Home Education Magazine

Homeschooling News & Commentary from Home Education Magazine
A weekly report on what's happening in the world of homeschooling
Compiled and edited by Ann Lahrson Fisher - August 12, 2003
http://www.home-ed-magazine.com/whts_nw.html

In this issue:
"Small, innocent-looking steps"*
Homeschooling, Charterschooling, and Tax Dollars
Getting It Right
Homeschooling's Popularity
Florida Vouchers
Small Signs of Big Change
More Experts Who Just Don't Get It
More Homeschooling in the News
Interscholastics, District by District
Updates to Previous Stories

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Small, innocent-looking steps"*
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ann: Debate about HR 2732/S 1562 is growing.

HSLDA, Virginia, August 11
http://www.hslda.org/docs/link.asp?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthomas%2Eloc%2Egov%2Fcgi%2Dbin%2Fbdquery%2Fz%3Fd108%3ASN01562%3A%40%40%40L%26summ2%3Dm%26%22
Headline: S. 1562 - Home School Non-Discrimination Act of 2003 (HONDA)

"HSLDA supports S. 1562. There are currently several areas of federal
law that unfairly impact home education. Congress must pass the
Homeschool Non-Discrimination Act (HONDA) to remedy this unfair
treatment."

***

NHEN Forums, Sandi Chelan, August 11
http://www.nhen.org/forum/post.asp?method=Reply&TOPIC_ID=454&FORUM_ID=31

"...Though most of us never asked (or paid for) HSLDA to act as our
legal or political emissary, their self-initiated role as
representatives of homeschooling, often results in consequences for
all homeschoolers in terms of political fallout and public
misconceptions about homeschooling."
Sandi sums up her opposition to the bill this way: "By creating the
opening for the federal definition of homeschooling through
legislation such as HR 2732, we would allow for the future
restriction of homeschooling autonomy by government fiat."

Ann: Shouldn't every homeschooler be worried about political fallout
and potential backlash against homeschoolers if this legislation
passes? Shouldn't we be looking at those "small, innocent-looking
steps"* with a jaundiced eye?
*Kyle Williams' wording, borrowed from the following story.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Homeschooling, Charterschooling, and Tax Dollars
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

WorldNetDaily.com, Exclusive Commentary By Kyle Williams, August 09
http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=34014
Headline: Government Butts into Homeschool
"Generally, government doesn't outright intrude into the private
lives of citizens. It takes small, innocent-looking steps."

Ann: In his Commentary, Williams attacks Florida's mega-contracts
with K12 and Connections Academy (cited here last week, see
http://www.sptimes.com/2003/08/02/State/Public_funding_launch.shtml )
as a violation of "the true spirit of home education."

***

To read the rest of this NewsComm issue, click here:
http://www.home-ed-magazine.com/whts_nw.html

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 additionally 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@...