Support Group Leaders' Lounge - Homeschool Blogger

Susurrus, CHEC August 2009 SGL Memo Front Page

Sat, 5 Sep 2009 13:43:00 -0500

Making decisions is hard. When you do, you own it, and the responsibility rests upon your shoulders. How you reach decisions often reflects on your style of leadership and personality, deriving from your unique gifts and talents.

Susurrus is that quiet little murmur you hear that can taunt you into inaction, or, conversely, make you foolishly leap forward without full consideration of the consequences. What to do with that quiet, nagging whisper? Can you trust it? Where does it come from? Is it a prompting of the Holy Spirit, or something else?

Is it a small disquieting feeling that you alternately dismiss and secretly examine in the quiet moments of darkness? Does it sometimes grow into a full-fledged worry that you are then seeking counsel on from trusted friends? Or does it linger, unspoken, accusing you when you are less hopeful and filled with doubt? Is it a nagging, gnawing feeling that things need to change but you lack the courage to leap forward into the unknown with faith and instead cling to the familiar?

These doubts can paralyze and continually goad us into inaction. At what point do we trust that we should go forward with the plan of action and pursue the course? What things need to be in place before we can commit to it? What will happen if setbacks occur early on? What might cause us to return to the former position?

Support Group Leaders are struggling with these questions as they pertain to membership in their groups. They wonder and worry about if, and/or how, to restrict homeschoolers from associating with them as official members of the group when there are such deep divisions on certain points. Sometimes it’s not a matter of who is right or who is wrong; sometimes it is simply a matter of style or choice in manner of homeschooling. Sometimes the divisions are deep and rooted in worldview and how we define ourselves.

So how do we turn from susurrus to courage in moving forward to tackle the issue at hand? First you need to be convinced of your purpose and your position. If you are ambiguous, others will see that and use that weakness as a point to undermine your decision. Secondly, you need to prepare to defend your position. We highly suggest you write out your reasons for your decision. This will help you see the strength of your position. You need to consider the opposing view and see its advantages and weaknesses so that you are completely familiar with the issue at hand and can defend your position and refute the opposing position. This needs to be done with grace and humility. We don’t give others an opportunity to consider our position if we are insulting, sarcastic or egotistical, because then they focus on your tactic rather than the message you’re trying to convey. Respect should be displayed by all parties involved, even if you don’t agree on a particular issue because you may find that on many other issues you can agree and you may be able to find another strong advocate in those areas. Sometimes you cannot convince the other party and there comes a time when you know you are dealing with an obdurate spirit and you need to use your time doing other things rather than try to persuade someone whose mind is closed to considering your point of view.

While we do not advocate leaping ahead without thoughtful consideration, we also strongly advocate not avoiding the problem. Indecision and lack of leadership on an important issue leads to destructive avoidance behaviors and makes the problem tougher to tackle in the future.

We are praying for you as leaders and as you make these decisions for your group.

Mike and Paula

Point of View, July 2009 Support Group Leaders Memo Front Page Article

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:00:00 -0500

Depending on where you sit politically, certain things about American history can be viewed differently. Take for instance the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798. The laws were intended to halt treason while the nation was under threat from war with France. (Yes, those people who had helped America gain her freedom from Great Britain were now saber-rattling against us.)

The United States was a mere 13 years old and had endured a healthy dose of discussion over the contents of the United States Constitution. The two factions were known as the Federalists and Anti-Federalists and their main contention had to do with wording in the Constitution that dealt with the power of the federal government verses the power of the individual states. America was an experiment in republican collectivism, and the concern was that the federal government would overstep its authority and consume the states’ rights. (This particular argument was settled for all intents and purposes with the American Civil War where states rights were trampled by the massive federal government.)

The Constitution was ratified in 1789 with language meant to protect states rights in Amendments 9 and 10 of the Bill of Rights. A meager nine years later, the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 were used to tamp down opposition to the federal government, giving credence to the Anti-Federalists’ concerns. This is one reason why there was such animosity between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. These men, both who ardently fought for the formation of the United States of America, had very different ideas about how that new nation would govern. You see, depending on your point of view, things can look very different. (We exercise our right to vote every four years hopefully as an expression of our point of view and how this nation should be governed.)

As homeschoolers, we often encounter how important your point of view is particularly as it relates to education and our children. Each of us has a point of view about what is important and how it gets implemented in our individual homeschools. Our point of view also has implications in our support groups, as the philosophy of groups differ in how they offer support. As groups, how do we support one another? Shall we have open membership or not? What will be the purpose of our meetings, and what will the meetings be like? There are a myriad of questions that need to be addressed when we decide what flavor our groups will be.

The pertinent question is what influences your point of view? Other questions to consider might be: How do you strengthen your point of view and remain focused on its merits? Is there an appropriate time to alter your point of view?

As homeschoolers, we have stepped outside the “norm” of our society and have essentially revolted against the establishment, much as our American revolutionaries did in breaking away from the British. And now, there are differing points of view about the future of this movement and how it will be implemented, much as the Federalists and Anti-Federalists discussed in the later part of the 18^th century.

So what will influence your point of view on this matter? What will strengthen it and promote its merits? What might alter it?

After 25 years of offering a conference meant to encourage homeschoolers of many stripes, and serving the homeschool community in a variety of ways such as Introductory Seminars, High School and Beyond Seminars, the Apprenticeship/Mentorship/Entrepreneurialship endeavor, as well as many other events meant to encourage homeschool families, we pray that CHEC has been a part of promoting the merits of homeschooling for you and your groups.

Mike and Paula

Philemon 1:4, 25

Contact Paula {at} chec {dot} org for reprint permission

May 2009 Memo: Targeted

Tue, 2 Jun 2009 16:41:00 -0500

Do you ever feel as if you walk around with a target on your back? Can you withstand one more hit? You know that saying, “God doesn’t give you more than you can handle?” Do you ever just want to say, “I wish you didn’t have such a high opinion of me, Lord?” This has been a rough year for us. Paula’s dad died at the end of July. Paula’s been dealing with significant health issues since September. Mike was laid off in April. This isn’t our only year that has been riddled with challenges that have surprised and stretched us. We’ve certainly seen our fair share of hardship, loss and pain. (James 1:1-6)

Good thing the Lord brings us up with encouragement from His Word, by working through others to cheer us and by surrounding us with His providential care in all the blessings He shares with us, both those we recognize and those we take for granted. (Romans 15:4, Hebrews 6:8, Philippians 2:1-3, 1 John 4:19, Romans 5:8)

For some reason the high school years loom as the big bad boogey man in many a homeschoolers’ nightmares. Fear of not being able to give their child the education necessary to have a fruitful life as an adult feeds the doubt that homeschool parents can provide all that the child needs.

It’s easy to understand when people are battling with doubts how they can lose focus and try out the myriad of programs that now proliferate and masquerade as homeschooling. It bothers us when they prey upon your fears and doubts that you cannot effectively and successfully homeschool through high school. They tell you that you cannot do this without some program such as theirs.

We want to encourage you that you can homeschool your child through high school. We want to make you aware of the multiple families who have done just that. (1) (2)

We hope you understand that these entities are after you as surely as if there is a target on your back. Homeschoolers are a hot commodity. The proliferation of homeschool products and services are enough to make even a seasoned homeschooler feel overwhelmed at the choices available. Unfortunately, when these entities take up more than 49% of your time you are in jeopardy of stepping outside the Colorado homeschool law. HSLDA and local lawyers have relied upon interpretations of the homeschool law that require parents to conduct 51% of the core classes in their individual homeschool.

Are we advocating that you educate your child exclusively without using outside entities or people? No way! Music teachers and co-ops have been immeasurably helpful to us and to many homeschool families that we know. We want to make you aware, as leaders, that there is a line and limit to the law.

We want to share with you our happiness in graduating our second child this June. Her journey through homeschooling was different from her older sister’s. But that’s part of the exceeding joy and freedom we have as homeschoolers. We were able to tailor their education to meet their individual needs and talents. We did so by the grace of God, and with encouragement from our friends and support group. We did so by praying through the hard times and the stress-free times as well. It wasn’t always easy. There were times of doubt and uncertainty. Fortunately, God was always there to pick us up and point our eyes toward the reason He called us to homeschool in the first place: to raise our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Our goal hasn’t been to raise the smartest or best, but to raise them to be in the world and not of it.

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33) So, while you live a while longer as strangers and pilgrims on this earth, you will have no horizontal peace with the troubles, trials and tribulations of this world. But Christ has overcome the world for you, and gives you His everlasting, heavenly peace in His Word.” (3)

Abiding in His gracious peace, love and mercy,

Mike and Paula

(1) Dr. Brian Ray’s research projects that there were 250,000 to 340,000 homeschooled high school students in 2001 in the United States of America. If you take one quarter of that number as those who graduate from their homeschools, then in the last eight years that’s approximately 500,000 (half a million) students. This does not include his projected 7-8% yearly increase in the number of homeschool students. http://www.hslda.org/research/faq.asp#1 and http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2004/2004115.pdf.

(2) CHEC’s Homeschool High School/Prepare for Life/High School and Beyond seminars have served hundreds of families in the last 6 years and CHEC consistently receives feedback that the seminars have encouraged families to continue homeschooling through high school and shown them that they can do it! (2 Timothy 4:7)

(3) http://higherthings.org/reflections/easter2009/2009-05-17.html

April 2009 Memo: Encouragement for the Journey of Homeschooling

Tue, 2 Jun 2009 16:39:00 -0500

Encouragement is the inspiration that gives us hope.

Let’s first examine what erodes our encouragement, inspiration and hope. Your answers may be different from ours, but here are some that we have found.

Not taking care of ourselves, not only in bodily needs, but also taking time to allow our hearts and minds to be recharged and enlarged. How much better our attitudes are when we are well rested, fed and have had a chance to ponder the things that we hold deep in our hearts. Are you taking care of yourself?

We all have stress from various sources in our lives. How we choose to handle that stress makes the difference between a small problem or a larger one. How are you handling that stress in your life? Or is it handling you?

It’s human nature to compare, ourselves, our children, and our families. There is always going to be someone better or worse than you. Learning to borrow good ideas and not trying to adopt another’s lifestyle or philosophy will help you to remain content in your circumstances. We highly recommend writing out your family’s “homeschooling statement of purpose”. This written document will allow you to focus on the basic reasons that you are doing all this in the first place. It can be changed as your circumstances change. What are you comparing?

We all experience confusion, doubt and uncertainty from time to time. Again, like the stress, it’s something that we can choose to handle or we can let it handle us. Remember that the author of confusion is Satan. That doesn’t mean that we, as sinful human beings, aren’t sometimes lured into that vicious circle of doubt. But so long as we don’t wallow in it, or continually visit that cesspool, trusting to God to lift us out from it, this should just be a minor distraction diverting us for a short time from our hope. Are you clinging to the doubt, or to the hope?

Unresolved conflict eats away at our peaceful spirit. You cannot find continuing inspiration and hope if you don’t work to resolve that conflict in your life. What are you doing to resolve that conflict in your life?

Work to eliminate the activities of little or no benefit that steal away your time and energy. Having that homeschooling statement of purpose really helps you determine what you can and should eliminate from your schedules. What can you do to eliminate those time robbers?

So these things can erode our inspiration and hope. We’d like to suggest to you that you spend some time with the book of James. It’s only five chapters long and speaks to us of profiting from our trials, having our faith push us into being “doers of the Word” (James 1:22), taming our tongues (especially teachers in James Chapter 3), learning and practicing humility, patience and prayer.

What builds up your hope and inspiration? We all know that God is the source of all inspiration. He can use whatever means He chooses to touch our hearts. Every good and perfect thing is from God.

So – some practical suggestions when you are having a “terrible, no good, rotten day” and you can’t see the end of the tunnel.

Take a break. Break your myopic momentary view, and look at the big picture. Take a walk. Make a cup of tea. Take a shower. Call your spouse. Shoot some hoops. Sing. Eat some chocolate. Whistle. Do the devotion you skipped this morning. Play any game with the kids. See who can make the strangest face. Be silly! Laugh. Cry. Write a letter. Attend a conference.

Call a friend – someone who won’t condemn you for your temporary feelings but will encourage you back to the eternal things that matter. Jesus is always available to us. But remember also, that God works through other humans to provide that inspiration to us that encourages us and gives us hope.

Our loving Father surrounds us with exactly what we need when we need it. Believing that is an act of faith. Acting on that faith is a means of expressing our sanctification in our vocation, that of being a spouse, parent, homeschool teacher, a support group leader, and helping others along that same journey.

Abiding in His gracious peace, love and mercy,

Mike and Paula

January 2009 Memo: P e r c e p t i o n

Tue, 2 Jun 2009 16:34:00 -0500

We’ve been privileged in these last few years in our position as CHEC’s Support Group Leader Liaison to speak with many different leaders around Colorado and some beyond the borders of our state.

Without a doubt, the most pressing concern is how to get and retain good volunteers so that our groups function well. Most other service type groups suffer from this same complaint.

The second most pressing concern deals with the different ways to homeschool and how we include or exclude folks who don’t fit into the category of Christian homeschooling. Many Christian groups desire to be an outreach to homeschoolers and open membership to those legally homeschooling, however they reserve leadership positions for fellow Christians. Other groups choose to limit membership to only like-minded Christians, or those who are like-minded in method of teaching (such as Charlotte Mason, Classical, Principle Approach, etc.)

Homeschooling has grown so much that we can now have groups that represent different priorities, styles of teaching and philosophies, and that is a good indication of the maturation of the movement.

One of the “types” of homeschoolers that are often excluded are those who chose to do COVA-type programs at home. Those who chose this method are technically under the auspices of the public school system and not homeschooling; however the impression they have and many out in the world have is that they are homeschooling because instruction is taking place in the home. They have a fragrance of what homeschooling is like, but they are not in charge and in control of the learning program, and so the full aroma of the freedom of homeschooling eludes them. Excluding them from Christian homeschool support groups causes consternation because they believe they are homeschooling, even though they are not.

The movie Braveheart starring Mel Gibson portrays a strong man who is devoted to his conviction of freedom from the English throne. There are many historical inaccuracies in the movie, even when you consider that artistic license was used to create a more compelling story. Unfortunately, not just with Braveheart, but with many cinematic offerings, the general public does not know differently so their knowledge of historical figures and events is completely influenced by the movies they watch. This philosophy holds true for homeschooling as well. The mainstream media’s biased reporting of events has been accused of influencing this past election. People’s perceptions are shaped by language and behaviors that are familiar to them and come from trusted sources. Studying and discovering that their perceptions may be wrong are pursuits that people don’t have the time to indulge in, so they are left with the powerful images and words before them. All these examples show us that we must be vigilant in our words and deeds in presenting the truth so that we do not lose the battle of perception.

As leaders, we need to be certain what our convictions are, implement them in our groups and then lead by example not only in our groups, but also in our lives. Imitation, although the sincerest form of flattery, is still not the real thing.

Abiding in His gracious peace, love and mercy,

Mike and Paula

Psalm 100:5 For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.

December 2008 Memo: Are You Using the Right Tool?

Tue, 2 Jun 2009 16:25:00 -0500

It is easy to be thankful when things are going well. With gratitude we thank the Lord for the many blessings He showers upon us daily. Some of those blessings we recognize and others we take for granted.

The Lord prepared our hearts and minds to homeschool long before we knew we would experience this joyous adventure. He brought the right experiences and people into our lives so that we would be able to homeschool. The early Christians left their families, homes, ways of living, and habits. Sound familiar? Leaving behind the cultural norms we have been steeped in as we grew up and stepping out in faith and obedience to God’s Word, we enter into a lifestyle of teaching our children at home with all the tribulations and rewards that it brings.

It is more difficult to be thankful when things aren’t going well. Doubt and discouragement can invade our thoughts and prayers. Well-meaning friends and acquaintances can wound our hearts (Psalm 56:8) with their misapplication of Scripture, their lack of compassion or understanding. (Psalm 35:12)

It’s then that we need to learn to use the right tools to help support our members in their efforts to educate their children at home.

A couple of October’s ago we got two flat tires within a week. The first one was fixed by Mike. The other one happened the night before Mike was to leave town on business. There wasn’t time to fix it before Mike left. With a storm predicted, it was important that the tire get fixed soon and not wait for his return. Feeling confident with the instruction that Paula’s father gave her before she got her license 30 years earlier, Paula set out to remove the flat tire and replace it. The hub cap was removed. The tire iron came out. The lug nuts did not budge. Even with the aid of our two teen-aged daughters, with them pulling and Paula pushing, the lug nuts would not loosen. This was distressing and after due diligence of effort was used; finally Paula called her father-in-law, Gary. Gary told her to use a long-handled ratchet wrench. Paula retrieved the tool from the garage and the lug nuts came right off. Whew! What a relief! The car was lifted into the air with the aid of the floor jack and the tire was removed so it could be fixed. With the right tool, the job was so much easier and the task could be completed. The wrong tool didn’t work no matter how much pressure was applied.

The right tools help us homeschool. The wrong tools, no matter how we use them, do not help us. Discerning whether something is the appropriate tool takes prayer and patience. The best place to determine that is found within the Word of God.

When our hearts and minds are consumed with fear or sorrow and we are distracted from the ways the Lord cares for us, we can be tempted to use the wrong tool because it seems easy and we long for comfort. Our Lord is bigger than our fears, our doubts, and our sorrows. Even the disciples displayed their human weaknesses and they were at the feet of Jesus for three years! Holding us in the palm of His hand, God cares enough to not leave us in a place of doubt and fear. (Psalm 23, 1 Peter 1:2-4, 1 John 2:12-14, Galatians 1:24) He moves us along to a different focus and eventually answers our prayers, although not always in the ways we envisioned. He does this by bringing others into our lives who act as the hands and feet of God, administering Christian aide, love, grace, mercy and peace. (Ephesians 4:11-16) Just as the early Christians did, we can band together, fortifying each other, and exhorting each other as we grow stronger from our association and devotion to each other.

It’s important to remember that, just as we all have not been imbibed with the same gifting and talents, our homeschools are often manifested in different ways and do not look or feel like another family’s homeschool does. This is as it should be as our Lord has given us each children, made in His image, and therefore we honor that image by seeing to their individual needs and learning styles. There cannot be condemnation in our community unless something is heretical.

Above all, remember that the best thing we can do is pray for one another as we are faced with the imbroglios and benefits of teaching our children at home.

Trusting in Him,

Mike and Paula

October 2008 Memo: That Their Hearts May Be Encouraged

Tue, 2 Jun 2009 16:15:00 -0500

Greetings! As Jude so aptly put it: “To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace and love be multiplied to you.”

Before us lies a new homeschooling year. A clean slate. The books still smell new and we haven’t yet pitched our plans for the year. (Rev. 21:5a Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.”) Opportunity abounds to change our bad habits, to adopt new habits, to lift our focus up, and to begin afresh. (2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.) We are eager to implement our prayerful plans. (2 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.)

The possibilities before us seem limited only by our deficient imagination, our fears or our refusal to receive gifts freely offered. As we plan for both our groups and our own homeschools, what will be written upon that serendipitous page?

On this precipice, we stand only because the Lord has preserved us and bestowed us with the courage and conviction to be leaders, looking forward, mindful of the past, and enjoying our companions who are walking this unfamiliar path with us. We can glory in the incandescent joy that we find along the way, and use the bitter times to gain knowledge, discernment and wisdom. And all of this seems so serene and attainable, until real life hits you like the proverbial bug and windshield.

A child becomes ill, a sleepless night spent rocking a restless infant or toddler, unexpected guests arrive, something disrupts your carefully crafted schedule. Then you have to find the determination to begin – AGAIN. And AGAIN, because it always seems there is something disrupting our harmonious schedules. (I Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.)

Each time we are stalled from moving forward, it is important to remember that His mercies are new every day! (Lamentations 3:21-23 This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.) Each day we can turn to Him for the vital needs that sustain us. (Psalm 3:5 I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me.) He also delights in blessing us beyond our needs! (Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.)

What an awesome God to care so very much for each of us! (1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.)

Part of that caring is the way the Lord shepherds each of our homeschool groups. As we allow Him to work through us while we serve others like we’ve been taught in scripture -- from our hearts, bolstering and heartening each other as we ultimately serve HIM, He serves us by placing others in our path from whom we can gather knowledge, encouragement and wisdom. Essentially, we have each other to lean upon and learn from. We pray you will reach out in times of need, uncertainty and doubt. There are so many ways that we can nourish each other – not only in prayer, but also with gentle words of reassurance, advise, support, hugs, mentoring and friendship.

We look forward with anticipation to where the Lord will take us this year. We’re grateful for your companionship along the way. May this year be filled with blessings beyond our imaginations, with an elimination of our fears, and the grateful reception of His gifts as they come to us through each other and our support groups.

Abiding in His mercy, grace, peace and love,

Mike and Paula Anderson

Colossians 2:2, 3 “that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

CURRENT THREATS TO HOMESCHOOL FREEDOMS

Mon, 8 Sep 2008 17:50:00 -0500

This month's Memo included three parts.

1. The Anderson's article about the almost unanimous cry from support group leaders at the brunch in June for their need of help from members and for other leaders to join their ranks.

2, he information sharing of the last post.

3. And this excellent article by Treon Goossen. Treon's dedication to the freedoms of homeschooling families and parents is evident in her passionate advocacy on their behalf each and every legislative season since the mid-80's! Her expertise and wisdom were sought by the legislators when the homeschool law in Colorado was crafted in 1987 and she continues to be held in high esteem for her level-headed approach to these matters.

CURRENT THREATS TO HOMESCHOOL FREEDOMS

I recently had the privilege of giving a workshop at the 2008 Christian Home Educators of Colorado (CHEC) conference on the 20^th anniversary and history of the homeschool statute here in Colorado. As a co-author of that statute and heavily involved in its passage I always enjoy telling that particular story. It is the story of how Colorado went from one of the ten most dangerous states in which to homeschool to one of the best in the nation.

I am frequently asked what I consider to be the greatest dangers that homeschool families face here in Colorado and in the nation. I would have to say that the National Education Association still ranks very high on the list. The liberal judges and a biased judicial system, as was recently witnessed in California, are definitely factored in. The increasing attack on parental rights and religious freedom directly impact homeschooling in America. However, there is also a more subtle attack, which like the waves of the ocean is steadily wearing away the foundation of independent homeschooling. It is a covert operation, steadily gaining ground in stripping parental control from homeschools. It has been so craftily disguised and marketed to the homeschool community that many have not seen the dangers until the damage has been done. Just ask the homeschooling community in Alaska. I am referring to public school enrollment programs designed for homeschoolers.

When I first became active in the homeschooling community 24 years ago, public schools wanted absolutely nothing to do with homeschools. If they could not control them, as thankfully the law in Colorado established clearly, homeschools were left to their certain demise. These non-public home-based educational programs would fail and return to the brick and mortar schools. Imagine their disappointment when not only did homeschoolers experience extraordinary success but grew by leaps and bounds. This caused much consternation in the public school community. Funding for school districts was becoming a major issue as well as the lack of control of these homeschooled students. Districts and educational entities knew they could not force homeschoolers back into their system so they began to think of ways to entice them voluntarily. And so the erosion of parental control began.

Dual enrollment programs began to spring up in districts around the state. Under the guise of “you are still homeschooling” public schools began to offer classes geared for homeschoolers to “fill in the gaps” of their education. After all, homeschoolers are doing a “credible” job but cannot possibly supply the “well-rounded education taught by educational professionals” that is necessary for success in life. Virtual public schools began to appear and add more to the proverbial carrot by offering free computers, curriculum, and other enticements. Charter schools began offering homeschool programs. The public school system has slowly but surely over time infiltrated the homeschool community and has steadily eroded parental freedom in education. They say it is “all homeschooling.” This blurring of the lines of independent homeschools and the public school programs at home is a dangerous slippery slope.

I have personally heard legislators in committees state that “it is all homeschooling.” When these types of statements are reiterated over and over again, people begin to believe them. That is why politicians come up with campaign slogans and businesses such as fast food chains have catchy little phrases and songs. If repeated often enough anything becomes believable. The public school system wants the public/parents to believe that “it is all homeschooling” so when they make their move to eliminate the control of parents over their independent homeschools and thrust them back under state control – it will appear to be the most natural thing to do. “After all, so many parents have voluntarily placed themselves under state control by participating in such programs, this must be what all homeschoolers need. Homeschooling can be simplified by being placed under state supervision where all aspects are under the same guidelines and use the same curriculum. By this the state can be assured that quality education is taking place.”

If this sounds far fetched to you I assure you it is not. I have witnessed the evolution of such programs at an alarming rate. I have seen parents voluntarily give up all or partial control over their homeschools for various reasons. These programs which require enrollment in the public school system limit parental control, bring regulation, involve licensed teacher oversight, have mandatory testing usually involving the state test (in Colorado the CSAP), utilize either a state curriculum or curriculum approved by the state, possible home visits, and more.

One insidious tactic used by the public schools is to infer that homeschool parents are not capable of providing an adequate education on their own. They play on the emotions of parents and tug on the heart strings of insecurities to make the argument that homeschooled children cannot possibly succeed in life with only parental involvement. They plant seeds of doubt and water them with their answer to this imagined dilemma – “let us help you and it won’t cost you anything.” In actuality, there is a very high cost to pay. It is the cost of losing the hard won freedoms for parental control over homeschools. It is the cost of not being able to teach from a curriculum supporting personal and Biblical convictions. It is the cost of losing all that has been gained over the past 20 years. All of this not from a direct attack but from an implosion carefully crafted to bring about the voluntary surrender of homeschool freedoms.

There are so many ways to supplement a homeschool program without enrolling in a public school. Support group activities, co-ops, tutoring by other parents, computer programs and internet help are just a few. You are limited only by your imagination. Homeschool parents can successfully educate their children without enrollment in a public school. The law in Colorado allows for homeschooled students to participate in extracurricular or interscholastic activities in a public school or in a private school if possible. These types of activities do not require enrollment in a public school but one must always exert caution when involved with a public school. I have received numerous calls from parents whose children participate in such programs and the public school is requiring more than what the law allows. Parents must know their rights and not succumb to intrusive demands by public schools. There are definite dangers in this option even though it is included in the law. This option was not pursued directly by the homeschooling leadership in the state or HSLDA. It showed up as a bill one session by a legislator who had been approached by a family or two in his district who wanted to participate in district sports programs. It was passed into law and since then amended where families are to be allowed to participate on an equal basis but can be charged up to 150% of the required fees. Not so equal in my opinion. There have been conflicts over proving GPA’s and other eligibility requirements. I believe the most inherent danger is the slippery slope of homeschool families being hardened slowly to the reasons why they chose homeschooling in the first place. I have seen the analogy of the frogs happily in the pot who do not notice the water gradually heating up and eventually becoming the source of their demise played out in several homeschool families. I have personally witnessed children who were no longer content at home due to the pull of “socialization” and parents who gave in to a system that said it could do a better job educating their children. It all began with participation in extracurricular or interscholastic activities. Parents who choose this road must be on their guard at all times. I sometimes wonder if there was an ulterior motive by some who voted to pass this legislation. This at times appears to be another strike against homeschool freedoms.

I am not writing this article to condemn or to cause guilt. I am just so very alarmed at what I am seeing. Twenty years ago I never dreamed I would see this particular threat to homeschooling – and to witness so many families embracing it. Homeschool parents today do not know what it was like to homeschool under the threat of court and even jail. They do not know what it was like to have truancy officers knock on your door late at night with threats and intimidation. Or to have social services threaten to remove your children from your home because you homeschooled. They do not know what it was like to dot every “I” and cross every “T” and still have your application to homeschool rejected by your school district. They do not know of the fear instilled in the hearts of families who had to make and practice escape plans in case they were needed. However, if current trends persist and the lines are persistently blurred between independent homeschools, dual enrollment programs, charter school home programs, virtual public schools and public school “cottage schools” - these very things could come once again.

With the stroke of a pen, homeschooling can forever be changed. What would make that day even sadder is to realize those freedoms weren’t taken away by force but were given away. Remember that freedom is never free. It was the courage of many families that brought about homeschool freedom in Colorado. I pray that we have the courage to maintain those freedoms and to not give up any hard won ground.

Treon Goossen

Home Education Legislative Analyst/Liaison, Colorado

http://www.ro828.com

Hearth Fun http://www.hearthfund.org – Dedicated to electing Godly people to local offices that support homeschooling and parental freedoms.

August/September 2008 CHEC Support Group Leaders Memo

Mon, 8 Sep 2008 17:43:00 -0500

Leadership Symposiums

Another aspect that was revealed from the comments from the brunch was that leaders want a leadership symposium in various parts of the state. If you have specific topics you’d like to see covered at a symposium, please contact us as soon as possible as we are working on a format for the symposium, and hope to be able to offer two or three before the conference next year. Email Mike or Paula at memo(at)chec(dot)org.

Brunch Folder Handouts Available

Materials included in the brunch folder handouts included:

· Hearth Fund Brochure

· Curriculum Comparisons

· Colorado Independent Schools List

· What Makes a Successful “Youth/Teen” Group by Mary Rankin, former leader and homeschool mom in Parker

· Educational Options in Colorado (Public School, Charter School, Public School at Home, Part-time Public School, Private School, Independent Private Homeschool)

· Generations

· *NEW* Colorado Homeschool Law

· Let’s Communicate Biblically by Pastor Dennis and Sharon Grimes

· Testing by Ronnie McKay, former leader and homeschool mom in Parker

· Testers and Evaluators List

· How to Mentor New Leaders by Mike and Paula Anderson

· Volunteers: How to Get Them and Encourage Them by Mike and Paula Anderson

These resources are one-page and some are two-sided. We would be happy to provide you with any or all of them if you have need of them, for yourself, or to share with your groups. Please email us at memo(at)chec(dot)org to make your request.

Recommended Workshops from the 2008 Family Conference

One of the questions we asked the Brunch attendees was what they were struggling with as leaders. From those responses we’ve compiled workshops that we recommend to help you with those concerns and for the members of your groups as well. Individual workshops available for purchase from Broad Reach on their website under “Christian Home Educators of Colorado Conference 2008” on the left-hand side under “Recent Conferences.” http://www.BestChristianConferences.com

Discipleship Homeschooling

��Voddie Baucham, Family Discipleship, How to Pass On the Faith One Generation at a Time (the best keynote address we’ve heard in over 12 years of conferences in Colorado and Arizona)

��Voddie Baucham, Government Education (lays a foundation for distinctly Christian homeschooling and why we should not send our children to government schools based on the Word)

��Kevin Swanson, Why Homeschooling Will Change the World (relationship-based, parent-directed learning is changing the world and Kevin shares with you how it is)

How to Homeschool Through High School

��Mardy Freeman, Homeschooling Through High School (why and how to homeschool through high school)

��Dr. Jay Wile, Teaching High School at Home (quelling fears of parents who don’t believe they can adequately teach their children at home in high school particularly concerning higher end mathematics and lab oriented science classes)

��Vicki Lewis, The No-Panic Approach to High School (prayerfully planning and gracefully surviving the homeschool high school years)

��Chris Klicka, Homeschooling Teenagers: Standing Against the Culture (mastering a Biblical worldview requires teens to live righteously so that they can counter the culture which surrounds them)

Replinishing Ourselves

��Lorrie Flem, Encouragement and Hope for the Weary Homeschool Mom (practical advice to change your drag into joy and learn to fly high)

Beginning Support Group Structure and Continuing Successful Support Groups

��Norm Wakefield, Jurisdictional Leadership: Finding Your Place in God’s Plan (this, by far, is the most popular Brunch workshop as Norm presented information and tools for new and seasoned leaders)

Another major concern raised by leaders was conflict resolution. For that we would refer you to the hand-out above by Pastor Dennis and Sharon Grimes, and the book The Peacemaker by Ken Sande © 2004 (every leader should own this book!), and encourage you to sign up for the weekly PeaceMeal publication from http://www.Peacemaker.net.

Single Moms Dinner, September 19, 6 pm, Mountain Church in Castle Rock

CHEC desires to serve the widowed and single moms within the Colorado homeschool community. To that end, there is an annual encouragement dinner every September. For more information, contact Bryan Helgesen at bryan (at) chec (dot) org.

Headship in the Home, September 19-21, Colorado Springs

Come listen to speaker Norm Wakefield as he encourages men in their roles as head of their home.

Friday, September 19, 6-8:30 pm, Woodmen Valley Stone Chapel • Living With an Eternal Perspective: The Key to Wisdom (evening session) for men and their wives. Cost: $10 per person.

Saturday, September 20, 9 am – 3 pm, Woodmen Valley Stone Chapel • God’s Blueprint for the Family: Home-based Discipleship (1st morning session) • The Calling Out of Sons: What’s a Father to Do? (2nd morning session) • How to Be God’s Forerunners for the Next Generation (1st afternoon session) • Leading With Vision (2nd afternoon session) all for men and young men. Cost: $5 per person, lunch included.

Sunday, September 21, 10 -11:30am, TCA Central Campus • Anchored in Christ: Building on the Solid Rock (Sunday morning sermon) for men and their families. Cost: none! (but bring something and stay for a pot-luck lunch)

Please go to http://www.hopefamilies.org/wakefield.html for more information or to register.

Communicators for Christ, October 1 – 4, Colorado Springs

Communicators for Christ, a team of accomplished coaches, enables students to use communication to share the hope that we as Christians have. They offer public speaking and debate conferences, workshops, and summer camps, as well as a Chapter Program, achievement competitions, leadership training, and curriculum. Communicators for Christ helps both beginning and seasoned speakers from ages 7 to 18 more fully develop and fine tune their skills. A dual emphasis on both the value of competition and the greater purpose of communication distinguishes Communicators for Christ. They encourage and equip conference participants to be the best competitors they can be. However, they also stress that competition is a means to a greater goal, and show students why and how communication skills can be implemented in community settings. For information about the Colorado Conference, October 1^st – 4^th, and to see what’s new with CFC contact Robbie Blum, blumrl (at) msn (dot) com or go to www.communicatorsforchrist.com

Denver Area Free Days, 2008

Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele Street, Denver, 303-376-4800, http://www.denverzoo.org

Tuesday, October 7 Sunday, November 2

Saturday, October 18 Sunday, November 9

Denver Museum of Nature and Science, 2001 Colorado Boulevard, Denver, 303-322-7009, http://www.dmns.org

Sunday, September 7 Sunday, December 7
Wednesday, October 22

Denver Botanic Gardens, 1005 York Street, Denver, 720-865-3500, http://www.botanicgardens.org

and Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield, 8500 Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton, 303-973-3705, http://www.botanicgardens.org/

Friday, October 3 Friday, December 5
Friday, November 7

Denver Art Museum, 100 West 14^th Ave. Parkway, Denver, 720-865-5000, http://www.denverartmusuem.org

Saturday, September 6 Saturday, November 1
Saturday, October 4 Saturday, December 6

From http://www.scfd.org/

Homeschool Classes in Apologetics, Christian Doctrine and Survey Classes

on the Northern Front Range

James Mitchell is a former homeschool student, Bible college graduate, and current teacher at Loveland Christian High School which holds classes for the homeschool community in Loveland. They would like to offer the following Bible classes in other communities in the northern Front Range (Longmont, Boulder, etc.). Course descriptions below.

CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS: Using a variety of materials, such as Summit Ministry’s Understanding the Times, this class looks deeply at worldviews.

BIBLE DOCTRINES: Using a variety of materials, including Abeka’s Bible Doctrines for Christian Schools, this class seeks to give a basic understanding of the Biblical teachings regarding the scripture, God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, mankind, sin, salvation, Satan, angels and demons, the church, and the end times.

OLD TESTAMENT SURVEY: This class seeks to give a basic knowledge of the Old Testament Scriptures of the Bible.

NEW TESTAMENT SURVEY: This class seeks to give a basic knowledge of the New Testament Scriptures of the Bible.

Contact James Mitchell at llamaface24(at)hotmail(dot)com.

Geography Bee, December 6, 2008, Denver Metro and Grand Junction

This event is the first step in an annual competition sponsored by the National Geographic Society. The winner of each CHEC Bee will take the qualifying test for the State Bee, to be held April 2009. The State Bee winner will compete at the National Bee in Washington, D.C., in May 2009.

National Geographic rules for participation by homeschoolers are: “Children who participate in the bee must be in grades four through eight and may not be over the age of 15 by the time of the national-level competition. Students must be following a school schedule and academic course load comparable to the majority of the student’s grade mates and age mates. A student may not be enrolled in more than two academic courses at the high school and/or college level during each school year of the competition. All students must be exclusively homeschooled. They may not attend public, private, or parochial schools.”

Questions in the Bee will address economics, culture, natural resources, and conservation, including United States geography, World geography, and physical geography.

More information about National Geographic Society and study tips can be found at their website: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geographicbee. At a cost of $15 per family you can register for the CHEC Bee by calling Evelyn Hess at 719-531-5651. Registration deadline is December 1, 2008.

NEW!! A CHEC Geography Bee will be held near Grand Junction for those of you who live on the western slope! Contact Lyda Savoca at 970-283-5634.

Civil War Ball, January 10, 2009

Please contact gaff.family(at)comcast(dot)net for more information.

Introductory Seminars

September 13, Denver Metro area

November 8, Denver Metro area

Visit http://www.chec.org to register and for further information.

Prepare for Life Seminar, formerly the Homeschool High School Seminar

Although the name of this seminar has changed, we haven’t changed that it encourages and equips families to homeschool their high school aged students. What has changed is that we’ve added a tract or two about the options available specifically meant to highlight the unique opportunities that mentorship, apprenticeship and entreprenurialship offer to homeschool students as they graduate and encounter the world. The next seminar is October 18 in the Denver Metro area. The cost is still just $59 for a married couple and one child to attend. Visit http://www.chec.org to register and for further information.

We Need Help NOW!

Mon, 8 Sep 2008 17:42:00 -0500

We Need Help NOW!

Looking back over the answers to questions posed to the brunch attendees, two large themes jump out immediately. The first deals with an “entitlement” mentality and the second deals with the struggle that leaders have in obtaining responsible volunteers and other people to walk beside them in leadership.

Leaders’ comments reflect that groups struggle with getting people past the first stage of homeschooling and getting them to embrace the wonderful aspects of moving on from there. When we begin homeschooling, it is a new adventure fraught with a fairly steep learning curve. That is because for the majority of us we are stepping into completely unknown territory. As new homeschoolers there is so much to absorb and so many decisions to make. Naturally, people are more “needy” at that point. But as they settle into the homeschooling lifestyle, we expect for them to move beyond being a “taker” and move into being a “giver.” The problem is many members are not doing that.

Some leadership responses to that are to require certain commitments from their members to ensure that not just a few persons are doing the work of many. But even with those kinds of requirements, members are failing to keep their commitments and are letting down not only themselves but others who are depending on them. That’s an exercise in frustration! Leaders also share that members are “shopping” around from groups in the area seeking to see what the group can do for their family, and perhaps joining several groups so that they can experience the different offerings that groups have. That wouldn’t be a problem if these members were giving back in an essential way, but with commitments to several groups that’s not happening as people are spread too thin.

No wonder leaders are frustrated! As we try to meet the needs of our groups, there’s only so much we can pour into them and not become depleted ourselves. We need help and we need it now! Perhaps it is helpful for us to remember that typically 23% of adults volunteer their time to non-profit organizations according to Barna Research. Not finding that ratio within your group and wondering what to do now? Let’s start with the basics.

First and foremost is to pray. Pray for the Lord to provide the right volunteer who is a good fit with the others in leadership in your group and others who are already volunteering. Pray for someone who is reliable, has a teachable spirit, understands authority, is forgiving and is LIKE-MINDED. Putting the wrong person into a volunteer or leadership position can be a difficult mistake to overcome. If you find there’s someone in your group that seems qualified to serve, perhaps they are merely waiting to be asked to serve. Strike up conversations with that person so that you can learn more about them and begin the process of building a relationship that may lead to them becoming a volunteer or leader.

It is important to be precise and clear in your expectations of new and old volunteers or leaders. Communication is vital and needs to be mutual – meaning you need to be willing to hear what the new volunteer is expressing as well as what you are trying to impart to them.

Developing written task lists that include the definition of the position with information that precisely expresses the expected commitment level, goals, responsibilities, resources, timeline, and accountability level and structure breeds success. Establishing this strong foundation helps ensure satisfaction in volunteers/leaders which helps them want to continue to serve. Providing an evaluation process at the conclusion of the task or year allows for development and growth that meets the needs of the volunteer or leader as well as those they serve.

As leaders, we also need to know when to let something go if there is no one to coordinate it or fill the role of volunteer or leader. This can be painful, but necessary. Some leaders have dropped certain aspects of their groups due to a lack of volunteer or leader only to have someone rise up to assume the task after a short while because they missed that aspect of the group enough to take on the responsibilities of doing it for others. Other leaders have learned that it was time to move on to other things and to let that aspect of their group go.

We encourage you to grow in your own leadership skills. Here’s a short list of books we have found helpful: The Peacemaker by Ken Sande, essential for those who lead others no matter what the setting is; Handoff: The Only Way to Win the Race of Life by Dr. Jeff Myers, how to establish and build leadership skills in yourself and others; and The Book on Leadership by John MacArthur, the essential how-to book that will vividly point out what skills you need as a leader and how to develop them in yourself and others.

Mike and Paula Anderson

Psalm 25:5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me.