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.
My daughter-in-law has already instructed classes in her nursing profession, as well as other classes she's subbed. So I am confident she will do well. She's also disciplined which I think will carry her over some of the humps along the way. Also the girls are good kids and that's always a plus.
I really like the idea of American history....I could indeed be a "special guest speaker for the day" maybe. Maybe even some politics since our current events are certainy interesting.
Though I am certain my daughter-in-law has much information I have saved these links for her and will offer them....my son too who will be active in this as he can. He’s a science math nut so he’s looking forward to assisting some special classes himself.
Thank you
But other than that, what’s the problem?
I think I’ve already had some conversation with her since I first announced this news on another thread. She was helful and encouraging then. But I’m not the parents doing this and am careful not to be intrusive with my opinions. I learned long ago your children want your support far more than your opinions so you have to give those opinions in a supportive fashion.
Not certain the homeschooling ping would be as helpful for a grand parent as much as perhaps just posting any questions I might have to those who are on it...might be a better idea.
The usual marxist bilge...
This is strictly about losing capitation money. The districts are desperate.
Government education must be ended.
They could maybe spend the night with you, make it more worthwhile to make the drive, although, where we live, everything is a minimum half hour drive away, so 45 mins is nothing to us.
Yes, I do have a homeschool ping list and will put you on.
Another “out” is that grandparents can skip inheritance taxes and pay for private school fees for their grandchildren. If homeschooling isn’t practical but the kids want their kids out of public school, grandparents can write that check and help kids escape from the public system.
It also takes away from the public system while helping the private sector alternative.
That's a good one and I'm going to use it when that issue comes up again! Good one!
I have a three year old grandson in my other sons family and from the day they knew she was expecting the secision was made to homeschool him from the get go.
Course it helps he has a brother- in- law with five kids who have all been homeschooled. Amazing kids and well grounded in every way.
I agree an overnight would be great! It’s always nice too when this gives my son and daughter-in-law time to themselves.
It’s not so much the drive time as it is work schedules...then the drive time does come into play....and of course the girls have their numerous activities at school...and they are busy doing that. So I see a fied trip as a way for me to have them for a day...the silver lining in all this for me! tsk tsk....
Oh good! Thanks for putting me on that list. I can always share with my grand-daughter too. Though she does seem to be very informed.
Organization is the most important value to bureaucrats. Actual education is a poor also-ran.
It would put a big dent in the thieving of our tax dollars through the property tax.
Sorry. From that one post I thought you were telling metmom
to add you to her ping list. Asking is always nice.
From a ping list holder’s perspective, a ping list of one thousand names is no more work than a ping list of one, once the names are on the list. Adding a name is not much trouble and shows that you must be doing something right if people want to be put on it.
I have always found that having too much information is preferable to not having enough. Being on the list, you might be able to give your kids a heads up to something they really need to know. Also, you will be more knowledgeable should your opinion be asked.
Just my two cents worth, totally unsolicited.
And this is done a lot. (grandparents with money paying for private schooling for the grandkids). But this can be seen as adversary if the children have decided to homeschool. It’s not supportive. Don’t bribe your kids to not homeschool. Instead, pay for their lessons or sports. A grandparent who approves of your homeschooling is worth all the tuition in the world!
Government schooling should be eliminated in favor of Internet schooling - you could accomplish the same things with home terminals.
Thank you very much for that. I couldn’t have said it any better myself.
Be a cheerleader! I would have loved to have support from my in-laws (my parents finally came around, somewhat)but even after three of my four have graduated from college summa cum laude, they still can't say anything good about our homeschooling! If you have some interests you can share with your grandkids, do it! It is so fun to be able to travel and visit attractions while other kids are stuck in school. Don't expect their homeschool to look like school - it doesn't and it shouldn't.
Thanks....and wow!... that your kids have graduated college summa cum laude! Congradulations! Looks like a job well done on your part.
BTW...while touring the net on homeschooling I ran across Charter Schools and Cyber Schools. What’s the difference between them and homeschooling or are they the same thing pretty much?
Well they already did that with the girls a year ago....with the purpose of educating them. So that’s out. But we have places of historical interest that would be fun too...thanks for encouraging my thinking in that direction.
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