Spunky Homeschool

News in Education

Apr. 24, 2006 at 4:19 PM

Homeschooling

New Edubogger
Edspresso is a new EduBlog that looks to be very informative. Today they posted the first installment in an online debate on national standards in education. For all with a stake in education, this will be a blog to watch.

Tolerance Education
Last week I posted about the textbook changes in California schools. WND is now reporting, Incoming freshman to OSU - Mansfield, have to undergo a "diversity seminar" . Remind me again why my children need to go to college?

Meanwhile the Dutch just show a movie
While the faculty at OSU have a seminar in tolerance, the Dutch just show a movie to determine whether their immigrants are suitable for life in the "socially tolerant" Netherlands.
[G]iven their much vaunted toleration -- the Dutch are ramming secularism down the less-than-enthusiastic throats of immigrants. This has its funny side. There is a campaign to "educate" people in Dutch libertarian values -- including gay marriage. Prospective immigrants are shown films featuring guys kissing in a park to gauge teir ability to fit into Dutch society.
I doubt the Muslim immigrants find that film funny. The clash betwen the Muslims and the socially tolerant Dutch is threatening to collapse the Dutch social structure.

Vouchers
The idea of vouchers has been bandied about a step toward choice and true education reform. Many homeschoolers are favorable toward them. I don't endorse vouchers for the simple reason that with the cash comes the control. Milwaukee is a case study in vouchers. They now have a law requiring private schools that accept vouchers to be accredited.
Accreditation will be a way of saying, "If you're going to run a school in the city of Milwaukee, there are certain standards we have to set, and if you're not willing to meet those standards, you should not be running a school," said [former state superintendant Fuller]
Sadly, many private Christian schools seem to accept this as necessary.
"I feel it's needed. I feel we should be accountable," said Michael Hutchinson, the leader of Washington DuBois Christian Leadership Academy. "Since you're dealing with God's most precious possessions, his children, why not take those extra steps?"
I guess being accountable to God and the parents isn't enough for some people. And homeschoolers want to get in on vouchers? No thanks!

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2 Comments and Trackbacks

posted by homeiscool on Apr. 24, 2006 at 5:46 PM

Education Standards. Who made up this idea, anyway? When is the last time we, as thirtysomethings or fortysomethings (or whatever), took a nationally standardized test to see where we fit into society? I don't get why this country feels the need to do that to our kids. Of course, I realize I am preaching to the choir on this one, but still. A mom's gotta vent.

Our society is literally built with bricklayers, other construction workers, burger flippers, cashiers, and yes, doctors and lawyers too. They all have varying degrees of education, but as human beings, none is better than the other. We are all just people.

Oh, boy, I'd better end this train of thought before I burst into song...

posted by creativehsmom on Apr. 25, 2006 at 8:27 AM

I tend to get antsy in my seat when I over-hear homeschoolers ranting that they want this or that from the state, ie. sports participation, band, etc. Vouchers are a big "no - no" in my book, there are strings attached to vouchers. As far as the private Christian school that you mentioned in your post, I say accountability to the parents and students is quite enough. Whenever there is talk of standards, we must go deeper and investigate to see what they consist of and where they originated. God's Word contains the best standards for the Christian homeschooler.
Cathy :o)

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