Animals
I really resent NewScientist assumption that all homeschoolers are religious nutcases that teach their children Creationism instead of real Science.
I expect more from a Scientific publication. Like the acknowledgement that all homeschoolers are not Christian Fundamentalist, that some homeschoolers aren't even Christians, that some Christians embrace the Theory of Evolution, that some homeschoolers actually seek out real science textbooks and teach their children real science. We used Amsco's The Living Environment Biology by Rick Hallman. The very first unit deals with Evolution. I also had my children read Charles Darwin's Origin of Species and I adore the Charles Darwin on-line link I discovered.
I also expect some acknowledgement that Christianity and Science do not have to be at odds. I have been reading Our Endangered Values America's Moral Crisis by Jimmy Carter (when I finish the book I'll post a review) Chapter 5 No Conflict Between Science and Religion explains how both science and Christianity can co-exist.
I also plan to read The Language of God by Francis S. Collins
Toward the end they do admit that not all homeschoolers have a religious agenda.
I don't believe we are in the minority as Alters asserts. I do believe that we haven't been as vocal as the Fundamentalist who have HSLDA to further their agenda. We need to get the word out that there are alternatives to HSLDA, many homeschoolers join HSLDA not because they believe in their agenda, but because they don't realize they have an alternative and are afraid to homeschool without the resources of a national homeschool organization. The National Home Education Network (NHEN) provides accurate and complete homeschooling information that cuts across all political agendas, religious affiliations, and homeschooling styles.
We also need to let textbook publishers know that there is a homeschool market for secular textbooks. One of the most frustrating things when I started homeschooling was finding secular textbooks to buy. Thankfully publishers like Saxon and Amsco have started selling directly to homeschoolers.
We need to support inclusive support groups that welcome homeschoolers of all religious and non-religious beliefs. We need to become more active in politics and we need to speak out against HSLDA when their policies are detrimental to homeschoolers who aren't homeschooling for " fundamentalist religious" reasons. For example Alabama's archaic laws which pertain to homeschooling and which HSLDA support.
If they think their law is the best in the nation, they should take a look at the neighboring state of Mississippi. In Mississippi parents are free to homeschool for ANY REASON, and all they have to do is register their children with their school attendance officer as homeschooled. Non-religious parents shouldn't be forced to enroll their children in "Church Schools" or hire Certified Teachers in order to homeschool as Alabama demands. This smacks of discrimination and deserves to be challenged.
Free Thinking Christians, Moderate Christians, Parents of other Religions, and Non-Religious Parents have as much right to homeschool as the religious fundamentalist, it's time we spoke up and let the rest of the world know we exist.
- Why Homeschooling Works ~ No Or Little Bureaucracy
Homeschool Parents/Teachers are able to pick out the curriculum and textbooks that best suits their children/students. Unlike the public school system where the teacher may have very little input into what textbooks will be used in their classroom. This...
- Stupid Comments Of Public School Jingoist
Lately I have read with amusement the comments on some blogs by non-homeschoolers bashing homeschooling. You would think if they were going to comment on another parents educational choice they would at least take the time to find out something about...
- Eat Your Words Anonymous
Anonymous said... Nice hatchet job interpreting Greg Ladens thoughts and ideas;-)Greg is about the promotion of science--and I am sure that when there "comes into bee-ing" a homeschooled kid who wins the 'science or chemistry bee' instead of a...
- Here They Go Again Bashing Homeschooling
A small minority of homeschoolers hold a very public Creationist Science Fair, and now the general public thinks all homeschoolers are creationist and that homeschooling should be strictly regulated on a national level or altogether banned. Carlo elaborates...
- Deep Thoughts
Deep Thought asked thought provoking questions in his post Who Decides? Part II In my introduction to education and homeschooling I discussed my conversation with Prof. Rob Reich, who is seen as an opponent by most homeschoolers, and his view that parents...
Animals
NewScientist Bashes Homeschoolers
I really resent NewScientist assumption that all homeschoolers are religious nutcases that teach their children Creationism instead of real Science.
New Scientist investigated how home-schooling, with its considerable legal support, is quietly transforming the landscape of science education in the US, subverting and possibly threatening the public school system that has fought hard against imposing a Christian viewpoint on science teaching.
I expect more from a Scientific publication. Like the acknowledgement that all homeschoolers are not Christian Fundamentalist, that some homeschoolers aren't even Christians, that some Christians embrace the Theory of Evolution, that some homeschoolers actually seek out real science textbooks and teach their children real science. We used Amsco's The Living Environment Biology by Rick Hallman. The very first unit deals with Evolution. I also had my children read Charles Darwin's Origin of Species and I adore the Charles Darwin on-line link I discovered.
I also expect some acknowledgement that Christianity and Science do not have to be at odds. I have been reading Our Endangered Values America's Moral Crisis by Jimmy Carter (when I finish the book I'll post a review) Chapter 5 No Conflict Between Science and Religion explains how both science and Christianity can co-exist.
The existence of millions of distant galaxies, the evolution of species, and the big bang theory can not be rejected because they are not described in the Bible, and neither does confidence in them cast doubt on the Creator of it all. God gave us this exciting opportunity for study and exploration, never expecting the Bible to encompass a description of the entire physical world or for scientific discoveries to be necessary as the foundation for our Christian faith. ~ Jimmy Carter.
I also plan to read The Language of God by Francis S. Collins
In "The Language of God," geneticist Francis S. Collins explains through personal testimony why faith and reason can and do coexist peacefully, and how one actually complements the other.
Toward the end they do admit that not all homeschoolers have a religious agenda.
However, not all home-school parents have a religious agenda. "There are probably some wonderful home-school parents, some of whom may be evolutionary biologists themselves. But I have a feeling after talking to a lot of home-schoolers that this is the minority," says Alters. Indeed, evangelical Christians do dominate the home-school movement. "It's disconcerting, to say the least," he says.
I don't believe we are in the minority as Alters asserts. I do believe that we haven't been as vocal as the Fundamentalist who have HSLDA to further their agenda. We need to get the word out that there are alternatives to HSLDA, many homeschoolers join HSLDA not because they believe in their agenda, but because they don't realize they have an alternative and are afraid to homeschool without the resources of a national homeschool organization. The National Home Education Network (NHEN) provides accurate and complete homeschooling information that cuts across all political agendas, religious affiliations, and homeschooling styles.
We also need to let textbook publishers know that there is a homeschool market for secular textbooks. One of the most frustrating things when I started homeschooling was finding secular textbooks to buy. Thankfully publishers like Saxon and Amsco have started selling directly to homeschoolers.
We need to support inclusive support groups that welcome homeschoolers of all religious and non-religious beliefs. We need to become more active in politics and we need to speak out against HSLDA when their policies are detrimental to homeschoolers who aren't homeschooling for " fundamentalist religious" reasons. For example Alabama's archaic laws which pertain to homeschooling and which HSLDA support.
One is the "Tutorial Law" (Ala. Code §16-28-5). Under this statute a certified teacher may instruct a student or students privately. The tutor must submit to monitoring by the local school district officials, and hold school a minimum of 140 days a year at certain times. This option is not available to most home educators.
The second and preferred way is known as the "Church School Law" (Ala. Code §16-28-3). Under this statute students between the ages of 7 and 16 are exempt from the state's compulsory school attendance law if they are enrolled in schools operated by a church or association of churches.In the last several years there have been calls for the Legislature to pass a home school law for Alabama. CHEF is opposed to a home school law at this time because it will more than likely result in greater government regulation of home schooling. We are advised that the system we have is the best in the nation, least subject to government control and based on religious belief.
If they think their law is the best in the nation, they should take a look at the neighboring state of Mississippi. In Mississippi parents are free to homeschool for ANY REASON, and all they have to do is register their children with their school attendance officer as homeschooled. Non-religious parents shouldn't be forced to enroll their children in "Church Schools" or hire Certified Teachers in order to homeschool as Alabama demands. This smacks of discrimination and deserves to be challenged.
Free Thinking Christians, Moderate Christians, Parents of other Religions, and Non-Religious Parents have as much right to homeschool as the religious fundamentalist, it's time we spoke up and let the rest of the world know we exist.
- Why Homeschooling Works ~ No Or Little Bureaucracy
Homeschool Parents/Teachers are able to pick out the curriculum and textbooks that best suits their children/students. Unlike the public school system where the teacher may have very little input into what textbooks will be used in their classroom. This...
- Stupid Comments Of Public School Jingoist
Lately I have read with amusement the comments on some blogs by non-homeschoolers bashing homeschooling. You would think if they were going to comment on another parents educational choice they would at least take the time to find out something about...
- Eat Your Words Anonymous
Anonymous said... Nice hatchet job interpreting Greg Ladens thoughts and ideas;-)Greg is about the promotion of science--and I am sure that when there "comes into bee-ing" a homeschooled kid who wins the 'science or chemistry bee' instead of a...
- Here They Go Again Bashing Homeschooling
A small minority of homeschoolers hold a very public Creationist Science Fair, and now the general public thinks all homeschoolers are creationist and that homeschooling should be strictly regulated on a national level or altogether banned. Carlo elaborates...
- Deep Thoughts
Deep Thought asked thought provoking questions in his post Who Decides? Part II In my introduction to education and homeschooling I discussed my conversation with Prof. Rob Reich, who is seen as an opponent by most homeschoolers, and his view that parents...