Would you stop homeschooling for this?
Nov. 16, 2005 at 6:43 PM
Homeschooling
A new program just announced this week promises a four year college scholarship to every graduate in the Kalamazoo Michigan School District. They're calling it the Kalamazoo Promise. It is believed to be the first program of its kind in the nation and is funded through private donations. Here's the announcement from their website,
If this were offered in your area would that convince you to leave homeschooling behind for a full ride scholarship to a state university?
A group of citizens interested in economic strength and quality of life in the City of Kalamazoo have made a tremendous contribution on behalf of KPS students. All students who graduate from Kalamazoo Public Schools, are residing in the district, and have been students four years or more will be given funding for college tuition and mandatory fees. The amount of available dollars depends on years of residency and the number of grades attended in KPS, up to 100% of tuition and mandatory fees. The funds will be available to use at any public university or community college in the State of Michigan.So now here's the $50,000 question...
If this were offered in your area would that convince you to leave homeschooling behind for a full ride scholarship to a state university?
14 Comments and Trackbacks
posted by ClassicalEducation4Me on Nov. 16, 2005 at 6:52 PM
For me, it would depend upon several factors: (1) the quality of education my child would get in the public school (2) the quality of life in the high schools - i.e. drugs, etc. (3) is there even a college I would want my kids to attend in-state? and (4) what my child thinks about this opportunity. If they were willing to work very hard at their school work, make good grades and come to us with their peer problems, then I probably would consider it because as of this moment, we have ZILCH put away for college!
Kris
posted by Harriette on Nov. 16, 2005 at 6:53 PM
Absolutely not. All the more reason to stay away and there is too much at stake: the best interests of my sons.
Harriette Jacobs
posted by SusannahCox on Nov. 16, 2005 at 8:04 PM
State college or university? No thanks.
My hope is that DH will be teaching again at a Christian institution by the time mine reach college age. :)
posted by on Nov. 16, 2005 at 9:26 PM
One word: NO!
Edited by ejoyce,ink on Nov. 16, 2005 at 6:26 PM
posted by Pattycake on Nov. 16, 2005 at 10:01 PM
No - homeschooling is a conviction. We know this is what we are to do. God would open other doors, and we would look at this as a closed door, if it depended upon us NOT homeschooling.
posted by COD on Nov. 16, 2005 at 10:58 PM
As a graduate of Purdue University, I could never allow my children to go to any public school in Michigan, as a matter of principle. :)
posted by Sharon on Nov. 17, 2005 at 8:50 AM
I first think it is wrong to exclude homeschoolers- whether they would accept that money or not. After all, isn't that "discrimination"? (liberals would have a fit!)
If it would be the same by the time my son is of college age, then no, I would not change it. (unless some big miracles occur in the school system!)
I don't think it is worth it.
I went to a college where they offer NO full-scholarships. But you know, I gained so much in my spiritual life- I grew cloer to GOD than ever before- and that is not worth any amount of money. It is worth so much more!
posted by spunkyhomeschool on Nov. 17, 2005 at 9:08 AM
COD A graduate of Purdue is allowed to legally homeschool? What's the world coming to!?! It's enough to make you want to pass a law. LOL.
Sharon. This is funded privately. So I don't think of it is terms of discrimination. It is a gift given to a select group by a private donor. But I'll bet that if the private donors pull out the program continues with the help of a very rich Uncle named Sam.
posted by Anonymous on Nov. 17, 2005 at 8:25 PM
I'm too cynical -- I doubt the money will still be there in 13 years.
posted by Boltbabe on Nov. 18, 2005 at 6:52 AM
That's where my husband and I would be on this issue. While we have been called to educate our children, that has not always be the case. I also am a retired school teacher. I became a teacher to help affect a positive difference in the lives of children. That said, I am not of the typical homeschool mindset. I believe that any child can get a good education at any public school, regardless of circumstance, education quality, funding, etc. Every school system in this country has a potential that is only tapped when interested parents are willing to take on the full time job of grooming that potential into maturity, all while working with your child to help guide him/her through the very rough social waters.
We would need to pray about for guidance for each child as they would reach HS age. We would need to be certain that a state school is the eventual future goal of said child. We would need to hear the opinions about such from the child. Lastly, we would need to evaluate our financial situation. A free college education is something we could not simply "pass-up" because a requirement is public schooling. We have a large family, if it meant the difference between my child being able to obtain a college education or not, we would remiss as parents if we didn't consider it. This is a very difficult questions that has a lot of "what ifs" for me. Thanks for making me think @ 6 am. =)
posted by spunkyhomeschool on Nov. 18, 2005 at 10:08 AM
Thanks for your comments Boltbabe. You said you think a child can get a good education is in the public schools. What do you think a good education is?
posted by hsmomof2 on Nov. 18, 2005 at 1:01 PM
I don't like to make unequivocal statements about hypothetical future events,so I won't give an outright "no! never!" but I don't see my family ever considering something like this.
posted by KarenW on Nov. 18, 2005 at 5:10 PM
Tempting, but no.
posted by GogoMama on Nov. 30, 2005 at 4:12 AM
I think this is a wonderful gesture on the part of the donors! What an admirable way to have an impact on their community. But we wouldn't give up homeschooling for it -- even if it only required the last semester in the government school. We want BETTER for our children.
As far as any child being able to get a good education in the government school system, I think "good education" needs to be qualified. We have some WONDERFUL schoolteachers in our local school, and the administration at the elementary school is largely Christian. Academically, they *might* get a "good" education. Spritually and socially, there's not a snowball's chance in Los Angeles ;-). Regardless of the quality of the academics or the protection from disinformation that the administration tries to filter, teachers (and children) must still deal with other children. Bad company corrupts good morals.