames
the drop on residents leaving the state, the growth of home schooling
and smaller families..."
***
From Barbara Page in Pennsylvania, as posted at
http://www.nhen.org/forum/post.asp?method=Reply&TOPIC_ID=444&FORUM_ID=42
"The Pennsylvania Department of Education has completed its annual
census of home educated students. There has been a decrease - the
first time since such numbers have been reported."
http://www.pde.state.pa.us/k12statistics/lib/k12statistics/hmedtbl1-0102.pdf
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Homeschooling and Homeschoolers Make News
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Tuscaloosanews.com, Alabama, By Chad Berry, July 07
http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20030707/NEWS/307070322/1005
Headline: Family garden
Parents, children work together to raise day lilies
"...When not gardening or home schooling, the Hollimans are usually
burning a trail between Pickens County and Tuscaloosa."
***
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas, By Dave Ferman, July 06
Headline: Fiddling with success
Subhead: Winning a national contest was nice. So was a surprise
invitation to join Ricky Skaggs onstage.
Burleson - "... The [Quebe] girls' mother, Debra...is home-schooling
the sisters ... who read -- often about music -- raise a garden and
12 chickens, and practice..."
***
Capitol City Weekly, Juneau, Alaska, By Amy Maio, July 08
http://newspapers.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?show=localnews&pnpID=475&NewsID=472498&CategoryID=9945&on=0
Headline: Salsman earns highest Scouting honor
"The 18-year-old Juneau resident and home-school graduate became an
Eagle Scout, the highest rank available in the Boy Scouts of America,
in a May 28th ceremony at Valley Chapel..."
***
Polkonline.com, Polk County, Florida, By Steven N. Levine, July 08
http://www.polkonline.com/stories/070803/loc_divers.shtml
Headline: Young divers gets their water wings
"Erin Grace Whisler, 11...who is home-schooled, would have gotten 100
on the written exam had her dad not tried to lend a helping hand
...'Kids are kids, but the home-schoolers are really focused,'
Konitzer said..."
***
Concord Monitor, New Hampshire, by Lisa Wangsness, July 06
Headline: Politics or principle in budget veto?
Governor's GOP detractors see election-style dramatics
"And the House chopped nearly all of Benson's proposed $15 million in
new programs he designed to foster entrepreneurship, charter schools,
home-schooling and nurse recruitment. Benson didn't make a peep."
Ann: Is homeschooling becoming a political football in New Hampshire?
***
Philadelphia Inquirer, Pennsylvania, By Gaiutra Bahadur, July 06
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/6242879.htm
Headline: Muslims meet on activism, liberty issues
"Fifteen thousand members of two major Muslim organizations have
gathered this weekend for the first time in Philadelphia... This
meeting, which ends today at the Convention Center, included sessions
on home-schooling..."
***
News3 WRBL TV, Columbus, Georgia, Katie Weitzner, July 02
http://www.wrbl.com/frontpage/MGB9VM95OHD.html
Headline: Home School: Georgia vs. Alabama
"Next year, some valley students may not be headed back to the
classroom! The number of students choosing to home school is on the
rise, but depending on where you live, the way your child learns may
be drastically different."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Charter, Alternative Education, Cyber-schools, Etc.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
California
Modesto Bee, California, By Susan Herendeen, July 08
http://www.modbee.com/local/story/7088938p-8021800c.html
Headline: Charter school opening campus
"School officials in Ceres are putting the finishing touches on a new
charter school that will offer a campus-based program for traditional
students as well as an independent study program for home-schoolers.
Whitmore Charter School, which offered an independent study program
for home-schoolers in the 2002-03 school year, will open a new campus
Aug. 13."
***
Minnesota
The Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minnesota, By John Welsh, July 06
http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/living/education/6231212.htm
Headline: Cuts affect Virtual Academy
"Minnesota Virtual Academy attracted strong interest -- especially
from home schoolers -- with its promise of a tuition-free education
and curriculum directed by former U.S. Education Secretary William
Bennett, author of the 'Book of Virtues'... But the state's new
education bill limits online enrollment for students not previously
in public school to about 200...
Rejection letters -- 395 of them -- arrived a few weeks ago....It all
comes down to money."
***
Ohio
Dayton Daily News, Ohio, By Ismail Turay Jr., July 06
http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/localnews/daily/0706digital.html
Headline: Fairborn schools cast Net to tailor help for students
Subhead: Digital Academy for those who shun traditional setting
FAIRBORN | "Michael Paxson spent more time in detention the past five
years than he did in the classroom...Paxson, 16, is going into his
second year with the Fairborn Digital Academy.... Grimshaw... plans
to target homeschoolers in the fall because 'we can give them a more
structured curriculum and good materials.'"
***
Washington
The Oregonian, Clark County, Washington, by Holley Gilbert, July 01
Headline: Former educator admits abusing child
http://www.oregonlive.com/metronorth/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/metro_north_news/1057061240177681.xml
VANCOUVER - "A former Battle Ground educator... resigned in May as
assistant principal for Character, Academics and Marketplace, the
district's alternative high school program, and Homelink, a
home-school program."
++++++++++++++++++++
"The world is all a-swirl..."
++++++++++++++++++++
Ann: It is not often that we get to read homeschooling articles from
three perspectives. First, check out this positive article. Then,
read the reflections on the article by one of its quoted subjects,
Sandra Dodd. Finally, take a look at the editor's overview.
Albuquerque Journal, New Mexico, By Jane Mahoney, July 6
http://www.abqjournal.com/sage/57977venue07-06-03.htm
Headline: Homeschooling: Teaching Thy Children Well
"Homeschooling is a misnomer. Learning takes place not only at home,
but in museums and grocery stores, nature hikes and routine visits to
the doctor's office. It may happen around the kitchen table, but it's
just as likely to flourish in back yards and gardens, libraries and
the mall..."
***
Upon reading the published version of the story in which she is
prominently featured, Sandra Dodd writes at
[email protected]
"...It's positive, though, and pretty uplifting. My stomach fell when
I saw [someone else's] quote about homeschoolers spending all their
time telling their kids what to do, so that a break each week was
really welcome..."
***
And from Carolyn Flynn, Editor of SAGE, July 6
http://www.abqjournal.com/sage/57982venue07-06-03.htm
Headline: Parents as Educators Part of Larger Movement
"In this month's cover story, we...look at why homeschooling has gone
mainstream - and whether it's working. Right off the bat we learned
we had to bust some myths many people have about it - some of which
we had ourselves. The first myth was..."
+++++++++++++++++++++++
Homeschool Students at Risk?
+++++++++++++++++++++++
Reno Gazette-Journal, Nevada, By Sheila Gardner, July 07
http://www.rgj.com/news/stories/html/2003/07/07/46369.php?sp1=rgj&sp2=News&sp3=Local+News
Headline: Sando stands up for charter schools
Sierra Crest Academy recently received a $100,000 planning grant from
the Nevada Department of Education with a goal of serving "at risk"
students. Sando said the designation covers a wide range...Until
recently, home school students were considered at-risk."
Ann: Homeschooled students were considered "at risk" in Nevada? What
about other states? Do you know whether or not your children are
considered "at risk" by your state's officials?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"...the best model of education available"
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Hartwell Sun, Hartwell, Georgia, By Phil Hudgins
http://www.thehartwellsun.com/tr/articles.asp?ID=1903&cat=opinions
Homeschooling is a valid...
"We human beings sometimes jump to conclusions. I did that with
homeschooling...Jay L. Wile, who has a Ph.D. in nuclear chemistry and
who taught at Ball State University, says he was ignorant of
homeschooling. Then he studied the data. Today, he says, 'I consider
homeschooling the best model of education available' in the nation..."
Ann: What we've been saying for years!
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WSFH Discussion Continues
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Ann: In the July 01 issue I asked, "Readers, if your WSFH discussion
list has enlightened or informed you about these important issues in
a civil and respectful way, won't you let me know?"
In response, Theresa Willingham, UU Homeschoolers, Tampa, FL writes:
"I am also on two lists, different from the ones you've mentioned,
that have managed extraordinarily civil and insightful discussion on
WSFH: Parent Directed Education at www.parentdirectededucation.com,
and UU Homeschoolers at www.uuhomeschool.org (discussion list, which
I manage myself, at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UUHomeschoolers )."
Ann: I hope everyone takes the time to read, think, and weigh the
issues - chew on it as long as you like. Go back and read the
original document in light of what you've learned at
http://www.westandforhomeschooling.org
and then decide for yourself.
Thanks, Theresa. Anyone else?
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Final Words
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Always keep me in mind as you find and make the news. Hugs and hearty
handshakes go out to those who have contributed to this and past
issues.
Ann Lahrson Fisher
newscomm@...
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HEM News & Commentary is a weekly report on what's happening in the
world of homeschooling. Gleanings from the news media, accolades and
pans, hot discussions, legal and legislative successes and problems -
all are fair game, and gathered in one column for your convenience.
And just in case you don't have the time to read every word in print,
we will summarize and discuss key news and trends that we think are
the most provocative or that may have the greatest impact on the
future of homeschooling.
This service is available free. Archives can be accessed at
http://www.home-ed-magazine.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
mailto:newscomm@...
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