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Contents Foreword Introduction Chapter 1: Why Do Parents Choose to Homeschool? Chapter Preface Homeschooling Helps Black Children gain Educational Equality Jennifer Jones Increasing numbers of black families are homeschooling. Homeschooling helps African-Americans ensure a quality of education equal to that afforded everyone else, a high level of achievement, and greater exposure to a full range of black history. Homeschooling Enables a Rightly Ordered Life Sally Thomas Homeschooling is an efficient way to teach and learn. It is successful because it enables a rightly ordered life which eliminates the boundaries between learning and everything else. Homeschooling Offers Children Something More Anonymous A growing number of Indiana families, unhappy with their public schools, now homeschool. Some teach their children themselves in their own homes, while others join together in co-ops or hire licensed teachers who create their own brands of curriculum. Homeschooling Allows Parents to Teach Their Religious Convictions Mark and Christine Field Religious faith is a strong motivator for many Christians to homeschool. For these Christians, homeschooling is a calling that strengthens family ties, clarifies values, and prepares children for a life as committed, passionate Christians. Homeschooling Provides the Best Education W.A. Pannapacker Faculty members who homeschool their children share common motives, beliefs, and circumstances. The overriding goal for all is the best education for their children. Homeschooled Children Learn Life Lessons Christina Rosales Parents homeschool because they believe school should be more than just curriculum. Homeschooling makes it possible to incorporate a Christian education and instill goals, character, and a love of learning. Homeschooling Benefits Special Needs Children Meg Grooms Homeschooled special needs children receive the best possible education. They do not need to attend public school to receive all the services they need. Chapter 2: Is Homeschooling a Good Option? Chapter Preface <emphasis n="2">Yes:</emphasis> Homeschooling Is a Good Option Homeschooling Works Better Than Traditional Public Education Kate McReynolds Homeschooling represents a real alternative to traditional public education and to the ideology of consumerism, conformity, and competition that permeates an increasingly standardized society. Homeschooling encourages creativity, learning, and academic freedom. Homeschooling Is a Widely Misunderstood Movement Rachel Gathercole Hard facts refute many of the prevailing myths and stereotypes commonly associated with the homeschooling movement. Parents choose to homeschool for a variety of reasons and succeed in developing well-socialized, high-achieving students. Homeschoolers Are Excelling Andrea Neal Homeschoolers get excellent academic results and gain exceptional honors. The homeschooling structure and flexibility lend themselves to a multitude of enrichment opportunities that foster learning and achievement. <emphasis n="2">No:</emphasis> Homeschooling Is Not Always a Good Option Homeschooling Is Not for Everyone Lima There are valid reasons why homeschooling is not right for all families. Parents must understand and acknowledge the personal and child-related implications before making a commitment. Some Reasons for Homeschooling Are Arguable Katie Criss The reasons some people give to explain why they homeschool can be debated. Parents who claim they homeschool to provide a better education often are not qualified to teach. Not All Parents Are Suited to Homeschool Literacy-Chic Some parents reject the possibility of homeschooling their children. Personal experience has persuaded these parents they do not have the dedication, interests, or traits needed to homeschool successfully. Chapter 3: Should Homeschooling Be Regulated? Chapter Preface <emphasis n="2">Yes:</emphasis> Homeschooling Should Be Regulated Homeschooling Should Be Regulated Rob Reich Good regulations should be applied to those parents who choose to home school. Without regulation, homeschooled children may not learn about or be exposed to competing or alternative ways of life. States Must Maintain Control and Oversight of Education Louis A. Greenfield Religious and non-religious homeschoolers and government often disagree on how much homeschools should be regulated and monitored. At the very minimum, annual standardized testing, teacher certification, and portfolios should be required. Educational Welfare Must Be Monitored Meg Jalsevac A New Jersey judge believes the state needs a more stringent homeschooling law. The existing law is unsatisfactory because it ignores the need for the educational welfare of children to be monitored. <emphasis n="2">No:</emphasis> Homeschooling Should Not Be Regulated More Regulation or Oversight of Education Is Not Needed Anne Basso Homeschoolers do not need more regulation. There is no proof that problems exist within or relative to the homeschooling community that require government intrusion. Homeschooling Freedoms Must Be Maintained Larry and Susan Kaseman Homeschoolers must work to ensure their freedoms are not infringed upon or limited. They can achieve their goal by following eight principles, including doing only the minimum required by statute or regulation and not ignoring violations of their rights. Parents Can Legally Instruct Their Children Deborah Stevenson Instructing one’s own children has never been illegal. Government has been able to impose regulations on homeschoolers because people believe the lie that instructing their own children is not legal. Chapter 4: Should Homeschooled Children Have Access to Public School Resources? Chapter Preface <emphasis n="2">Yes:</emphasis> Homeschoolers Should Have Access to Public School Resources Participation of Homeschoolers in Public School Extracurricular Activities Is Legal Anonymous The governor of Pennsylvania has come out in favor of homeschoolers. A bill passed into law in Pennsylvania permits homeschoolers to participate in extracurricular activities in their local school district. Homeschoolers Deserve Equal Access to Extracurricular Activities Alabama EqualAccess Alabama homeschoolers are being penalized for choosing an alternative to a public school education. The state of Alabama should pass legislation to permit homeschoolers to participate in public school extracurricular activities. Homeschoolers Have the Right to Participate in Afterschool Activities Anonymous Homeschooled students in Utah are entitled to take part in extracurricular activities at schools they might have attended. Third-party monitoring of grades should not be required for proof of academic eligibility. <emphasis n="2">No:</emphasis> Homeschoolers Should Not Have Access to Public School Resources Allowing Access to Public School Resources Does Not Benefit the Homeschool Movement Valerie Delp Homeschoolers should not use public school resources. Eligibility requirements may open the homeschooling community to additional academic testing and other unwelcome and unnecessary intrusions. Homeschoolers Should Be Denied Access to Public School Resources Sherry F. Colb Homeschoolers’ arguments for why they should be allowed to participate in public school extracurricular activities are flawed. Participation in public school extracurricular activities should be limited to public school students only. Sports Are an Extension of the Classroom and Therefore Should Exclude Homeschoolers Preston Williams In many states, only public high school students may play on public high school sports teams. This is fair because high school sports are supposed to be an extension of the classroom. Bibliography Organizations to Contact Index
Library of Congress Subject Headings for this publication:
Home schooling.