I found Princess Mom's blog (Help! My Kids Are Smarter Than Me!) today thanks to a Washington Post article about homeschooling.  I perused her archives a bit and came across this post about Harriett the Habitual Runaway.  Good way to start the day with a chuckle!

Oh, and the Washington Post piece about "homeschooling"?  It's called Learning When, Where and How They Choose.  Technically, in my state this AFE program wouldn't be considered homeschooling.  But the school districts here would sure tout it as such, in an effort to get in the good graces with folks providing funds to schools, and with parents who want to provide home-based instruction.  It's a somewhat positive look at  learning at home, instead of in the classroom.  Keep in mind though that the program is still run by school administrators, and note this portion:

"AFE, and other programs like it, are an outgrowth of the home-schooling movement, which has grown in recent years as families opt out of public schools.

"Administrators call the program, which began about 15 years ago, a win-win situation. It allows families to take a major role in their child's education while the school system retains the student."

Look closely, y'all.  This is an alternative education program offered by the school, into which students must be enrolled.  Yes, it's education at home, primarily by the parent(s); but your student is still a public school student.

Furthermore, I'm disappointed in this spot, including the comment from AFE lead teacher Ward Smith:

"The kids participate in field trips, dramatic productions and other activities. 'We can be very creative,' Smith said."

Excuse me?  Mr. Smith, are you implying that parents who homeschool without the "assistance" of the AFE program aren't able to be "very creative"?  That we don't participate in "field trips, dramatic productions and other activities"?  Have you ever heard of a homeschool co-op?  Homeschooled students who participate in co-op, private and public school sports programs?  Homeschooling families who take their own family field trips or caravan with others to partake of educational travel?  What about the homeschooling families who teach good citizenship and stewardship by volunteering in their communities, in programs ranging from visits to senior homes to veterans' hospitals, animal shelters to natural resource management and clean-up programs?  What about interaction and service through church groups and organizations like Civil Air Patrol?

Hmm.  While the quote may have been taken out of context, it appears that someone has bought right into the "public schools are the only ones who can offer your kid anything of value" mantra. 

I can be "very creative" too.  Hmph!