Wondering if your homeschooled child will do OK in college? Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) is reporting on a new study, Exploring Academic Outcomes of Homeschooled Students by Michael F. Cogan as reported in Progress Report 2009. Yes, they are excelling! By far, and they are also finishing all 4 years at a higher rate than traditionally-schooled students. This is excellent, encouraging news for all of us, whether we are at the beginning of our homeschooling journey or nearing the end. What are your thoughts on this study?
Alert – Government is Quietly Overhauling Education
It is now happening here. A couple weeks ago we brought you news of Sweden banning homeschooling and forcing all schools (public and private, religious and secular) to use the same government-approved curriculum. In this article, we see how President Obama is beginning a “quiet revolution” here in the United States. Personally, this strikes me as quite scary, because this is how Sweden began, and it has quickly turned into a nightmare for all parents there, to the point where homeschoolers are beginning to leave Sweden. Where will we, as U.S. homeschoolers, go? Sound off and give us your thoughts on this important education news.
This Week’s News
Update on Sweden’s home-school ban – it’s forcing some families to think about leaving the country or even suing the country in international courts over religious and parental rights.
Homeschooled in a big rig – yes, it really happened for Kerry Anderson. Read or listen to the story here.
From “Top 10 Reasons to Educate Your Child at Home”
Contributed by Trishy
Reason 3
You will see and enjoy how real learning takes place in your own home.
These two words are tied together – “enjoyment” and “learning.” Does that mean that kids who complain about school because there is nothing to enjoy are not learning? Well, they may be memorizing or “mastering” facts and procedures. That is not the same as real learning.
In the education institution system (remember, my phrase for “school”) opportunities are very few for children to explore and delve deeply into what they truly love. Instead, subjects are chopped up into about six or seven short segments of the day and presented in a boring, uniform fashion. Don’t believe me?
Do you remember when you were in school? Good, now tell me the title of your favorite textbook that you and everyone else in your grade were required to have for that particular class. No, do not tell me your favorite subject in school. Name your favorite textbook. I have asked this question dozens and dozens of times and no one can ever give me a complete answer. That is o.k. I can’t give any titles to textbooks either. I’m convinced that textbooks by themselves do not unlock the door to real learning. They are only one type of tool.
By educating your children at home, they get to explore different topics and subjects when you both feel ready and in a way that they enjoy. Your children, when given the opportunity to explore at their own pace, will also dive deeper and longer into what they desire to learn.
Let me just sum up this point by asking you to consider the following scenario: Pretend you have never seen a marigold. I give you a chapter from a book that I’ve had copied. I give a thirty-minute lecture on what we will be doing in the class regarding marigolds. This chapter has questions at the end of it. I assign you and twenty other acquaintances your age the task of reading that chapter over the next two days from 10:00 a.m. to 10:54 a.m. That’s just what you are supposed to learn at your age, so, no arguments. On the third day, there will be a test over the chapter you’ve read at approximately 10:00 a.m. You pass the test and now your new task is to grow marigolds for others. Aren’t you excited? You’ve “mastered” the subject by reading the chapter and passing the test.
Did you get to read other books about marigolds? Did you get to see marigolds grown from seed? Did you get the opportunity to try to grow marigolds? Were you given choices of other subjects such as oil painting, violin lessons, or house framing instead of reading about growing marigolds? Were you not ready to read about growing marigolds and just needed to wait?
I know this seems like an extreme situation. Yet, everyday in institutional education systems across America, students walk into classrooms expected to master subjects at a certain age they may not be ready for developmentally, nor have developed an interest.
Current proponents of state and national “learning” standards spend much time and money training schools to make parents and students alike feel that “mastering,” “memorizing,” and “learning” are equivalent. Once you’ve completed the assignment and passed the standardized exam, you were finished learning the material. Yet, great American thinkers like Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, and Madison felt that true learning took place over a lifetime.
Summer Fun
Summer is almost half over already! Can you believe it? I sure can’t! Our family has been finishing up our school year slowly but surely, but we’ve taken time to go on nature walks, head to Grandpa’s cabin on the lake, and run through the sprinklers. Camping was hoped for, but I think we’re going to miss it this year. What are some fun summer adventures your family has been up to? Tell us about them!
Goodnight, Mama by Joel Harris
This is a song written by Joel Harris right before his mother Sono Harris died. Be sure to have tissues nearby!
Sono Harris Has Gone to Meet Her Savior
Sono Harris, who we shared with you last week had cancer, has fallen asleep in the arms of Jesus. Read her son Josh’s announcement on his blog. Please keep this wonderful family in your prayers as they mourn the loss of their wife, mother, friend, and sister in Christ.
Link of the Week
This week’s link is Christian Book Distributors. Our forum members use this site frequently for ordering homeschool books, other Christian books, and gifts. They have excellent prices and fair shipping costs. Add them to your bookmarks of favorite online retailers!
Sweden Banned Homeschooling!
“The Kingdom of Sweden took a dramatic turn toward totalitarianism with the adoption of a sweeping new education “reform” package that essentially prohibits home schooling and forces all schools to teach the same government curriculum.
The draconian 1,500-page law — deceptively referred to by the Swedish government as “The new Education Act – for knowledge, choice and security” — was approved by Parliament last week amidst strong criticism and opposition. When it goes into effect next year, the entire educational system will be transformed, and alternative education abolished.”
Read more, and let us know your thoughts!
Gregg and Sono Harris Need Your Help
I received this note on Facebook today, and I would like to pass it along to you in its entirety. It was posted by John and Kristi Collins of The Extreme Group, Inc, on the Facebook page “Homeschooling.” Here is the post:
From: John Collins
Date: Mon, Jun 28, 2010 at 2:19 PM
Subject: Dear Friends of Gregg and Sono Harris and Family
Dear Friends of the Harris Family,
I am sending this message to you with confidence that you will act and pass it along and together we can make a difference!
Over the years as a home educating father, I have been mentored, encouraged, and inspired by Gregg & Sono Harris and their incredibly talented family: Joshua, Joel, Alex, Brett, Sarah, Isaac and James. You are probably familiar with Gregg and Sono’s tireless efforts to encourage and create in-roads for homeschooling over the last three decades, Josh gave young adults a biblical approach to dating by penning I Kissed Dating Good-Bye and most recently God has used Alex and Brett to encourage youth to Do Hard Things.
About a month ago, I was in a hotel room in South Africa when I first heard that Sono was diagnosed with stage IV cancer. I can remember dropping to my knees in my room and crying out to God to have mercy on her.
How has the Harris family dealt with this life-changing event? Although difficult beyond words, they have walked through this with the same grace and courage as they have other challenges; by seeking and trusting in almighty God. You can read Joshua’s latest updates on his blog here. http://www.joshharris.com/
At the end of last week I spoke with Gregg. He shared that God has been very gracious toward Sono in that she has experienced very little pain, however, he also shared that her body is weakening and she speaks of seeing Jesus soon. Although they have not been given any indication as to timing, Gregg said that it could be any time now.
As the devoted husband and Godly family leader that he is, Gregg has stepped down from his speaking engagements and away from his daily business responsibilities to care for his wife. Obviously this has taken a major toll on their household income and the medical bills are mounting. Gregg mentioned to me that he believed some home school organizations were trying to gather donations for the family. According to Gregg “now is better than later,” and I believe the truth is – action needs to happen quite quickly to help save this dear family from more distress.
Each year in his annual “How to End the Year” blog, Doug Phillips, President of Vision Forum Ministries, reminds me to remember those individuals and ministries who have invested in my family’s life. In Luke 17, Jesus teaches us of those ungrateful recipients of blessings who simply went their way without demonstrating gratitude, and Doug’s challenge stems from that concept. “When was the last time I responded to their investment in my life with gratitude, blessings, and even money?”
If the Harris family has been an encouragement or an inspiration to you and your family, would you consider responding to their investment in your life at this time of need?
Cards and notes can be sent to:
Gregg and Sono Harris and family – 6920 SE Hogan Road, Gresham, OR 97080
You can also donate to Noble Institute, marking the donation Friends of Sono Harris Fund. http://www.nobleinstitute.org/
It is my prayer that we, as the body of Christ, would pour out our love and comfort and help ‘bear one anothers burdens’ with the Harris’.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Please feel free to forward to others as you feel led.
Grace and peace,
John and Kristi Collins
The Extreme Group, Inc
