Texas Ed Spectator

Ask Rockridge: Can a Progressive Support Homeschooling? — Rockridge Nation

So, yes progressives can support homeschooling.

But apparently with quite a few “ifs”. I really can’t bring myself to read through all the comments. I’m sure there is the usual education as the foundation for democracy and so on. I’m sure there are plenty of anti-homeschoolers who are certain we are isolating our children although the number of homeschoolers they personally know they probably can count on one hand. It’s just tiring.

For some reason, people think that public schools and education are the same thing. And progressives are for mandatory school attendance if the schools are teaching the “right” information just as conservatives would have no problem with requiring everyone attend public school if they were teaching the “right” conservative information.

It’s not about the quality of the schools, it’s about parental choice. And if you can’t trust parents to ensure that their children will be educated well enough to function in the “real” world, why stop with education? Why not regulate the clothing parents may buy children or how about inspecting every family’s kitchen? Why not require every two-year-old in the nation to be inspected for parental quality?

Granted, it’s a gray area and difficult to draw the line but if nothing else, consider homeschooling an escape valve for parents who don’t want their children in school for whatever reasons–too conservative, too liberal, too regimented, too dangerous, etc. If everyone grows up learning only the public school group think, who will be around to challenge it?

Technorati Tags: Progressive Homeschooling

The San Antonio Express News published a very positive article on homeschooling. The best part was that when they presented the obligatory “expert” view on homeschooling who you expected to give the standard “problems with socialization” spiel, you got this instead:

MySA.com: Our Point Of View: On Motherhood and Parenting in San Antonio

Experts say the idea that you have to go to public school to be truly socialized is bizarre.

“That’s a very tortured definition of socialization,” says Terry Osborn, professor and chair of the Graduate School of Education at Fordham University. “The idea of a homogenous grouping of 25 to 30 children who sit at their desks all day long and do activities — to call that socialization is tortured. You and I don’t live and function in that kind of environment.”

Thank you Melissa Fletcher Stoeltje for finding an “education authority” that doesn’t think homeschoolers are missing out on socialization.

Technorati Tags: Homeschooling, Positive Homeschooling Report, Homeschool Socialization, Melissa Fletcher Stoeltje, positive homeschooling reporting

These websites are provide you with information on the legal aspects of homeschooling. They list relevant education code, legislation, and court cases as well as the basic steps to start homeschooling in Texas (how to withdraw your child from public school.) Many other websites present this information as well but those listed here have proved themselves reliable and enduring. If you come across information at other websites that seems inconsistent or contradicts information from the websites below, I suggest you go with the information from the websites below.

Texas Home School Coalition (THSC)

www.thsc.org
(806) 744-4441

The Texas Home School Coalition is a statewide organization that advocated for homeschoolers in Texas. This site is a great place to start since it includes sample letters of withdrawal and assurance. It’s FAQ section provides straight forward answers without any misleading information.

While THSC is the most prominent statewide organization for homeschoolers, it is not an “official” state organization. You can expect to find a Christian perspective throughout the site. THSC also has an associated political action committee that supports conservative, Christian issues as well as homeschooling.

Texas Advocates for Freedom in Education (TAFFIE)

http://www.jsoft.com/archive/taffie/

TAFFIE is the state’s oldest homeschool email list in Texas. There is an announcement list and and a discussion list. The TAFFIE website provides an overview of the legality of homeschooling in Texas as well as an extensive FAQ for new homeschoolers. The email announcement group is a good way to keep up with homeschooling news and issues that affect Texas.

Homeschool Law in Texas

http://www.carwrecks.com/homeschool.html

This is basically a speech given by the author on homeschool law in Texas. It includes a history of homeschooling, the Leeper decision, and curriculum concerns. While the speech is dated from 1999, the information in these areas are still relevant.

Technorati Tags: Homeschooling, Laws, Legality, Texas

Announcements

SAT Prep Class

Offered by: Pauline Bauml (math) and Cayce Yarbrough (language)

Both of these teachers are well known, respected and valued in the home school community. Studies have shown that prep courses will boost students’ test scores significantly and, with these two teachers, your student will look forward to these beneficial classes.

Location: Our Lady of the Lake University, Metz Building

Dates: Oct. 27, Nov. 3, Nov. 10 and Nov. 17, 2007

Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 noon

On-time fee: $150 plus $20 registration fee

Walk-in fee: $150 plus $40 registration fee

All material provided.

To register: mail $20 registration fee to Pauline Bauml. Must be postmarked by Oct. 17, 2007 to be “on-time.” Please do not mail after this date.

For questions or to register, please contact Pauline Bauml:

9130 Oak Downs

San Antonio, TX 78230

(210) 287-1898