Why We Homeschool, 10/18/2007

I know it's been many months since I've updated this blog. I am resurrecting it in response to the NEA. The NEA has once again re-issued their statement against homeschooling. See it Here, page 45

"B-75. Home Schooling The National Education Association believes that home schooling programs based on parental choice cannot provide the student with a comprehensive education experience. When home schooling occurs, students enrolled must meet all state curricular requirements, including the taking and passing of assessments to ensure adequate academic progress. Home schooling should be limited to the children of the immediate family, with all expenses being borne by the parents/guardians. Instruction should be by persons who are licensed by the appropriate state education licensure agency, and a curriculum approved by the state department of education should be used.

The Association also believes that home-schooled students should not
participate in any extracurricular activities in the public schools.

The Association further believes that local public school systems should have the authority to determine grade placement and/or credits earned toward graduation for students entering or re-entering the public school setting from a home school setting. (1988, 2006)"

Hey NEA, are you listening?
The following are some of the reasons why we homeschool!

Virulent Staph Infection Closes Schools - As national estimates focus on an increase in serious infections caused by an antibiotic-resistant germ, officials in the Washington region have identified more than 18 cases among students and are organizing extensive cleanups of numerous schools.

Maine Middle School to Offer Contraceptives - King Middle School will become the first middle school in Maine to make a full range of contraception available, including birth control pills, patches and condoms. There are no national figures on how many middle schools provide such services. Most middle schoolers range in age from 11 to 13.

Controversy over Body Paint - Two Bradenton, Florida teenagers, Monica Cummings and Jessyca Altenbach, were so excited when they put on bikini tops and shorts and painted their bodies with their school colors to support the big homecoming game.

Not Enough Room for Kids - Frataccia said the district is already facing serious capacity issues that are projected to get worse.

School Kept Gun Incident Quiet for Days - Parents in Surrey, B.C., were shocked to discover yesterday that their children's high school waited five days before notifying them that a 13-year-old boy came to school with a 9 mm handgun and ammunition in his backpack.

Former Teacher Sentenced - A former Northwest Catholic High School band teacher received a seven-year suspended prison term and probation Wednesday in Superior Court in Hartford after he admitted to having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student.

Teacher Suspended Over Words the School Won't Release - Bradley Lamb, a learning-disabilities teacher at Noblesville
Middle School, has been on unpaid suspension since Wednesday for a comment made to students. He will return Monday.

School Shooter Had Look of Hate, Teacher Says - Fourteen-year-old Asa Coon shot teacher Michael Grassie and three others at SuccessTech Academy in Cleveland, Ohio, last Wednesday. Coon then turned one of his guns on himself.

Teacher Wants Charges Thrown Out - A former Burlington teacher charged with lewd and lascivious conduct with a 13-year-old boy and possessing child pornography is seeking to have the charges dismissed.

Teacher Takes Stand in Sex Assault Trial - David Janssen, the former Hortonville teacher and coach accused of sexually assaulting two female students, will put his fate in the hands of the jury today as the evidentiary phase of his trial ended Wednesday afternoon.

Call For Hearings on Teacher Misconduct - Ohio House Speaker Jon Husted said Wednesday he plans to call for legislative hearings to investigate reported cases of teacher misconduct in public schools.

Homeschool Numbers Growing - In 1999, according to federal statistics, there were 850,000 home-schooled children in the United States. In 2003, that number rose to 1.1 million. Some estimates put the figure today as high as 2.4 million.