Ron Paul’s Views On Home Schooling - If You’re Interested
BevK September 25th, 2007
If you were wondering what Ron Paul, Republican presidential candidate, thinks about homeschooling, he’s addressed the issue here.
Hat Tip: TransWorldNews
Archive for September, 2007
Murder by Cajun seasoning?
BevK September 25th, 2007
This is just a horror story no matter what you think really happened.
A mother of five is serving a life sentence in the death of a 4-year-old child she and her husband were adopting because a Texas jury believed she forced him to drink Zatarain’s Cajun Seasoning and delayed getting the boy emergency medical attention.
Hannah Overton was convicted this month in Corpus Christi. Jury selection in the trial of her husband, Larry, is set to begin Oct. 1.
But those who know the Overtons best aren’t buying the prosecution’s story and, in fact, believe evidence was distorted and doctored by district attorney’s office, police department, child protective services and the news media to railroad the homeschooling, Christian couple.
I Was Homeschooled, So What?
BevK September 25th, 2007
A homeschool Senior tells it like it is.
When I tell people, mostly teens my age, that I’ve been homeschooled they usually say “I’m sorry”. Why? Because they believe that I’ve been sheltered, protected, and treated with kid gloves my entire life, that my parents never let me make mistakes and that my education and socialization has to be sub par to what they had in public schools. Then I spend the next 20 minutes explaining how great homeschooling is, at least for me.
Colleges embrace home-school students
BevK September 25th, 2007
For years, fear of what might befall their child when the time came for higher learning made some parents reluctant to teach their kids at home through high school – or even at all. But that fear has dissipated as colleges become friendlier to the home-schooled – and more area home-schoolers show they can make it on campus – even at ages younger than their traditionally educated peers.
“The intimidation factor still happens, but it’s not as valid as it once was,” says Julie Hughes of Fort Wayne-based Christian Homeschool Association for Teens, or CHAT, referring to parents’ reluctance to home schooling through 12th grade.
I’ve graduated three from homeschool and have two more on the way. We didn’t have any problems dealing with the public or private universities my children were interested in attending. The key is to plan for college admission requirements. There are so many ways to cover things that may frighten parents (think higher maths or chemistry). I think the biggest thing that makes parents put their kids into school for high school is sports (their son wants to play football) or school systems that will not allow a return to high school in the middle of high school (they won’t accept credits homeschoolers earn on their own.)
Illinois’ Homeschooling Regulations
BevK September 25th, 2007
Start asking questions about home schoolers in Illinois and there’s one answer you won’t be able to find: How many there are.
Illinois is one of 10 states that leaves the increasingly popular option of home schooling unregulated.
One state legislator finds this surprising and thinks there should be regulation and testing. Another legislator thinks, “The notion of regulating home schooling seems to be a solution in search of a problem,” Harmon said. “We have an awful lot of issues to fix in our education system, but the home schooling system seems to be working just fine.”
I guess you know where I stand on the issue. I’m for as little regulation as possible.
Homeschool News Round Up
BevK September 17th, 2007
It’s been a while since I was able to post to this blog. Sorry for dropping out without giving any warning. Life’s been full.
Rather than post about homeschool news from the last two weeks in individual posts, I’m doing a round up here of what was notable.
Is tennis homeschooling worth the risk?
This opinion piece comes down against homeschooling for young tennis players.
” I urge all tennis parents to reconsider this homeschooling decision, as it may impair the child for years. ”
ARCH Academy, Staunton’s newest private school, is scheduled to open its doors this morning with a class of about 20 students. The non-traditional school is largely influenced by homeschool methods studied and used by its founder, Brenda Rose, a former public school teacher who educated her own six children from home.
Instead of grades, students will show their progress through portfolios. Instead of classes, they’ll work individually or in small groups. Even the floorplan is intended to encourage movement and exploration — set on the floor of an old tractor supply store, Rose’s school resembles a large, open-air classroom. Simple room dividers help carve out distinct spaces for a variety of subjects.
The concept is to create an environment for mixed-age groups to work together, much in the way a family of siblings would help each other study at home.
I hope that she succeeds. Not everyone is able to homeschool, but with small schools like this seem like the next best choice.
Do the math before you decide on home school
A good first step is to write down all the reasons you want to try homeschooling says Kay Brooks, a home-school mom and founder of TnHomeEd.com, a home-school information Web site. Brooks says getting clear about why you want to homeschool will help you stay focused on your goals and better state your case to family members. She recommends getting in touch with other home-school moms to find out pros and cons.
“The reasons should all be based in what is best for the child and the family,” says Brooks. “So while some may choose to homeschool for academics, others may do so to allow more freedom to tend to an illness, a career or a learning issue.”
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the modern home education movement was in its infancy. At that time, most Americans viewed home-styled education as a quaint tourist attraction or the lifestyle choice of those willing to endure more hardship than necessary.
What a difference a few decades makes.
Home school decision difficult
Today, parents have many resources for making thoughtful decisions on whether homeschooling is a good idea for their children. One place is the Marquette-Alger Regional Educational Service Agency, which provides a comprehensive handbook on homeschooling.
MARESA’s Betty Burke-Coduti — in charge of teaching, learning and technology services — said keeping track of the state’s curriculum requirements and following them is crucial for homeschoolers.
