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SchoolReformers.com insiderUpdate
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nsiderUpdate.html
Items in this update:
o FROM THE EDITOR: Homeschoolers are getting away with it
o Homeschoolers harassed in Virginia
o Tennessee homeschooler ratted on by her own mother
o Baylor U. allows homeschoolers after all
o Are private schools losing teachers to public schools?
o Charter school firm cleared to lead Nevada schools
o Tokyo board of ed approves history-distorting history books
o Slow start for NJ school choice program
o It should have been impeached already
o NYC school deficit gets $800 million worse; chancellor is
'troubled'
o Private firm hired to help save Philadelphia schools
o In Britain, a call to scrap parental school choice
o Rice changes admission policy for homeschoolers
o Ranks of homeschooled soar in government estimate
o The demand for 'free' public schools
o Solidly for vouchers
o Privatization: A solution for school inequities?
o Arizona tuition tax credits
o Arizona's Scholarship Tax Credit: A new direction for school
choice?
o What should be done with America's schools?
o Illinois Supreme Court declines to hear appeal of tuition tax
credit case
o Debunking a debunker: myths about public education
o Arizona school choice trust: survey of participating parents
o Homeschooling in the United States: 1999
Dear Fellow School Reformer:
Homeschoolers still sometimes get disrespected by the establishment. They
still get badgered by educrats ... sometimes even arrested ... for helping
their kids play hooky.
In Virginia, school officials are demanding private information from
homeschooling parents that they're not legally entitled to demand.
In Tennessee, a homeschooling parent was turned in her very own mother --
then arrested for failing to submit to the local public-school regime
(even
though her toddler had not yet reached compulsory school age).
Fortunately,
the criminal charges were eventually dropped, and now the mother is
seeking
legal redress for the violation of her civil rights.
In Texas, Baylor University accepted several homeschooled kids for its
fall
session, then, fearing trouble from the educrats, unceremoniously withdrew
those acceptances. But now Baylor is pledging to work things out with the
students so they can attend after all.
Despite such incidents, the ranks of homeschoolers continue to swell.
While
the numbers are hard to gauge precisely, a recent study conducted by the
National Household Education Surveys Program concludes that by Spring
1999, some 850,000 students were being homeschooled around the country.
Some estimates are higher.
Not everything about the report is happiness-making. We admit to being a
little disconcerted, for example, by the apparent grammar-impairment of a
U.S. Department of Education copywriter charged with summarizing the
study, as witness the following faulty parallelism: "Parents gave a
wide variety of reasons for homeschooling their children. These reasons
included being able to give their child a better education at home, for
religious reasons, and because of a poor learning environment at
school."
Oh well. Maybe some of the new funding Bush is getting for the Department
will be diverted to tutoring its staff.
Homeschooling is hardly the only growth-sector of school choice, of
course. Charter schools have multiplied by leaps and bounds over the past
decade or so -- and now we're hearing proposals for charter school
_districts_. There have been political setbacks for school vouchers. But
results of existing
school-voucher experiments are positive, and the enthusiasm for vouchers
among hard-strapped parents could probably be channeled into some other,
equally boat-rocking reform, if vouchers lose ground over the long haul.
Meanwhile, in sundry state capitals we're beginning to see good
legislative prospects for education tax credits. (On September 17, the
Cato Institute will sponsor a forum on Arizona's scholarship tax credit.)
More and more parents are coming to realize not only that public schooling
is a problem, but that some form of school choice is the solution.
All that is well and good. But what homeschoolers say is, "We're not
going
to wait for reforms and fix-its and cultural revolutions. We're going to
teach our own kids, right now, and make sure we do it right."
It's encouraging to know that they're succeeding ... and being allowed to
succeed.
Yours for school choice,
David M. Brown
Editor
SchoolReformers.com
http://www.schoolreformers.com
==> NEWS REPORTS <==
Homeschoolers harassed in Virginia
----------
The Home School Legal Defense Association says that many
school districts in Virginia are requiring more information
from homeschoolers than the law entitles them to ask for. The organization
suggests that other homeschoolers subjected to similar demands
contact HSLDA for help.(08/07/01)
http://www.hslda.org/docs/news/hslda/20
0108072.asp
Tennessee homeschooler ratted on by her own mother
----------
A complaint against a mother planning to homeschool her
5-year-old child was filed even before the child was of
compulsory attendance age, and led to the mom's arrest. The criminal case
has been dismissed, and the homeschooler is suing for violation of her
civil rights. (06/28/01)
http://www.hslda.org/legal/state/tn/20008
24Horn/default.asp
Baylor U. allows homeschoolers after all
----------
by Diana Lynne
Under pressure from appalled parents and public, Baylor U.
reverses its decision to reverse its acceptance of several
homeschoolers, saying it will "work around" the regulatory
quagmire that it says caused the situation. (08/03/01)
http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp
?ARTICLE_ID=23902
Are private schools losing teachers to public schools?
----------
Pay raises and other benefits are making public schools more
attractive, some say. "I think private school was a great place for
me to learn ... but unfortunately they just can't compete with the public
schools' pay and the benefits," says one teacher. But a better
working environment still keeps many private-school teachers where they
are. (08/08/01)
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/oran
ge/la-000064361aug08.story?coll=la%2De
ditions%2Dorange%2Doc%5Fnews
Charter school firm cleared to lead Nevada schools
----------
Edison Schools Inc has been cleared to take over seven
low-performing Clark County campuses after a judge ruled that
officials were within their authority to contract with the nation's
largest for-profit school management firm. (08/08/01)
http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2001/Aug
-08-Wed-2001/news/16723187.html
Tokyo board of ed approves history-distorting history books
----------
The Tokyo board of education has decided to adopt history
textbooks criticized for glossing over Japanese war-time atrocities.
According to the board's chairman, the textbooks will "help children
deepen their love of the nation's history and nurture their sense of
being a member of the nation." (08/08/01)
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/asia/sto
ry/0,1870,62564,00.html
Slow start for NJ school choice program
----------
The results of a pilot school-choice program allows a limited
number of students to attend a public school outside their hometown
have been generally positive, if modest, according to a report submitted
to the state Board of Education last week. (08/06/01)
http://inq.philly.com/content/inquirer/20
01/08/06/local_news/JCHOICE06.htm
It should have been impeached already
----------
by Ariana Huffington
"If it were a product, it would have been recalled. If
it were a politician, it would have been impeached. If it were a horse, it
would have been taken behind the barn and shot." (08/04/01)
http://www.uniontrib.com/news/uniontri
b/sat/opinion/news_1e4huff.html
NYC school deficit gets $800 million worse; chancellor is 'troubled'
----------
Schools Chancellor Harold Levy said the school-construction
budget shortfall has mushroomed to $2.8 billion -- and fired the
Board of Education's facilities director over the fiasco. The problem
could disrupt the school system's current 5-year plan, says Levy. "I
find it incredibly troubling."
http://www.nypost.com/news/regionaln
ews/36991.htm
Private firm hired to help save Philadelphia schools
----------
Governor Ridge has hired the nation's largest private
operator of public schools to develop a plan to save the troubled
Philadelphia School District. Of course, it has only two months to do the
job that others have struggled with for decades. (08/02/01)
http://inq.philly.com/content/inquirer/20
01/08/02/front_page/PSCHOOL02.htm
In Britain, a call to scrap parental school choice
----------
"Parental choice is and always has been an
illusion," a British head teacher tells the Professional Association
of Teachers at their annual conference. The existence of options is just
too frustrating. (08/02/01)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/educati
on/newsid_1469000/1469598.stm
Rice changes admission policy for homeschoolers
----------
The admission policy for homeschool graduates at Rice
University in Houston has changed. The new policy requires that home
school graduates be considered for admission on the same basis as all
other students. (07/30/01)
http://www.educationnews.org/texas_h
ome_school_coalition_rice.htm
Ranks of homeschooled soar in government estimate
----------
About 1.7 percent of America's children are being taught at
home, most of them by well-educated parents, according to a new government
study. A better-quality education is the most common reason for
homeschooling, with religious instruction coming in second. (08/03/01)
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,
31232,00.html
For more News Reports see:
http://www.SchoolReformers.com/reso
urces/bycategory/news/
==> COMMENTARY, OPINION, AND BOOK REVIEWS <==
The demand for 'free' public schools
----------
by Vin Suprynowicz
Public school officials eternally complain about a shortage
of resources, but demand for what they offer is naturally through
the roof when people are forced to support the schools through taxes.
(08/08/01)
http://www.lewrockwell.com/suprynowi
cz/suprynowicz7.html
Solidly for vouchers
----------
by William Raspberry
Listen to the mental wrestlings of a man who has arrived
solidly on the pro-voucher side of the issue. What follows are
the words of Howard Fuller, former superintendent of schools in Milwaukee
and now head of the Black Alliance for Educational Options.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-d
yn/opinion/A3612
Privatization: A solution for school inequities?
----------
by John E. Chubb
Privatization, says Chubb, could fix many of the inequities
that occur in public schools. "If private school
management firms contract with the largest and most bureaucratized school
systems, disadvantaged students will benefit disproportionately...."
(08/06/01)
http://www-hoover.stanford.edu/pubaf
fairs/we/current/chubb_0801.html
For more Commentary, Opinion, and Book Reviews see:
http://www.SchoolReformers.com/res
ources/bycategory/commentary/
==> ONLINE RESOURCE DIRECTORIES <==
Arizona tuition tax credits
----------
Information and links to resources about Arizona's
dollar-for-dollar tax credit for donations to organizations that provide
scholarships to private school students.
http://www.azschoolchoice.org/extracr
edit.htm
For more Online Resource Directories see:
http://www.SchoolReformers.com/resou
rces/bycategory/homepages/
==> EVENTS <==
Arizona's Scholarship Tax Credit: A new direction for school choice?
----------
September 17, 2001
"In 1997 Arizona pioneered a new approach to education:
taxpayers receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for contributions
to organizations that give students scholarships to attend private
schools." Participants at this event will discuss the aspects of the
Arizona program.
http://www.cato.org/events/010917pf.ht
ml
For more Events see:
http://www.SchoolReformers.com/reso
urces/bycategory/events/
==> INTRODUCTIONS AND FAQS <==
What should be done with America's schools?
----------
Myron Lieberman, Andrew Coulson, and Williamson M. Evers
consider what's wrong with our schools, how things got this way, and what
can be done about it. (Discussion transcript.) (04/13/99)
http://www.independent.org/tii/forums/9
90413ipfTrans.html
Illinois Supreme Court declines to hear appeal of tuition tax credit case
----------
by John Kramer
In yet another victory for Illinois families, the Supreme
Court of Illinois today refused to reconsider the ruling of the Fourth
District Court of Appeals that the Illinois educational expenses tax
credit law is constitutional. (06/30/01)
http://www.ij.org/media/school_choice/il
linois/
For more Introductions and FAQs see:
http://www.SchoolReformers.com/resour
ces/bycategory/brief/
==> SCHOLARLY AND IN-DEPTH STUDIES <==
Debunking a debunker: myths about public education
----------
by Stephen Coleman
In his book "The Manufactured Crisis," David
Berliner argues that U.S. test scores have not declined, U.S.
students do well in international comparisons, and the U.S. does not spend
enough on education. Wrong, wrong, and wrong. (08/99)
http://www.azschoolchoice.org/pubs/07
.htm
Arizona school choice trust: survey of participating parents
----------
by Tara Ellman
Results of a 1995 survey of families that participated in a
privately funded Arizona tuition program. The program awarded grants
covering half of private school tuition, up to $800. (01/96)
http://www.azschoolchoice.org/pubs/as
ct.htm
Homeschooling in the United States: 1999
----------
In the spring of 1999, an estimated 850,000 students
nationwide were being homeschooled. This report, based on data from the
Parent Survey of the National Household Education Survey, 1999, contains
information about the characteristics of homeschooled children and
their families. (Available in PDF format.) (08/01)
http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.a
sp?pubid=2001033
For more Scholarly and In-Depth Studies see:
http://www.SchoolReformers.com/resou
rces/bycategory/in-depth/
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end of SchoolReformers.com insiderUpdate
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--
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