Re: [UnschoolingDiscussion] Regarding "Laws" and breaking them...
[email protected]
HLSelden@... writes:
Unschoolers in FL have answers to all these legal fear factors, with a
pretty good track record so far. :)
First, the legal requirement is academic progress "commensurate with
the child's ability" and that's a piece of cake for successful unschoolers,
imo. Always has been for us. How could a child fail to measure up to himself (an
unschooling child, I mean, not a schooled child being royally screwed up like
in the Rosemond column I posted yesterday!)
There really are certified teacher-evaluators in Florida who share the
unschooling philosophy and are willing to help; I've even heard of a few
happy to arrange a fax or email exchange to review your child's portfolio, for
those who can't find an evaluator in their area they especially like. You could
subscribe to the yahoo group <FL-HomeEducation-law> for more.
Second, Florida also has a different legal option to comply with
compulsory attendance requirements. If the independent home education statute
doesn't work well for your family, for whatever reason, you can enroll in a
"private school" that matches your personal philosophy of learning and will support
your unschooling as you wish it to (no curriculum, tests, or organized classes)
-- there are unschoolers who offer these "schools" free of charge, as a
service to others.
You could even start such a "school" yourself and thereby help others!
I know unschoolers who have done this. Some estimate that that there are more
FL homeschoolers using this option than the total registered under the
independent statute and stuck filing annual evaluations.See more at
<http://www.parentdirectededucation.org/Homeschooling%20in%20Florida.htm>
I should note that one disadvantage of the private school option over
independent home education is that Florida law provides broad public program
access for independent home ed families who wish it, like dual enrollment in
for-credit high school and college courses, free virtual classes,
extracurricular participation parttime at local schools (symphony, sports teams, et cetera.)
This is not available if you go the private school route instead, although
large "regular" privates often have certain access under their own agreements.
And although "private school homeschooling" shields you completely
from the school superintendent, you then do have to send your child's basic
identifying info, including certain medical info, and attendance records, to the
"school" office you choose. (So you can either be on file with the government or
some private citizens or businesspeople who are unaccountable and perhaps
even unknown to you! I'm not crazy about either one, but there it is. Unless you
become a school yourself.)
Lastly -- for this post at least -- the worst that can happen to an
unschooler under the FL home ed statute is a sort of probation that gives you a
year to come into compliance -- in other words, to show the child has made
progress commensurate with ability, under any legal method. At the end of that
second year, the worst that could happen is that the Superintendent could
"terminate" your home ed program for non-compliance and say you had to put the child
in "school."
All the scary stuff, the truancy and CPS interventions, cannot kick in
because of academic failure. They are for the parent's legal compliance
failure, things like not keeping any portfolio or reading materials list, failing
to turn any evaluation at all, or failure to register your child anywhere under
any option. You don't want anything to do with these legal problems, believe
me! Fortunately they are very easy to avoid because there are several fine
options for unschoolers. JJ (see pompous sig below in case you find it useful to
cite me as an authority on Florida unschooling provisions <g>)
JJ Ross, Ed.D.
Legislative and Education Resources
www.ParentDirectedEducation.org
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>What is it they say here? Breathe!
> My children are required once a year to be tested or evaluated by a
> teacher/psychologist. They should show forward progression (of what I'm assuming is
> the SCHOOL ideal of what they should know).
>
> Or what?? What happens if they don't fit that mold?? That's why I took
> them out of school in the first place.
>
> So, I must admit, that the fear of the unknown (being what happens if they
> don't fit) is bugging me. . .
>
> I don't want to have to hide my kids from the world. However, I don't want
> to force things down their throat just because they are expected to know it
> for some silly evaluation.
>
> I'd really welcome any advice, especially from my fellow Floridian
> unschoolers.
>
> Does anyone have the answer to what the action is if you don't comply? Do
> they take my children from me? Do they arrest me for truancy?
>
> Help!
>
Unschoolers in FL have answers to all these legal fear factors, with a
pretty good track record so far. :)
First, the legal requirement is academic progress "commensurate with
the child's ability" and that's a piece of cake for successful unschoolers,
imo. Always has been for us. How could a child fail to measure up to himself (an
unschooling child, I mean, not a schooled child being royally screwed up like
in the Rosemond column I posted yesterday!)
There really are certified teacher-evaluators in Florida who share the
unschooling philosophy and are willing to help; I've even heard of a few
happy to arrange a fax or email exchange to review your child's portfolio, for
those who can't find an evaluator in their area they especially like. You could
subscribe to the yahoo group <FL-HomeEducation-law> for more.
Second, Florida also has a different legal option to comply with
compulsory attendance requirements. If the independent home education statute
doesn't work well for your family, for whatever reason, you can enroll in a
"private school" that matches your personal philosophy of learning and will support
your unschooling as you wish it to (no curriculum, tests, or organized classes)
-- there are unschoolers who offer these "schools" free of charge, as a
service to others.
You could even start such a "school" yourself and thereby help others!
I know unschoolers who have done this. Some estimate that that there are more
FL homeschoolers using this option than the total registered under the
independent statute and stuck filing annual evaluations.See more at
<http://www.parentdirectededucation.org/Homeschooling%20in%20Florida.htm>
I should note that one disadvantage of the private school option over
independent home education is that Florida law provides broad public program
access for independent home ed families who wish it, like dual enrollment in
for-credit high school and college courses, free virtual classes,
extracurricular participation parttime at local schools (symphony, sports teams, et cetera.)
This is not available if you go the private school route instead, although
large "regular" privates often have certain access under their own agreements.
And although "private school homeschooling" shields you completely
from the school superintendent, you then do have to send your child's basic
identifying info, including certain medical info, and attendance records, to the
"school" office you choose. (So you can either be on file with the government or
some private citizens or businesspeople who are unaccountable and perhaps
even unknown to you! I'm not crazy about either one, but there it is. Unless you
become a school yourself.)
Lastly -- for this post at least -- the worst that can happen to an
unschooler under the FL home ed statute is a sort of probation that gives you a
year to come into compliance -- in other words, to show the child has made
progress commensurate with ability, under any legal method. At the end of that
second year, the worst that could happen is that the Superintendent could
"terminate" your home ed program for non-compliance and say you had to put the child
in "school."
All the scary stuff, the truancy and CPS interventions, cannot kick in
because of academic failure. They are for the parent's legal compliance
failure, things like not keeping any portfolio or reading materials list, failing
to turn any evaluation at all, or failure to register your child anywhere under
any option. You don't want anything to do with these legal problems, believe
me! Fortunately they are very easy to avoid because there are several fine
options for unschoolers. JJ (see pompous sig below in case you find it useful to
cite me as an authority on Florida unschooling provisions <g>)
JJ Ross, Ed.D.
Legislative and Education Resources
www.ParentDirectedEducation.org
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 2/11/2004 6:15:10 AM Eastern Standard Time,
HLSelden@... writes:
requirements and are unschooler friendly. After years of doing portfolio's, I just
did that. Now, I can keep pictures and related materials that the kids want to
keep without worrying about creating a portfolio for someone else to critique
and decide if my children are making progress.
E-mail me off list if you would like more information about some local
Jacksonville area schools of this type. You can also start your own.
Another alternative is to find an unschooling friendly evaluator or a
friend who has a teaching certificate.
Gail
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
HLSelden@... writes:
>There are schools you can register with that comply with state
> My children are required once a year to be tested or evaluated by a
> teacher/psychologist. They should show forward progression (of what I'm assuming is
> the SCHOOL ideal of what they should know).
>
requirements and are unschooler friendly. After years of doing portfolio's, I just
did that. Now, I can keep pictures and related materials that the kids want to
keep without worrying about creating a portfolio for someone else to critique
and decide if my children are making progress.
E-mail me off list if you would like more information about some local
Jacksonville area schools of this type. You can also start your own.
Another alternative is to find an unschooling friendly evaluator or a
friend who has a teaching certificate.
Gail
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 2/11/04 4:15:20 AM, HLSelden@... writes:
<< I'll never forget a 16 year old coming to me and asking me if he
addressed an envelope correctly. He hadn't. I taught him how. >>
But what good does it do a ten year old to know if she doesn't have anyone to
write to?
and if someone needs to know, why can't he just look at several other
envelopes and copy that format?
It's SO minor a deal, and people ever only learn it once. After that,
they're just reviewing, or going through the motions to satisfy yet ANOTHER teacher.
<<My question is...how did these families get through the system? I know how
my mother in law did it. She was (to quote my husband) "on the run". >>
Very few states require yearly testing. A few require occasional. Many
require none.
Floridians will have helped you out by now, I'm sure, but as to the idea of
"late," it's best to find ways to live without having to worry about it.
Sandra
<< I'll never forget a 16 year old coming to me and asking me if he
addressed an envelope correctly. He hadn't. I taught him how. >>
But what good does it do a ten year old to know if she doesn't have anyone to
write to?
and if someone needs to know, why can't he just look at several other
envelopes and copy that format?
It's SO minor a deal, and people ever only learn it once. After that,
they're just reviewing, or going through the motions to satisfy yet ANOTHER teacher.
<<My question is...how did these families get through the system? I know how
my mother in law did it. She was (to quote my husband) "on the run". >>
Very few states require yearly testing. A few require occasional. Many
require none.
Floridians will have helped you out by now, I'm sure, but as to the idea of
"late," it's best to find ways to live without having to worry about it.
Sandra
Lisa H
Holly wrote:
<<<I've read so many articles and posts about unschooled kids that didn't learn to read until their early teens. My question is...how did these families get through the system?>>>
Great question, Holly. A personal concern of mine as my daughter is not an "early" reader. I live in NY had to do our first test this year. We used the at home, homeschooler, not timed test and as much as i played it down and attempted to ease it into our routine with out much fuss and veiw it as a "learning experience" - it was an intrusion.
Fortunately I only have to do this every other year for a few years. But don't want to "go on the run" or "underground."
How have other NY unschoolers on this list dealt with tests?
Or should i be looking this up in the archives? oops...<g>
Lisa H.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
<<<I've read so many articles and posts about unschooled kids that didn't learn to read until their early teens. My question is...how did these families get through the system?>>>
Great question, Holly. A personal concern of mine as my daughter is not an "early" reader. I live in NY had to do our first test this year. We used the at home, homeschooler, not timed test and as much as i played it down and attempted to ease it into our routine with out much fuss and veiw it as a "learning experience" - it was an intrusion.
Fortunately I only have to do this every other year for a few years. But don't want to "go on the run" or "underground."
How have other NY unschoolers on this list dealt with tests?
Or should i be looking this up in the archives? oops...<g>
Lisa H.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
pam sorooshian
On Feb 11, 2004, at 9:26 AM, SandraDodd@... wrote:
spit it out on a test, then forget it, they haven't 'learned" it even
once, yet.
Out of context, unneeded skills are never learned, they're a waste of
time OR maybe just a little trick to impress people.
Wanna hear what I can do in one breath?
"Isamarewaswerebebeingbeenhashavehaddodoesdidshallwillshouldwouldmaymigh
tmustcancould."
Impressed?
In 4th grade I had NO idea what they meant and why they were all being
memorized as a group.
I also memorized many many Spanish dialogs and was able to do that
without understanding the words.
Good for party tricks.
-pam
National Home Education Network
<www.NHEN.org>
Serving the entire homeschooling community since 1999
through information, networking and public relations.
> It's SO minor a deal, and people ever only learn it once. After that,They only learn it once if they "learn" it. If they just memorize it,
> they're just reviewing, or going through the motions to satisfy yet
> ANOTHER teacher.
>
spit it out on a test, then forget it, they haven't 'learned" it even
once, yet.
Out of context, unneeded skills are never learned, they're a waste of
time OR maybe just a little trick to impress people.
Wanna hear what I can do in one breath?
"Isamarewaswerebebeingbeenhashavehaddodoesdidshallwillshouldwouldmaymigh
tmustcancould."
Impressed?
In 4th grade I had NO idea what they meant and why they were all being
memorized as a group.
I also memorized many many Spanish dialogs and was able to do that
without understanding the words.
Good for party tricks.
-pam
National Home Education Network
<www.NHEN.org>
Serving the entire homeschooling community since 1999
through information, networking and public relations.
Lisa H
<<They only learn it once if they "learn" it. If they just memorize it,
spit it out on a test, then forget it, they haven't 'learned" it even
once, yet.>>
Last night my nephew telephoned to include me in a survey he was conducting for his 8th grade science class at school. He was graphing the result of 12 persons answers to the following question.
Name the three different categories of rocks?
Of the four people he had surveyed so far, none could name all three categories. Only one knew one category. All were adults over the age of 40 - all had taken earth science in their schooling years. I told him I thought it would be interesting if he were to ask the ninth graders who had taken the class last year to see how many knew the answer. btw - my nephew didn't "know" all three categories - he had to check his notes ;-)
He also didn't seem to know the purpose of the assignment.
Answers can be found at:
http://www.science.ubc.ca/~geol202/petrology/rock.html
Lisa H.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
spit it out on a test, then forget it, they haven't 'learned" it even
once, yet.>>
Last night my nephew telephoned to include me in a survey he was conducting for his 8th grade science class at school. He was graphing the result of 12 persons answers to the following question.
Name the three different categories of rocks?
Of the four people he had surveyed so far, none could name all three categories. Only one knew one category. All were adults over the age of 40 - all had taken earth science in their schooling years. I told him I thought it would be interesting if he were to ask the ninth graders who had taken the class last year to see how many knew the answer. btw - my nephew didn't "know" all three categories - he had to check his notes ;-)
He also didn't seem to know the purpose of the assignment.
Answers can be found at:
http://www.science.ubc.ca/~geol202/petrology/rock.html
Lisa H.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 2/11/04 2:59:56 PM, Lmanathome@... writes:
<< Name the three different categories of rocks? >>
igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary
I remembered it from 9th grade, and it was told to me again in college
geology 101.
But I live in rock-land, pretty much, where there are all three kinds of rock
are visible, I've laid flagstone (sedimentary), my dad worked for a mining
company for years keeping their digging and crushing and sifting and packing
machinery in operation, but you can't help but learn what you're working with
when the whole company has six employees and they're frequently out at
prospecting sites. That was fun for me, being around those guys sometimes.
<<All were adults over the age of 40 - all had taken earth science in their
schooling years. >>
If they lived where grass covers the earth and they never worked around rocks
or had any interest, it was GOOD that they let that information slip. When
they need it they can get it back. If they don't ever need it, they can use
that storage space for other better things they DO need.
Being in Albuquerque, I don't need to know the capital of South Dakota NOR
how to pronounce it, but I've always kinda like trivia (and language) so I don't
mind knowing. But I don't fault anyone for not knowing the capital of New
Mexico who doesn't live here and has no need to know.
Sandra
<< Name the three different categories of rocks? >>
igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary
I remembered it from 9th grade, and it was told to me again in college
geology 101.
But I live in rock-land, pretty much, where there are all three kinds of rock
are visible, I've laid flagstone (sedimentary), my dad worked for a mining
company for years keeping their digging and crushing and sifting and packing
machinery in operation, but you can't help but learn what you're working with
when the whole company has six employees and they're frequently out at
prospecting sites. That was fun for me, being around those guys sometimes.
<<All were adults over the age of 40 - all had taken earth science in their
schooling years. >>
If they lived where grass covers the earth and they never worked around rocks
or had any interest, it was GOOD that they let that information slip. When
they need it they can get it back. If they don't ever need it, they can use
that storage space for other better things they DO need.
Being in Albuquerque, I don't need to know the capital of South Dakota NOR
how to pronounce it, but I've always kinda like trivia (and language) so I don't
mind knowing. But I don't fault anyone for not knowing the capital of New
Mexico who doesn't live here and has no need to know.
Sandra
[email protected]
In a message dated 2/11/04 3:05:03 PM, Lmanathome@... writes:
<< How have other NY unschoolers on this list dealt with tests?
Or should i be looking this up in the archives? oops...<g> >>
Better than archives would be google.com
But better than cold facts might be warm testimonials which are often to be
found at www.unschooling.com and the state folders are here:
Unschooling.com's Message Boards: How do You Unschool and Meet Your State's
Requirements?
http://www.unschooling.com/discus/messages/40/40.html
Sandra
<< How have other NY unschoolers on this list dealt with tests?
Or should i be looking this up in the archives? oops...<g> >>
Better than archives would be google.com
But better than cold facts might be warm testimonials which are often to be
found at www.unschooling.com and the state folders are here:
Unschooling.com's Message Boards: How do You Unschool and Meet Your State's
Requirements?
http://www.unschooling.com/discus/messages/40/40.html
Sandra
Holly Selden
Okay, so I've been digging. I know the laws of my state by heart now with regards to homeschooling. However, there are some things that just aren't clear to me.
My children are required once a year to be tested or evaluated by a teacher/psychologist. They should show forward progression (of what I'm assuming is the SCHOOL ideal of what they should know).
Or what?? What happens if they don't fit that mold?? That's why I took them out of school in the first place.
So, I must admit, that the fear of the unknown (being what happens if they don't fit) is bugging me.
I've read so many articles and posts about unschooled kids that didn't learn to read until their early teens. My brother in law was one of them. I'll never forget a 16 year old coming to me and asking me if he addressed an envelope correctly. He hadn't. I taught him how. He was also a very late reader and none the worse for the wear. Smart guy. Successful.
My question is...how did these families get through the system? I know how my mother in law did it. She was (to quote my husband) "on the run".
I don't want it to be like that. I don't want to have to hide my kids from the world. However, I don't want to force things down their throat just because they are expected to know it for some silly evaluation.
I'd really welcome any advice, especially from my fellow Floridian unschoolers.
Does anyone have the answer to what the action is if you don't comply? Do they take my children from me? Do they arrest me for truancy?
Help!
Holly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
My children are required once a year to be tested or evaluated by a teacher/psychologist. They should show forward progression (of what I'm assuming is the SCHOOL ideal of what they should know).
Or what?? What happens if they don't fit that mold?? That's why I took them out of school in the first place.
So, I must admit, that the fear of the unknown (being what happens if they don't fit) is bugging me.
I've read so many articles and posts about unschooled kids that didn't learn to read until their early teens. My brother in law was one of them. I'll never forget a 16 year old coming to me and asking me if he addressed an envelope correctly. He hadn't. I taught him how. He was also a very late reader and none the worse for the wear. Smart guy. Successful.
My question is...how did these families get through the system? I know how my mother in law did it. She was (to quote my husband) "on the run".
I don't want it to be like that. I don't want to have to hide my kids from the world. However, I don't want to force things down their throat just because they are expected to know it for some silly evaluation.
I'd really welcome any advice, especially from my fellow Floridian unschoolers.
Does anyone have the answer to what the action is if you don't comply? Do they take my children from me? Do they arrest me for truancy?
Help!
Holly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Holly Selden
I think this flu/stuffiness may have been preventing the whole breathing thing. LOL
I got a couple of private emails and managed to get in contact with a "private" school that is pro-unschooling. All they do is keep attendance records and there is no charge/tuition/fees, etc.
A few people have also suggested that I start my own. Although I'm eager to help out, I'm not sure I'm quite ready for that just yet!!!
Thank you so much for the info..I was really having a panicky moment there for a few.
Holly
I got a couple of private emails and managed to get in contact with a "private" school that is pro-unschooling. All they do is keep attendance records and there is no charge/tuition/fees, etc.
A few people have also suggested that I start my own. Although I'm eager to help out, I'm not sure I'm quite ready for that just yet!!!
Thank you so much for the info..I was really having a panicky moment there for a few.
Holly
----- Original Message -----
From: jrossedd@...
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2004 8:50 AM
Subject: Re: [UnschoolingDiscussion] Regarding "Laws" and breaking them...
HLSelden@... writes:
What is it they say here? Breathe!
Unschoolers in FL have answers to all these legal fear factors, with a
pretty good track record so far. :)
First, the legal requirement is academic progress "commensurate with
the child's ability" and that's a piece of cake for successful unschoolers,
imo. Always has been for us. How could a child fail to measure up to himself (an
unschooling child, I mean, not a schooled child being royally screwed up like
in the Rosemond column I posted yesterday!)
There really are certified teacher-evaluators in Florida who share the
unschooling philosophy and are willing to help; I've even heard of a few
happy to arrange a fax or email exchange to review your child's portfolio, for
those who can't find an evaluator in their area they especially like. You could
subscribe to the yahoo group <FL-HomeEducation-law> for more.
Second, Florida also has a different legal option to comply with
compulsory attendance requirements. If the independent home education statute
doesn't work well for your family, for whatever reason, you can enroll in a
"private school" that matches your personal philosophy of learning and will support
your unschooling as you wish it to (no curriculum, tests, or organized classes)
-- there are unschoolers who offer these "schools" free of charge, as a
service to others.
You could even start such a "school" yourself and thereby help others!
I know unschoolers who have done this. Some estimate that that there are more
FL homeschoolers using this option than the total registered under the
independent statute and stuck filing annual evaluations.See more at
<http://www.parentdirectededucation.org/Homeschooling%20in%20Florida.htm>
I should note that one disadvantage of the private school option over
independent home education is that Florida law provides broad public program
access for independent home ed families who wish it, like dual enrollment in
for-credit high school and college courses, free virtual classes,
extracurricular participation parttime at local schools (symphony, sports teams, et cetera.)
This is not available if you go the private school route instead, although
large "regular" privates often have certain access under their own agreements.
And although "private school homeschooling" shields you completely
from the school superintendent, you then do have to send your child's basic
identifying info, including certain medical info, and attendance records, to the
"school" office you choose. (So you can either be on file with the government or
some private citizens or businesspeople who are unaccountable and perhaps
even unknown to you! I'm not crazy about either one, but there it is. Unless you
become a school yourself.)
Lastly -- for this post at least -- the worst that can happen to an
unschooler under the FL home ed statute is a sort of probation that gives you a
year to come into compliance -- in other words, to show the child has made
progress commensurate with ability, under any legal method. At the end of that
second year, the worst that could happen is that the Superintendent could
"terminate" your home ed program for non-compliance and say you had to put the child
in "school."
All the scary stuff, the truancy and CPS interventions, cannot kick in
because of academic failure. They are for the parent's legal compliance
failure, things like not keeping any portfolio or reading materials list, failing
to turn any evaluation at all, or failure to register your child anywhere under
any option. You don't want anything to do with these legal problems, believe
me! Fortunately they are very easy to avoid because there are several fine
options for unschoolers. JJ (see pompous sig below in case you find it useful to
cite me as an authority on Florida unschooling provisions <g>)
JJ Ross, Ed.D.
Legislative and Education Resources
www.ParentDirectedEducation.org
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Holly Selden
The point of mentioning Joe's asking me to help him address the envelope wasn't to say I was worried about them reading late, but to point out that I want that kind of thing to be "okay" for my kids without being scared of the "Big Bad School Board".
My husband and BIL are two of the brightest young men I know. They are smart, funny, kind, successful and happy. I just remember thinking "wow, I kind of took for granted that everyone know how to do this!!!"
When I began this adventure, I truly thought I'd find some cirriculum that worked for us and that would be it. Until I asked Madison to sit down and practice his handwriting. The look in his eyes was like I'd just slapped him in the face. Unschooling had been my gut reaction years ago when I considered homeschooling and I reverted back to that. So glad I did.
I don't give a rat's patootie if they can recite memorized facts that they won't ever have to recite in daily life. I just want them to live. I want them to love life. I want to watch them grow into the individuals that I know they are. I want to KNOW my kids.
I thank my stars every day for my DH. He's so insightful and we have this connection that is just amazing. I'll say something that to some people may sound so far out of left field it's almost right and he GETS it. I love that. And I love my MIL for giving me that gift. :)
Morgan asked me today if she could watch me do my taxes. I said "It's boring"...she said "So, I just want to be with you"...The proof is in the pudding. :)
Holly
My husband and BIL are two of the brightest young men I know. They are smart, funny, kind, successful and happy. I just remember thinking "wow, I kind of took for granted that everyone know how to do this!!!"
When I began this adventure, I truly thought I'd find some cirriculum that worked for us and that would be it. Until I asked Madison to sit down and practice his handwriting. The look in his eyes was like I'd just slapped him in the face. Unschooling had been my gut reaction years ago when I considered homeschooling and I reverted back to that. So glad I did.
I don't give a rat's patootie if they can recite memorized facts that they won't ever have to recite in daily life. I just want them to live. I want them to love life. I want to watch them grow into the individuals that I know they are. I want to KNOW my kids.
I thank my stars every day for my DH. He's so insightful and we have this connection that is just amazing. I'll say something that to some people may sound so far out of left field it's almost right and he GETS it. I love that. And I love my MIL for giving me that gift. :)
Morgan asked me today if she could watch me do my taxes. I said "It's boring"...she said "So, I just want to be with you"...The proof is in the pudding. :)
Holly
----- Original Message -----
From: SandraDodd@...
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2004 11:26 AM
Subject: Re: [UnschoolingDiscussion] Regarding "Laws" and breaking them...
In a message dated 2/11/04 4:15:20 AM, HLSelden@... writes:
<< I'll never forget a 16 year old coming to me and asking me if he
addressed an envelope correctly. He hadn't. I taught him how. >>
But what good does it do a ten year old to know if she doesn't have anyone to
write to?
and if someone needs to know, why can't he just look at several other
envelopes and copy that format?
It's SO minor a deal, and people ever only learn it once. After that,
they're just reviewing, or going through the motions to satisfy yet ANOTHER teacher.
<<My question is...how did these families get through the system? I know how
my mother in law did it. She was (to quote my husband) "on the run". >>
Very few states require yearly testing. A few require occasional. Many
require none.
Floridians will have helped you out by now, I'm sure, but as to the idea of
"late," it's best to find ways to live without having to worry about it.
Sandra
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