President Bush recognizes that public schools are failing, at least for those students who come from poor homes.  He proposes that the goverment pay for these students to attend private schools.  This will have a two-fold effect: more students will get the benefit of a private school education and private schools will be saved because they will have students and money to stay in operation.

While I applaud President Bush for wanting more for at risk students, his plan if implemented, will not come without strings.  Any time that government dollars are spent someone is going to want control of how those dollars are spent.  Which makes perfect sense, anyone who has offered the use of their money would like to know that the money is being used wisely and not for purposes against their beliefs.  Those private schools will be under goverment control. 

Public school supporters are not in favor of Bush's plan either.  They want the money for public schools as they believe that the only thing it will take to save them is more money.  This theory has already proved to be a mass failure, yet the plea for more money continues. 

Homeschooling uses only a fraction of the amount spent on public school students, has a track record of turning out educated, morally upright citizens, and has either comparitively minimal or no government control over education decisions depending on what state you live in.   Homes education is a win-win situation! 

Tia Linschied
Senior Editor of HSB

Comments

Jan. 30, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous

I'm tired of knee-jerk reactions to fixing PS. The problem is much deeper than money or testing is going to fix. One reason HS works is parent involvement. Any kid, with involved parents, or parent, can succeed, even in a "bad" school. The problem is that educarats, don't understand education and how it works. Bush has NO business making broad statements about things that local and state governments should be working on.

Jan. 30, 2008 - Any kid can succeed

Posted by Kristina

Actually, my kid couldn't. I volunteered in my son's school from the day he entered. There was just one problem in all three schools he went to. They could not accomodate his need to accelerate. As a matter of fact, one of them would not even admit that he needed to accelerate. Another refused to do any testing because he hadn't be recommended by one of "their" teachers (this as I'm enrolling him in school and asking if his old teacher would serve as a recommendation).
They INSISTED that their 5th grade program was "advanced" and would be good enough. This for a child that read the Iliad in 5th grade? No amount of parental involvement will change curriculum. Perhaps in the long run it will, but not right now, when the change is needed.

Oh, and I don't agree with the federal government getting involved in school AT ALL. It's not their place. However, for those of you who don't know, DC doesn't have their own governing body. They are governed by the US Congress, even though they don't get a vote on who goes in there. Congress controls the DC public schools, budget, etc. Because of this, DC has a private school voucher program. Guess what--we weren't eligble for it. We made too much money. But, you know what? That's okay. I coughed up my own hard earned money to send my kids to private schools to get them out of DC public schools--which are HORRIBLE! I decided, after we moved, that homeschooling was the best thing for us. I am so glad that we did. It has brought our family back together.

My husband is in the military. We don't have time to deal, emotionally, with the junk that comes out of public schools. What's sad is that private schools are not much better, if at all.

No, throwing money at public schools will not help. Parental involvement might helps some. Especially helpful would be if parents started raising their own children. Then, they might actually know what goes on in their children's schools. Unfortunately, most schools go out of their way to keep parents from know what is going on in the school. The only type of parental involvement they want is copying done, or volunteer readers. They want no parents looking at their curriculum and noticing the discrepencies. We're not "trained professionals". They want no parents looking at discipline problems. They don't want REAL parental involvement. Basically, they want parents to make sure the kids are doing homework and being submissive and compliant.

Sorry for the rant.

Jan. 30, 2008 - a question

Posted by Anonymous

Have y'all ever read 1984 by George Orwell?

Jan. 31, 2008 - The Cost of Education

Posted by Buckeyeblog

I am exhausted w/our local village school continually putting new levies (read: TAXES) on nearly every election ballot.

I live in a 'village,' meaning a population of under 5,000 people. Do you want to know what my little village spends on "education" per child? $8,000!!!! With ONLY approximately 3-20% (depending on if your child is 'average' or special needs) being spent on each child! That's ONLY $240!!!!!

At a levy meeting, I asked the super if HE would be willing to take a salary freeze...as last year in the middle of a levy drive he accepted a generous raise. He smiled and really gave no answer (good NEA man). I then asked if the teachers might be willing to take a salary freeze or they could hold off one more year on resurfacing the blacktop (that looks far better than MY driveway), or something similar, b/c citizens see no sacrifice by school officials.

"Oh...well...eh hemmm...that's a matter for the teacher's union" (another good NEA answer).

I understand about salaries, bills, mantinance, etc. But...how is it that I can very successfully educate 2 children (having now graduated one) on a TOTAL of around $500 per year and THEY have to have $8,000? Can any of you IMAGINE what WE could do w/$8,000 A YEAR, PER CHILD for our homeschools?! I can think of some incredible "field trips" that we could take!!!

Most parents who either don't homeschool, OR who aren't involved w/their local schools, have NO idea of the waste that goes on. They believe the "line" that continually sings "more money, more money, more money." Like I told my super, "I'd like more money to spend on my kids, but I can't put it on a levy for my neighbors to vote on and THEN have them pay for it."

Of course, the 1st things they start threatening is music, sports and art. People don't realize that it's relatively recent that the $$ for those things came from the schools. Parents used to have to foot the bill for those electives, themselves. JUST LIKE WE DO. Just like many private schools do. But MY family still pays for all of that PLUS our own school, for our kids to play sports...ALL of it. So we are paying twice.

(SIDE NOTE: Our girls' Varsity volleyball team just had their 3rd undefeated season in a row AND went to the Homeschool National Volleyball Tourney in Omaha, NB and came in 8th in the nation! Woohoo!!! And EVERYTHING was paid for by the parents w/MANY sacrifices.)

So, I just wish the public schools/gov't would simply keep their hands out of my homeschool AND that I wouldn't have to pay for their failing educational system to boot.

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Edited by Buckeyeblog on Jan. 31, 2008 at 9:56 AM

Jan. 31, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by sagerats

I too am tired of hearing that they will cut music, art, and sports. Music and art are wonderful and have their benefits but I don't see it as necessary.

50 years ago (maybe even less than?) those who wanted to play sports had to pay to do so and they had to wash their own uniforms. If it wasn't clean, they didn't play. Subsidizing sports came into play because people felt this was unfair to the poor children who couldn't afford it or afford to wash their own uniforms. They could have set up a fund that would help these children, but that was found to be demeaning. I think it teaches responsiblity. If you want something bad enough you'll ask for it and do what it takes to do it.

Now, as far as any child can succeed if they have a parent willing to take the time with them...

I have talked to a lot of parents who did take the time, they volunteered for everything, helped their children with their schoolwork, went to PTA meetings, only to be told to stay in their corner. Don't question the school, just do what you are told. Still their children were falling behind, they were not succeeding. They decided to take back their responsiblity and homeschool. Just because you have a child in public school and do everything you can to help them does not mean you have taken responsiblity of your child's education. You have merely hired someone to do it for you. Someone who has to follow curriculums and guidelines that you have no say in.

You stated that we view public schools as cesspools and that you don't believe that. Can you point out anything we have said specifically that is not true? Everything we write about on here about what happens in public schools, happens. Most of which have nothing to do with a lack of parenting. Some of which happens because the schools COUNT on the parents being uninvolved. They want the parents to be uninvolved. They may ask for help with helping students to read, making cookies, doing fundraisers, and what not, but they don't want parents telling them how to run their business. Have you ever questioned the school about a textbook or something they were teaching? What was the response? I'm sure it wasn't, "You know Mrs. Anonymous, you are right. We are going to do something about that." The response will more likely be a long winded speech about how the schools hire intelligent people to look over the curriculum and was found to be perfect for nurturing your child's social growth and development and don't bother your pretty little head about it. I once spoke with a woman who had been on one of those curriculum boards. Any negative comments she had were quickly glossed over.

Tia Linschied
HWTB Team Leader

Jan. 31, 2008 - Anonymous-

Posted by SuperAngel

You have been hoodwinked.

As Texas Federal District Judge Melinda Harmon succinctly put it: "Parents give up their rights when they drop the children off at public school." (quoted in _Schooling for a Global Age_, James Becker ed., p.xiii)

That is why we homeschool. And we're just too selfish to give up our rights- and our children- to strangers.

Amanda
http://superangelsblog.com

Jan. 31, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous

Again... have y'all ever read 1984 by George Orwell?

Jan. 31, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous

What is your suggestion for parents who aren't well off enough to home school? Single mothers/fathers who can't stay home, what are they to do?

Jan. 31, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Vicki

This comment

“What is your suggestion for parents who aren't well off enough to home school? Single mothers/fathers who can't stay home, what are they to do?”

really caught my interest.

Why you may ask...Well, I am a single parent of 2 girls, I work a full time job outside the home (overnights) as well as a part time job from home.

First I will address the issue of “not being well off”...There are thousands of online resources that you can use for free! I have heard that you can get every subject you need (math, geography, science, etc) free online...You will have to do some looking, but when you are talking about your child’s education, isn’t a few hours on the computer worth it?
Or there is always the option of the hundred of places that you can buy discounted and used books!

As for being a single parent, well, I do it. The reason I do it, is because that’s what is best for my children. I will in NO way say that it is easy being a single homeschooling parent...Because it’s not!! Every day is a struggle for me, to find time to get everything (schooling, housework, sleeping, errands, etc) done, and I never do get it all done...But you know what? Sacrificing a few hours sleep, or having a perfectly clean house, is well worth homeschooling in my opinion!!


Blessings,
Vicki
www.prairierosesamongthorns.com/vblog

Jan. 31, 2008 - Anonymous #2~~

Posted by Buckeyeblog

Yes! There are ways for single parents/working moms to homeschool!! One of the many blessings of homeschooling is that we are not tied to the constraints of the public or private school calendar, clock or time-table. You can have your school anywhere and at anytime and at any time of year that works for you and your family...it is YOUR school!!

I am the county homeschool coordinator for my area and I see so much diversity in every family's school. We DO have single parents, we have stay-at-home fathers, we run the full spectrum. Two families that I know of, in my 11 (or is it 12?) years as coordinator had school in the evenings. The ages of your children limits or expands what you can/can't do.

If your children are grade-school-age, maybe gr-ma and gr-pa can babysit during the day and you can leave a few "easy" things for them to do and then do the bulk of your school around your supper table. If your kids are older - especially high school-age - you can keep assignments written down in a planner and they are responsible to have their work completed as best they can and then you will go over it w/them when you get home or after supper, etc.

Jr/Sr. High is the easiest to do this with. I have already graduated one and my ramaining daughter is a Junior this year. Frankly, after 8th grade I really do very little "schooling" w/them. Most of what they do is as I explained above...I do very little teaching as they get older except to teach a new concept or to review something that has come up that involved something we covered sometime earlier but that they've forgotten or need refreshing on. I treat high school a lot like college (and MANY homeschoolers attend community colleges in their high school years) as this trains them to think and research for themselves. They are challenged, they enjoy it in the long run and it prepares them for life. I feel that one of the best things I can give them as part of their education is the ability to LEARN HOW TO LEARN. If they can research, the world is open wide to them!

If you (or any reader) has any questions about this, you are welcome to contact me on my blog or to e-mail me (the link is on my blog).

It CAN be done! It's not always the easiest thing - and there are SOME days that no matter where it is "school is school," but whether you homeschool for a year or for the rest of your children's school careers, you and your family will NEVER regret a moment of it. And once your family has "tasted" it, you won't want to quit!

As for money issues...is there a library near by? Libraries are a homeschooler's best friend! MANY homeschoolers use the "whole book" or "Charlotte Mason" method which uses "real" books instead of textbooks/workbooks. One gains a deeper understanding of each subject read about because you have gone deeper than a mere paragraph or chapter in a boring textbook. Covering a subject like the Civil War? Barrow the 6 part PBS video series from your library and have your kids watch one a day (they're about a hour or more long) and take notes on what they've learned. Not all learning comes from books! Also, there are TONS of discount websites and catalogues to purchase cheap curriculums and resources from. Many local homeschool groups have year-end curriculum/resource sales. When you see something that you may want to use in the future and you have a few $$ to spend, buy it now. That's what I did and when my husband was laid off for 7 months, I was SO glad that I did!

I recently put up a list of popular curriculum/resource vendors, books on homeschooling and organizations on my blog. I have the websites to click on AND phone #'s so that you can get FREE catalogues from these places. You can read it by clicking on: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Buckeyeblog/466779/ I also have a VERY extensive list of websites on my blog.

Where there's a will, there's a way! Hope this informtion helps.

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

P.S. to Anonymous #1 ~~ Yes, I have read "1984" and I see no connection between homeschooling and Big Brother breathing down you neck and spying on your home. If anything, I see us as counter Big Brother.

Edited by Buckeyeblog on Jan. 31, 2008 at 10:14 PM

Feb. 1, 2008 - 1984

Posted by Kristina

I do want to know WHY you're asking about 1984. I can see that it would be a consideration in asking government to fund private schools. I could also see why it might be a consideration in deciding to homeschool.

But, I don't see why "1984" would have any connotations toward homeschooling.z

- Home Where They Belong

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