Posted on 10/26/2002 5:07:05 AM PDT by SLB
'The flight from public schools' November edition to feature in-depth look at homeschooling revolution
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Posted: October 26, 2002 1:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2002 WorldNetDaily.com
A devastating look at the current state of public schools in America – and the resulting revolution in homeschooling – is the topic of the upcoming November 2002 edition of WND's acclaimed monthly print magazine, Whistleblower.
Titled "THE FLIGHT FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS," the issue documents the increasingly bizarre curricula (from "jihad games" to "celebrating the dead"), notorious "zero-tolerance" discipline (suspending children for playing cops-and-robbers on the playground or giving a cough drop to a friend) and increasingly overt sexual indoctrination (homosexual propaganda now taught beginning in kindergarten). It shows how and why the government's education system has become so controversial that former U.S. Secretary of Education William Bennett now publicly exhorts parents on national television to take their children out of the learning institutions over which he once presided – and to homeschool them instead.
The issue guides readers through the fascinating world of homeschooling – showing how home-taught children consistently outperform their public- and private-schooled peers on standardized tests, and are now being actively sought out by Ivy League colleges.
"This issue is crucial to our freedom as individuals and as a nation," said WorldNetDaily's editor and CEO Joseph Farah. "I urge all WND readers to read this issue of Whistleblower – especially if you have school-aged children. I truly believe this special report may change the course of your life and your children's lives."
"In fact," said WND Vice President and Managing Editor David Kupelian – one of four top editorial staffers (including Farah) that homeschool their children – "this issue is an excellent resource for helping parents make the decision, and then the transition, to home school."
The issue includes a powerful essay on the subject by Farah, adapted from his forthcoming book, "Taking America Back."
The 1.5 million number is the very same number that was given when I began homeschooling seven years ago. I would be willing to bet that this number comes from some guestimating educrat. The number may actually be much higher because there are more than 30,000 homeschooled kids in each of the 50 states (which is what would make the number 1.5 million). The true number is probably closer to 1.5 homeschooling FAMILIES. Each homeschooling mom is teaching at least 2 to 5 kids.
Something I've noticed since I began teaching my own at home is that when someone asks me where my children go to school and I say that I homeschool them, more and more people look at me, smile and say, "Good for you." It has been quite a while since I've heard the 'socialism' comment.
On second thought maybe it would be safer to keep the number at 1.5 million kids rather than families. We wouldn't want to blow there minds, just yet.
Well, good luck (sincerely). My youngest son was held back in second grade and determined to be "gifted and talented" the following year. Do you think that did'nt drive me to distraction?
The public school is also providing services for my daughter who has cerebral palsy.
Hearty applause. IMHO, this is one area that gubmint schools can make a contribution.
Our public school in liberal California also has The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe as one of their required books.
Applause again, but is it your system or your child's teacher? If your system, check to see if you've been spirited to the twilight zone.
We've already met several Christian teachers, and they have a Bible Club after school.
Nope, you're definitely in the twilight zone (or you're a government school teacher disruptor). ;o)
Well, actually its not ... in point of fact, in some areas it is scandalously expensive.
I'd say that about sums it up.
INterestingly enough ... I'm not an Ayn Rand fan because of her immoral personal behavior and ardent atheism. It's curious that this particular organization would have concern for morality. Maybe the see some flaws with Ayn Rands philosophy.
Not quite. I, and a lot of other tax payers pay for it.
For more information see http://www.sepschool.org/
It isn’t your neighbors’ responsibility to educate your kids. That is your responsibility just like their clothes, food and shelter are. The only way we are ever going to rid our country of the scourge of government schools is for everyone opposed to socialism to get out of them.
Many areas of the country have homeschool support groups that meet and have group field trips, form sports teams, and just share information. Anyone can form one...you just need another homeschooler who is looking to pool resources (frequently that resource is time: You plan the field trip to the zoo, and I'll plan the one to the museum), wants to learn about different homeschooling options, or whatever.
Some homeschool groups even pitch in money and hire music teachers, art teachers, etc.
The groups are self-governing, and certainly not anywhere as organized (on a large scale) like soccer groups.
Socialization is a non-issue for us. We don't want our son to adopt the values and standards of the typical American child. Now, we are concerned about providing him opportunities to interact and play with children his own age, but we choose when and where and with whom and under whose supervision. It's not left to chance, like it is at PS. Scouting is a great organization (I'm a Den Leader), and he has friends in public school, private school, and homeschools. He does Tae Kwan Do, and the homeschool kids get to go when the others are in PS, so they get individual attention. Many homeschool families are heavily involved in their church (many churches have support groups), and there are lots of opportunities there.
Good homeschool parents find ways for their children to interact with other kids, without their kids taking on the worst characteristics of the general child population.
The entitlement mentality starts by seeing one's parents transfer their responsibilities to the government. That’s why we see three and four generations in government housing, on government food stamps and on relief. Kids who grow up in the projects think they are entitled to housing and food. Kids who grow up in government school think they are entitled to an education. From there it is an easy step to thinking they are entitled to healthcare, medication, etc.
Government schools are the first socialist institutions most kids come in contact with. They learn that they can pass off their responsibilities to the government and force their neighbors to pay for it.
No matter what you try to tell your children about responsibility and the free market, your example is showing them that socialism is and acceptable alternative to personal responsibility and capitalism. Aside from all the other problems with government schools this is their worst element in my opinion.
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