Posted on 08/02/2011 3:11:40 PM PDT by Sopater
West Virginia’s Monongalia County Board of Education is proposing a new homeschool policy. In the document’s “statement of purpose,” the board refers to stale objections, which reveal a flawed and stereotyped view towards homeschooling. Despite the fact that homeschooling has decades worth of practical and scientific evidence documenting its success, there are still public school officials who re-use the same old criticism of homeschooling—teacher competency and socialization.
Here is the proposed policy’s first paragraph:
“Monongalia County Board of Education encourages the enrollment of all school-age children [who] are residents in Monongalia County or in registered parochial or private schools so that they may enjoy the benefits a of well-planned educational program and the socialization possible in a group environment.”
As if homeschooling programs are not well-planned or lack in providing “socialization” opportunities. The modern homeschool movement has been going on for 40 years and there is plenty of evidence showing that it not only works, but it actually works better than other forms of schooling. For resources that HSLDA has been involved with to show the benefits of homeschooling go to: HSLDA Homeschooling Research webpage or the HSLDA brochure, “The Best Kind of Socialization” (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader).
Mike Donnelly, HSLDA staff attorney for member affairs in West Virginia, encourages homeschool families to respond persuasively.
“It can be frustrating to continually address the same tired stereotypes—especially in the public context of a board of education policy review process. However, as we politely and persuasively point out the facts, we have the opportunity to open the minds of people who simply have not considered the arguments or who may not be aware of the evidence in favor of homeschooling. Take an opportunity to witness graciously to your elected officials and help them come to an accurate understanding of what homeschooling really is and the evidence that shows it works,” Donnelly wrote.
Membership with HSLDA allows families to unite and oppose efforts such as this that attack and erode homeschool freedom. When united, families can effectively defeat these attacks, advance the right to homeschool, and further awareness of the benefits of homeschooling.
When their methods which they believe to be organized and non-isolationist, produce results, they can get backt o us and criticize us.
An alternative to HSLDA is HLA (Homeschool Legal Advantage). Don’t know much about it except it is affiliated with David Gibbs who represented the Schindlers in the Terri Schiavo case.
homeschoollegaladvantage.com
Does the NEA or the SEIU want to organize them now?
Get them passes to the local museums. They will enjoy that.
For organization and help building a high school transcript, I recommend www.donnayoung.org. And, it’s free.
The Leftists do want the children to be socialized in healthy way. They want them Socialized with collectivist indoctrination so they act more animals than human beings.
That’s a really open ended question.
How close to you are they? They sound like they’re old enough to be left on their own for brief periods so there’s not the need for babysitting if their mom needs to go somewhere.
Offer to help with grading schoolwork if what they do has an answer key. That’s the one part of homeschooling which I completely despised. Some people don’t mind it though.
What skills do you have that you could help? Writing? Music? Art? You could take them on field trips.
Great idea! That goes on my list. Thanks.
Lying demon dims... kill the DoE and outlaw the NEA... and one day we will.
LLS
They’re 13 and 14 and live 45 minutes away from me. They are well rounded girls also. No, babysitting is not needed as they also have an older sister who has already graduated.
I’ve already thought of taking them on a tour of my workplace to see how product arrives at the warehouse all the way thru to the sales floor. If the company will allow that. It was also mentioned to let them see the payroll office and how deductions are made etc. Which is really a good idea I thought.
Distance does create a problem, as well as my work schedule, but for field trips I can schedule around those.
Didn’t know there was a homeschool ping list but I sure will get on it.
... And public schooling is so successful that jay Leno can’t find any idiots to interview on jaywalking any more...
The proper purpose of education is to transmit the best known human knowledge, promote societal values, and permit each individual to do their best in peaceful competition and voluntary cooperation with each other. Most of those who today pose as "educators" are more committed to political indoctrination than to anything resembling education.
Grandparents can encourage!! Be proud of your kids’ decision and ask if there is anything else you can do. The first year is the hardest, the parents might get overwhelmed, and tell them to keep trying. It doesn’t have to be perfect and it doesn’t have to look like any other family’s homeschooling.
Find out what the kids are studying and offer to take one on a related field trip. Find out what they love (music, a sport,etc) and get tickets for you and each child where they can see experts doing it.
Just support them. I had horrible public and private school experiences, yet my parents are wholly unsupportive of my homeschooling my kids. They would be so happy if my kids were in the local hellish urban school. It makes no sense. My guys can’t get drugs or see gangbangers in my house, butGrandma would rather have them where such is rampant. Going to school is seen as more normal. Can’t get it through their heads.
You don’t get on it unless she puts you on it. Ask her nice.
....since you probably lived though some of it... LOL
I certainly hope the teens parents are fully prepared to home-school....it is not for the fainthearted
You don’t get on it unless she puts you on it. Ask her nice.
Hey, thanks for that link! My son needs to start his transcript. Awesome.
I did some research about homeschooling when my family first mentioned it some years ago. I was convinced it was a good thing then and all the more now.
I’m sorry your parents aren’t as supportive as you’d like. But from all I’ve read kids that are homeschooled are far better off and seem to excell much better than those from the school systems.
The girls will remain active in school events etc. so their social developement will not at all be hindered as some like to speak of. Plus they have activities which are not school related as well.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.