Chapter III
Homeschooling
Page 55
Are the government schools in America obsolete? “Yes,” according to Microsoft's Bill Gates, writes Michael Smith, president of Homeschool Legal Defense Association . Addressing the National Education Summit on High Schools, Gates said, “Even when our high schools are working exactly as designed, they cannot teach our kids what they need to know today.”
Pages 57-58
“A transcript is crucial for homeschooled high school graduates ,” writes Inge Cannon, Executive Director of Education Plus at edplus.com . “ The transcript summarizes and reports in a concise way the total educational profile of the student's experience. Behind that transcript should stand a portfolio of work samples, bibliography of resources used, detailed test information, anecdotal records, recommendations from employers and directors of extracurricular activities ,” says Cannon.
“Homeschooling is a calling. It is rewarding, but it's also hard ,” writes Zan Tyler, Media Consultant for Broadman and Holman Publishers. A noted author, Tyler says that the hardest part is the daily pressure and concern regarding the student's welfare. “I know their lives are in God's hands, yet questions like, ‘Am I giving them everything they need? Are we covering enough material in school? How are they doing spiritually? ' seem never-ending.'”
(Ed. Note: Tyler is one of America’s homeschool pioneers. By holding her 2 sons out of the public school system, the State Superintendent of Education in South Carolina threatened to put her in jail. Tyler ignored the threat and went on to homeschool her 2 sons and a daughter through high school. All have since gone on to college with multiple athletic and academic scholarships.)
For outstanding homeschool publications, check out the Online Bookstore.
Page 59
Brian Ray, Ph.D., author of the Worldwide Guide to Homeschooling , and President of the National Home Education Research Institute at nheri.org , notes: “If a veteran homeschooler says there is one best way and one best curriculum for all homeschoolers, you should quickly depart from their presence.”
According to The Campus Life Guide to Christian Colleges and Universities , Christian colleges are more likely to agree with the philosophical reasons for homeschooling, and many are actively recruiting students schooled at home. See Patrick Henry College.
Page 60
Well-known homeschool advocate and author, Cathy Duffy, has a new book entitled, 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum. Published by Broadman & Holman Publishers, 100 Top Picks is an excellent starting point for those seeking advice on curriculum. |
