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.
Showing posts with label News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label News. Show all posts
Thursday, February 5, 2009
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.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
N.C. Homeschool News 10/19/08
Parents Tried Public School, Found It Wanting, Chose Home Education
The New Bern Sun-Journal spoke with several parents whose children had been in the public school system, sometimes at several different schools, and finally concluded homeschooling was the better alternative.
Homeschooled competitor interviewed at the Coastal Carolina Agricultural Fair
The Havelock News featured an interview with 14-year-old Hannah Davis, a long time 4-H member and returning champion in the livestock arena:
Graham homeschoolers interviewed at Sarah Palin appearance
"What a good field trip," their mother told the Salisbury Post:
The New Bern Sun-Journal spoke with several parents whose children had been in the public school system, sometimes at several different schools, and finally concluded homeschooling was the better alternative.
...Victoria Baldwin of New Bern made a 98 several months ago on a test about the Boston Tea Party. But when Victoria, a Craven County middle school student, took the paper home, she couldn't tell her father Gerald anything about the tea party.
"She said she thought it was about the president's wife having a party," Gerald Baldwin said. "I found out all their tests were open book. They weren't learning anything."
When Baldwin went to talk to school administrators about the tests, he said they didn't see a problem because his daughter was making A's.
"She has A's, but I'm not hearing A's," he said.
"They're preparing children for an end-of-grade test, not life. I feel like my tax dollars have been paying for an education for the world, and they didn't get it."
Gerald and Chenona Baldwin have decided to home school their daughters
this year.
Homeschooled competitor interviewed at the Coastal Carolina Agricultural Fair
The Havelock News featured an interview with 14-year-old Hannah Davis, a long time 4-H member and returning champion in the livestock arena:
A short distance from the Ferris wheel, 14-year-old Hannah Davis and others were preparing for the livestock exhibits, which begin receiving animals Wednesday.
Davis, who lives in the Straits community of eastern Carteret County, was joined by Jasper, a 2-week-old Angus-mix calf, who rested in a stall.
Davis is a member of the Otway Livestock Club and Newport Roadrunners 4-H. She was tending to Jasper for Kim and Russ Nead. A home-schooled ninth-grader, Davis has been a fair livestock competitor for three years, winning best in show for her chickens last fall. She also shows goats.
She has been in 4-H for nine years, but after she got involved in raising livestock three years ago, she developed a serious interest and now plans to attend N.C. State University and become a livestock veterinarian.
Graham homeschoolers interviewed at Sarah Palin appearance
"What a good field trip," their mother told the Salisbury Post:
"I try to instill in my girls that women can do anything," said Dawn Williams, a Graham mother who home-schools her three children, Caitlin, Emily and Gabe. In the hours before Palin arrived, they waited in the shade along the outfield's warning track in left field. ...
The family members said they were definitely McCain-Palin supporters and would not be attending had it been a rally for the Democratic ticket of Sens. Barack Obama and Joe Biden. Caitlin, 13, said Palin would stop illegal immigration, and Emily, 11, said Palin would try to lower taxes.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
N.C. Homeschool News 9/21/08
Perdue ties McCrory to homeschool vouchers; McCrory denies
At a debate on education Friday, Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue attempted to define Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory's support for vouchers as a program intended for homeschoolers (among others).
(Associated Press in Education Week)
The Raleigh News & Observer points out that Perdue's ad claiming a voucher program would cost $900 million annually assumes every non-public student in the state would receive one. However, they also noted that McCrory did, in fact, indicate support on the survey by the N.C. Family Policy Council, answering "Yes" to the question, "Should parents who choose to educate their children in private, religious, or home schools receive a voucher or tax credit from the state?"
Libertarians reaffirm support for homeschool tax credit, vouchers, lighter regulation
Duke Professor and gubernatorial candidate Mike Munger, not included in the recent education debate, again stated his support for tax credits for homeschool families.
Phillip Rhodes, the Libertarian candidate for N.C. lieutenant governor, used his time in a debate on Tuesday to call for lifting "burdensome" regulations on homeschooling. He also expressed support for vouchers to increase competition in the school system and even suggested ending government-operated schools "altogether".
The Asheville Citizen-Times reports a group of "about 50 people ... marched through downtown Asheville Saturday to promote the cause of peace.":
Shuler represents the 10th Congressional District, which includes Asheville.
Fayetteville mom homeschools in protest over school bus
Tammie Neiss-Mote told the Fayetteville Observer that she had been homeschooling her 4-year-old son because Ft. Bragg schools "have to be out of their mind if they think my son will be getting on that bus." Neiss-Mote had questioned the practice of mixing younger and older students on the same bus without monitors, seat belts, or car seats. She said her son weighs 36 pounds, which is well under the 8 year old, 80 pound requirement to ride without a booster in a private vehicle. School officials responded that safety is "an important factor" to them but N.C. public schools operate their buses the same way.
CDC says U.S. measles resurgence due in part to homeschoolers
Dr. Jane Seward of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention told National Public Radio that the return of significant measles outbreaks in the U.S. is "mainly children whose parents have chosen not to vaccinate."
"A high proportion of those children are home-schooled. In Illinois, pretty much all of the new cases of measles were among home-schooled children — and none of them were vaccinated," she says.
SPORTS: Euroclydon defeasts Westover Christian
From the Madison Messenger, Danville, VA:
At a debate on education Friday, Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue attempted to define Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory's support for vouchers as a program intended for homeschoolers (among others).
In a question about private school vouchers, McCrory said he supports their selected use, especially for children with disabilities or special needs where private education may be more suitable. Perdue has said his plan would cost $900 million, which he denies.
"I believe in changing the status quo of our educational system," McCrory said. "But I've never recommended an across-the-board voucher system because the state's broke and couldn't afford it anyway."
Perdue responded by reading quotes and responses to voter questionnaires saying he supports vouchers for private and home school children and suggested he's more ardent about talking with them to conservative groups.
"I'd like to know what he's talking about," Perdue said.
(Associated Press in Education Week)
The Raleigh News & Observer points out that Perdue's ad claiming a voucher program would cost $900 million annually assumes every non-public student in the state would receive one. However, they also noted that McCrory did, in fact, indicate support on the survey by the N.C. Family Policy Council, answering "Yes" to the question, "Should parents who choose to educate their children in private, religious, or home schools receive a voucher or tax credit from the state?"
Libertarians reaffirm support for homeschool tax credit, vouchers, lighter regulation
Duke Professor and gubernatorial candidate Mike Munger, not included in the recent education debate, again stated his support for tax credits for homeschool families.
Phillip Rhodes, the Libertarian candidate for N.C. lieutenant governor, used his time in a debate on Tuesday to call for lifting "burdensome" regulations on homeschooling. He also expressed support for vouchers to increase competition in the school system and even suggested ending government-operated schools "altogether".
Homeschooling family chosen for next "Habitat" home
The Dunn Daily Record reports that Donna Smith and her daughter Kaitlyn will be the owners of the next home built by Harnett County's chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Construction on the home, just started, will be completed in early 2009.
The Asheville Citizen-Times reports a group of "about 50 people ... marched through downtown Asheville Saturday to promote the cause of peace.":
"This would make peace and peacemaking a national priority,” said Daniel Pinelli, 16, a home-schooled student from Asheville who helped organize Saturday’s walk.
“The current situation in our world is one where violence is a cure-all, and I think until we see peace as a valid means of conflict resolution, we’re not going to get anything done.
“I am doing this for all of the kids my age throughout the world who need peace in their mind, peace in their heart and peace in their world, but do not receive it.”
The push to create the Department of Peace is championed by The Peace Alliance, a national organization with chapters across the country. A Cabinet-level secretary of peace appointed by the president would head the department.
The House bill, H.R. 808, has 70 cosponsors, although none are from North Carolina. All but one of the cosponsors are Democrats. The legislation was
first introduced in 2001.
U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler [D-NC] said he couldn’t support the legislation.
Shuler represents the 10th Congressional District, which includes Asheville.
Fayetteville mom homeschools in protest over school bus
Tammie Neiss-Mote told the Fayetteville Observer that she had been homeschooling her 4-year-old son because Ft. Bragg schools "have to be out of their mind if they think my son will be getting on that bus." Neiss-Mote had questioned the practice of mixing younger and older students on the same bus without monitors, seat belts, or car seats. She said her son weighs 36 pounds, which is well under the 8 year old, 80 pound requirement to ride without a booster in a private vehicle. School officials responded that safety is "an important factor" to them but N.C. public schools operate their buses the same way.
CDC says U.S. measles resurgence due in part to homeschoolers
Dr. Jane Seward of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention told National Public Radio that the return of significant measles outbreaks in the U.S. is "mainly children whose parents have chosen not to vaccinate."
"A high proportion of those children are home-schooled. In Illinois, pretty much all of the new cases of measles were among home-schooled children — and none of them were vaccinated," she says.
SPORTS: Euroclydon defeasts Westover Christian
From the Madison Messenger, Danville, VA:
ROXBORO, N.C. — Westover Christian fell to Euroclydon Home School in four games 26-24, 25-22, 17-25 and 25-22 on Tuesday. Peyton Parrish led the way for the Bulldogs (6-3) with 16 points and 10 digs. Donna Motley had eight points and six kills and Brook Grant had nine points and three aces.
In junior high action, Westover defeated Euroclydon in three games 20-25, 25-13 and 25-21. The Bulldogs (7-0) were led by Natalie Petrovich with 17 points and three kills. Sydney Bowles added nine points and four assists.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
N.C. Homeschool News 9/14/08
Baptist survey finds 86% of Americans believe homeschooling is a Constitutional right: A telephone survey conducted this summer by LifeWay Research, a ministry of the Southern Baptist Convention, found that more than eight out of ten Americans support homeschoolers' right to teach their children. However, 54% of respondents also agreed that homeschoolers "often lack social skills".
The survey contacted over 1200 people and had an error of less than 3%.
Homeschooling growing as public schools shrink in Asheville: The Citizen-Times reports that public school enrollment has fluctuated in Buncombe County and Asheville City, but homeschooling has grown by 615 students in the past five years. Private school enrollment increased by 150 during the same period.
Two out of fifteen W.N.C. National Merit Scholarship semi-finalists are homeschooled: At least two of the semi-finalists in the National Merit Scholarship competition come from western North Carolina. Grace Broadwell and Nathaniel Jeffries will be considered for the scholarship which will be awarded in 2009. This was reported by the Asheville Citizen-Times, which deserves kudos for giving homeschoolers coverage that other papers frequently ignore.
The survey contacted over 1200 people and had an error of less than 3%.
Homeschooling growing as public schools shrink in Asheville: The Citizen-Times reports that public school enrollment has fluctuated in Buncombe County and Asheville City, but homeschooling has grown by 615 students in the past five years. Private school enrollment increased by 150 during the same period.
Two out of fifteen W.N.C. National Merit Scholarship semi-finalists are homeschooled: At least two of the semi-finalists in the National Merit Scholarship competition come from western North Carolina. Grace Broadwell and Nathaniel Jeffries will be considered for the scholarship which will be awarded in 2009. This was reported by the Asheville Citizen-Times, which deserves kudos for giving homeschoolers coverage that other papers frequently ignore.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
N.C. Homeschool News 9/07/08
McCain voices support for home education: Presidential candidate John McCain, speaking at the Saddleback Civil Forum on the Presidency hosted by pastor Rick Warren, interjected his support for school choice and home education into Warren's scripted question and answer session:
(Forum transcript, part 5)
Although he continued the theme of education as the civil rights issue of the 21st century, his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention this week did not mention homeschooling specifically.
Injured motorcyclist credits homeschoolers' prayers for his survival: In a follow up to last week's story, the Morganton News-Herald interviewed Jamie Freeman, the 21-year-old motorcyclist who was injured while showing off in front of a crowd of homeschooled and other teenagers at a Pioneer Football League event at the School for the Deaf. While coaches checked on his injuries, 160 teenaged boys knelt on the field and prayed for his recovery. "I just wanted to come out publicly and thank them for their support," he told the News-Herald.
"Can I just say choice and competition, -- choice and competition, home schooling, charter school vouchers, all the choice competition, I want -- look, I want every American family to have the same choice that Cindy and I made and Senator Obama and Mrs. Obama made as well and that was we wanted to send our children to the school of our choice. And charter schools work, my friends, home schooling works, vouchers in our nation's capital works. We've got thousands of people in Washington D.C. that are applying for a voucher system. New York City is reforming. I go back to New Orleans. They were -- as we know, the tragedy devastated them. They now have over 30 charter schools in the city of New Orleans and guess what? It's all coming up. It's all coming up. It's a simple principle, but it's going to take dedicated men and women, particularly in the teaching profession, to make it happen. And by the way, here in -- I won't go any further, but the point is it's all based and it's being proven that choice in competition for every American family and it is the civil rights issue of the 21st century because every citizens' child now has an opportunity to go to school. But what kind of opportunity is it if you send them to a failing school? That's why we got to give everybody the same opportunity and choice."
(Forum transcript, part 5)
Although he continued the theme of education as the civil rights issue of the 21st century, his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention this week did not mention homeschooling specifically.
Injured motorcyclist credits homeschoolers' prayers for his survival: In a follow up to last week's story, the Morganton News-Herald interviewed Jamie Freeman, the 21-year-old motorcyclist who was injured while showing off in front of a crowd of homeschooled and other teenagers at a Pioneer Football League event at the School for the Deaf. While coaches checked on his injuries, 160 teenaged boys knelt on the field and prayed for his recovery. "I just wanted to come out publicly and thank them for their support," he told the News-Herald.
Person Co. homeschoolers discuss their reasons and philosophy: The Roxboro Courier-Times spoke with several families, mentioning homeschool graduates from the area that attended Cornell University and Washington University of St. Louis and those who now serve as deputy sheriff or special ed teachers. Homeschooling parents interviewed include the head of the Business Development Center at Piedmont Community College and a former teacher at Roxboro Christian Academy, the latter now leading the Home Educators Association of Roxboro (HEAR). She points out, accurately, that "homeschooling is your life" when you take on the responsibility.
The sweet smell of success: Brian, Melissa, and Owen Gold are homeschoolers in the Triad town of Whitsett, N.C. They are also entrepreneurs who have saved $2000 -- after charitable giving -- from the profits of a candy vending business they started three years ago as a school project. WFMY-TV in Greensboro reported they current service some forty vending locations from Burlington to Asheboro.
Pursuing a dream: Joey Logano of Huntersville attended traditional schools when he lived in Connecticut, but since he became a stock car driver, his mother homeschools him. When he turns 18, he'll move up to the Busch Series races. The New York Times reported the story.
Homeschooler honored for 12 years of 4-H achievement: Rebecca Craven of Asheboro was inducted into the state 4-H Honor Club, in recognition of accomplishment and service in 4-H, leadership, and high moral standards. (Courtesy Randolph County Extension Service website)
Sunday, August 3, 2008
N.C. Homeschool News 8/03/08
Number of N.C. homeschool students tops 70,000 this year
The number of homeschools in North Carolina grew by 6.4% in 2007-08, reaching some 71,000 students, according to data released by the N.C. Division of Nonpublic Education on Friday. DNPE publishes the statistics on homeschooling each August 1, after they are analyzed by the state demographer.
Since homeschooling was officially recognized by the 1985 N.C. Supreme Court decision Delconte v. North Carolina, the number of children taught at home has grown from 809 in 1985-86, the first year data was collected, to an estimated 71,566 in the school year just completed. The estimated enrollment in N.C. homeschooling year to year has never declined.
Wake and Mecklenburg counties have the highest number of homeschooled students with 7059 and 5595 respectively, while Chatham and Camden counties grew by the greatest percentage this past year (40.5% and 33.3%)
The announcement in the Associated Press has made national news, as seen on websites for Fox News in Atlanta, Orlando, and New York; local TV stations in Virginia and South Carolina, and wire reports in the Myrtle Beach (S.C.) Sun News.
The number of homeschools in North Carolina grew by 6.4% in 2007-08, reaching some 71,000 students, according to data released by the N.C. Division of Nonpublic Education on Friday. DNPE publishes the statistics on homeschooling each August 1, after they are analyzed by the state demographer.
Since homeschooling was officially recognized by the 1985 N.C. Supreme Court decision Delconte v. North Carolina, the number of children taught at home has grown from 809 in 1985-86, the first year data was collected, to an estimated 71,566 in the school year just completed. The estimated enrollment in N.C. homeschooling year to year has never declined.
Wake and Mecklenburg counties have the highest number of homeschooled students with 7059 and 5595 respectively, while Chatham and Camden counties grew by the greatest percentage this past year (40.5% and 33.3%)
The announcement in the Associated Press has made national news, as seen on websites for Fox News in Atlanta, Orlando, and New York; local TV stations in Virginia and South Carolina, and wire reports in the Myrtle Beach (S.C.) Sun News.
Homeschoolers represented just under 4.5% of all school aged children in the state last year. According to data from DNPE and the Department of Public Instruction, there were 1,423,727 students in N.C. public and charter schools and 97,656 students in conventional nonpublic schools last year, meaning one of every twenty-two was being taught at home.
Friday's announcement means that 169,222 N.C. students, or 10.6%, were educated outside the public school system last year, saving taxpayers over $1 billion in avoided school costs.
(NCHSN Exclusive)
Sunday, July 20, 2008
N.C. Homeschool News 7/20/08
Asheville public schools shrink while nonpublic schools grow
Public school officials in Asheville are wondering why a significant number of parents are taking their children out of the system rather than send them to Asheville Middle School. Homeschooling is mentioned as one alternative, but just as an observation rather than a problem. (Asheville Citizen-Times, 7/20/08)
New Christian school is a hybrid but doesn't fit homeschool definition
A new "university model" Christian school opening this year in Boone will offer services to homeschoolers and incorporate a certain amount of home instruction in their full program. However, parents should be aware of the state's legal definition of homeschooling and be sure their family's educational program clearly fits one definition or the other to avoid becoming inadvertently truant. (Boone Mountain Times, 7/17/08)
Reminder: Homeschooled sixth graders need new vaccines, too
The New Bern Sun-Journal continues the statewide series of articles about new school vaccination requirements, which includes homeschoolers as well as those in traditional schools.
(New Bern Sun-Journal, 7/14/08)
Wilmington family interviewed for TV report on homeschooling
The family of Brett and Ashley Teeter are featured in this story from WWAY-TV in Wilmington.
(WWAY-TV, Wilmington, 7/13/08)
Homeschooled Motocross rider wins big in Tennessee event
Taylor Futrell, 17, of Clinton, N.C., was the winner in four races at the Kawasaki Team Green Motocross Championships, held at Muddy Creek Raceway in Bountville, Tenn. Futrell won the Schoolboy Classic after winning the MX Lite, MX A Pro, and College Boy races in the same event. This was his first professional outing in six years of motorcycle competition. (Tri-Cities Sports.com, Kingsport, TN, 7/15/08)
Public school officials in Asheville are wondering why a significant number of parents are taking their children out of the system rather than send them to Asheville Middle School. Homeschooling is mentioned as one alternative, but just as an observation rather than a problem. (Asheville Citizen-Times, 7/20/08)
New Christian school is a hybrid but doesn't fit homeschool definition
A new "university model" Christian school opening this year in Boone will offer services to homeschoolers and incorporate a certain amount of home instruction in their full program. However, parents should be aware of the state's legal definition of homeschooling and be sure their family's educational program clearly fits one definition or the other to avoid becoming inadvertently truant. (Boone Mountain Times, 7/17/08)
Reminder: Homeschooled sixth graders need new vaccines, too
The New Bern Sun-Journal continues the statewide series of articles about new school vaccination requirements, which includes homeschoolers as well as those in traditional schools.
(New Bern Sun-Journal, 7/14/08)
Wilmington family interviewed for TV report on homeschooling
The family of Brett and Ashley Teeter are featured in this story from WWAY-TV in Wilmington.
(WWAY-TV, Wilmington, 7/13/08)
Homeschooled Motocross rider wins big in Tennessee event
Taylor Futrell, 17, of Clinton, N.C., was the winner in four races at the Kawasaki Team Green Motocross Championships, held at Muddy Creek Raceway in Bountville, Tenn. Futrell won the Schoolboy Classic after winning the MX Lite, MX A Pro, and College Boy races in the same event. This was his first professional outing in six years of motorcycle competition. (Tri-Cities Sports.com, Kingsport, TN, 7/15/08)
Sunday, July 13, 2008
N.C. Homeschool News 7/13/08
NEWS
N.C. newspaper sponsors homeschooling blog
In what may be a first in North Carolina, the Hendersonville Times-News is hosting a homeschooling blog on their newspaper's website. Homeschooling in Henderson County is edited by Kerry Jones, a western N.C. native and mother of two homeschooled sons, and features a weekly listing of "opportunities and events" as well as news and announcements of interest to homeschoolers.
N.C.'s vaccination rules held up as standard for U.S. homeschoolers
An article in the Journal of Law, Medicine, and Ethics worries that unvaccinated homeschoolers are a public health problem, and holds up North Carolina's requirements as a good example for other states. Homeschooling researcher Dr. Milton Gaither (Messiah College, PA) reviews the article here and notes that a desire for privacy should not keep homeschoolers from joining the debate:
(Milton Gaither, Homeschooling Research Notes, 7/11/08)
Homeschool family business is one of Charlotte's "top food experiences"
The Charlotte Observer recently highlighted Waxhaw's New Town Farms as one of Charlotte's "culinary 50":
N.C. newspaper sponsors homeschooling blog
In what may be a first in North Carolina, the Hendersonville Times-News is hosting a homeschooling blog on their newspaper's website. Homeschooling in Henderson County is edited by Kerry Jones, a western N.C. native and mother of two homeschooled sons, and features a weekly listing of "opportunities and events" as well as news and announcements of interest to homeschoolers.
N.C.'s vaccination rules held up as standard for U.S. homeschoolers
An article in the Journal of Law, Medicine, and Ethics worries that unvaccinated homeschoolers are a public health problem, and holds up North Carolina's requirements as a good example for other states. Homeschooling researcher Dr. Milton Gaither (Messiah College, PA) reviews the article here and notes that a desire for privacy should not keep homeschoolers from joining the debate:
[H]omeschoolers do themselves and others a disservice when they remove their voices from this important public discussion in an quixotic effort to go off the grid. But given the lack of evidence in this article, it is by no means clear that homeschoolers are in fact off the grid on this issue.
(Milton Gaither, Homeschooling Research Notes, 7/11/08)
Homeschool family business is one of Charlotte's "top food experiences"
The Charlotte Observer recently highlighted Waxhaw's New Town Farms as one of Charlotte's "culinary 50":
A lot of hands keep Charlotte's local-food movement growing. But Sammy and Melinda Koenigsberg are the roots. He was co-founder of the Matthews Community Farmers Market. Their farm was one of the first in the area to add Community Supported Agriculture subscriptions. They're both active in Charlotte's Slow Foods chapter. Oh, and they home-school eight kids. Their enthusiasm for local food is infectious.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
N.C. Homeschool News 7/06/08
NEWS
Apologia publisher purchased by N.C. homeschool leaders
Apologia Educational Ministries, publisher of the Apologia Science textbook series, has been purchased by Davis and Rachael Carman of Waxhaw. The Carmans, long term board members of North Carolinians for Home Education, plan to expand the publisher's business into non-science curriculum and practical and inspirational books, and have already signed on Zan Tyler and Deborah Bell while retaining Apologia founder Dr. Jay Wile. (Read the full story on NCHSN)
Editorial: Homeschoolers "should be willing" to submit to Social Service inspections
The Rocky Mount Telegram's July 2 editorial says homeschoolers "should be applauded" for their efforts to "give their kids a leg up and to protect them from unwanted outside influences." However, their recommendation doesn't mesh with the positive comments:
On again? Raleigh newspaper includes homeschoolers in tax credit
Amid mounting opposition from public school organizations, the special needs education tax credit again includes homeschoolers, according the Raleigh News & Observer -- but is unlikely to come for a vote this session. (News & Observer, Raleigh, 7/3/08)
Apologia publisher purchased by N.C. homeschool leaders
Apologia Educational Ministries, publisher of the Apologia Science textbook series, has been purchased by Davis and Rachael Carman of Waxhaw. The Carmans, long term board members of North Carolinians for Home Education, plan to expand the publisher's business into non-science curriculum and practical and inspirational books, and have already signed on Zan Tyler and Deborah Bell while retaining Apologia founder Dr. Jay Wile. (Read the full story on NCHSN)
Editorial: Homeschoolers "should be willing" to submit to Social Service inspections
The Rocky Mount Telegram's July 2 editorial says homeschoolers "should be applauded" for their efforts to "give their kids a leg up and to protect them from unwanted outside influences." However, their recommendation doesn't mesh with the positive comments:
(Article: Rocky Mount Telegram, 7/2/08 - Letters to the Editor can be submitted here.)Quite often, public and private school employees intervene and report suspicious behavior to social service officials. Sometimes schools are able to save good kids from bad parents.
But there is no one to protect home-schooled children from abusive parents.
Because of that, home-school families should be willing to submit to more oversight, perhaps in the form of occasional visits from social workers.
On again? Raleigh newspaper includes homeschoolers in tax credit
Amid mounting opposition from public school organizations, the special needs education tax credit again includes homeschoolers, according the Raleigh News & Observer -- but is unlikely to come for a vote this session. (News & Observer, Raleigh, 7/3/08)
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)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
