(Special to NCHSN) Apologia Educational Ministries, the publisher of the Apologia Science textbook series, has been purchased by Davis and Rachael Carman of Waxhaw, N.C. Davis serves as administrative vice president with North Carolinians for Home Education. He and his wife Rachael are popular speakers and long term leaders in state and local homeschool circles.
Davis said his plans include expansion of the company's product line to include non-science curriculum as well as other practical and inspirational homeschooling books. Well-known author and speaker Zan Tyler was hired by Davis to acquire authors and be the primary editor. Deborah Bell has already been signed by the company for several books in the coming twelve months. Founder and author Dr. Jay Wile will continue to write and speak for the company's existing line of creation-based science curriculum.
Davis and Rachael will continue to live in Waxhaw, near Charlotte, and maintain the company's publication center in Indiana. They are currently homeschooling their seven children and plan to graduate their oldest next year. (NCHSN Exclusive)
Monday, June 30, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
N.C. Homeschool News 6/29/08
NEWS
Education Committee excludes homeschoolers from special needs tax credit bill
The House Education Committee this week approved changes to a tax credit bill that would prevent special needs homeschoolers from qualifying for a benefit worth as much as $6000 per year.
Though neither the House nor the Senate versions of the bill specifically mentioned homeschooling, the wording of the proposal would have allowed home educators to apply because N.C. law considers them a form of nonpublic school. The committee's changes will disqualify homeschoolers from participating in the program if it passes.
The bill has enjoyed bipartisan support in the legislature, but the state teachers' lobby, the N.C. Association of Educators, has voiced strong opposition. (Rocky Mount Telegram, 6/25/08)
References: House Bill 388 (version 1) = Senate Bill 2059 (version 1)
NCHE officer says violent acts not related and not about homeschooling
Morgan Gray Scholarship awarded to China Grove homeschooler
Bryson Nesbitt of China Grove has been selected to receive the Morgan R. Gray Scholarship, worth $825. The scholarship for Rowan County homeschoolers was founded in memory of Morgan Gray, an 11-year-old homeschooler who was killed in an auto accident in 2001. Bryson will be attending Catawba College this fall. (Salisbury Post, 6/25/08)
PEOPLE
Homeschooling growing for a variety of reasons in Rocky Mount
A positive story in the Rocky Mount Telegraph, including NCHE's Kay and Tommy Bindrim and several other homeschooling families in the area. (Rocky Mount Telegraph, 6/29/08)
Education Committee excludes homeschoolers from special needs tax credit bill
The House Education Committee this week approved changes to a tax credit bill that would prevent special needs homeschoolers from qualifying for a benefit worth as much as $6000 per year.
Though neither the House nor the Senate versions of the bill specifically mentioned homeschooling, the wording of the proposal would have allowed home educators to apply because N.C. law considers them a form of nonpublic school. The committee's changes will disqualify homeschoolers from participating in the program if it passes.
The bill has enjoyed bipartisan support in the legislature, but the state teachers' lobby, the N.C. Association of Educators, has voiced strong opposition. (Rocky Mount Telegram, 6/25/08)
References: House Bill 388 (version 1) = Senate Bill 2059 (version 1)
NCHE officer says violent acts not related and not about homeschooling
Kay Bindrim, regional director for North Carolinians for Home Education, told the Rocky Mount Telegram that the recent trial and conviction of Lynn Paddock in Johnston County was "clearly a child abuse case and not a home school case."
A second death, a 13-year-old who was being homeschooled out of compliance with the law, occurred in Edgecombe County this month. "I don't see how the two go together," Bindrim said. Bindrim is president of the Christian Homeschool Association of Rocky Mount. (See related article below). (Rocky Mount Telegram, 6/29/08)
SCHOLARSHIPS
Morgan Gray Scholarship awarded to China Grove homeschooler
Bryson Nesbitt of China Grove has been selected to receive the Morgan R. Gray Scholarship, worth $825. The scholarship for Rowan County homeschoolers was founded in memory of Morgan Gray, an 11-year-old homeschooler who was killed in an auto accident in 2001. Bryson will be attending Catawba College this fall. (Salisbury Post, 6/25/08)
PEOPLE
Homeschooling growing for a variety of reasons in Rocky Mount
A positive story in the Rocky Mount Telegraph, including NCHE's Kay and Tommy Bindrim and several other homeschooling families in the area. (Rocky Mount Telegraph, 6/29/08)
Sunday, June 22, 2008
N.C. Homeschool News 6/22/08
NEWS
Homeschoolers may need booster shots under new vaccination rules
Following up on the earlier announcements, homeschoolers who are older than 12 on August 1 and have not had a tetanus/diptheria/pertussis vaccination in the past five years will be required to have a booster shot to keep their vaccinations up to date. The new rule applies to students in all forms of school, not just homeschoolers. (Rockingham, Richmond County Daily Journal, 6/19/08)
Social Services report finds fault with themselves, but suggests watching homeschoolers too
A Social Services commission investigating the death of Sean Paddock in Johnston County released its report this week, finding that procedures at three social services agencies were unable to predict or prevent the 4-year-old's death. Recommendations included the suggestion that the Division of Non-Public Education seek more funding to allow more inspections of home schools, but no changes were suggested to the state's homeschooling statute.
Remarkably, local media reports focused on the homeschooling recommendation, bypassing several pages of findings on the process which allowed Sean's foster family to adopt him and his siblings in spite of questions raised during the adoption process.
On Friday, North Carolinians for Home Education released a brief statement to its membership, pointing out that there was "no causal relationship" between homeschooling and child abuse.
Sean's mother Lynn Paddock, who was homeschooling Sean's older siblings, is serving a life sentence for murder and child abuse. (NCHSN Exclusive)
ACADEMICS
NCHE announces 2008 scholarship winners
Seven homeschool graduates were named in NCHE's 2008 Scholarship Program at their annual conference, May 24, in Winston-Salem.
John Calvin Young of Smithfield received the Don and Linda Lassiter Scholarship, NCHE's first renewable, four-year award, sponsored by Johnston County couple of that name.
Kelsey Rushing Farson of Davidson and Jared Michael Hostetler of Hendersonville received the HINTS Support Group Scholarships, sponsored by the Charlotte organization.
Timothy Carl Kroboth of Charlotte, Andrew Stephen Woods of Winston-Salem, Shana Marie Hakanson of Wilson, and Christina Elizabeth Banner of Conover received the NCHE Scholarship (North Carolinians for Home Education press release)
Apex homeschooler wins $10,000 scholarship from drug manufacturer
Jordan R. Hill of Apex has been awarded the $10,000 Steven C. Chellevold Memorial Scholarship by the Schering-Plough Corporation. Jordan plans to attend UNC-Chapel Hill. (Raleigh News & Observer, 6/xx/08)
PEOPLE
Aberdeen homeschooler is finalist in Miss N.C. Outstanding Teen
Charity Haskins of Aberdeen, Miss Fayetteville Outstanding Teen, was named one of the top three scholars in the Miss N.C. Outstanding Teen pageant on Saturday. Charity, a 17-year-old, was one of ten finalists in the state competition in Raleigh. (WRAL, 6/21/08; Fayetteville Observer, 6/19/08)
Sunday, June 15, 2008
N.C. Homeschool News 6/15/08
NEWS
STATE - Bill provides tax credits for special needs students in nonpublic schools
Two bills in the N.C. General Assembly (H.388 = S.2059) would provide parents a tax credit of as much as $3000 per semester for qualified expenses to provide special educational services to their children in nonpublic schools. According to the House bill's primary sponsor, Rep. Skip Stam (R), the tax credits estimated at $18 million would cost the state about $2 million, but would save counties $6 million -- and allow parents to seek the best possible educational support for their child, if they need to look outside the public school system. Video of the press conference is available courtesy the John Locke Foundation. (The Locker Room, 6/10/08)
The Morganton News-Herald reports that Gordon Fein has been appointed to the U.S. Military Academy (West Point), while David Gillette has been appointed to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Both had already received nominations to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy when they received word of the second appointments this week. (Morganton News-Herald, 6/10/08)
GUILFORD - Homeschool mother contemplates "mission accomplished"
Linda Vestal of Gibsonville writes for the Greensboro News & Record. Her June 11 column, which was also posted on Red Orbit under the title "Mission Accomplished", reflects on her daughter Hannah's graduation from homeschooling. (Greensboro News & Record, 6-11-08)
HAYWOOD - Local association graduates four homeschoolers
The Haywood Christian Home Educators recognized and celebrated the graduation of four seniors at a ceremony held May 9 at Dellwood Baptist Church. (Asheville Citizen-Times, 6/14/08)
JOHNSTON - Another homeschool graduate heading to West Point
David Auge of Smithfield has been appointed to the U.S. Military Academy (West Point), following in the steps of his father who also graduated from the Academy. (NCHSN Exclusive)
STATE - Bill provides tax credits for special needs students in nonpublic schools
Two bills in the N.C. General Assembly (H.388 = S.2059) would provide parents a tax credit of as much as $3000 per semester for qualified expenses to provide special educational services to their children in nonpublic schools. According to the House bill's primary sponsor, Rep. Skip Stam (R), the tax credits estimated at $18 million would cost the state about $2 million, but would save counties $6 million -- and allow parents to seek the best possible educational support for their child, if they need to look outside the public school system. Video of the press conference is available courtesy the John Locke Foundation. (The Locker Room, 6/10/08)
ACADEMICS
BURKE - Two Burke County homeschool grads appointed to service academiesThe Morganton News-Herald reports that Gordon Fein has been appointed to the U.S. Military Academy (West Point), while David Gillette has been appointed to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Both had already received nominations to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy when they received word of the second appointments this week. (Morganton News-Herald, 6/10/08)
GUILFORD - Homeschool mother contemplates "mission accomplished"
Linda Vestal of Gibsonville writes for the Greensboro News & Record. Her June 11 column, which was also posted on Red Orbit under the title "Mission Accomplished", reflects on her daughter Hannah's graduation from homeschooling. (Greensboro News & Record, 6-11-08)
HAYWOOD - Local association graduates four homeschoolers
The Haywood Christian Home Educators recognized and celebrated the graduation of four seniors at a ceremony held May 9 at Dellwood Baptist Church. (Asheville Citizen-Times, 6/14/08)
JOHNSTON - Another homeschool graduate heading to West Point
David Auge of Smithfield has been appointed to the U.S. Military Academy (West Point), following in the steps of his father who also graduated from the Academy. (NCHSN Exclusive)
ARTS
WARREN - Homeschooled brothers from Raleigh to perform at historic concert venue
Carter and Wyatt Coleman of Raleigh are featured violinists in the annual student concert at Cherry Hill plantation in Inez, N.C., on June 15. The two brothers have studied violin since the age of four and have won numerous awards and recognitions. (The Warren Record, 6/13/08)
AWARDS
CABARRAS - Pack 94 awards "Arrow of Light" to six scouts
Joshua Bakita, Joshua Cowles, Scott Darden, David Mason, Steven Patton and Patrick Taylor, all homeschoolers, received the Arrow of Light award at graduation ceremonies for Pack 94 last month. The award is the highest achievement in Cub Scouts. (Charlotte Observer, 6/12/08)Sunday, June 1, 2008
N.C. Homeschool News 6/1/08
NEWS
BURKE -- Seven homeschoolers graduated at commencement ceremonies of the Burke County Home Educators, held at the Old Burke County Courthouse, May 31. (Morganton News-Herald, 5/31/08)
AWARDS
BURKE -- Seven homeschoolers graduated at commencement ceremonies of the Burke County Home Educators, held at the Old Burke County Courthouse, May 31. (Morganton News-Herald, 5/31/08)
AWARDS
JACKSON - Sylva homeschooler wins bronze in international project competition
Martha Hall of Sylva has received a bronze medal in the 1st International Sustainable World Energy, Engineering and Environmental Project Olympiad, held in Houston, Texas, May 1-5. The competition included students from 52 countries and 38 states. (Carolina Newswire, 05-22-08)
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