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Superior Education at Home
As growing populations of homeschoolers emerge; online programs have come to define the ground between homeschooling and personalized school-at-home education. Homeschool Facts subscribers have voiced their opinion. For two years running, HS Facts "Best-in-Class" survey has recognized International Virtual Learning Academy for their excellence in online education.

Schools such as International Virtual Learning Academy (IVLA) help each student maximize his or her potential by combining the innovation of online learning with the supportive environment of homeschooling.

International Virtual Learning Academy is a private, accredited online school-at-home program for students in grades 3-12. IVLA provides a high quality curriculum and exceptional state-certified teachers.

IVLA uses Global Student Network's online curriculum, combining:

• Customized online textbooks and materials from leading curriculum experts,
• Engaging resources from innovators in online learning,
• Lessons and instructional media from their own curriculum experts.

At the time of enrollment, IVLA enrolls:

• The student in a portal that includes all required materials in a comprehensive, easy-to-use online learning management portal
• The parent in a read-only version of the student portal. Parents can see and assist their students through their courses, at the same time receiving the expertise and assistance of highly qualified teachers

International Virtual Learning Academy provides a dedicated teacher who works directly with both the student and parent  to develop an individual learning plan, provide instruction, and evaluate assignments. Instruction and administration are conducted through the outstanding learning management system and integrated communication tools. Every IVLA teacher is fully committed to each child’s educational success.

With the best resources at their fingertips, IVLA students explore and master required core subjects: language arts, mathematics, science and social studies. At each grade level, students go beyond the basics to lay the groundwork for future academic success:

• Building a solid foundation in reading, writing and mathematics.
• Developing lifelong learning and analytical skills.
• Encouraging exploration, critical thinking, and problem-solving.

International Virtual Learning Academy has been recognized as "Best-in-Class" by Homeschool Facts subscribers for two years in a row. See for yourself how IVLA brings the classroom to you: www.InternationalVLA.com
Posted on November 19, 2009, 8:59 am


The Cost-Benefits of Online Private School-at-home programs

In today’s economy, many homeschool families look for ways to cut education costs without sacrificing the quality of education. With the rapid development of online education, families can now have the best of both worlds – high quality online education at a very reasonable price.  While cost is only one factor that families should consider in choosing their child’s education, they no longer have to decide between cost and quality.

For the past several years, families were sometimes forced to choose between free public schools, and homeschooling. New technology now offers a third choice, private, accredited, online school-at-home programs.

This article won’t discuss the free public education option at all, so if that’s still a decision factor, it won’t be much help here.

This article discusses the two other options: Homeschooling vs. School-at-home programs. So, what are the differences between homeschooling your child yourself, and enrolling in a private online school?

Homeschooling:  Over the past decade, homeschooling has grown substantially as a viable education option for many families. A homeschool family is one that, for a variety of reasons, has pulled out of the traditional education system in order to have direct and complete control of the education of their students. The parents make all decisions regarding the curriculum their children will use, if any; how they will assess their children, and when they consider their children to have completed their education. Because the parents are typically not licensed educators, very few homeschool programs are eligible for accreditation. Although this should not be a strong deterrent for committing to homeschooling, it is a factor that should be considered. There is a great resource of information on this topic at: http://www.globalstudentnetwork.com/homeschool/blog/

School-at-Home (Private Distance Education Schools):  Good online schools have professionally trained educators and faculty to provide high quality, flexible education support to families. Many seek and receive regional accreditation. Accreditation is the official recognition that a school of any type uses curriculum developed by professionals and that is evaluated by accrediting agencies to guarantee that the curriculum is in line with local, state, and federal academic standards. Enrolling your children in an accredited distance learning program means you’ll never have to worry about colleges accepting classes, or questioning the accuracy of transcripts.

Another strength of many distance learning private schools, such as International Virtual Learning Academy, is that they provide students with individualized instructional programs based on each child’s specific needs. Many times, students struggle to understand complex concepts, and as parents, we sometimes find it difficult to explain or help our children in these circumstances. With the help of a private online school, students have access to a variety of different teachers and to numerous programs that will assist in the learning process.

A third advantage of some online private schools is that they combine the strengths of private schooling and home schooling?  This hybrid model where the school’s staff and faculty support the parent’s direct academic involvement in their children brings out the best in children and provides educational opportunities not previously available to many homeschoolers.

Not sure which option is best for you? One company, Global Student Network can help you navigate through your decision. Global Student Network provides a public school online curriculum directly to homeschool families. With this option, the parent is in charge of their child’s education from start to finish, and has total authority of their student’s education.

Global Student Network also collaborates with International Virtual Learning Academy, a private, accredited online school for grades 3-12.

International Virtual Learning Academy offers a less expensive private school alternative. Tuition at most private schools is very expensive and can compare in cost to sending your children to college. However, IVLA’s tuition is surprisingly affordable, and costs a fraction of the tuition of a bricks and mortar schools charge.

By choosing a private online school, you also avoid the “oops” cost of homeschooling, those expensive mistakes of purchasing textbooks and workbooks that aren’t quite adequate or what you expected. When this occurs, not only do you have the cost of the original purchase, but then the replacement purchase as well. How many times have you purchased a curriculum or a textbook only to find that it’s not quite what you expected?

Homeschooling is time-intensive, and your time is money—whether you work outside the home or work full time within your home. Your time developing a teaching strategy, pouring over curriculum options, trying to figure out how to provide a report card and diploma, etc., is no longer an issue. By enrolling in a school-at-home academy like IVLA, the school staff manages all of these aspects of your child’s education. This works well for many parents that just don’t feel qualified to teach certain subjects or don’t feel qualified to do it all on their own.

When it comes to your child’s education, your ability to provide a caring, comfortable, and positive environment is second nature to International Virtual Learning Academy. IVLA understands and works directly with each student’s parents to ensure that all students receive a high quality education.

•    Value Laden Education at International Virtual Learning Academy:
•    Uses high quality curriculum developed by a public school district and used by over 30,000 school-at-home students world-wide
•    Accredited by Northwest Association of Accredited Schools – One of the “Big Six” accrediting bodies.
•    Highly qualified teachers for each course – Master’s degree and licensed teacher.
•    Affordable – surprisingly so. Contact IVLA at: 877-878-6001 for more information.

Posted on July 22, 2009, 2:32 pm


Finding an Online School-at-Home program that's right for you

Finding an online school that meets your families educational needs is no small undertaking. The first major issue after you have decided to be more actively involved in your child’s education is whether to homeschool, or whether you want to school-at-home. I won’t go too far into it in this blog, but you can read more at Homeschool vs. School-at-Home.

That blog will help you decide which direction is best for you. Once you’ve made the decision to be more actively involved in your child’s education, and you know that you want to School-at-Home, the next step is to find an online school that’s right for you and for your children. Some of the key issues that I recommend you look for are:

• Level of parental involvement required - Your child’s education should be a collaboration between you, your child, their teachers, and the school.
• Course selection - the online school should have all the courses that are necessary for your child’s complete education.
• Flexibility - your child should be able to work when they are at their best, and around your family’s schedule, not around the convenience of the school
• Accreditation - There are many online schools that claim accreditation, I recommend making sure they are one of the “Big Six” accrediting bodies.
• Full diploma programs - You don’t want your child in classes only to find that they cannot get a high school diploma.
• Nationally recognized curriculum - will ease the college application process.
• Part time and full time enrollment.
• Book based or online based - Many online schools claim to be online, but rely heavily on books, cd’s, packets, etc. Some examples are K-12, Insight Schools, and any school that uses Blackboard or E-college as their learning management system.

A great way to find the right program is to start your search online. Many search phrases will get you to some schools. Remember though, that some of the better online schools may not do well in search engines (That’s a subject for a whole other blog). One of the more highly recommended online schools for elementary, middle, and high schools is International Virtual Learning Academy. This program has been highly rated by Homeschool Facts subscribers over the past year for the level of customer service, the excellent teaching staff, and the outstanding online-curriculum.

Create an evaluation list to measure how each school can meet your needs. An evaluation list is a listing of criteria you can use to find the right school. This list should include the aspects of online learning that are most important to you such as cost, time to graduate, requirements, teacher support, parental involvement, and other criteria that you consider important.

Be disciplined in your evaluation of online schools. Create a spreadsheet and rank them based on which meet your criteria and which do not. Once you have selected the top 2 possibilities, learn more about the school by speaking to someone in the admission office. This is a great way to learn about the school itself, get any questions you might have answered, and determine your fit with the school.

Learning online takes a great deal of organization and discipline. As a result, you will find that most students enrolled are highly focused on learning. Even the most motivated students sometimes need a great deal of support. Schooling-at-home can be a great opportunity to strengthen your relationship with your child, but it can also be taxing to find the right balance. Good online schools will have the staff to help you through this process. Keep this in mind when you start your search and consider which programs can meet your child’s needs.

For more information about International Virtual Learning Academy, go to: www.internationalvla.com

Posted on July 4, 2009, 11:19 am


Homeschool vs. School-at-Home

A recent U.S. Department of Education report shows the continued growth of homeschooling in the United States. The report, from the National Center for Educational Statistics estimated a 74% increase in homeschooling over the 8 years ending in 2007. In addition to lack of confidence and dissatisfaction with traditional public schools parents cite their desire to be more actively involved in their children's education.

Recent developments in educational technology have certainly increased opportunities for homeschool families, but the same technologies have blurred the lines between "homeschooling" and "school-at-home" programs.

Homeschool:
A homeschool family is one that, for a variety of reasons, has pulled out of the traditional education system in order to have direct and complete control of the education of their students. The parents make all decisions regarding the curriculum their children will use, if any; how they will assess their children, and when they consider their children to have completed their education. A review of the research on homeschooling indicates that homeschool students do as well as, if not better than traditionally educated students in most academic measures, including success in college.

There are many curriculum providers that help ease the transition from traditional education into homeschooling. One of the challenges for early homeschoolers was ensuring their students learned the subject materials they needed for successful transition into college. While traditional schools use standardized curriculum, early homechoolers did not have access to that benefit.

One of the first decisions homeschool families need to make is what curriculum they will use for their children's education. Two types are generally available. Traditional books, delivered via mail or library, and online courses. One of the most popular online curriculums, offered by Global Student Network (GSN) is currently being used by homeschoolers in all 50 states and 28 countries.

Global Student Network is an online curriculum provider that seems to understand the difference between homeschooling and school-at-home. When a family enrolls in GSN's homeschool option, the parent is placed in the "teacher" module so that they can assess their children, provide feedback, and have complete control over their education. GSN assists parents with course selection when requested, and provides detailed information and forms for maintaining a "homeschool portfolio," the equivalent of a public school transcript. They also provide a certificate of completion for each course for the parent to sign and issue to their students. An outstanding feature of GSN's online curriculum is that it was developed by a public school district, is a standards-based curriculum that meets the standards in all 50 states and has been well received by a wide variety of homeschool families

It is important for new homeschoolers to understand that homeschool curricula are never accredited. Curricula in and of itself does not meet any criteria for any accrediting organizations. In order for an institution to have accreditation, it must be a school of some form. Whether the school is set up as an independent study program, or traditional education institution, accreditation is granted based on self-review, other review, and the administrative processes a school uses to conduct its business. Rarely is a school accredited on the basis of its curriculum, its teaching method, or its teaching effectiveness.

At one time, getting into college required attending an accredited high school. Over the past several years, an increasing number of colleges recognize what homeschoolers have known for some time, that homeschool students do equally well or better in college than traditionally educated students. Colleges are now actively recruiting and accepting homeschool students on an equal basis as traditionally educated youth. The most important criteria that colleges use are the transcripts (or portfolio) of the students educational career, and their score on the SAT/ACT test. An excellent resource for colleges that actively recruit and accept homeschoolers can be found at HomeschoolFacts.com

School-at-Home:
With the rising dissatisfaction with public education, school-at-home programs have popped up all across the nation. Using a variety of independent study methods, these programs are established as private or public schools. The most significant aspect of school-at-home programs is that they have some element of control and authority of the learning process of your child. The level of control ranges from minimal to in-depth. Some of the terminology you may hear is: Umbrella School, Independent Study Program, Accredited High School Diploma from your home. There are also many public and charter schools that are beginning to offer school-at-home programs.

School-at-home programs serve as excellent resources for parents that want more control over their children's education, but feel that they might struggle with the "teaching" of some or all subjects to their children. Most school-at-home programs provide some level of teaching support for the families they serve.

School-at-home programs operating under public charter school regulations in many states are not permitted to charge for tuition, and there appears to be a rising trend throughout the nation for this form of cyber-school. The downside of public charter cyber-schools is that they must comply with the regulations of the No Child Left Behind law. To the family and student, this typically means annual assessment test to measure Annual Yearly Progress. Public charter cyber-schools have mixed reviews when compared to their brick-and-mortar counterparts. There is a model of Independent Study Programs in California that has become established as the model for change in traditional education. These "ISP" schools allow parents to fully collaborate with the school to choose curriculum, design a learning plan, provide as much instruction as the parents feel capable of providing, and still provide the safety net of academically prepared faculty to support the student and families needs.

One of the most popular types of school-at-home programs are private schools that bring the best of online learning technology and provide highly individualized learning opportunities for students in their home environment. One of the most popular private school programs that falls in this category is International Virtual Learning Academy (IVLA). This school provides a standards based online curriculum that is very popular throughout the U.S. and internationally.

IVLA is a private, accredited, California school that serves students world-wide. This unique school has open enrollment, meaning that students can start at any time of the year. IVLA provides a highly qualified teacher for every course, and awards an accredited high school diploma to eligible students. IVLA also serves adult learners who want to return to school to complete their high school diploma rather than obtaining a GED. IVLA provides a complete academic assessment of every student prior to enrolling in their first course, which includes a road-map to graduation that his individualized to that student's needs.

In addition to the innovative schools like IVLA mentioned above, there are some very large educational conglomerates that see dollar signs in education and have very aggressive marketing campaigns to draw students away from traditional schools. Some of the big conglomerates that have entered the school-at-home market in the last few years include: K-12 Inc., a public traded company, Connections Academy, Insight Schools (owned by the same company that owns University of Phoenix) and several others. While the definitive research is not out yet, early research reports indicate that their students fair no better than, and in some cases worse then students in traditional brick-and-mortar schools. There are some questions about their advertising as well. When a school says they are an "accredited homeschool program" red-flags should go off in homeschoolers minds.

As in all new technology and service delivery, families should fully investigate their options. Company's like Global Student Network and International Virtual Learning Academy have earned a sound reputation in the homeschool and school-at-home communities for their customer service, responsiveness, and low-cost educational alternatives.

Posted on July 3, 2009, 10:10 am


Dr. Newmark's Whole Child Approach

Posted on June 16, 2009, 3:32 pm


Online Summer School Enrollment Open Now Through August at International Virtual Learning Academy
Students wanting to accelerate their high school education, or make up credits they are lacking can now do so without sacrificing their summer vacation thanks to online summer school. International Virtual Learning Academy (IVLA), an accredited private school, offers 95+ for grades 3-12. Courses can be taken from virtually anywhere there’s an Internet connection.

“IVLA serves students throughout the world. Students can enroll part time and take a few classes, or full time, and complete their entire high school education on-line,” said Don Posson, IVLA’s superintendent. “Many students are enrolling in online summer school to take courses not offered by their brick-and-mortar schools, or to replace a low or failed grade.” With virtual summer school students can earn credits without derailing their summer plans. IVLA offers a high-quality, convenient option to students in need.”

Certified teachers give students one-on-one attention, communicate with them the school’s online learning environment, and use video, audio and animation to provide an engaging learning environment.

More and more K-12 students are turning to online courses as a flexible way to take rigorous course work at a time and location that works best for them. The number of elementary and secondary students taking online courses increased tenfold between 2001 and 2007, from about 200,000 to almost two million, according to the Sloan Consortium, which researches online education.

International Virtual Learning Academy uses the world renown Global Student Network Online Curriculum, and is accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools. 

For more information or to enroll, visit www.internationalvla.com

About International Virtual Learning Academy

International Virtual Learning Academy (IVLA) is a leading provider of online 3-12 education, offers flexible, individualized and high-quality curriculum and instruction to promote student success. IVLA is a private accredited school that provides highly individualized education for elementary, middle, and high school students. IVLA’s student body is diverse, serving accelerated learners wanting to graduate early, adults seeking high school diplomas, homeschooled students, and at-risk teenagers who require an alternative to traditional high school. IVLA is accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools. For more information, visit www.internationalvla.com
Posted on June 3, 2009, 7:25 pm


Attention Young Scientists

Attention Homeschool Science Students in Grades 5 through 8

Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge is the premier national science competition for students in grades 5 through 8. The Young Scientist Challenge is designed to encourage the exploration of science and innovation among America's youth and to promote the importance of science communication. To learn more about the 3M Young Scientist Challenge, copy and paste the link into your web browser. http://www.youngscientistchallenge.com/  

Posted on March 10, 2009, 6:04 pm


Ave Marie University Open House

11th & 12th Grade Homeschoolers Are Invited to Attend:

 

Ave Maria University Open House - April 3-5th

Accepted students will receive a $200 travel reimbursement to visit Ave Maria. Fill out a free online application today!

Ave Maria University Welcomes Homeschoolers

At Ave Maria University, nearly 30% of our students homeschooled through high school. Many of our most successful students come from a home education background. Homeschool students have the same application process and the same opportunity to receive scholarships and financial aid as any applicant.

Open House April 3-5, 2009

Come see what Ave Maria University is all about! Ave Maria is a liberal arts university in the Catholic Tradition. High school juniors and seniors are invited to come experience first-hand the excellent academics, dynamic spiritual life, and many extracurricular opportunities at Ave Maria. During the Open House, visitors will have a chance to stay overnight in the dorms and participate in information sessions and social events. There is no charge to attend an Open House at Ave Maria University, and all meals are provided.

More Information

To learn more about Ave Maria's open house, application process, high school summer programs, or homeschool initiatives, please visit us online or contact the Office of Home School Advancement at 239-280-1656 or homeschool@avemaria.edu.

Please forward this email to other homeschool students who might be interested in Ave Maria's Open House.

Register now for the Open House

Posted on March 10, 2009, 5:24 pm


Nevada Governor Proclaims Home Education Awareness Week

Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons has proclaimed March 30-April 5, 2009 Home Education Awareness Week in Nevada! This is a wonderful recognition of Nevada homeschoolers.

 

 The Nevada Homeschool Network has been instrumental in seeing this proclamation into fruition, and they have also coordinated with Barnes and Noble to host a book fair and fundraiser in celebration of this week. The book fair will be in Reno on April 3. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Nevada Homeschool Network.

 

We encourage you to invite family, friends, and homeschool supporters to attend this book fair. Your attendance will show your promotion and support of homeschooling. You also will have the opportunity to participate in the needed fundraiser for the Nevada Homeschool Network.

 

Activities at the book fair will include a local author book reading and signing, a "Top Gun" Air Force pilot presentation with autographed photos, local politician "meet and greet," and a Barnes and Noble presentation on benefits and discounts for home educators.

 

Please attend the Barnes and Noble Book Fair in support of the Nevada Homeschool Network on April 3 at 5555 S. Virginia St., Reno, NV!

 

For more details of this event, please visit the Nevada Homeschool Network's website: http://www.nevadahomeschoolnetwork.com/alerts.php
Posted on March 10, 2009, 5:21 pm


The Appleseed Project
Here's some information that came across the HS Facts desk for homeschoolers in Missouri:

The Appleseed Project (www.appleseedinfo.org), as presented by the Revolutionary War Veterans Association, is coming to several locations and dates, in Missouri, for 2009.

The Appleseed Project is a one of a kind, national program, that teaches traditional rifle marksmanship skills as well as sharing history of the people and events that surround April 19th, 1775, the day the shot was heard around the world in Lexington and Concord.

Our rifle marksmanship course teaches the fundamentals of accurate rifle marksmanship, passing on the skills that have been traditionally passed on from generation to generation.  We do this in our weekend Appleseed Shoot clinics, with the participants being instructed in all the skills required to allow them to shoot accurately out to 500 yards, the traditional American Rifleman's quarter mile.  This used to be a common level of skill in America, and can be achieved by today's rifle shooters, with their standard rifle, iron sights, standard ammo, in field positions, using just a sling for support.  These skills are what Appleseed teaches.

During the two day clinic, participants are introduced to the people and events that surround the birth of our nation, the events of April 19th, 1775, in Lexington and Concord.  We share with participants, not only the basic facts of this fateful day, but also the details of many forgotten, common man heroes of that day.  We do this to honor those that made great sacrifice for our Freedoms and to help today's Americans understand their Heritage.

The Appleseed events offer some unique opportunities to the Homeschooling families in our nation.  We offer our events FREE to kids under 21, women, military (active, Reserve, Guard), and elected officials.   So, the entire family can participate in these events for very little cost.  As an additional benefit, there may be physical education and history credits available, for attending an Appleseed event.

The RWVA is a 501.c.3, non-profit organization, staffed entirely of volunteers, who are dedicated to preserve our Traditions and Heritage, and to pass these on to our fellow Americans.  The Appleseed events are very family friendly, with an atmosphere of honor for our Founders, duty to our fellow Americans and a desire to share traditional skills with our fellow countrymen.

The next three Appleseed events in Missouri are March 21, 2009 at Williamstown (http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=5207.0) , March 28-29 at  Cameron (http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=5339.0)  , and April 18-19 at Osage Beach (http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=4751.0) .  While these events are FREE for most of your families, we suggest that you register for these events, to ensure that there is a spot on the firing line for the entire family.

With a safe, structured, very well proven rifle marksmanship course, along with some very good Heritage presentations, Appleseed Shoots offer the homeschooling families an unique and fun educational opportunity.  We have had many homeschooling families on the line, participating as families, sharing in a common, bonding experience.  In fact, their happy participation is what has motivated us to contact you directly, so that the families of Missouri can share in this very fun and inexpensive program.
Posted on March 7, 2009, 7:10 am


Homeschool numbers grow
From the Californian, by Janice Lloyd

The ranks of America's home-schooled children has continued a steady climb over the past five years, and new research suggests broader reasons for the appeal.

The number of home-schooled kids hit 1.5 million in 2007, up 74 percent from when the Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics started keeping track in 1999, and up 36 percent since 2003. The percentage of the school-age population that was home-schooled increased from 2.2 percent in 2003 to 2.9 percent in 2007. "There's no reason to believe it would not keep going up," says Gail Mulligan, a statistician at NCES.

Traditionally, the biggest motivations for parents to school their kids at home have been moral or religious reasons, and that remains the top pick when parents are asked to name one factor affecting their choice.

But the 2003 survey gave parents six reasons to pick for their interest. The 2007 survey added a seventh: an interest in a "non-traditional approach," a reference to parents, dubbed "unschoolers," who regard standard curriculum methods and standardized testing as counterproductive to a quality education.

"We wanted to identify the parents who are part of the "unschooling movement' and added the item for that reason," Mulligan says. The "unschooling" group is viewed by educators as a subset of home-schoolers, who generally follow standard curriculum and grading systems. "Unschoolers" create their own systems.

The category of "other reasons" rose to 32 percent in 2007 from 20 percent in 2003, and included family time, finances, travel and distance. This suggests that the demographics are expanding beyond conservative Christian groups, says Robert Kunzman, an associate professor at Indiana University's School of Education. Anecdotal evidence indicates that many parents just want their children to learn at their own pace, he says.

The 2007 estimates are based on data from the Parent and Family Involvement in Education Survey of the National Household Education Surveys.
Posted on January 7, 2009, 1:10 pm


Curriculum Associates’ ‘DORA’ Reading Program Wins Award as the “Brightest Idea” at NCTI Tech Expo
Homeschool Facts has been talking about the DORA for the past several months. One online curriculum provider for homeschoolers, Global Student Network, has been offering free DORA assessments to homeschoolers enrolled in their program.

Recently, Curriculum Associates, a company that recently purchased the rights to the DORA, as well as other assessments, won the Bright Idea Peer Award at the 2008 Tech Expo held by the National Center for Technology Innovation (NCTI). The Tech Expo is an exclusive event funded by the U.S. Department of Education and is attended by personnel from state and federal education departments, district superintendents, board members, technology staff, as well as other education employees. DORA was developed by educational experts at Let’s Go Learn and is sold exclusively through Curriculum Associates.
 
“DORA was the brainchild of Dr. Richard McCallum, a recognized expert in using diagnostic assessment to tailor instructional interventions and a researcher at the U.C. Berkeley. His work, and the program, have been tested and proven to help educators diagnose sub-skill deficiencies in students and then create paths for reading success,” said Robert L. Waldron, president and COO of Curriculum Associates. “This acclaim from peers, researchers, developers, entrepreneurs and specialists validates the impressive body of research behind DORA.”
 
DORA functions like an automated reading specialist, streamlining formerly paper-based and labor-intensive diagnostic assessment processes for schools and learning centers. The Web-based assessment combines audio, text and multimedia to test for proficiencies in eight reading sub-skills: high-frequency words, word recognition, phonics, phonemic awareness, oral vocabulary, spelling, reading comprehension, and fluency. By examining these sub-skills together, DORA reveals each student’s unique reading profile and guides differentiated instruction and enables the effective monitoring of individual progress. Schools can use the technology for both English language learners and mainstream students from kindergarten through grade 12 rather than purchasing different assessment software for different grade ranges.

Families interested in enrolling their students in Global Student Network's Online curriculum, and receive a free reading and math assessment:  CLICK HERE

Families who would like to use the reading and math assessments for a small fee without enrolling in GSN's curriculum: CLICK HERE
Posted on January 7, 2009, 1:09 pm


Distance education provides continuity for high school students
It's a familiar story. Military kids leaving behind their friends at one base, and then having to re-adjust at a new school. Sometimes more than once during a school year. Military parents are sensitive, but when the transfer order comes in - military personnel have no choice but to start packing.

According to a U.S. Department of Defense report, there are well over a million military kids attending U.S. public schools, and that number is expected to rise. Second only to family, school is the most important stabilizing force in the lives of young people. It's not uncommon for military children to move as many as 15 times before graduating from high school.

In addition to the expected concerns families face when making a move (housing, cost-of-living, etc.) military parents also contend with a variety of issues when it comes to education for their children. Quality of education, busing, transfer credits/credit recovery, student safety, special education programs, to name a few.

Education curriculum and education requirements can vary tremendously between states and between school districts. However, for service members, distance education is one way to ensure that their high school children's education isn't interrupted each time a new duty station calls. Whether based in California or Germany, parents can feel confident that their child is receiving a consistent, accredited high school diploma.

Distance education institutions like International Virtual Learning Academy (IVLA) can provide serious relief for military families with high school age children. Students have the option of receiving an accredited diploma from IVLA or quickly making up lost credits. IVLA is accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools (NAAS) and offers diplomas at the general education or college preparatory level.

Transferring schools is challenging for any family, especially when it involves the military. Not only are there quality considerations, but social concerns as well. A key benefit that IVLA provides is flexibility and portability. The student continues his or her studies regardless of how often or where the family moves.”

Another benefit is that IVLA provides a wide variety of academic and elective courses -- English, mathematics, social studies, science, business, technology, foreign language. Accreditation assures that credits will not be lost in future transitions. Because IVLA's education is entirely self paced, students can catch up on credits needed for graduation, or work more aggressively to graduate ahead of time.”

About the International Virtual Learning Academy: IVLA, a worldwide leader in comprehensive distance education, offers online courses full or part time for grades 3-12. It is accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools (NAAS). Based in Northern California, IVLA provides year-round enrollment for students throughout the world. For more information, visit: www.internationalvla.com
Posted on January 5, 2009, 1:02 pm


Online Learning continues to grow in popularity

Posted on December 6, 2008, 3:38 pm


Washington Times Op-ed—Testing Proves Success of Graduates
A great story from HSLDA's president, J. Michael Smith

From the beginning of the re-emergence of homeschooling in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the strongest criticism of homeschooling was that untrained, noncredentialed parents could not provide the quality of instruction needed to match the education provided in public and private schools. To address this criticism, the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) commissioned several studies to compare how homeschoolers score on standardized achievement tests compared to their public and private school counterparts.

The results of those tests demonstrated that on average, homeschooled children regularly outperformed their peers. These test results had a significant impact on the growth of homeschooling. First, state legislators were convinced that homeschooling parents could provide a high level of education, and they passed laws that recognized the right to homeschool. Additionally, many parents who were contemplating homeschooling were encouraged to take the leap of faith to educate their children at home.

What the test results demonstrate is that a homeschool program tailored to the individual needs of the student is the best method of educating a child. This reality was further supported by test results on the SAT and ACT that demonstrated that the average homeschooled graduate tested higher than the average graduate from public schools.

Now we have additional test results that demonstrate homeschool graduates compare favorably with students at such prestigious schools as Harvard, Yale and Princeton universities and the University of Virginia.

The Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) administers the American Civic Literacy Test (ACLT) to college students to measure their factual knowledge about American history, the Constitution and more. The results reveal that students nationwide lack even the basics. When ISI administered the ACLT in 2006 to a sample of students attending Ivy League schools, Harvard seniors answered 69.56 percent of the questions correctly, Yale seniors answered 65.85 percent correctly and Princeton seniors answered 61.90 percent.

Compare this with students at Patrick Henry College (PHC), a Christian classical college located 50 miles Northwest of the District, where 80 percent of the students come from homeschooling backgrounds. The ACLT was given to PHC freshmen this fall. These freshmen scored at 71.6 percent, two points higher than Harvard’s seniors and 17.4 percent higher than the average senior mean score at 50 of the country’s top institutions of higher education.

I also have seen the scores of PHC freshmen on a standardized test by Educational Testing Service known as MAPP (Measure of Academic Proficiency and Progress). The MAPP tests proficiency in critical thinking, reading, writing and mathematics, and the results permit us to compare incoming PHC freshmen with college seniors at 253 participating institutions. The PHC freshmen tested higher than seniors at every other participating institution, including Baylor University, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the universities of Colorado, Georgia and Mississippi.

The ACLT and MAPP results have their limits, and it must be remembered that PHC only admits high-achieving applicants.

The test results do show clearly what happens when you compare the best with the best: The best homeschooled students systematically outperform the best non-homeschooled students. This success did not happen automatically. It happened because tens of thousands of dedicated parents made tremendous sacrifices to educate their children.

I believe we can safely say the type of parental involvement children receive in a homeschool environment and the learning environment created by the home are significant factors in the success of the homeschool movement in academics. These results are a testament to the dedication of parents as well as the homeschool method of teaching. It is a proven combination for success in education.

Posted on December 2, 2008, 6:33 pm


Why some students prefer virtual schooling
At a NACOL symposium, virtual-school students discuss why they left their regular schools in favor of online instruction

International Virtual Learning Academy students say they enjoy the flexibility online classes provide. What motivates a growing number of virtual-school students to forgo the traditional school structure and take their classes entirely online?

At the Virtual School Symposium hosted in mid-October in Phoenix by the North American Council for Online Learning (NACOL), virtual-school students from a variety of programs explained they like being able to progress at their own pace--and some said they appreciate being able to take classes not offered by their traditional, bricks-and-mortar school. Some of the comments made by the student panel, which spoke in front of the entire NACOL conference:

• I left conventional school because I wanted to study at my own pace while holding a job outside of school and focusing attention on out-of-school topics that related to college interests.
• "I was looking for something different to fit my schedule, and the traditional system wasn't making the cut,"
• "You can create your own schedule. ... It's not the same routine I'd have in the traditional system, and I can get more of what I want to do done,"
• An online school also lets me choose courses that a traditional school might not offer, such as courses that focus more on computer science and graphics.
• "I'm really drawn by technology--that's one of the main reasons I joined the school,"
• "In the traditional system, [the] main problem is that classes [move] only as fast as the slowest student ... so it doesn't adapt to your own learning style and learning environment. It really slows you down if you want to get ahead."
• Enrolling in a virtual school not only frees up time for students to pursue other interests, it also teaches them valuable time-management skills.
• Working so independently encourages the same type of time-management skills that college students need to be successful. Managing classes, assignments, and social activities can be daunting, but most students develop a routine quickly.

International Virtual Learning Academy is part of a rapidly expanding resource for online education. A study released during the Virtual School Symposium confirms that the total number of full-time virtual-school students in the United States is on the rise, "along with a continued increase in the number of new full-time programs." (See "Report assesses K-12 online learning.")

Education leaders are wise to listen to what students have to say, and consider ways they can build opportunities for self-paced learning and more freedom of choice into their own school offerings--or else risk losing a growing number of students to online schools that operate outside their domain.

International Virtual Learning Academy students have access to guidance counselors to help them navigate the college application process. Adding a high school component to the company's virtual offerings made it necessary to provide a robust guidance-counselor support staff, a company representative said.

Even virtual-school teachers at the symposium said they liked many of the freedoms that come with teaching in an online environment. Not just students, but teachers, too, can become frustrated in a traditional school setting, because much of their time is devoted to tasks such as asking students for late passes or collecting various assignments.

• "I'm not a disciplinarian now; I'm an educator," one Virtual Academy Teacher said, adding: "Online, there is more one-on-one education."
• "I have always looked for ... alternative ways for students to learn. All students do not learn the same way--they are totally different,"
• In a traditional classroom, educators can "try to think outside of the box, but you're still faced with the one-size-fits-all model," she said. "If we know that all students are different, then we have to do something different. This is going to be one of the major reform efforts that education will see."

International Virtual Learning Academy, like many other online schools, provides individualized education for each student. During the enrollment process, a student’s transcripts and learning needs are assessed, and a graduation plan is developed specific to their needs. Each course is taught by a highly qualified teacher with extensive training in online education.

For more information, visit the International Virtual Learning Academy at: www.internationalvla.com
Posted on December 2, 2008, 6:13 am


Types of Distance Learning Available for Homeschoolers
Homeschooling has been growing at a rate of about 15% each year for the past 15 years. With this phenomenal growth, many distance-learning opportunities have been developed specifically for homeschoolers.

Among the more popular distance-education options for homeschoolers are online courses offered directly to homeschoolers, or alternatively, by public and private schools.

One of the few Online Curriculum providers that work directly with homeschoolers is Global Student Network (GSN). This curriculum company places the homeschool parent into the “teacher’s” online portal, which includes the answer keys for all lessons.  After enrolling, the homeschool student logs on to their private student portal and begins to work on their selected courses. Each time the student completes a lesson, it is delivered to the parent’s portal in-box as a “lesson-to-grade.” The parent reviews their child’s answers against the provided answers and grades the lesson. Once graded, the lesson is returned to the student and maintained in their online course portfolio.  GSN provides free diagnostic assessments in Reading and Mathematics for all newly enrolled students.

Online academies are another choice of distance learning for homeschoolers. Students enroll in these programs just like they would a regular school and then access the class through the internet. All courses are completed online and use online learning systems for class work. The advantage to online academies is that many of them are accredited and will send a high school diploma upon completion. They will also keep detailed transcripts that students can use when applying for college. Another benefit is that most online academies offer distance learning on a course-by-course basis. This way, families can utilize the school for subjects they struggle with teaching or for elective courses they have trouble finding materials on.  One such online academy is the International Virtual Learning Academy (IVLA), which has open enrollment throughout the year. Students at IVLA are assigned a highly qualified teacher for every course, and complete courses on a pace appropriate to their learning level. IVLA also provides free diagnostic assessment at the beginning of each school year.

If a homeschooler wants to keep their child at home, but worries about developing a well-rounded curriculum, both of these options are excellent options.

Both GSN and IVLA are web-based and students complete the same courses as public schooled children. This is a good option for homeschoolers who want to include religious education into their children’s curriculum without having to worry about developing the entire curriculum. Overall, advanced technology has made homeschooling easier and more obtainable for families who want to explore that educational option.

For more information about Global Student Network go to www.GlobalStudentNetwork.com/homeschool

For more information about International Virtual Learning Academy go to www.InternationalVLA.com

 

Posted on November 25, 2008, 8:52 pm


Joy Behar calls homeschooled adults

In a conversation regarding the Obama children’s education, Joy Behar had a misinformed and clearly uneducated statement made the statement: “A lot of them are demented when they are homeschooled”

  To view this video, go to:

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Extraordinarily/620494/
Posted on November 18, 2008, 12:44 pm


From HSLDA: What Can We Expect under an Obama Administration
Homeschool Facts takes no opinion on political positions, but always strives to provide information of value to homeshcoolers throughout the world. This article was forward from the Homeschool Legal Defense Association's President, Michael Smith.

Since the election of Barack Obama as U.S. president, HSLDA has received more than a few calls from both members and nonmembers. Some are quite concerned about the future of homeschooling under an Obama presidency.

First of all, let us always remember that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). He also instructs us to be wise, plan, and be prepared in everything we do.

Despite HSLDA’s efforts prior to the election to get an official statement from the Obama campaign regarding their position on homeschooling, we received no response.

So where does that leave us?

We do know that the Democratic Party has an official position of supporting public education. The National Education Association (NEA), which is the national teachers union, is a major supporter of the Democratic Party. We know that the NEA’s position is that every child should be either taught by a certified teacher or supervised by one. Additionally, their position is that the curriculum used by all homeschoolers should be approved by the state, and children should only be able to continue to be homeschooled based upon systematic evaluation by the state.

It is important to remember that under the United States Constitution, the federal government has no authority over private and home education. This is not to say that they will not attempt to exercise authority in these areas. And whenever private educators accept grants and benefits, there are conditions to receiving those benefits, including being subject to regulation.

Just because the federal government has no constitutional authority over home education, however, doesn’t mean that federal bureaucrats or legislators might not attempt to impose some form of regulation over private and home education. We saw this back in 1994, when the reauthorization of the Secondary and Elementary Act (H.R. 6) contained an amendment which would have conditioned funding to the states for public education to require that all teachers be certified in every subject area they teach. The homeschool community rose up; over a million phone calls were made to the U.S. Congress, and the amendment was defeated. During that process, Representative Dick Armey from Texas introduced an amendment which stated that the federal government and Congress have no authority over private and home education. This protective language was passed by the House of Representatives.

With your help and the help of homeschoolers all across America, we will vigorously resist any effort on the part of the federal government to regulate home education. Obviously, this will take resources—which come from our membership—and we would encourage our current members to continue standing with us, and encourage others to join us.

An immediate concern to watch is the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Although we do not know what Barack Obama’s specific position on the treaty is, we know that future Vice President Joe Biden has publicly indicated that this UN Convention should be ratified by the United States.

It does appear that we will soon have the challenge of keeping the UN Convention from being ratified by the U.S. Senate, ratification requiring a two-thirds majority to pass.

Should the UN Convention be ratified, it would impose the United Nation’s view of children’s rights on America. Under the U.S. Constitution, treaties become the Supreme Law of the land, taking precedent over state laws and state supreme court decisions.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is not in the best interest of parents or children, as it would undermine the parental authority that our laws currently recognize. For further information on the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child visit ParentalRights.org.

To summarize, homeschoolers should not live in fear, but we do need to be wise, and we will need to be vigilant to protect parental rights and homeschooling freedoms in the future. We stand prepared, with your help, to do that as we’ve done for 25 years.

Michael Smith
HSLDA President
Posted on November 13, 2008, 9:21 am


Virtual Schools Conference
I had the distinct pleasure of attending a conference sponsored by the North American Council for Online Learning last week. This conference is attended by education leaders from around the world who are working towards improving education through the use of technology.

As with any education conference, there were great moments, and moments that left me wondering.

First, the great moments.

One of the Online Curriculum Providers that homeschoolers have been positively reviewing on this site for years was there. Global Student Network is a provider of online curriculum that has been rated by homeschoolers as one of the best in the nation for the past three years by Homeschool Facts subscribers. I had a great discussion with their VP of Operations, and he asked me to extend an offer to Homeschool Facts subscribers.

Global Student Network is offering homeschoolers an Education Stimulus Package. Any homeschoolers enrolling in their Online Curriculum will receive a $50 discount between now and December 31st.

There were a few things that left me wondering. Some of the mega-charter school operators were at the conference as well. In fact, they were listed as the major sponsors - which means they spent big bucks to be so listed.

One of the major sponsors, Insight Schools, hosted a dinner reception for all conference attendees at the University of Phoenix stadium. That's right, on the field where the Cardinals play. What left me wondering about is where that kind of money comes from to rent a football stadium for the evening to host a dinner party. The answer of course is from public education funds. Insight Schools, similar to K-12 and Connections Academy, operate by finding a district within a state to host their charter school, and then aggressively advertise throughout the state, working hard to draw students from their home districts. Of course, education dollars follow the students.

I only mention this so that homeschoolers, who are the most conscious educators I've ever met, can make decisions about where their students attend school.

Be well
Posted on October 30, 2008, 10:18 pm


Germany Attempts to Destroy Home Schooling
Contribution from the Texas Home School Coalition Association

Dear Home School Friends,

      Home schoolers in Germany are facing the kind of prosecution by government officials that we faced twenty-five years ago, and worse. Home schooling is illegal based on a Nazi era law, and the national government has been unrelenting in its prosecution of these families. The Brause family is facing trial next week in an attempt to put the parents in prison for home schooling. This is not only a traumatic situation for the family but also a test for home schooling in Germany.

Video: CBN Report on Germany's Attempt to Destroy Home Schooling

      IHRG Report on the Brause family: The Brause family lives on a farm on the extreme eastern border of Germany with Poland and the Czech Republic. Since 2001, Bert Brause and his wife have taught their eight children at home. Bert has studied math and will soon be a certified teacher. Bert wrote a letter to the governor of Saxony asking for permission to homeschool his children. The state authorities in Saxony tried to force the parents to register their children in the public school. (There are no alternative schools nearby). The Brauses received threats and fines. The social youth workers and, later, the court-ordered child defendant testified that the children were taught well and that they had a positive impression of them. Regardless, the Family Court ruled against the parents in spring of 2007. The custody for the school-aged children were partially taken from the parents and given over to the state. Now, the parents technically have no say concerning school matters and where the children live. The children could be taken by the state authorities anytime. In May of this year the parents received an ultimatum. The government had registered the children in school. If the children were not sent to school within three weeks, the authorities would take action. On Saturday, May 31, the children were still home, being homeschooled.

      In response to this disregard for the order of the state, the state prosecution ordered a hearing of the parents whom they charged with "intentional child neglect," a criminal offense based on a law that requires intentional harming of a child, punishable with up to two years in prison. Home schooling is the sole evidence the state has against the parents, and it is therefore being considered enough to constitute intentional child neglect. There are no allegations of any other inappropriate behavior by the parents.

      The original hearing was scheduled to be held in a criminal court on July 24, 2008. The case was set so the Brause's would be allowed to have as many as seven attorneys or laymen that could testify on their behalf. Working with a German attorney with considerable skill in these types of cases, who is also very sympathetic to the home school movement in Germany, we developed a very comprehensive trial strategy. This strategy has paid off to this point. The first part of our plan was to have Tim Lambert testify as an expert on how well the Texas public schools cooperate with the local home school organizations and the positive effects of this cooperation. Tim would testify in Germany that home schooling is great for the children and conducive to a democratic society. He would also cover the socialization issue of home schoolers. Both of these issues are important in the fight to legalize home schooling in Germany. There was also a home school education expert from England who was scheduled to testify as well.

     Additionally, our strategy included having a number of local German attorneys and me present in the court room during the hearing to participate as international human rights observers. This would have put pressure on the court to make sure they did not violate the human rights of the parents. These human rights include the right to control the education of your children.

     The final two prongs of our strategy included media coverage of the hearing. CBN planned to cover the trial on the 700 Club and even sent a team to Zittau to cover the case. We have met together with the local attorney and will continue meeting with him to help create the strategy for the courtroom.

     The original hearing was postponed less than a week before trial. The belief was that the court told the prosecutor he needed more evidence on the child neglect to continue bringing the case. I firmly believe part of the reason for the postponement was that our strategy, of which the court was aware, was so high profile that they felt the prosecutor needed more evidence, and thus put everything off.

     In other words, we won round one.

     The court has scheduled a hearing for November 4, 2008

     The strategy for this hearing is different than the original. Now is the time to take a more low-key approach. The local officials know that the home school community in America is watching this case. They know that they have to be careful to guard the integrity of the system rather than running over the rights of the Brause family.

     This means that with our local attorney handling the case we should be able to convince the court of the lack of evidence in this case. If the court does not rule properly, we will be prepared to file an appeal and expose the prejudice of the court in this matter.

     Additionally, if we were to reschedule the influx of international witnesses and attorneys, the court would most likely merely postpone the hearing again to cost us money and time. This could even be done after we have all arrived in Zittau creating considerable expense and effort to no avail.

     Following is further information regarding the charges and the seriousness they pose to the movement in Germany:

     Criminal charge: Intentional child neglect - Mr. and Mrs. Brause are being charged with willingly, knowingly preventing their children from going to school. Preventing the child from receiving a school education is considered harmful to the well being of the children since they cannot receive a school diploma, and this as far as the state prosecutor is concerned, is intentional child neglect.

     Factual information: The two oldest homeschooled children, Rosine,18 and Jotham, 16 recently passed their public school exams with great success. Being homeschooled, they are taking advantage of the school law which permits "school exams for external students." Their father and mother prepared them for these exams, and their success is good evidence that home schooling is not harmful to these children in the very least. The Brauses want a regular school diploma for all their children, as they are practicing this with their oldest two. They have clearly informed the school authorities about their vision for their children.

     Mr. and Mrs. Brause are Christians and homeschool their children for reasons of parental responsibility before God and the law. They chose to home educate their children for their best interest. They ask for prayer that the children will not be taken out of their home and that the court will decide positively for them.

We believe that this case is so important because it will set a precedent against other home educators. And in our opinion, it is winnable.

We are trying to raise support to help the International Human Rights Group (IHRG) cover the thousands of dollars of legal cost involved in defending this family which could result in a positive precedent for all home schoolers in Germany. Would you prayerfully consider helping us with a tax-deductible gift to help this family? Time is short but you may donate online. When you get to the special instruction field type "Germany" in that field. With your help, we will support these families in their battle for home school freedom in Germany. Thank you for praying with us for these families and helping to meet their need for legal defense of their right to home school.

Thank you for joining us in prayer and support of the German home school movement.

In your service and His,

Tim Lambert
Posted on October 30, 2008, 10:07 pm


Keep Praying for the California Homeschooling Case
From the Homeschool Legal Defense Association:

On Monday, June 23, 2008, HSLDA founder Mike Farris argued in defense of homeschooling in the California Court of Appeal in the now-infamous Rachel L. case. In February, this same court had ruled that homeschooling is illegal in California. The court later vacated its own decision in response to a request for rehearing filed by attorney for the father, Gary Kreep of the United States Justice Foundation, with substantial assistance by Farris and other attorneys at HSLDA. Farris argued as a friend of the court on behalf of HSLDA's 15,000 member families in California, as well as Focus on the Family, and Private and Home Educators of California.

Farris was joined in his defense of homeschooling by lawyers representing the Attorney General and Governor of California, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, California’s three largest homeschooling groups (California Homeschool Network, Homeschool Association of California and Christian Home Educators of California), Pacific Justice Institute on behalf of Sunland Christian School, and Alliance Defense Fund lawyer Jeff Shafer, on behalf of the family.

“The weight of legal and scholarly authority presented to this court in defense of homeschooling is unprecedented,” said Farris, who has argued dozens of similar cases since founding HSLDA 25 years ago.

In addition to those who presented oral argument, friend-of-the-court briefs in support of the right of parents to homeschool were submitted by Pacific Legal Foundation, National Legal Foundation, Sutherland Institute, Liberty Counsel on behalf of 13 members of Congress, Gifted Homeschoolers Forum, et al, Seventh Day Adventist Church State Council, Center for Constitutional Jurisprudence (prepared by noted law professors David Llewellyn, John Eastman, and Erwin Chemerinsky), American Center for Law and Justice and The Western Center for Law and Policy.

Farris is guardedly optimistic that the three-judge panel will not repeat its earlier error, but he covets your prayers. “The homeschooling movement has been successful not because of the work of lawyers but because the Lord has blessed it,” noted Farris. “We must always remember Proverbs 21:1—‘The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever he wishes.’ ”

A decision is expected within a few weeks.

Sincerely,

J. Michael Smith
HSLDA President
Posted on June 26, 2008, 9:10 am


New Virtual Learning Academy
A new school has opened up to serve homeschool families world-wide.

Homeschool Facts is very excited to announce that the International Virtual Learning Academy, a California Private school, is now accepting students from throughout the U.S. and Internationally.

IVLA offers both a standard California High School Diploma as well as a College Preparation Diploma.

This school provides both individual Online courses as well as a full standards based curriculum.

All courses are deeply rooted in the National Academic Content Standards, and developed by nationally certified teachers.

IVLA's learning platform allows for active parent involvement in their child's education.

Currently IVLA offers over 90+ Online Courses for grades 2-12.

Homeschool Facts is very impressed with the low cost of the private school tuition, and the high quality of customer service the school provides.

For more information click here: International Virtual Learning Academy
Posted on May 8, 2008, 8:22 am


Polygamists Cause Questions Regarding Home School Laws
When it rains, it poors. Right on the heals of the California Court debacle declaring homeschooling illegal, the discover of a cult related to the convicted polygamist Warren Jeffs has raised questions about homeschool laws in Texas.

Texas rates very high on it's freedom to homeschool laws. It is unfortunate that officials look to incidents like these to undermine the entire legality of parents constitutional rights to provide for the education of their children.

This story can be read in it's entirety at: Texas Home School Coaltion
Posted on April 11, 2008, 8:00 am


Nevada's Governor proclaims Home Education Awareness Week
Governor Jim Gibbons has proclaimed the week of March 31 - April 5 as Nevada Home Education Week.

This recognition of the contribution of homeschoolers to the state and to the nation is especially significant for Nevada homeschoolers. In it's last session, the state legislature moved the state's homeschool laws from being one of the most restrictive, to being one of the most liberal homeschool states in the Nation.

Homeschool Facts is proud of the efforts of homeschool families throughout the state for their tireless efforts in increasing public and political awareness and removing long-held stigmas about homeschooling.

Way to Go Nevada Homeschoolers. To read the whole proclamation:  CLICK HERE
Posted on April 8, 2008, 9:35 pm


Special Bulletin: Homeschool Ruling Vacated; Court Will Reconsider
Pacific Justice Institute has just received word that the court ruling which declared most forms of homeschooling unlawful in California has been vacated. This means the Rachel L. decision, which has sparked a nationwide uproar, will not go into effect as it is currently written. The Second District Court of Appeal has instead decided to re-hear the case, with a new round of briefings due in late April. It would likely take the court several additional months to schedule oral argument and issue another decision.

Today's announcement by the court that it will re-hear the case reinforces PJI's position that homeschooling families should continue their current programs without fear of governmental interference. PJI will be actively involved in the upcoming briefs and will continue to post updates and special bulletins on this vital issue.

Brad Dacus, president of Pacific Justice Institute, commented, "We are pleased that the Court of Appeal has decided to re-hear the Rachel L. case, and we are hopeful that the fundamental rights of these parents, our clients Sunland Christian School, and the tens of thousands of homeschooling families in California will be honored. Homeschooling parents should be treated as heroes - not hunted down or harassed by their own government."

Posted on March 26, 2008, 8:31 pm


Homeschool Facts adds new Homeschool Forum
MyHomeschoolSpace.com. Homeschool Facts has added a new feature especially for homeschoolers. Check out the new Homeschool Forum. Suggest new forum topics, share your homeschool experiences, welcome new forum members.

Homeschool Facts continues to bring the best communication networks together for homeschool families world-wide. This new forum is designed to be a safe place where homeschool families can share their experiences with other homeschoolers.
Posted on March 21, 2008, 7:26 am


Support needed for CA Homeschool Resolution
In addition to the HSLDA online petition to depublish the LA court ruling on homeschooling, there is a resolution being sponsored in the California State Assembly by Assembly Member Joel Anderson to denounce the Anti-homeschool Appellate Court Decision.

For more Information and instructions on what you can do to support this resolution CLICK HERE

Posted on March 12, 2008, 5:03 pm


HSLDA Organizes Petition opposing CA Court Rulilng
The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) has organized an online petition for people to sign in opposition to the recent court ruling on parent's rights to homeschool.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE PETITION

CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION

CLICK HERE TO DISCUSS THE CALIFORNIA HOMESCHOOL COURT CASE
Posted on March 11, 2008, 3:48 pm


California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Support Homeschoolers
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell announced today that the California Department of Education has completed a legal review of the February 28 California Court of Appeal ruling regarding home schooling.

Click Here to Read the Entire Statement
Posted on March 11, 2008, 3:40 pm


From the Center for Education Reform

The California Court of Appeals recently dropped a bomb on home-schooling families, saying that parents have no legal right to teach their children - a preposterous notion reminiscent of the Wisconsin case against virtual schools in which the teachers' union argued that parents (doctors, lawyers, engineers, etc.) were too "inexperienced" to teach their children.

To no one's surprise, the California teachers' union is "happy" that the court now classifies parents who home school their students as criminals: "'We always think students should be taught by credentialed teachers, no matter what the setting,' Mr. Porter preened."

California's gubernator has vowed to protect parents' right to home school their children in the wake of this irrational decision. Here's hoping this wacky ruling is swiftly set right.

Posted on March 11, 2008, 1:28 pm


California Governor Blasts Homeschool Decision
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger criticized a state appeals ruling related to homeschooling and pledged action on his part March 7 if it is not overturned.

The comments by the Republican governor referenced a decision that has sent shockwaves throughout the homeschooling community, not only in California but across the nation. The unanimous 3-0 ruling by the court found that "parents do not have a constitutional right to home school their children." It is being appealed to the California Supreme Court.

"Every California child deserves a quality education and parents should have the right to decide what's best for their children," Schwarzenegger said. "Parents should not be penalized for acting in the best interests of their children's education. This outrageous ruling must be overturned by the courts and if the courts don't protect parents' rights then, as elected officials, we will."

To read the full article from the Baptist Press, CLICK HERE
Posted on March 10, 2008, 6:41 pm


Making the news in California ... From the BPNews: LOS ANGELES (BP)
In a decision that has alarmed the homeschooling community nationwide, a California appeals court has ruled parents have no constitutional right to homeschool their children and that those parents who do must be credentialed teachers.

The decision was issued Feb. 28 but wasn't picked up by national media until March 6. The court case arose in juvenile court and the parties had court-appointed attorneys, meaning that even some of the nation's leading homeschooling organizations, such as the Home School Legal Defense Association, didn't know about the case until the ruling was issued.

But despite that fact it flew under the radar, it could have broad implications on the state's estimated 166,000 homeschool students -- and set a dangerous precedent for other such students nationwide. The decision is particularly troublesome, pro-family leaders say, because California's public schools have some of the more liberal laws in the nation regarding the teaching about sexuality and homosexuality. More than five years ago Focus on the Family's James Dobson said if he had children in California's public schools, he would pull them out.

Justice H. Walter Croskey wrote the ruling for the three-judge panel, which was unanimous in its decision.

"California courts have held that under provisions in the Education Code, parents do not have a constitutional right to home school their children," Croskey wrote.

California law, the court ruled, requires that children be enrolled and attend a public or private school or be "tutored by a person holding a valid state teaching credential for the grade being taught." Parents who fail to follow the state law could face criminal penalties.

"Because parents have a legal duty to see to their children's schooling within the provisions of these laws, parents who fail to do so may be subject to a criminal complaint against them, found guilty of an infraction, and subject to imposition of fines or an order to complete a parent education and counseling program," the court wrote. "Additionally, the parents are subject to being ordered to enroll their children in an appropriate school or education program and provide proof of enrollment to the court, and willful failure to comply with such an order may be punished by a fine for civil contempt."

 The court's ruling overturned a lower court decision that had ruled parents do indeed have a constitutional right to homeschool their children. The appeals court's decision is being appealed to the California Supreme Court.

The case involved an unidentified family that had homeschooled its eight children. One of the children reported physical and emotional abuse by the father, leading to an investigation by the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services and eventually to the court case. Focus on the Family issued a statement saying that the court should have limited the decision to the specific situation but instead "overreached" and applied it to all homeschooling situations.

The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), a legal organization that defends homeschoolers, said the court made a mistake by relying on a California court ruling from 1953.

"If the opinion is followed then California will have the most regressive law in the nation and homeschooling will be effectively banned because the only legal way to homeschool will be for the parent to hold a teaching certificate," the association said. "Parents should not have to attend a four year college education program just to teach their own children. California is now on the path to being the only state to deny the vast majority of homeschooling parents their fundamental right to teach their own children at home."

HSLDA is gathering petitions to ask the California Supreme Court to "de-publish" the opinion. If the opinion is de-published it would have no authority, the organization said. The petition can be signed at the association's website, www.hslda.org.

Another legal organization, the California-based Pacific Justice Institute, called the scope of the decision "breathtaking."

"It not only attacks traditional home schooling, but also calls into question home schooling through charter schools and teaching children at home via independent study through public and private schools," Brad Dacus, president of the Pacific Justice Institute, said in a statement. "If not reversed, the parents of the more than 166,000 students currently receiving an education at home will be subject to criminal sanctions."

The HomeSchool Association of California posted a statement on its website recommending that California parents "not change anything they are doing," "support the groups who are handling this" and "don't panic."

"It is quite possible that we can reach a result that limits the impact of this case and makes legislation unnecessary," the statement said.

R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., said on his blog that the decision "demands the attention of all parents."

"[I]f parents have no constitutional right to educate their own children, what other aspects of the parent's choices for their own children lack protection?" he asked. "This question reaches far beyond educational decisions."

Michael Foust is an assistant editor for Baptist Press.
Posted on March 7, 2008, 7:01 pm


Nevada Homeschool Conference

2008 Nevada Home Educators Conference
and Curriculum Fair

May 16 - 17, 2008
Friday 2 - 7pm and Saturday 7:30 - 6:00pm
Reno-Sparks Convention Center
4590 South Virginia St., Reno

www.homeeducatorsoffaith.org

Posted on February 17, 2008, 7:37 am


Teen fights back from cancer
I'd like to share a story from a homeschool family that has struggled through much adversity. This story was posted in the Tennessean about Joshua, a cancer survivor.

Read about Joshua and his family by clicking: Teen Fights Back Against Cancer.

After you read this story, please consider helping this family by helping to create a miracle

Homeschool Facts is asking you to help this homeschool family out. Through all the struggles this family has gone through, Theresa has kept faith in her God and has been a blessing to many around her.

You can read about this remarkable family at: www.IamAtPeaceWithDestiny.com

As Theresa has been saying for years: Expect a miracle.
Posted on December 17, 2007, 11:10 am


Virginia: Washington County refuses to stop misleading homeschool families
Washington County Refuses to Stop Misleading Families.

     A Homeschooler in Washington County Virginia recently received a letter demanding that her notice of intent be filed by August 1. The letter was from the Director of Academic Operations for Washington County Public Schools in Abingdon, Virginia. She sought assistance from HSLDA for help. HSLDA attempted to intervene with the school district. explaining the district's errors:
  * a notice of intent is due August 15
  * The district's letter said that the school system's form must be used.
     - This is incorrect. No form is needed at all
  * The "required" form had the family say, "I am requesting authorization" to homeschool.
     - Families do not need to request authorization. They simply need to provide notice.
  * The form asked for the birth date of the children.
     - This is not required under law. A birth date is a vital part of one's identity. To reduce the risk of identity theft, it should not be given out unless required under law or for other compelling reasons.
  * The form had the family say, "I wish to be recognized as eligible to provide home instruction."
     - Families are not required to be "recognized as eligible." They simply need to file their notice.
  * The form asked the family to "agree to comply with applicable policies and procedures."
     - Families are not required to agree to this. The form did not even specify which "policies and procedures" the school system wanted the family to follow!

Even when HSLDA Attorney Woodruff wrote a detailed letter to the public school official explaining how the letter and form made demands and assertions he is not empowered to make under state law. The official agreed to change the letter to reflect a due date of August 15, but refused to make any other changes. The letter and form will continue to mislead families.

Posted on September 4, 2007, 9:26 pm


Nevada: New Homeschool Bill has Far-reaching Effects
New Homeschool Bill has Far-Reaching Effects

After 17 years of existence, the Northern and Southern Homeschool Advisory Councils were disbanded by the State Board of Education. This action further emphasizes that the public school system has no authority over homeschooling since the recent passage of S.B. 404, Nevada's new homeschooling bill. Homeschool council members volunteered thousands of hours since the 1990s, trying to fend off Department of Education restrictions and increase freedom. They kept a constant vigil, protecting the rights of all homeschoolers in Nevada. Those in leadership on the councils were very aware that the councils could be disbanded if S.B. 404 were to pass the legislature, and many council members volunteered at the legislature to ensure passage. Outgoing presidents of the councils, Carl Lucas on the Northern Council and Kime King Patraw on the Southern Council, have considered it an honor and a privilege to have served homeschoolers in Nevada on their respective councils. As they go, they call upon all homeschool parents to remain vigilant and informed on their parental rights and homeschool issues. History shows that the states that have good homeschool laws have to fight to keep them, and that complacency among homeschoolers is their worst enemy.

From the HSLDA weekly update
Posted on September 4, 2007, 9:24 pm


Homeschool Facts adds two new features:
Contributing Authors:

Homeschool Facts has added a new feature, Contributing Authors. To see what other homeschoolers are saying, Click HERE:

Just ask Angie:

Homeschool Facts has added a featured homeschooler who would like to field and answer any questions. To ask Angie a question, click HERE.
Posted on September 3, 2007, 3:50 pm


Virginia Legislative Update
This from the HEAV Homeschool Hotline

Your Notice of Intent is due August 15. When preparing your form or letter, be alert to additional requirements for your "description of curriculum." The law has not changed, but there is some confusion about what to include for a "description of curriculum."

Virginia Beach evaluator Sarah Olbris, HEAV, and HSLDA attorney Scott Woodruff met with representatives of Virginia Beach City Public Schools and a city attorney on Wednesday to resolve excessive requirements for a "curriculum description" as well as other issues. The outcome for Virginia Beach homeschoolers was positive; however, until this is resolved with the Department of Education, we may see additional requirements imposed in many more school districts.

Virginia Beach Changes Its Requirements!
Virginia Beach homeschoolers can now send in a "description of curriculum" consistent with the requirements of the homeschool law. Parents can submit a list of subjects to be taught and textbook titles (or materials/methods in lieu of textbook titles) in order to comply with the law.

Background
In 2007, Virginia Beach homeschoolers received a letter from Denise White, Coordinator of Student Services for Virginia Beach City Public Schools, indicating she would no longer accept a list of books as a description of curriculum. Virginia Beach was one of two school divisions requiring a description of curriculum that went beyond the requirements of the Virginia Code. Last fall Greene County Public Schools also asked for a more detailed description.

And the law says...
The law requires a homeschooling parent who complies with §22.1-254.1 and files a Notice of Intent form (or writes a letter) to submit a curriculum description. Exception: Those using option #3, an approved correspondence course, are not required to provide a description of curriculum.

§22.1-254.1 (B). Any parent who elects to provide home instruction in lieu of school attendance shall annually notify the division superintendent in August of his intention to so instruct the child and provide a description of the curriculum to be followed for the coming year and evidence of having met one of the criteria for providing home instruction as required by subsection A. Effective July 1, 2000, parents electing to provide home instruction shall provide such annual notice no later than August 15.

Both Virginia Beach and Greene County incorrectly asked for a "course description" instead of a "curriculum description." Regrettably, their request was based on an incorrect 2006 revision of the Department of Education's homeschool handbook. The handbook incorrectly included an example of a "description of curriculum" that was really a course description.

What's the difference?
A curriculum description vs. a course description: What's the difference? As presented by Scott Woodruff to Virginia Beach officials, a curriculum description includes all the courses or subjects included in a plan of study. According to Merriam-Webster's online dictionary, a curriculum is described as "the courses offered by an educational institution; a set of courses constituting an area of specialization." The Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary defines curriculum as "the group of subjects studied in a school, college, etc.'

However, a course description includes content details of a particular subject. The law requires a "description of curriculum," not a course description. In a meeting with the Department of Education late last year, HEAV, HSLDA, and VaHomeschoolers appealed to the DOE to correct the inaccurate example in their handbook. So far, they have not corrected the error. We have scheduled another discussion next week.

State law does not require parents to teach any particular course content other than for option 4 (a), which includes the SOLs. The superintendent has no authority to judge the content of a course other than for option 4 (a); therefore, it is unnecessary for parents to prepare such a document and for superintendents to review the document.
Be Alert for Excessive Requests
Because of the inaccurate information published by the DOE, watch for requests for a description of curriculum that would include a broad overview of what the parent plans to teach with each course. We encourage parents to comply with the law and continue to provide a description of curriculum that includes the name of the subjects taught and the textbook titles. Do not supply more than the law requires. It could lead to additional requirements and oversight.

Reminders!
The deadline for your Notice of Intent form or letter notifying your superintendent that you intend to homeschool is Wednesday, August 15! We recommend you keep a photocopy of your form or letter and send it "return-receipt" to verify it has been received.

There is no deadline for religious exemption. If you send a letter to the school board, again, keep a copy of the letter and send it "return-receipt."

Certified teachers who comply with the certified tutor statute, §22.1-254 (A), do not have to submit proof of teacher certification each year as long as the certification is up-to-date. When your certification expires and you are re-certified, submit the new documentation for the superintendent's approval.

Yvonne Bunn, HEAV Director of Government Affairs
Home Educators Association of Virginia


e-mail: legislative@heav.org
phone: 804-278-9200
web: http://www.heav.org

Posted on August 3, 2007, 6:18 am


New Homeschool Law Passed in Nevada
From Frank Schnorbus, Nevada Homeschool Network Chair:
We are happy to report that our Governor signed a whole new homeschool law here in Nevada, making it one of the best in the nation. HSLDA has info on it, but you can also get detailed information from www.NevadaHomeschoolNetwork.com. Go to Law/Regulation Info, then click on June 2007 Homeschool Memo (in the 3rd paragraph). 
Posted on June 20, 2007, 10:06 pm


Colleges, universities more welcoming of homeschooled students
Like many high school students, Tara Hart of Marseilles worries about getting into college.

But her worries have less to do with her grade-point average -- she's got a 4.0 -- and more to do with whether her transcripts will be accepted, since she's been homeschooled for all of her educational career.

At Hart's insistence, her mother, Pat Blackledge, enrolled her in American School, an umbrella school geared to homeschooling families. American School supplies the textbooks and handles formal transcripts and a diploma, but Blackledge still is Hart's teacher.

Hart is part of a growing number of students who are taught at home rather than in a traditional classroom. The U.S. Department of Education reports that 1.1 million, or 2.2 percent of all students in the nation, are homeschooled.

And where colleges and universities once questioned how to accommodate homeschooled students -- and sometimes even shunned them -- institutions of higher learning now are increasingly more welcoming when their admission applications arrive.

In 2000, 52 percent of all colleges in the country had a formal evaluation policy for applications from homeschoolers, according to the National Association for College Admission Counseling. Four years later, the number jumped to 83 percent. During that time, 45 percent of colleges reported receiving more applications from homeschoolers.

Tracy Morris, director of admissions at Illinois Valley Community College, said community colleges often are an ideal place for homeschooled students to begin their college careers since anyone age 16 or older can enroll through a fairly simple application process. "IVCC is an open admissions institution," she said. "A home education diploma or GED is not required for admission. Transcripts are also not necessary for admission." Students must fill out an application form, obtain a letter from the school district where the student resides that indicates the student is homeschooled and take either the ACT or IVCC's placement tests. Morris added that some homeschooling families use IVCC to teach higher level courses, like calculus, as part of their high school curriculum rather than trying to wade through that subject at home. Hart said she will begin supplementing her homeschool education with one IVCC course beginning this fall, having received special permission to enroll at the college as a 15-year-old following an interview process.

While nervous about starting college courses, Hart feels she's up to the challenge. People often assume homeschoolers are sheltered and shy, but Hart already has broadened her educational experience by visiting Japan as a foreign exchange student and she continues to work on her Japanese as part of her home curriculum. "She's probably not a typical homeschooler," said Blackledge. "She gets out a lot. She's very active in 4-H and volunteering, that kind of stuff."

Hart said her ideal educational path would lead her to the University of Illinois, where she would like to study to become a psychologist. Morris said being homeschooled should not hold Hart back. Morris surveyed several state universities and found them accepting of homeschooled students, though how rigorous they make their entrance requirements varied. Some put more weight on standardized tests, others require a personal essay or statement and ask for more information about the courses taken at home. For other schools, however, a homeschool background makes little difference in the admission process.

"We require application, ACT score and transcript just as we would for any freshman applicant from a recognized high school," said a representative from Western Illinois University in an e-mail message to Morris. However, all of the schools Morris surveyed said if a student receives an associate degree from a community college first, providing high school transcripts and taking the ACT would no longer be an issue. "Applying there as a freshman is one ballgame and as a transfer student is another ballgame," Morris said of admission to a four-year university. "The truth is (with an associate degree) they never look at high school. It really works to the student's advantage. It's much easier that way."

The financial aid and scholarship process are identical for homeschooled and traditional students, meaning homeschooled students also have access to the dollars they may need to pay for their education.

"Colleges are far more familiar with the backgrounds of homeschoolers and their needs," said Ian Slatter, director of media relations for the Home School Legal Defense Association. "We have had fewer and fewer problems."

Blackledge said the changes at the collegiate level reflect the changes she sees in her daily life. While she used to have to "fly under the radar" about her decision to homeschool when she began teaching Hart at home, she's found people today are more accepting. "It's funny but when she was in kindergarten people would ask me if I knew what I was teaching her. I would say, 'I sure hope so.' The thing is you learn as they learn. People say, 'I don't remember algebra.' I didn't either, but it all comes back to you É You learn even more than what you knew before." The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Posted on June 14, 2007, 5:28 pm


Homeschoolers head into world
Laura Scott didn't care about a prom. She wasn't worried about extracurricular activities.

But waiting with 15 fellow students in royal blue caps and gowns, she was very excited about her graduation ceremony Friday night, particularly about the speaker -- her mother. "My mom definitely felt my education was very important," Scott, 18, said. Scott and the other graduates at Novi Christian Outreach Church are among a growing number of homeschoolers who want to cap their nontraditional education with a traditional graduation ceremony.

Scott's ceremony, though small, was just like those at local high schools, with spectators straining to see the graduates marching in, earnest speeches, popping cameras and, of course, diplomas. The only real difference was that there was no valedictorian. Instead, the parents spoke about their children. And there were plenty of teary eyes as the words "proud," "character," "hard-working" and, since this was a church-sponsored ceremony, "God" were uttered over and over when beaming parents handed shiny blue-jacketed diplomas to grinning grads. "I liked the personal touch," said Laura's mother, Pam Scott. "I was crying listening to some of the parents."

Marking a milestone: High school graduation ceremonies are watershed events in teenage life. And even though Scott and an estimated 40,000 students like her were educated at home instead of a traditional school, homeschooled students are starting to line up for graduation ceremonies and other customs such as caps and gowns, class rings and high school memory books. "It's tradition," said the Rev. Gary Elfner of Novi Christian Outreach Church. "It's absolutely not necessary, but oftentimes at milestones in your life, you have to have some kind of documentation."

Typically home school graduation ceremonies are held through a church -- about two-thirds of homeschooling families do so for religious reasons -- or an umbrella organization that helps with anything from networking to curriculum. Mary Anne Bastian of Brighton has homeschooled five children, and this year is in charge of the graduation ceremony for Michigan Catholic Home Educators. Twelve students wore caps and gowns and got a certificate Sunday. But the diploma comes from their parents. "They've earned it, just like a public school student has," Bastian said of the graduation ceremony. "It's a celebration of their accomplishments, and we are very proud of them."

No one knows exactly how many homeschoolers are out there because many states, including Michigan, do not require families to document homeschooled students. The Virginia-based Home School Legal Defense Association estimates there are about 40,000 homeschooled students in Michigan.

Contact PEGGY WALSH-SARNECKI at 586-469-4681 or pwalsh@freepress.com.
Posted on June 14, 2007, 5:18 pm


Daughter's home school trial opens mom's eyes
The principal at our daughter's middle school was surprised. In late March I sat in his office explaining why our daughter wanted to home school for the rest of the year. He said that many parents who try home schooling do so in response to bad grades. In my daughter's case, it was simply that she felt that there was "too much drama" at school in seventh grade. Not a problem with her teachers, not the failings of school administrators, not her parents' religious objections to public schools. Just a desire by a smart child to take a break from an abrasive period of middle school girl culture for a couple of months.

It didn't hurt that her close friend had been forced by a knee injury to be home schooled for a few months and was enjoying it. I had always thought I couldn't support either of our children in home schooling, since I work full time. But our daughter persuaded us that she would be self-directed, make a plan of work for each week, take the standard algebra test at the end of the school year, and return to school in the fall. My husband and I appreciated her thoughtful advocacy and decided to support her initiative.

I asked the principal what was involved in making the arrangements. Basically, he said, you've just done it. Wisconsin law turns out to have been revised so that even an oral statement of intent can establish one as a home schooler. I'm not sure if I had expected a defensive reaction, but I certainly didn't expect his thoughtful and understanding response. He offered suggestions about how to enrich the experience and expressed his pleasure that she'll continue as a middle schooler next fall. In turn, because I have always supported public education, I was pleased that the school system sought to help a child tailor a program to suit her needs rather than punish her for stepping out of the norm.

There are many reasons to home school and a variety of home schooling cultures. For example, some Christian home schooling Web sites cite "maintaining a Christian world view free from temptation," offering a "biblically rich curriculum," reinforcing their family's values, even upholding good manners, as prime reasons to home school. Other home school families I know want to create a holistic learning experience, sidestep the most pernicious aspects of a commercial culture, or cultivate a set of values that is reinforced by smaller learning groups. Some seek an alternative to what they see as an increasingly regimented educational environment for students and teachers.

And not surprisingly, many home schooling parents figure that nobody understands their children's emotional, cognitive and creative capacities and needs as well as they do. Yes, there are frustrating moments as a home schooling parent, but it's also exciting. Our daughter plunged into exploring questions that came up in family conversation and writing up results. What's more fun than following one's curiosity? The private art classes have prompted an artistic flowering that I hadn't dared dream of, given the frustrating cuts to the arts in the schools required by the fiscal assaults on public education over the past several years. Our daughter did well on her algebra exams, so I guess that she built up her math skills. And she's taught herself how to bake meringues and sew a blouse. Has she finished reading "Vanity Fair"? Not yet, but Thackeray can be hard going.

There was a time when I might have ridiculed home schoolers as xenophobic. But our eight weeks of home schooling have given me pause. The amazing network of home school support groups, study groups, curriculum offerings, special classes and advocates reflects something better than just heads-in-the-sand. It reflects a deep parental commitment to enhance children's learning environments and make an investment in them personally.

I'm proud that Wisconsin has one of the nation's best home schooling laws, and I appreciate the recognition that in education, one size doesn't fit all, all the time. Margaret Krome of Madison writes a semimonthly column for The Capital Times. E-mail: mkrome@inxpress.net
Posted on June 14, 2007, 5:16 pm


Nevada: Call to Stop the Expansion of State Control over Your Children
May 22, 2007 Nevada: Call to Stop the Expansion of State Control over Your Children Dear Nevada HSLDA members and friends: S.B. 312 would increase state control over your children by expanding the compulsory school attendance age from 17 to 18 years. This means that all homeschoolers would be subject to the homeschool statute requirements for an additional year. This bill has already passed the Senate, as well as the Assembly Committee on Education. It could face a vote on the Assembly floor at any time. We need your calls to stop this dangerous legislation! REQUESTED ACTION Please call your assemblyman and give this message: "Please vote against S.B. 312. Please oppose any effort to raise the age of compulsory school attendance. It only serves as a waste of taxpayers' money; it would force unwilling, disruptive students into the classroom." You do not need to identify that you homeschool. To find contact information for your assemblyman, use our Legislative Toolbox by clicking here: http://capwiz.com/hslda/state/main/?state=NV&view=myofficials Reasons For Opposing Lower Compulsory Attendance Age: > Raising the compulsory attendance age from 17 to 18 would subject home educators to the requirements of the homeschool statute one year later than now required. (You do not need to share this reason with your legislators.) > Raising the compulsory attendance age will not reduce the dropout rate. In fact, the two states with the highest high school completion rates, Maryland at 94.5% and North Dakota at 94.7%, compel attendance only to age 16. The state with the lowest completion rate (Oregon: 75.4%) compels attendance to age 18. (Figures are for three-year averages, 1996 through 1998.) > Twenty-nine states only require attendance to age 16. Older children unwilling to learn can cause classroom disruptions and even violence, making learning harder for their classmates who truly want to learn. > It would restrict parents' freedom to decide if their 17-year-old is ready for college or the workforce. (Some 17-year-olds who are not academically inclined benefit more from valuable work experience than from being forced to sit in a classroom. > Another significant impact of expanding the compulsory attendance age would be an inevitable tax increase to pay for more classroom space and teachers to accommodate the additional students compelled to attend public schools. When California raised the upper age limit of compulsory attendance, unwilling students were so disruptive that new schools had to be built just to handle them and their behavior problems, all at the expense of the taxpayer.
Posted on May 22, 2007, 10:34 pm


Schools Demand Approval of Year-End Test
Each year homeschool families receive letters from school officials offering to test their children at their local public school. This year has been no different. Some parents, however, have received letters warning that if they want to test their children outside of the public school they must get approved to do so. For instance, Home School Legal Defense Association member families in Mililani received a letter this year from the local elementary school. The letter stated that parents were required to contact the school within two weeks if they intended to use a privately administered test instead of bringing their children to the school to be tested. Under Hawaii law parents are required to provide an annual progress report to the local public school at the end of the school year. In grades 3, 5, 8, and 10 a child must be tested either by the Hawaii State Assessment or any test that is “comparable to the appropriate criterion or norm-referenced tests used by the department.” Parents only need to seek the approval of the school when they want to use a test that is not comparable. The Hawaii Administrative rules authorize the principal to approve other means of evaluation to meet the statewide testing program requirements.
Posted on May 1, 2007, 4:02 pm


Nevada - Homeschool Freedom Bill is Introduced
Nevadan homeschoolers are excited by S.B. 404, a homeschool bill that has been introduced by Senator Maurice E. Washington, chairman of the Committee on Human Resources and Education. This bill would eliminate nearly all of the current regulation homeschoolers face in Nevada.

The bill was written by Frank Schnorbus and Barbara Dragon, who are homeschool leaders and parents in Nevada. The bill states that parents who wish to homeschool their children must file a notice of intent with the superintendent of public instruction within 30 days of beginning the homeschool.

The parent must use a form developed by the department of education that includes only the name, age, and gender of the child; the name and address of the parents filing the notice; a statement signed by the parents declaring that they assume full responsibility for the education of their child; and an optional statement that the parents may sign, which would “expressly prohibit the release of any information contained in this document (the notice of intent).” Only upon written request could the superintendent then provide a copy of the signed notice to the local school district.

That is all the new law will require! This will make Nevada one of the best states in the country for homeschooling, if the bill is passed as expected. Furthermore, the new bill states that, “a school organization may not discriminate in any manner against a child who is homeschooled.” Also, the bill states that school districts shall allow homeschoolers to participate in all college entrance exams offered in the state, including the SAT and the ACT and the National Merit Scholarship qualifying test. Lastly, a religious freedom act that Klicka advocated and that was introduced this year was added in part to the end of the homeschool law. This section of the bill states, “no regulation or policy of the state board or any school district may infringe upon the right of parents to educate his child based on religious preference, unless it is essential to further compelling governmental interest and the least restrictive means to further that governmental interest.” If this passes, this will be the first homeschool law with this religious freedom protection.

Nevada homeschoolers are encouraged to contact their legislative representatives to support S.B. 404.
Posted on April 11, 2007, 10:58 am


Homeschoolers are Welcomed by U.S. Marine Corps
In a recent announcement, the U.S. Marine Corps joined the U.S. Army in actively pursuing homeschooled students.

A recent statement from the Marine Corps Recruiting Command Public Affairs Chief makes it clear that homeschoolers are eligible to enlist in all military programs, the same as a graduate from public school.

Furthermore, the Marine Corps has given homeschooled enlistees Tier I status in its internal ranking. This ensures that homeschoolers will receive any applicable enlistment bonuses. The Home School Legal Defense Association has long advocated that homeschoolers are fully able to enlist in any military program, and saluted the United States Marine Corps for recognizing the achievements of homeschooled graduates.

For more information: http://www.hslda.org/docs/nche/Issues/M/MarineRecruiting.asp
Posted on April 11, 2007, 10:53 am