George Bush's secret army (Why Democrats Hate, and Fear, Home Schooled Kids)

Economist ^ | March 17th 2004 | Economist

[BaBaStooey]

I attended private school all my life...graduating from High School in 1998. I never took the SAT, I only took the ACT. The college I attended (Saginaw Valley State University) did not require the SAT for admission.

[Tribune7]

Santorum's mentioned in this very good article.

[mrs tiggywinkle]

Hmmm. Yes, I understand homeschooling in PA is rather um..time intensive with record keeping.

Are you familiar with Debra Bell? She's a notable home educator with much info and suggestions on homeschooling in your state. www.debrabell.com

[netmilsmom]

You're not slow. Just not as paranoid as I am. ;-)!

[mrs tiggywinkle]

Well, I just 'learned' about ACT last year at a local homeschool conference. I thought the SAT was the *only* way to go up until that point. :o/

[netmilsmom]

Are you doing PA virtual Academy?
I'm asking because my Great Nephew is doing OVA and loves it. We were considering paying for K12, but we won't if it sucks.

[mrs tiggywinkle]

**I have heard that universities actually like homeschool students- they realize they're getting a better educated student. **

Ivy League universities now have 'homeschool scouts' in the admissions departments. They're wise to the homeschool excellence in academics. :o)

[netmilsmom]

I have a problem with the money grubbing and feminist agenda of the Girls Scouts. I did Daisies when my daughter was in K and spent more money than a leader should.

I like the 4H group, but Boy Scouts really cover great material.

[mrs tiggywinkle]

http://learninfreedom.org/colleges_4_hmsc.html

The above web addy has a full listing of colleges that admit homeschoolers, as well as great info.

[Rummyfan]

I think homeschoolers should be out there beating the drum. Their success shows up the failure of the public school system. If I could afford to do it, I would homeschool my kids.

[mrs tiggywinkle]

Spookie...I don't know if you've been pinged to this thread, but thought you would like to add some thoughts. :o)

[cyclotic]

I do too, but with this troop being home school only, the feminist agenda is highly tempered.

They also only do cookies and a small magazine sale every year.

I'm not as high on Girl Scouts as I am on Boy Scouts.

[netmilsmom]

Hi Lady!

[netmilsmom]

If I put my girls in jeans and stick their hair up under their hats, can they join your Boy Scout Troop? LOL!

[Graymatter]

Thanks, I'll check it out. We're in the middle of nowhere here so I need all the links I can get :)

[blackdog]

The public school system in this country highlights it's own failures quite well on it's own. You do not lead successfully by tearing others down in public, especially when the public already knows.

Most teachers like homeschooling but keep it quiet. They know the score.

The education whores out there in the public system need to get the slow cooked frog treatment. If you turn the heat up too quick, the frogs will jump out and escape.

4% per year growth is just perfect. By that time the universities will have lots of homeschooled kids graduating and taking jobs teaching, administrating, and steering policy.

"Steady as she goes Mr.Soolu"

[1L]

I don't care if he practices

As a pianist (or, maybe a wannabe), I must stress that you need to care if he practices. But as someone who didn't practice as a kid and now regrets that, try to make it fun. Allow him to pick some music AND work with him to figure out melody and harmony lines on the types of music he listens to on CDs or the radio -- without the music. This is not only something that would be fun, but also a valuable musical learning experience. Too often, piano teachers teach music reading very well, but don't teach harmonizing and improv very well. In fact, those areas might not really be as teachable as other ones, but they can be learned with some work. My sister is a good pianist, but, except from memory, take the music away and she's not really able to play much of anything. I can't read near as well as she can, but can harmonize many songs with just I, IV, and V chords.

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

So what, in the scheme of things, if we aren't driving the "right" kind of vehicles

Although my neighbors and some friends drive fancy cars, and I can afford the same, I prefer my 2001 Saturn coupe.

For me a vehicle is a way to get from point a. to point b. while staying dry in the rain and warm in the winter, period.

[don-o]

bump for later

[cantfindagoodscreenname]

Must be nice to afford to live again on one spouse income!

I'd live in the lowest of circumstances if that's what it took to teach my children at home. I do know many homeschoolers who are not well off, but who make the sacrifice so that their children can get an excellent education.

And something else....it *IS* nice to afford to live on my spouse's income. He works very hard and earns it. Do you have a problem with people making a decent income?