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?

The Knoxville Ambassadors are stepping up a notch, thanks to homeschool athletics growing by leaps and bounds.

Destination ImagiNation Global Finals calls students, including homeschoolers, from around the world.  The students have a chance to compete on a global scale to solve problems creatively.  From the article: “The Destination ImagiNation program runs annually, and presents students working in teams of up to seven with the opportunity to choose from six mind-bending Team Challenges. Challenges usually feature one prominent task, such as building a load-bearing structure, creating a delivery device, writing a performance piece or exploring history.”  What a great way for these students to shape the future of the world.

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.

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.

This is a song written by Joel Harris right before his mother Sono Harris died.  Be sure to have tissues nearby!

“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!

All About Sharron Angle – Did you know Sharron Angle (running for Senate in Nevada) is a former homeschooler?  Check out this biography on her.

Homeschoolers Growing in Colorado – There are more homeschoolers in Colorado this year than last, evidently a growing trend there.

John H. Lerchbacker III of Clinton Twp., NJ, has been accepted to the U. S. Coast Guard Academy.  He has been homeschooled.  To be accepted into the Academy, “one must be “triple-qualified” academically, physically and medically.   Admission to the academy is highly selective and less than 400 appointments are offered annually.”  Read the full article here.  Congratulations, John, and may God richly bless your future!

Sweden has made an unprecedented move regarding Domenic Johansson and his parents, Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) reports.  In Sweden, attorneys are always appointed and paid for by the courts.  But when their lawyer, Ruby Harrold-Claesson tried to visit Domenic at his school, social workers cut off all contact, which led the judge to remove her from the case.  The court has shown contempt for due process, a basic right of all people.  There are many in Sweden who are upset by this, as well as many here in the United States.  What do you think?

Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) reported today that a Missouri homeschooling family was alerted by their health insurance company that coverage for their daughter would be dropped if they didn’t enroll her in an accredited school.  Upon receiving a letter from HSLDA, the company restored their benefits, but also stipulated that twice a year they would have to provide a notarized statement that she is being homeschooled.  As Wendy Colpetzer McCullough commented on HSLDA’s Facebook page,  “Can someone explain to me why it’s any business of an insurance company to know how our children are being educated? And to require a biannual notarized statement? Do they require the same thing from public school children? I’m glad they got their benefits back, but the whole situation bothers me.”  What do you think of this?