N.C. Senate Proposes School Sports Access

NCHE opposes, saying the measure invites more regulation

A bill introduced in the state senate by Sen. Jim Jacumin (R-44) would open public school athletic programs to students of any school, public or nonpublic, whose school did not offer the interscholastic sport in question. The bill, S259, states,

These rules shall provide that any high school student who attends ... [a] private school, home school, or charter school that does not have an interscholastic athletics program in a given sport may participate in that sport at the base public high school for the student's address, subject to the terms and conditions applicable to a regularly enrolled member of that school's student body.

While the bill specifically includes homeschoolers -- WRAL in Raleigh focuses on this fact, downplaying the private, charter and public school students who also benefit -- North Carolinians for Home Education opposes the bill.

NCHE president Spencer Mason told WRAL the bill could open the door for more restrictions on homeschoolers who participate, but added, "We would be in favor of allowing home-schooled students to participate in public school club sports, if there were no additional regulations that would affect home-schoolers."

The bill continues to allow an outside organization such as the N.C. High School Athletic Association to implement the rules for interscholastic competition. NCHSAA has opposed allowing students to play for schools in which they were not enrolled because one school may recruit players away from another. They told WRAL they also oppose the bill.

SPORTS: Surry Places Six on NCHE All-Conference Teams

From the Mt. Airy News:

The Surry Runnin’ Patriots are cashing in on the payoff of a couple of stellar seasons.

Surry placed a total of six players on the North Carolina Home Educators [sic] all-conference team.

The girls team saw four players make the cut: Becca Tomkins, Sally Ann Edwards, Molly Hamilton and Hannah Tomkins. Becca Tomkins, Edwards and Hamilton are co-captains.

“They each bring something to the table,” Surry girls coach Glenn Edwards said.

The boys’ Luke Hamilton and Daniel Sheaffer were also voted to the
all-conference team for their performances in leading Surry during the season.
Surry boys coach Lin Hamilton was pleased the other coaches noticed what he had seen all year long from his star players.

“I was glad because it was chosen by the other coaches in the league,” he said. “It makes it that much better.” ...

NC Bill Would Require Earlier Homeschooling

A bill introduced in the N.C. House last week would lower the compulsory attendance age from seven to six years old.

Although the bill, H.161, only makes two changes, exchanging the word "six" for "seven" in two places, it directly impacts homeschoolers as part of the nonpublic education law, requiring them to administer standardized tests and keep formal records on children a year younger than before.

The compulsory education law, G.S. 115C-378, currently stipulates that "Every parent, guardian or other person in this State having charge or control of a child between the ages of seven and 16 years shall cause such child to attend school ..." That requirement may be satisfied by enrolling in a public school or in a form of nonpublic education, whether a conventional private school or a home school, as defined by Article 39, Chapter 115C.

The bill is currently assigned to the House Education Committee and will go from there to Appropriations.

Education Degree With Homeschooling In Mind

Piedmont Baptist College in Winston-Salem has a unique course description for this degree program:

The purpose of the Elementary Education, Missions Emphasis is the same as elementary education, but additionally has as its purpose to prepare teachers for a mission field context, either in a national school, school for missionary children, or home school situation. The program maintains the biblical studies, general education, professional studies, and elementary education courses, but includes missions courses.

Keeping It In The Family

Charlotte Homeschooler Wins $10K Prize One Year After His Sister

Tucker Haas, 11, of Charlotte, has won the grand prize of a $10K savings bond in the Third Annual Bubble Wrap For Young Inventors Competition. Haas designed a portable swing with Bubble Wrap padding to help his younger sister, who has cerebral palsy, enjoy playground outings.

Tucker's older sister, Hannah, created a "sensory wallpaper" for autistic children, to win the same prize in last year's competition.

Sealed Air Corporation's press release carries the full story.

Wilmington Homeschool Grad Leads Chatham Swim Team In Tournament Victory

From the Chatham University press release:

Chatham Wins Smart Women Sweat Invitational

Pittsburgh, PA - Chatham traveled to Agnes Scott College to participate in the Smart Women Sweat Invitiational that also included the women’s colleges of Agnes Scott, Sweet Briar, Hollins and Salem. The Cougars won the invitational with a decisive 1157 points and registered first place finishes in 13 of 17 events, including all four relays.

Chatham was paced by junior Amy Kuuskoski (Wilmington, NC/Homeschool) who accounted for three individual wins in the 50, 200 and 100 freestyle as well as being a part of four winning relays. ...

App State Science Program Recruiting Homeschool High Schoolers

Appalachian State University, using money from the state and a corporate foundation, is offering laboratory science classes to high school students at no charge to the participants.

The yearlong AppalSEED program allows twenty students to get hands-on instruction and experience in a variety of laboratory and field work in weekly, three-hour evening sessions. Although the Department of Public Instruction provides a portion of the funding (the university and the Burroughs Wellcome Foundation provide the rest), homeschoolers are actively invited.

The story appeared in the ASU campus newspaper, The Appalachian. See the website for application and contact information.

NCHE Schedules Capital Fest 2009

North Carolinians for Home Education is hosting Capital Fest 2009, a day of activities for homeschoolers at the N.C. General Assembly and nearby museums. The semi-annual event, which takes place during the long session years of the legislature, will take place March 24; see their website for more information.

Homeschooler Comes In Third In County Bee

Emily Parker, daughter of Rob and Wendy Parker of Clayton, won third place in the Johnton County Spelling Bee held Tuesday, February 10. Besides a trophy, the 7th grader won subscriptions to Encyclopedia Britannica Online, The Clayton News-Star, and her choice of two other local newspapers, and an Amazon.com gift certificate. Emily advanced to the county tournament after winning the Johnston County Home Educators spelling bee.

The winner of the county event, Shayne Jacobs of Clayton Middle School, will compete in the Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.

(HT: Cathy Jones, JCHE)

Warning: Strings Attached

Guest Commentary by Davis Carman

President Obama has called for a salary cap on top executives that accept large amounts of future government bailout money. Many will give a silent cheer that Wall Street executives and CEO's of major financial and government institutions will be limited to $500,000 per year. After all, isn't that plenty to live well?

You may ask, how could this possibly apply to home education? The lesson for us is that there are strings attached to government money. The companies and organizations that accept government money will now be required to allow others to make inside decisions. These decisions will range from payroll and advertising expenses all the way to travel, entertainment, and product development. The reaction is one devoid of power. That is, those once in charge now have big brother looking over their should and saying "yea" and "nay" as though Santa were checking his list.

As a homeschool organization with one of our missions being to protect the right to homeschool, let us watch these events closely and be reminded that we never want the government to dictate how we should homeschool our children. If we ever attach ourselves to the state (and there will be more temptations in the future) be forewarned that we will lose control. It may be limitations on the type of curriculum we can use, but it will be something.

Therefore, let us now walk as the wise, redeeming the times, for the days are evil. (Eph. 5:15-16)

Davis Carman is owner of Apologia Educational Ministries and Administrative Vice President of North Carolinians for Home Education.

High Point University Hosts Science Fair for Non-Public Schools

The article, for some reason, does not give the outcome of the project presentations, but it speaks well of non-public school students:

HIGH POINT, N.C., Feb. 6, 2009 - High Point University recently hosted more than 150 parents and children for the fifth annual Piedmont Science Fair for Non-Public Schools. ...

Children participating in the science fair presented their projects and were interviewed by judges as well. This year, the event welcomed students from around the Triad, including children from Greensboro Montessori School, Greenhills School, Our Lady of Mercy and Community Baptist School, as well as children from Classical Conversations home-school groups and independent home-school families.

Dr. Aaron Titus, assistant professor and chair of the HPU Physics Department, says the event was highlighted by the amazing curiosity of such talented young people who exhibit the excitement of scientific discovery.

(High Point University press release, 2/6/09)

SPORTS: Surry Scores "Lopsided" Wins Over Davidson, Oak Level

From the Mt. Airy News:

The Surry Runnin’ Patriot girls picked up a lopsided win Thursday, defeating Davidson Home School 76-23, in a tune-up game for the Runnin’ Pats
upcoming conference tournament.

The outcome of Thursday’s contest was never in doubt, with Surry jumping out to a 14-7 first quarter lead, then outscoring Davidson 18-2 in the second quarter. ...

The Surry Runnin’ Patriots boys basketball team lived up to its moniker by outgunning Oak Level, 75-45, Thursday night.

The key to the offense, coach Lin Hamilton said, was beating Oak Level down the floor.“We did a much better job getting on the break,” Hamilton said. “We got open looks, my team passed the ball to the open man and we had 20 assists.” ...

Retired Homeschool Parents Open Bookstore

Ed and Joy Roy recently opened Corner Books & More on Main Street in China Grove. The Salisbury Post carried a feature story mentioning their homeschooling background and growing supply of books and materials for home educators.

Best wishes to the Roys and their clientele!

Homeschooled student dies in truck accident

The Hendersonville Times-News reports that Travis Sain, a 16-year-old homeschooler from Hendersonville, died Tuesday in a one-vehicle crash near Edneyville. Police say he was exceeding the speed limit when his truck left the road and struck a tree. His passenger, Will Stepp, 17, is hospitalized in critical condition.

Travis, a former student at East Henderson High School, had been homeschooled since a dirt bike accident caused him to miss too many days of public school.

Concise Coverage

Verona Callaway has a short, well-balanced story on the Raleigh News & Observer's "Project Education" blog today. In just five paragraphs she interviews two homeschooling families, addresses public school issues, homeschooling high school, co-ops, black homeschoolers, and socialization.