Hello - Welcome to Homeschool Nation's North Dakota home page. Whether you already homeschool, or are considering bringing your children home to educate them, I hope you will find something helpful here. For further information specific to North Dakota homeschooling, you may find helpful information at: www.ndhsa.org This is the website for the North Dakota Home School Association. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/NorthDakota/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:00:00 -0500 Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:00:00 -0500 A word of encouragement to home school moms from Gail Biby I recently watched a movie that caused me to reflect  on the goals of our lives, the unheralded duties and responsibilities, the unending tasks and the sometimes misunderstood reactions to life’s happenings. I’m not much of a movie watcher, but this feature filled my thoughts for some time. And the bottom line, I think, is that , as  prudent Solomon stated in Ecclesiastes, “To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.”  One of the closing lines of the movie was the recitation of a dream. The character stated he had dreamed of flying--flying so far into the heavens that he reached where the blue met the black. From there he could see that everything that happens in life is for a good reason.  Perspective. So I thought about the stick-to-it-tiveness required by home schooling parents. During those early years of instruction there is generally a great deal of enthusiasm and zest for learning, by both parent and child. As the years progress and the learning becomes more difficult, the hormones more prevalent, and the world’s siren call more strident, it can become a sheer act of courage and discipline to continue. But I believe, continue we must.  Perspective. For the home schooling mom there can be many things that lure her away from her primary tasks. Most are good activities, useful projects, and beneficial causes. But if God has called you to home school you must consider that maybe this is not the season of your life for the extraneous. Women have been sold a lie, straight from the Pit, that they must be allowed to ‘do their own thing’, ‘look out for number one’, ‘take care of themselves first’, and a host of other selfish eulogizes. That’s not to say that there isn’t a time to draw away and rest. Even our dear Lord Jesus took time away from the crowds. But if you are called to home school your perspective must change considerably. It is essential that the activities of a home school mom must equal the season of a home school mom’s life. It may mean that hobbies (I’m still waiting to begin quilting; so far not enough time.), fun times with friends, even church responsibilities, may need to be put on hold. Let’s face it, if you are home schooling plus responsibly managing your home and  providing for the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of your husband and children plus maintaining your own personal devotional and Scripture memory time, there really isn’t much time left over. To pursue self interests, something would have to be sacrificed. Again, it would be a matter of ones’ perspective. I have struggled with this for decades. Jesus said that in order to be His disciple, a follower must every day deny self, take of his cross and follow Him.  It is very hard to deny the flesh and the world’s enticements. It is a daily struggle and sometimes these enticements are really good things. But they are not for you; not at this season of your life. If you are home schooling then you are in a season of your life that doesn’t allow for much else. It is okay. Elisabeth Elliot in Keep a Quiet Heart states: What I long to help [women] see is that if homemaking and mothering are the tasks God has assigned to them at present, it will be in the glad offering up to Him of those tasks that they will be truly “creative” and find real fulfillment. Sage advice was offered by Elizabeth Prentiss many years ago: If you could once make up your mind in the fear of God never to undertake more work of any sort than you can carry on calmly, quietly, without hurry or flurry, and the instant you feel yourself growing nervous and like one out of breath, would stop and take breath, you would find this simple common-sense rule doing for you what no prayers or tears could every accomplish. I have seen so many wonderful home schooling moms over the past two decades who have simply run themselves ragged trying to do everything. Their perspectives are out of whack. Paul in his letter to the church at Thessalonica counseled the following: ...aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own business, and to work with your hands...so that you may live properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one. Dear sisters, you cannot do it all and God has not called you to do it all. If you are a wife, mother, homemaker and parent educator, your plate is full. Stop feeling guilty about the things you cannot do and do the things you must with reverence and gratitude. Maybe now is not the time for your favorite hobbies or fun activities. Soon enough these years will pass and you will move into another season that will allow you more flexibility in your life. Our dear Lord Jesus through His blessed Holy Spirit will give you all that you need to persevere...and to do so with joy. The more we learn to depend upon God, the greater the peace in our lives. The more we understand that “to everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven”, the greater will be our satisfaction in doing the unknown, sometimes unappreciated, often tedious, responsibilities. There is great joy to be had in being faithful in all things...even the little things. Thomas a Kempis prayed, “O Lord, how entirely needful is thy grace for me, to begin any good work, to go on with it, and to accomplish it.” Rejoice in the here and now. Remember that everything that happens is for God’s glory and our good. Enjoy this season of your life and keep your perspective. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/NorthDakota/710678/ Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:00:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/NorthDakota/710678/ By Gail Biby From the Blessed Life Ranch When summer finally comes to the Red River Valley of the North (notice I said ‘when’ not ‘if’), I have in mind to do some gentle, easy-to-accomplish activities with the grandchildren. I remember what sweet times my family enjoyed traveling to rodeos during the summer months. Mom would make fried chicken the day before, also potato salad and baked beans. She would slip into the picnic basket butter sandwiches and crisp dill pickles. We loved every bit of the trip: the rodeo itself, the crowds, the warmth of summer breezes and the intoxicating smell of horses and leather. After more than 50 years I still smile when I think of these times. I would like to make those kind of memories with and for my grandchildren. And I don’t think it has to be as complicated as traveling to another location. Nature Our son-in-law and daughter own 17 acres of rural property that contain coulees, tree rows, and native grasses that are alive with possibilities. One of our favorite activities is bird watching. Recently we observed a great horned owl sitting majestically in the trees to the north. We have identified 72 species of birds, most on these 17 acres. Without them knowing it I have made each of my six grandchildren into birdwatchers. I didn’t exactly plan to do it, but with just a little subtle coaxing we have all become pretty adept at naming bird species. We keep a three-ring binder that contains information on the dates of the sightings, the bird species, and where it was seen.  With just a little planning we have all become avid, amateur ornithologists. Then there’s the Slough of Despond. We have made cultures from our pond collections and then identified them after observing them with the microscope. Most of those little creepy-crawlies are the things of nightmares, but the grandchildren are fascinated by them. Picnics We have already picnicked this spring. On a warm (a somewhat relative term), but windy May afternoon I prepared cold meats, fresh, warm bread slices, fruit and cheese on a fancy tray and we threw a checkered tablecloth on the ground out of the wind and sat in the lovely warm sunlight and relished our lunch together. Honestly, I think I could have fed the grandkids just about anything and they would have thought it was a big deal! It didn’t take much time and required very little effort, but it was a luscious time together. We are going to do this a lot this summer. Berry picking I remember well the many times we went berry picking with my grandma. We picked fat, juicy wild plums and tart chokecherries, sweet, warm-from-the-sun June berries and pale red sand cherries for jelly making. We have located a berry-picking farm south of Northwood where we plan to pick buckets full of strawberries and June berries this summer. (If you are near here and want contact information on this berry farm email me at: billbiby@msn.com). The tree rows at the Blessed Life Ranch contain plum trees and we have already enjoyed picking, jellying and spreading them on warm toast. We are praying for another good harvest near Coulee West. Fishing My dad was an avid fisherman and we enjoyed many trips to various ‘good fishing spots’ around North Dakota. It does require a license and some equipment, but it can be a bamboo pole and hook if strapped for cash. We used to catch boxes full of small perch which my mother laboriously filleted, each being only one bite when fried in sweet cream butter. But it was so worth it and I smile as I think of it . Finally There are many fine museums and county fairs in North Dakota. Some towns hold Potato Days or All-School Reunions. Many have Crazy Days or large Fourth of July celebrations. There is horse racing and rodeos. Try at least one of these this summer with your family. Childhood memories are not soon forgotten. Since the do-gooders have almost done away with the use of firecrackers during the Fourth, except by ‘trained professionals’ we have chosen to have celebrations at the Blessed Life Ranch and invite dozens of folks who want to enjoy a pot-blessing with grilled meats, swimming in the pool, softball, sack races, bonfire and after-dark fireworks display. In just four short years we have made many wonderful summer memories at the Blessed Life Ranch. Time passes very quickly so now is the time to plan memory-making activities with your dear ones...and don’t forget that picnic basket! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/NorthDakota/694679/ Mon, 1 Jun 2009 09:13:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/NorthDakota/694679/ Legislature Improves Homeschool Law From Home School Legal Defense Association On April 22, 2009, Governor John Hoeven signed into law House Bill 1171, making significant improvements in North Dakota’s homeschool law. Most significant is the change that a parent with a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma no longer must be monitored by a state-certified teacher during the first two years of home schooling. Prior law required such monitoring if the parent did not have a baccalaureate degree. Unchanged is the exemption from monitoring if the parent is licensed or approved to teach by the education standards and practices board or has met or exceeded the cutoff score of a national teacher examination. Under the new law, monitors no longer are required to notify the school district that they are monitoring a child receiving home education. Apparently, the legislators considered this requirement to be superfluous, since monitors must already report student progress to the public school superintendent twice each year. H.B. 1171 also changes the law to permit the home education to take place in a location other than the child’s home, so long as the program of education is supervised by the child’s parent. The new law also addresses high school diplomas issued to students completing a home education program when seeking a diploma from the child’s school district of residence, an approved nonpublic high school, or the center for distance education. Prior to the enactment of House Bill 1171, a student could seek a diploma by meeting the issuing entity’s requirements for graduation or, in the alternative, could complete 21 units of high school course work required for public and nonpublic schools. Students utilizing the second means for obtaining a diploma will be required to complete at least 22 units beginning with the 2009–2010 school year and 24 units beginning with the 2011–2012 school year. The only cloud over the favorable provisions of the new law is that it automatically expires  July 31, 2011, unless the Legislative Assembly repeals the expiration date during the 2011 legislative session. The North Dakota Home School Association put in a tremendous amount of effort to bring about this improvement in the law. Home schooling families provided testimony before the legislature and contacted their senators, representatives, and the governor urging them to support this bill. In the end, this concerted effort persuaded a majority of the government officials that home schooling parents deserved more trust in conducting instruction for their children. In 2011 this effort will continue as home schoolers will seek to repeal the expiration date of the new law. Editor’s note: Another important aspect of this legislation: If a person home schooled for two years without being monitored because of the new law then that person would not have to be monitored if the law should revert to its current form in 2011. This is because the ‘first two years’ would have passed as currently required for monitored programs.  However, if one chose to wait to begin home schooling until the fall of 2011 and if the Legislative Assembly chooses not to remove the sunset clause and continue with the new law then that home school program would need to be monitored for two years if that was the provision under which the parent educator chose to qualify. Moral of the story: Do not put off home schooling! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/NorthDakota/694676/ Mon, 1 Jun 2009 09:08:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/NorthDakota/694676/   North Dakota Home School Association's Annual Christian Home Educators' Convention March 19-21, 2009 Jamestown Civic Center Featuring Michael Farris Used book sale, workshops, keynotes, art classes for children and much more. For last minute information go to: www.ndhsa.org                                 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/NorthDakota/670010/ Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:16:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/NorthDakota/670010/ Heads up for home schoolers in North Dakota. The North Dakota Home School Association has introduced legislation to remove parental qualifications from the current home school statutes. ND remains one of the most restrictive states in the nation to home school and the only state with parental qualifications above a high school diploma or G.E.D. HB 1171 will likely be heard in committee in January. The NDHSA is also planning a Home School Day at the Capitol on Jan. 22, 2009. For more information contact: office@ndhsa.org http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/NorthDakota/641917/ Tue, 6 Jan 2009 11:27:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/NorthDakota/641917/ January 22, 2009 Home Education Day at the Capitol Join us for an exciting field trip. Meet your legislators; take them to lunch. Sit in on committee hearings. Tour the lovely art deco Capitol building in Bismarck, ND. Visit the Heritage Center on the Capitol grounds. Mark your calendars. For more information go to: www.ndhsa.org http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/NorthDakota/621449/ Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:07:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/NorthDakota/621449/ Here is a listing of support groups in North Dakota. There are probably more out there, but these are the ones I know about: Williston Area Christian Home Educators – Contact Andrea R., 701.572.7084 or ljreinke@dia.net.  Bismarck Mandan Area Home Educators – Library, Science Olympiad, Geo. B. Contact Nancy L. @ raising5@computermail.net Bismarck Catholic Home Educators – Meets 2nd Thu. of  mo.  Sept.-April.  Contact Cindy S. @ 701.258.3424. Lake Region Homeschoolers Support Group – Devils Lake and area. Nwsltr., Mom’s chat, speech & drama. Also homeschool choir, art opportunities and weekly gym time. Contact Judy @ 701.644.2611 or djmiller@polarcomm.com.   Jamestown Area Home School Association – Rebecca N. @ 701-763-6202 or jmnran@daktel.com Ellendale Area Homeschoolers –  Robin @701.349.2176 or robinrsmith@yahoo.com Prairie Rose Christian Homeschool Support Group –  Grand Forks, Hatton and surrounding areas.  Call Judy @ 543.3668 or rogerquanbeck@hotmail.com  Minot and MAFB – For military and non-military families.  Contact Kim B. @ 701.839.2061.   P.E., field trips, e-nwsltr., website at: http://www.geocities.com/mahsgroup Grand Forks Area – Nwsltr., field trips, geo. & spell. bees, speech, art, used-book sales. Contact Cindy M. at info@ggfhsa.org or go to www.ggfhsa.org Grand Forks AFB - For base families. Leslie S. @ 701.594.8399 or pnlsullivan@yahoo.com OR Jennifer M. @ 701.594.8341 or stevemcdonald@gra.midco.net Southwest ND Homeschoolers – Dickinson, Beach and area.  Call Bonnie @ 701.225.5555. New Horizons Home School Support Group – Beulah-Hazen area contact: Kristi  K. (Beulah)  @ 701.873.2269 or Kelly K. (Hazen) @ 701.748.2165 Glen Ullin/Hebron Area Support Group – Call Ava @ 701.348.3359 or a  dhintz@westriv.com Lisbon Area Support Group – Dave or Shelly @ 701.683.4408 or  robertsfamilyof5@simple.net  Prairie Lights Support Group – Crete, Oakes, Lisbon area; nwsltr., science fair, annual harvest meal. Yvonne at 701.647.2840  or syherman@drtel.net Fargo Moorhead Catholic Home Educators (FMCHE) - Monthly meals, field trips, nwsltr. Debbie @ 701.347.5326 or centaurium@aol.com Hettinger Area Support Group –  Carson, Mott, Bowman, Hettinger area.  Contact Tresa @ 701.522.3644 or dtvpaul@yahoo.com. North Valley HS Support Group – Grafton and area; Field trips, Mom’s brunches, Book-It.Rose  @ 701.352.0561 or tacman3@hotmail.com. Apples of Gold HS Support Group – For ND and MN families in Fargo area.  Mom’s night out, fields trips & activities, art, Ladies’ tea; contact Valerie H. @ 701.372.3796 or svhutch6@rrt.net.  Three Rivers Christian Home Educators - Wahpeton area; Contact Laura H. @ 701.642.8229 or familyofjoy@yahoo.com. Medina Home School Group -  Crystal Springs to Cleveland; contact Theresa S. @ 701.486.3300 or sundpets@daktel.com Rugby Area Homeschoolers - Rugby area; Susan @ 701.542.3806 or hoffertfam@yahoo.com Valley City Area Home Educators - Pas. Wayne @ 701.845.6950; wayne@bunyanfamilybooks.com Watford City Home School Association - Sporting events, field trips. Contact Karen M. @ 701.842.6224 or visit www.geocities.com/wchsa2003. North Central Homeschoolers Support Group - Maddock, Sheyenne area. Geography Bee; family mtgs; musicals.  Barb R. @701.438.2350. Northern Lights Home School Fellowship - Cavalier, Walhalla, Pembina. Melvena @ 265.3339 or melvena@polarcomm.com Griggs/Steele County  Home School Support Group - Cooperstown, Sharon areas.  Contact Lisa  @ 701.797.2142 or saxberg_homeschool@yahoo.com Fargo-Moorhead Home Schoolers - A Christian group of home schooling moms who want to network ideas and provide support to other families. Contact: Karen at jkisgrig@msn.com or Karissa at k_hochs@yahoo.com or phone 701.967.8990 Resources and Encouragement for Area Christian Homeschoolers (REACH)  Fargo-Moorhead region—contact: info@reachhomeschool.org or visit: www.reachhomeschool.org Bottineau Area Home Educators (BAHE) - Lynn at 701.263.4574 or lynn@bartlettuniversity.com Christian Home Educators Support System (C.H.E.S.S.) - Support and encouragement to families in the Rugby area. Contact Dawn O. @ 701.776.6123 or dkopdahl@hotmail.com  or contact Christy P. @ 701.776.2243. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/NorthDakota/611073/ Tue, 28 Oct 2008 07:45:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/NorthDakota/611073/   North Dakota Home School Association’s Annual Christian Home Educators’ Convention Jamestown Civic Center                                       March 19-21, 2009 Featuring Michael Farris Rooms available at the Gladstone Inn (across from the CC). Gladstone features a pool, hot tub, 13 theme suites and a restaurant. Special convention rates: $62.99 + tx. for traditional rooms and $79.99 + tx. for suites. Call 701.252.2057 and be sure to say you are with the North Dakota Home School Association convention. I’ve got my suite reserved! More info in upcoming THSRs! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/NorthDakota/611070/ Tue, 28 Oct 2008 07:44:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/NorthDakota/611070/  By Gail Biby A recent study prepared by Dr. Brian Ray of the National Home Education Research Institute and Bruce K. Eagleson, published in the Journal of Academic Leadership, offers some instructive truths about the unimportance of state regulation of homeschooling. This information is most propitious and providential considering that during the 2009 session the NDHSA plans to introduce legislation that will remove parental qualifications other than a high school diploma or G.E.D. It is estimated that 1.5-2.4 million children are now taught by their parents. The growth has been steady in North Dakota and across America. Unfortunately, many policy makers prefer that the state continue to regulate and even increase regulations of parent teachers. North Dakota’s chief educator, Dr. Wayne Sanstead, Superintendent of Public Instruction,  boasts about the restricted freedoms from high regulation of homeschoolers in North Dakota. Does the research support high regulation? Are parents and children really better off when the state stringently oversees the education of all children including those that are homeschooled?   According to the researchers of this newly-published study, "The purpose...was to determine whether there is a relationship between the college-admissions (or college-aptitude) SAT scores of students who were homeschooled and the degree of state regulation of homeschooling."  Eight states, including North Dakota, are not included in the study due to either small sample size or degree of state regulation not the same for 10 years. However, what is true for other high-regulation states is likely true for North Dakota, as well. The following comments are provided for publication by Dr. Brian Ray (bold emphasis added by editor): The SAT scores of homeschool students from low-, moderate-, and high-regulation states were first compared for states whose degree of regulation had not changed for the 10 years preceding and including the year of SAT testing. There were no significant differences between students' SAT scores in the three groups (of state regulation of homeschooling) for any of the three test scores (verbal, F(2, 40) = 0.58, p = .57; math, F(2,40) = 1.527, p = .23; total, F(2,40) = 1.070, p = .35). In all cases, the states with the highest degree of state regulation had the lowest average SAT scores. As previously explained, the unit of analysis was the state.   At least...three matters should be considered. First, the simple fact is that no significant statistical relationships were found between the degree of state regulation of homeschooling and students' SAT verbal, math, and total scores. No p-values were under .05. In addition, no significant differences were found in SAT scores regardless of whether the same degree of state regulation of homeschooling existed in a given state for the periods of the past 5 years or past 10 years. Second, one must cautiously use the findings in light of at least two points pertaining to the study's design and the nature of the data. One is that some notable limitations adhere to the data. For example, it was not possible to ascertain for how many years, on average, students in a particular state were home educated, nor was it possible to determine for how long, on average, students had lived in a particular state. Ergo, it was not possible to know, in experimental terms, these elements of the homeschooling 'treatment' that the students had experienced. Third, the use of these findings in education policy largely depends upon the socio-political worldview of the person considering what policy should exist. At one of the most fundamental levels, the issue is whether the parents or the state should have primary authority over and responsibility for the education and upbringing of a child. One could believe that the state should be the default authority and responsible party rather than the parents.   On the other hand, if one thinks that parents should have primary authority and responsibility over their children's education, that person would likely argue that the parents should be allowed to design and execute the home-based education of the children without legal or regulatory intrusion from the state unless there was significant evidence that a practice such as home schooling generally harms children and youth. They would point out that most state constitutions simply give the states authority to make schools available to children, not to regulate the education of all children. [Editor’s note: N.D.’s constitution mandates the availability of a public education system but is completely silent on government oversight of private and home schools.] Those of this perspective might also argue that these findings do not reveal a correlational relationship between state regulation and SAT scores and therefore advocates of regulation have no basis for claiming that increased state regulation of homeschooling might cause better preparedness for college. Persons of this worldview might further argue that even if the state should exercise more authority to control home schooling, the findings indicate no significant relationship between degree of state regulation and SAT scores and therefore the cost of increasing state regulation (e.g., time, energy, money, political battles) would not be warranted.  The link to read this for yourself is included here:  Ray, Brian D., & Eagleson, Bruce K. (2008, August 14). State regulation of homeschooling and homeschoolers' SAT scores. Journal of Academic Leadership, 6(3). Retrieved August 25, 2008 from:   http://www.academicleadership.org/emprical_research/State_Regulation_ of_Homeschooling_and_Homeschoolers_SAT_Scores.shtml http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/NorthDakota/611069/ Tue, 28 Oct 2008 07:35:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/NorthDakota/611069/ American Legion National Oratorical Contest 2008-2009 is the 72nd year of the American Legion National High School Oratorical Competition. This competition is designed for all contestants to discover a deeper understanding of the US Constitution. The competition is a prepared oration on these 4 topics from the US Constitution: Amendment 1 Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the  people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Amendment 3 No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the  Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. Amendment 4 The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against  unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but  upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the  place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. Art 3, Sec 3 Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in  adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of  Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on  Confession in open Court. Clause 2: The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or  Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted. The 6-8 minute oration is delivered without written notes before the Legion's selected  judges. The first level begins in December 2008 and then moves into local and regional  competitions. The national finals are in Indianapolis in the early spring of 2009. State  winners earn $1,000 scholarships. National winners receive $18,000. To learn more go to http://legion.org/programs/youthprograms/oratorical http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/NorthDakota/611065/ Tue, 28 Oct 2008 07:31:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/NorthDakota/611065/