Spunky Homeschool

A Chill In The Air

Nov. 12, 2005 at 10:37 AM

Homeschooling

A few people commented after I posted about who should be called a homeschooler. Some thought it trivial or argumentative to make distinctions based on whether the family uses a government provided curriculum or not. Well this article that first appeared in the New York Times this week and now reprinted here demonstrates why it is so important.
Americans must recognize that we need national standards, national tests and a national curriculum.
There is momentum building for a national curriculum and exam. Homeschoolers who use the government provided curriculums would most likely be included in the requirements of a national curriculum or exam. Currently homeschoolers are exempt from a national exam. But the effects would be chilling on those who don't use this curriculum and standard.

The responsibility would shift to prove why the NON government "homeschoolers" should be treated any differently than the government "homeschoolers". A disctinction is necessary. Most homeschool because they do NOT want the government telling them what to teach their children or have them tested. Here's what Chris Klicka said of virtual charters and vouchers
I believe the soul of the home schooling movement is at stake. How we respond to virtual charter schools and vouchers will determine the extent home schooling remains free from government controls in the future.
So it is important that homeschoolers understand that for the sake of establishing "unity" or financial help they may be giving up their liberty as well.

To read more HSLDA has written about it here and here. and here.

6 Comments and Trackbacks

posted by on Nov. 12, 2005 at 6:26 PM

Georgia fought the whole concept of vouchers a couple of years ago - it is a hot, hot topic here. Homeschoolers in Georgia (the majority) do NOT want vouchers. There are some who cry foul because we pay taxes for the public schools.......be careful what you wish for.......the government does NOT give anything without requiring way MORE back. This is much like the widely debated sports issue as well.

I'm glad to pay my taxes (...well, sort of...) and be left alone. We chose to homeschool because it what we should have been doing all along - I want no hula hoops to jump through (at least no more than we already have) for the government or anyone else. If there are homeschooling families who choose to use a national/state curriculum that puts them in that position - that's their decision - but don't lump the rest of us in there.

How would citizens feel if the government chose to dictate grocery shopping, meal planning and when and where a person/family could eat? The government knows nutrition better than individuals - after all, they have "experts" that decide what we can and cannot have on grocery shelves - so why not take it a step further and tell us which stores we must shop at and what meal/menus we are to serve to our families..........

........okay - I'll shut up now........

Harriette


Edited by Harriette on Nov. 12, 2005 at 3:27 PM

posted by momof3feistykids on Nov. 13, 2005 at 8:21 AM

I find myself having very mixed feelings. On one hand, I believe each home schooling family needs to do what seems best for their own kids (including government curricula), and that we should not criticize them for putting their own family's needs first. On the other hand, I agree that the *heart* of the home schooling movement - which includes not only the right to learn at home but *freedom* from externally imposed goals and standards - needs to be protected. Thank you for a thought provoking article.

posted by spunkyhomeschool on Nov. 13, 2005 at 1:38 PM

Please don't misunderstand. I am not critical of their choice. But it should be made with the understanding that by taking government curriculum that puts them into a differerent category. As a homeschooler I will treat them no diffferently. But from a legisilative / legal standpoint there are ramificiations for just "including" those that choose a government curriculum as the same as NON government using homeschoolers.

posted by Anonymous on Nov. 13, 2005 at 2:10 PM

Like learning to read and write English (if you're living in the US), math, science, history. I think there are things everyone should know, needs to know to get along and communicate with others.

Along those lines I don't have any objection to testing.

What I worry about is when the government starts to dictate how and when these things need to be learned. The main reason I am homeschooling is because I want to adjust the curriculum to fit my child's individual needs. In some areas he's very advanced, and in others he's lagging behind. But I think he's better off with a mom who understands his needs then in a classroom where being different is bad.

posted by smfeet2001 on Nov. 14, 2005 at 10:12 AM

I shudder at this. Yes I believe there is a difference between government homeschoolers and independant homeschoolers. There has to be a distinction!! I do not want the gov't to tell me how, what, when, and where in regards to teaching my kids. I am doing fine without their interference. I am worried about college though. What will happen if colleges start requiring all applicants pass the national exam instead of basing their criteria on SATs and portfolios? Shudder!!! All the more reasons we need to continue to support HSLDA!!


Holly

posted by iluvtheland on Nov. 16, 2005 at 8:50 PM

Despite my own post last week about everyone being a homeschooler, it just being a matter of to what degree, I totally agree that a distinction must be made between the "true" homeschooler and the "government aided" homeschooler. Unfortunately, in our area of Ohio, most homeschoolers don't realize what they are getting into when they are lured into the virtual charter schools who "make life so easy for the hs teacher," and when the "hs as part of our school district and get a FREE COMPUTER for each student" spiels that are being dangled like a juicy carrot right in front of their noses. After they have "bit" is when they find out they have lost so much of the freedom that was the reason they began to hs in the first place.
I am a long time admirer of nearly every word that Chris Klicka has to say about hs'ing and life in general. I wish everyone would read what he has to say on this before taking that plunge.
Many, for various reasons, need to go this route, but they need to do it only after knowing what they are getting into. Full disclosure is not going to come from the programs that they are signing up for.
JMHO,
Kathy

Post a comment!