These are real terms in public schools today. The New Math is a method designed with the protection of the child's "self esteem" in mind. Drills and quizzes are mean and potentially embarrrassing. What teachers do is get kids into a group and let them "debate" the math problems; this is "group think" and nothing more. As I look into what's happening in public schools across the country, I get more and more appalled - this can't be happening - yet it is. Individual thought is being discouraged. Group consensus is producing the kinds of kids a state bred "education" is really after. If the masses agree....

If the group comes to a creative solution to the math problem, AND, the group agrees, "it's right." Another tasty treat the schools are serving up these days is "Invented Spelling," sometimes referred to as "Creative Spelling." You guessed it. If it sounds right, it must be correct. Majik. To mark a paper wrong could damage the little psyche of the self esteem. Whatever. I thought the level of success was determined by achievement.

And what happens when the kids have to then (after all this baloney) take the SATs? Well, that's no longer the public school's problem, is it? The parents can be blamed for having kids who can't learn, or the kids themselves can be blamed for failing the system, when really it's the other way around. 30% of this country is functionally illiterate....and rising. It takes 12 years to churn out kids who can't read. I think this is why we have so many liberal-minded Americans these days. Schools are turning out products who know NO history (since it's re-written). If the libs knew history and could apply it in context to today's current events, it would silence them.

Parents: Bring them home where they belong. "Amateur parent educators" are proving that they are not so lame after all, despite what public school proponents said. In fact, homeschoolers are doing better on the SATs, across the board (about 30 points higher) than their public school counterparts. Parents are less likely to dumb it down. Why? It all goes back to what motivates the teaching. Love vs. Money. Dedication vs. "just a job." Leadership vs. Controlling of the masses.

Read The Harsh Truth About Public Schools (Bruce Shortt) and Public Schools, Public Menace (Joel Turtel). But first bring them home. It's summer - make a plan now.

Comments

Jul. 10, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by jayfromcleveland

These kids are gonna need all that self-esteem when China and India take the USA's place as the leaders in technology and other economic drivers. Like I blogged last week, we homeschoolers have an opportunity to stake a claim for science and engineering, since the public kids aren't studying that like are the kids from India and China.

So how was camping? I was in camp chopping wood most of last week and am extremely sore today. My son Happy made First Class Scout and he only needs two Eagle-required MBs for Star Scout. So we're happy campers around here today.

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Jul. 10, 2006 - i really LOVE the title of this blog -

Posted by PinayMom

- and everytime i come on over here i read "bring them home where they belong" these words keeps ringing in my ears all day. whenever i feel discouraged about homeschooling, these words keep flashing in my mind, this is where they belong - HOME! thank you for all that you do for the homeschooling commnunity.

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Jul. 10, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by chickadee

how was the camping trip?
or
hw wuz th cmpng trp?

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Jul. 10, 2006 - Amen, Gena~ Preach it, sister!

Posted by HeidiHomeschools

We saw the beginnings of this a few years ago when our older daughter (now 12) spent 2 1/2 years in the public school system. This "new math" is insane! And the group setting you speak of~ how fair is that to get a "group grade"?! Two years later, I am still trying to pick up the pieces after a horrible public school math teacher!
I hope and pray that none of my children ever have to step foot in a public school ever again! It's only getting worse!
Thanks for always keeping us updated!
Heidi

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Jul. 10, 2006 - So right!!

Posted by homeiscool

Hey, just thought I'd share a note I just got from a homeschool mom I know. She wrote positively beaming:

"My daughter has just been accepted to the University of (state) College of Science, in the Speech, Language, and Hearing Program!

This is with no accredited diploma, no GED, and no looking at any of her high school work! She had the SAT scores, a transcript I made at home, and her Community College Transcripts (about 15 credits). Praise the Lord!

Son was just promoted to management with Bank He Works At--highly unusual for an eighteen year old!

Hope this is an encouragement to those wondering if they should continue homeschooling through high school! God is so good to us! He is our strong tower!"

**How's that for a testimony??

Lisa

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Jul. 10, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by TOSPUBLISHER

That is terrific, Lisa! Also, keep in mind that when you put those high school transcripts together, a portfolio can only help. Simply keep a folder which lists all achievements, even community services, sports programs, debates won, etc. Colleges eat that stuff up. Homeschoolers' transcripts need to reflect all accomplishments, and generally homeschooled kids have WAY more time to actually pursue activities that interest and teach them - more than the public school kids who are being robbed of their time all day long, five days a week (and homework in evenings and on weekends). Schools truly own the kids....body, mind, and too often - spirit.

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Jul. 10, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by HeartForHome

This was a very timely post for our family. We have just been talking about what schools have become. They are almost like little factories where little people come out with "government approved" stamped to their foreheads.

And, as for the new math and creative spelling. Don't get me started. I brought my ds10 home last winter and he is a product of creative spelling. Apparently, the use of vowels is entirely at one's discretion. They didn't teach phonics. Didn't even use it as an intervention when the whole language junk didn't magically produce a reader. It's scary what they're not learning. And, the good little citizen indoctrination is even scarier.

Blessings,
Courtney

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Jul. 10, 2006 - Great Posts Gena!

Posted by devdoordeborah

I've been reading all of your posts during your study of the history of public school. Great stuff! Thanks for putting it all down for us in understandable chunks. When it comes to learning everything we need for life, there's no place like home.

I asked Christopher to tell me some of the benefits of homeschooling and he wrote it up on his blog. I thought they were pretty good - thought you might enjoy them as well. www.homeschoolblogger.com/Biblekid2

Love all you are doing for all of us.

May God open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing you cannot contain!

Deborah

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Jul. 10, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by jayfromcleveland

Gena, FWIW, astronomy used to be a widely understood subject before the rise of public education. It has been extensively reported in astronomy circles that astronomy was the victim of "The Committee of Ten," a panel of pointy-headed intellectuals convened by the NEA in 1892 to adopt standards for the public high schools. I'd be happy to tell you more if you're interested. The punchline is, all these subjects and disciplines abandoned by the public schools are fallow fields that can be claimed and cultivated by Christian homeschoolers, to the glory of God. -j

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Jul. 10, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by TOSPUBLISHER

Jay - I would LOVE for you to share more information on astronomy in the public schools. What happened? When did things change?

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Jul. 11, 2006 - Oh Gag!

Posted by sagerats

Somewhere, somewhere, I read that this self esteem building is actually back firing.

Someone was doing a study on self esteem and they went to a prison to talk to the inmates. They felt certain that the more horrendous the crime the worse the self esteem would be.

What they found however was that the worst criminals had the highest regard for themselves, thought the world should revolve around them, and wonder of wonders, were so full of self esteem it spilled over.

That's what self esteem does. Be it low or high, it focus' on only yourself.

I'll have to go find that study... if anyone knows where I can find it, let me know!

Abiding in the Vine!

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Jul. 11, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by TOSPUBLISHER

Sagerats: The ways of the world are purely backwards, and that goes for the "esteeming of self." What does God's word teach about self? We're to kill it, not glorify it. Yet, the world screams for more of it, starting out with the young and foolish. No wonder this society has such problems - it's too into itself. Look to Christ....esteem Him. I was glad to see you picked up on that, Sagey. You're not Senior Editor for nuttin. ;-)

-gena