According to the National Home Education Research Institute, approximately 2 million students were homeschooled last year.
Low test scores and bullying have escalated in public schools in recent years. For these reasons, parents have turned to an alternative education for their children.
Natasha Pharis, a homeschooling mom from Moss Bluff, decided to try homeschooling after seeing a lack of freedom in public schools.
"They started taking the pledge out of schools," said Pharis. "Some parents may not like what's happening in their schools and the lack of control that some teachers may not have."
Pharis has the freedom to choose her own curriculum to teach her children.
"We took pieces from different curriculum that we find instead of ordering an entire box of curriculum," said Pharis. "I find that my children have a different learning style and the entire box set may not fit their style."
Pharis said she believes the number of homeschooling families will continue to increase in the next few years.
"It's definitely on the rise and it will continue to be because more people are becoming aware of what the freedoms are that come with it," Pharis said.
Although it may still be early in her children's education, Pharis is confident homeschooling is the best choice for her children.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Online school program appeals to some parents
Recently, Hedges and several other parents from Southern Indiana attended an informational meeting from the Indiana Connections Academy, which primarily conducts its lessons online.
“Kids are so different in their learning styles,” Hedges said. “Some kids do really well in a public or traditional school setting. My son Michael excels in a public school. His twin brother, however, he really struggles with the way things are taught. He’s more of a hands-on kind of student and more of a critical thinker or discovery learner.”
Cassie Pugh, a fifth-grade teacher with the academy, said students have more flexibility in their lessons with the academy, but also have to take responsibility with keeping up on their assignments.
Students take core classes in social studies, math, language arts and science with the option of electives in those fields or others. Classes in arts are also available, with materials provided by the academy.
But the parents are very involved in the whole process. They can monitor the assignments their children have done and still need to complete online, both at home and at work.
Along with that, parents also have phone conferences with the teachers once every two weeks.
Pugh said the academy makes her feel like she’s a part of families, not a teacher who’s somewhat detached.
Read more: http://newsandtribune.com/local/x1625116699/Virtually-there-Online-school-program-appeals-to-some-parents
“Kids are so different in their learning styles,” Hedges said. “Some kids do really well in a public or traditional school setting. My son Michael excels in a public school. His twin brother, however, he really struggles with the way things are taught. He’s more of a hands-on kind of student and more of a critical thinker or discovery learner.”
Cassie Pugh, a fifth-grade teacher with the academy, said students have more flexibility in their lessons with the academy, but also have to take responsibility with keeping up on their assignments.
Students take core classes in social studies, math, language arts and science with the option of electives in those fields or others. Classes in arts are also available, with materials provided by the academy.
But the parents are very involved in the whole process. They can monitor the assignments their children have done and still need to complete online, both at home and at work.
Along with that, parents also have phone conferences with the teachers once every two weeks.
Pugh said the academy makes her feel like she’s a part of families, not a teacher who’s somewhat detached.
Read more: http://newsandtribune.com/local/x1625116699/Virtually-there-Online-school-program-appeals-to-some-parents
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Homeschooling has grown by almost 75% in the last eight years
A recent survey reveals that home-schooling has grown by almost 75% in the last eight years in the West, and the latest to join this fad is none other than Hollywood’s powerful couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Citing ‘bad education system’, the star couple has opted for home tutors for their six
kids.
However, Brangelina isn’t the only one. Other Hollywood celebs, who’ve opted for home-schooling for their kids are actors Tom Cruise, Will Smith, John Travolta and Mayim Bialik, to name a few.
While some choose to tutor their kids themselves, others appoint private tutors, or have a family member train their children. But, what’s with these stars that’s actually making them jump on the home-schooling band-wagon? Here’s a brief look at five Hollywood celebs:
Will and Jada Pinkett Smith
Unimpressed with America’s educational system, it’s been a while that actors Will and JadaPinkett Smith opted to home-school their two younger kids. Apart from Will’s oldest son, Trey, 17 (with ex-wife Sheree Zampino), who attends a Christian high school in California, his other two younger children, Jaden, 12, and Willow, 10, are both home-schooled. “We’re in a technological age. We don’t want our kids to memorise. We want them to learn,” Jada was quoted as saying. However, the fact that the star couple always want their kids to be with them whenever they are traveling, was also a factor that lead to the decision of flexible tutoring.
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie
It's not only the family's globetrotting lifestyle that has prompted actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie to opt for home-schooling for their six kids, Maddox (nine), Pax (seven), Zahara (six), Shiloh (five) and two-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne. The couple was also quoted as saying that ‘the education system is so bad’ that their kids are better off being taught at home. Jolie, who claims that their lifestyle is far more educational than the modern school system, said, “Instead of tomfoolery in the class room, I’d rather take them to a museum or teach them guitar.” The star couple has enrolled their kids in the French schooling system, the Lycee programme, which is taught to them at home by nannies.
Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes
Actors Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, both being devout followers of the Church of Scientology that regards even kids as adults and encourages them to live life through personal experience instead of traditional schooling, have entrusted the role of home-tutoring all their three kids to Tom's sister Cass Mapother. Tom's children—two adopted kids Isabella, 18, and Connor, 16 (with ex-wife Nicole Kidman), and his biological-child Suri, five, with Katie Holmes — have never attended formal schooling. “We like the one-on-one education, and you really have to go with what the child is wanting,” Holmes said in an interview.
Read more: http://www.hindustantimes.com/Home-is-school/Article1-709315.aspx
kids.
However, Brangelina isn’t the only one. Other Hollywood celebs, who’ve opted for home-schooling for their kids are actors Tom Cruise, Will Smith, John Travolta and Mayim Bialik, to name a few.
While some choose to tutor their kids themselves, others appoint private tutors, or have a family member train their children. But, what’s with these stars that’s actually making them jump on the home-schooling band-wagon? Here’s a brief look at five Hollywood celebs:
Will and Jada Pinkett Smith
Unimpressed with America’s educational system, it’s been a while that actors Will and JadaPinkett Smith opted to home-school their two younger kids. Apart from Will’s oldest son, Trey, 17 (with ex-wife Sheree Zampino), who attends a Christian high school in California, his other two younger children, Jaden, 12, and Willow, 10, are both home-schooled. “We’re in a technological age. We don’t want our kids to memorise. We want them to learn,” Jada was quoted as saying. However, the fact that the star couple always want their kids to be with them whenever they are traveling, was also a factor that lead to the decision of flexible tutoring.
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie
It's not only the family's globetrotting lifestyle that has prompted actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie to opt for home-schooling for their six kids, Maddox (nine), Pax (seven), Zahara (six), Shiloh (five) and two-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne. The couple was also quoted as saying that ‘the education system is so bad’ that their kids are better off being taught at home. Jolie, who claims that their lifestyle is far more educational than the modern school system, said, “Instead of tomfoolery in the class room, I’d rather take them to a museum or teach them guitar.” The star couple has enrolled their kids in the French schooling system, the Lycee programme, which is taught to them at home by nannies.
Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes
Actors Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, both being devout followers of the Church of Scientology that regards even kids as adults and encourages them to live life through personal experience instead of traditional schooling, have entrusted the role of home-tutoring all their three kids to Tom's sister Cass Mapother. Tom's children—two adopted kids Isabella, 18, and Connor, 16 (with ex-wife Nicole Kidman), and his biological-child Suri, five, with Katie Holmes — have never attended formal schooling. “We like the one-on-one education, and you really have to go with what the child is wanting,” Holmes said in an interview.
Read more: http://www.hindustantimes.com/Home-is-school/Article1-709315.aspx
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
7 Ways How Homeschoolers Can Help Promote Homeschooling
Fortunately, the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) has been largely successful in keeping the wild dogs of the NEA at bay. But one can be sure that the NEA will keep trying, and there are many legislators who are beholden to that powerful organization for their support. So it behooves homeschoolers to be ever alert about what is going on in their state legislatures. It also behooves homeschoolers to rally as much support from their fellow citizens as possible, since many local school superintendents think they have a right to impose their own regulations on the homeschoolers in their communities, despite state laws to the contrary. Every community has its own would-be dictators.
There are many things that homeschoolers can do to gain the support of their neighbors. First, they should inform their fellow citizens that homeschooling costs them nothing. In fact, it saves the taxpayers the cost of educating homeschooled children in the public schools. his is no small matter considering how much money home owners pay in real estate taxes just to pay for the public schools in their communities. And, as we all know, educators are always clamoring for more money.
Here are some ideas on how to promote homeschooling. 1. Arrange for an exhibit of home-education books and materials at your local public library. Volunteer to man a table in the library during that day so that you can answer questions that people may ask. Most libraries have a meeting or conference room in which a talk or a power-point presentation can be given. Be sure to have an adequate supply of leaflets and free literature to distribute. A good time to have this exhibit would be a few weeks before the local or state homeschool convention takes place, so that you could encourage potential homeschoolers to attend the convention and see for themselves all of the materials available and hear some of the talks given by inspirational speakers.
2. Just as important as reaching the public is, so is reaching your lawmakers. So visit the State legislators and present them with homemade cherry pies. The cherry pie will remind everyone of George Washington and the famous incident with the cherry tree. Home-baked cookies or sweet buns might do just as well as the pie, especially if you want to hand out as many items as possible without breaking the bank. Also give them some literature explaining the benefits of homeschooling to the children, the family, and the community. These lawmakers should be reminded that parental rights and educational freedom are important values in a free society.
Read more: http://www.thenewamerican.com/opinion/sam-blumenfeld/7855-how-homeschoolers-can-help-promote-homeschooling
There are many things that homeschoolers can do to gain the support of their neighbors. First, they should inform their fellow citizens that homeschooling costs them nothing. In fact, it saves the taxpayers the cost of educating homeschooled children in the public schools. his is no small matter considering how much money home owners pay in real estate taxes just to pay for the public schools in their communities. And, as we all know, educators are always clamoring for more money.
Here are some ideas on how to promote homeschooling. 1. Arrange for an exhibit of home-education books and materials at your local public library. Volunteer to man a table in the library during that day so that you can answer questions that people may ask. Most libraries have a meeting or conference room in which a talk or a power-point presentation can be given. Be sure to have an adequate supply of leaflets and free literature to distribute. A good time to have this exhibit would be a few weeks before the local or state homeschool convention takes place, so that you could encourage potential homeschoolers to attend the convention and see for themselves all of the materials available and hear some of the talks given by inspirational speakers.
2. Just as important as reaching the public is, so is reaching your lawmakers. So visit the State legislators and present them with homemade cherry pies. The cherry pie will remind everyone of George Washington and the famous incident with the cherry tree. Home-baked cookies or sweet buns might do just as well as the pie, especially if you want to hand out as many items as possible without breaking the bank. Also give them some literature explaining the benefits of homeschooling to the children, the family, and the community. These lawmakers should be reminded that parental rights and educational freedom are important values in a free society.
Read more: http://www.thenewamerican.com/opinion/sam-blumenfeld/7855-how-homeschoolers-can-help-promote-homeschooling
Curriculum Fair of The Arundel Homeschool Support Group
The Arundel Homeschool Support Group held a curriculum fair and workshops at Broadneck Evangelical Presbyterian Church this week to provide the homeschool community exactly what they need as far as current books, materials and resources.
Families from far and wide visited Broadneck to browse the latest educational materials for homeschooling.
Vendors stocked their tables with everything a curious mind might use to grow. Walking down the aisles, one could easily find scientific models, text books, recreation books, curriculum outlines, art supplies and equipment.
Such things are generally expected from an educationally-based fair, but sometimes large, furry, unexpected things can pop up as well. Louie, the fun-loving mascot for the Bowie Baysox, was also in attendance. He posed for pictures, gave out high-fives and had no qualms about sneaking up on browsing
patrons.
During the evening, seven workshops were offered to provide parents with additional educational tools based on their personal interests and circumstances. "Hands on Learning," "Executive Functioning & Time Management," "Classical Conversations," "Nutrition and Behavior" and "Don’t Let Your Wife Homeschool!" (for men only) were some of the topics covered.
The Arundel Homeschool Support Group began in 1990 as a way to provide an outlet to local homeschooler families and to create a friendly network. Since then, membership has grown immensely.
Read more: http://broadneck.patch.com/articles/arundel-homeschoolers-host-curriculum-fair
Families from far and wide visited Broadneck to browse the latest educational materials for homeschooling.
Vendors stocked their tables with everything a curious mind might use to grow. Walking down the aisles, one could easily find scientific models, text books, recreation books, curriculum outlines, art supplies and equipment.
Such things are generally expected from an educationally-based fair, but sometimes large, furry, unexpected things can pop up as well. Louie, the fun-loving mascot for the Bowie Baysox, was also in attendance. He posed for pictures, gave out high-fives and had no qualms about sneaking up on browsing
patrons.
During the evening, seven workshops were offered to provide parents with additional educational tools based on their personal interests and circumstances. "Hands on Learning," "Executive Functioning & Time Management," "Classical Conversations," "Nutrition and Behavior" and "Don’t Let Your Wife Homeschool!" (for men only) were some of the topics covered.
The Arundel Homeschool Support Group began in 1990 as a way to provide an outlet to local homeschooler families and to create a friendly network. Since then, membership has grown immensely.
Read more: http://broadneck.patch.com/articles/arundel-homeschoolers-host-curriculum-fair
Catholic schools vs. Homeschool ?
The 2010-11 school year marked my first as a homeschooling mom. For two years our daughters had attended Catholic schools, but this school year was the grand opening of the Hartline Academy for Girls. It's been challenging, rewarding, frustrating at times, a steep hill to climb some days, but a blessing for all of us and we have no regrets.
I was quite dismayed - rather irritated, actually - to read the article in Our Sunday Visitor recently regarding the conflict between homeschool families in Texas and Bishop Joe Vasquez of Austin, as well as Ned Vanders, the Catholic schools superintendent.
It centers on a belief that Catholic parents are obligated to send their children to Catholic schools if there's a school in their area, and parents who do not are guilty of abrogating that obligation. In other words, parents who choose to homeschool are committing a grave offense against Catholic schools.
The Holy Family Homeschoolers Association had invited Bishop Vasquez to celebrate a blessing Mass with them at the beginning of the next school year. Curiously, the response didn't come from the Bishop's office but from Ned Vanders.
He wrote: "Bishop Vasquez received your invitation to celebrate a Eucharistic liturgy for the fall home-schooling blessing Mass. Bishop Vasquez believes Catholic education, and in particular Catholic school education, is an essential part of the life of the Diocese of Austin. As you know, Catholic schools are at the heart of the mission of the Church. Bishop's presence at the homeschooling Mass would convey a contradictory message equating the importance of Catholic school education with Catholic home schooling; therefore, Bishop Vasquez must respectfully decline the invitation. Sincerely in Christ, Ned F. Vanders, E.D."
Respectfully, there was nothing respectful about Mr. Vanders' reply. It was a thinly-veiled attack on the integrity of homeschoolers, the right of parents to make such a choice, and the validity of Catholic homeschooling. It was insulting and dismissive. And it still baffles me why Bishop Vasquez did not respond himself. I sincerely hope the Bishop does not share Vanders's views on Catholic homeschooling.
Read more: http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=41603
I was quite dismayed - rather irritated, actually - to read the article in Our Sunday Visitor recently regarding the conflict between homeschool families in Texas and Bishop Joe Vasquez of Austin, as well as Ned Vanders, the Catholic schools superintendent.
It centers on a belief that Catholic parents are obligated to send their children to Catholic schools if there's a school in their area, and parents who do not are guilty of abrogating that obligation. In other words, parents who choose to homeschool are committing a grave offense against Catholic schools.
The Holy Family Homeschoolers Association had invited Bishop Vasquez to celebrate a blessing Mass with them at the beginning of the next school year. Curiously, the response didn't come from the Bishop's office but from Ned Vanders.
He wrote: "Bishop Vasquez received your invitation to celebrate a Eucharistic liturgy for the fall home-schooling blessing Mass. Bishop Vasquez believes Catholic education, and in particular Catholic school education, is an essential part of the life of the Diocese of Austin. As you know, Catholic schools are at the heart of the mission of the Church. Bishop's presence at the homeschooling Mass would convey a contradictory message equating the importance of Catholic school education with Catholic home schooling; therefore, Bishop Vasquez must respectfully decline the invitation. Sincerely in Christ, Ned F. Vanders, E.D."
Respectfully, there was nothing respectful about Mr. Vanders' reply. It was a thinly-veiled attack on the integrity of homeschoolers, the right of parents to make such a choice, and the validity of Catholic homeschooling. It was insulting and dismissive. And it still baffles me why Bishop Vasquez did not respond himself. I sincerely hope the Bishop does not share Vanders's views on Catholic homeschooling.
Read more: http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=41603
Monday, June 13, 2011
The rapid growth of online schools has provoked debates
Half a million American children take classes online, with a significant group, like the Weldies, getting all their schooling from virtual public schools. The rapid growth of these schools has provoked debates in courtrooms and legislatures over money, as the schools compete with local districts for millions in public dollars, and over issues like whether online learning is appropriate for young children.
One of the sharpest debates has concerned the Weldies’ school in Wisconsin, where last week the backers of online education persuaded state lawmakers to keep it and 11 other virtual schools open despite a court ruling against them and the opposition of the teachers union. John Watson, a consultant in Colorado who does an annual survey of education that is based on the Internet, said events in Wisconsin followed the pattern in other states where online schools have proliferated fast.
Two models of online schooling predominate. In Florida, Illinois and half a dozen other states, growth has been driven by a state-led, state-financed virtual school that does not give a diploma but offers courses that supplement regular work at a traditional school. Generally, these schools enroll only middle and high school students.
At the Florida Virtual School, the largest Internet public school in the country, more than 50,000 students are taking courses this year. School authorities in Traverse City, Mich., hope to use online courses provided by the Michigan Virtual School next fall to educate several hundred students in their homes, alleviating a classroom shortage.
The other model is a full-time online charter school like the Wisconsin Virtual Academy. About 90,000 children get their education from one of 185 such schools nationwide. They are publicly financed, mostly elementary and middle schools.
source: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/01/education/01virtual.html?ref=homeschooling
One of the sharpest debates has concerned the Weldies’ school in Wisconsin, where last week the backers of online education persuaded state lawmakers to keep it and 11 other virtual schools open despite a court ruling against them and the opposition of the teachers union. John Watson, a consultant in Colorado who does an annual survey of education that is based on the Internet, said events in Wisconsin followed the pattern in other states where online schools have proliferated fast.
Two models of online schooling predominate. In Florida, Illinois and half a dozen other states, growth has been driven by a state-led, state-financed virtual school that does not give a diploma but offers courses that supplement regular work at a traditional school. Generally, these schools enroll only middle and high school students.
At the Florida Virtual School, the largest Internet public school in the country, more than 50,000 students are taking courses this year. School authorities in Traverse City, Mich., hope to use online courses provided by the Michigan Virtual School next fall to educate several hundred students in their homes, alleviating a classroom shortage.
The other model is a full-time online charter school like the Wisconsin Virtual Academy. About 90,000 children get their education from one of 185 such schools nationwide. They are publicly financed, mostly elementary and middle schools.
source: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/01/education/01virtual.html?ref=homeschooling
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