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.

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.

Saving citizens a billion a year

Budget and Tax News, a publication of The Heartland Institute in Chicago, reports that homeschooling and other forms of private education are saving North Carolina taxpayers over a billion dollars per year in education costs:

By some estimates, nearly 40 cents of every revenue dollar in North Carolina goes to K-12 education, making it the largest category in the state’s $21.4 billion budget. According to statistics released by the North Carolina Division of Non-Public Education (DNPE), which monitors homeschoolers and traditional private and religious schools, some 10.4 percent of school-aged children in North Carolina were educated outside public school classrooms in the 2007-08 school year. About 98,000 students attend conventional nonpublic schools, while more than 70,000 are homeschooled.

DNPE’s director, Rod Helder, told Carolina Journal last year the savings to the state in fiscal year 2006-07 were $1.3 billion, reflecting higher per-pupil expenses in the public schools and continuous growth in the number of nonpublic school students. Since the 2004-05 school year, the number of students being homeschooled has increased almost 22 percent, while public school enrollments increased by 6.6 percent.

“You see how much money the public schools did not have to spend,” Helder told Carolina Journal.

The article by NCHSN editor Hal Young appears in the January 2009 print edition of B&TN but is available online as well.

Perdue supports homeschooling?

The Greenville Daily Reflector reported Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue gave an ambiguous answer during a campaign stop in Greenville:

Beth Sanchez, an Obama supporter and Greenville resident, was there to ask Perdue about her views on home schooling. Her two sons, 9-year-old Wesley and 6-year-old Greyson, were at her side to hear the answer.

“She's in support of all types of education,” Sanchez said, visibly pleased, after consulting Perdue on her way out.

NCEA v-p sets homeschooling against needy public schools

In a letter to the Winston-Salem Journal, Rodney Ellis, vice president of the N.C. Association of Educators, criticized the paper's endorsement of Patrick McCrory for governor.

Ellis said that "McCrory supports a transfer of $877 million from our neediest public schools to private prep schools and home schools", even though this figure has already been checked and labeled "misleading" by the Raleigh News & Observer.

N.C. Homeschool News 10/05/08

Perdue ad opposing McCrory on vouchers leads N&O fact check

Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue's ad, "Difference on vouchers" is the first on the list reviewed by the Raleigh News & Observer. She claims McCrory "supports taking 900 million taxpayer dollars away from public schools to pay for kids in private schools." The N&O points out this assumes a much broader program than McCrory supports, including vouchers for homeschoolers, and would exceed voucher programs found in any other state.

N.C. family combines homeschooling and gospel singing

Jeff and Susan Whisnant of Morganton are part of the Southern gospel quartet, "The Whisnants". Their family goes on the road with them as they sing for church events all over and recently, at the annual National Quartet Convention in Louisville, KY. Jeannie McPail, herself a gospel singer, profiles the family in a feature for the Morganton News Herald.

2008 homeschool graduate leads Greensboro College golf team

The Winston-Salem Journal reports:

Freshman Ben Nihart (Forsyth Home Educators '08) led host Greensboro to a sixth-place finish this week in the Greensboro College Invitational golf tournament at Bryan Park.

Nihart, the 2007 Forsyth Junior champion, shot 73-72 to finish at 1-over-par 145 and tied for sixth overall.

N.C. Homeschool News 9/28/08

HSLDA alerts members that Federal "Education Begins At Home" Act is not homeschool friendly

Home School Legal Defense Association notified members this week that the pending bill is not a homeschool bill per se but could impact the privacy of families who are homeschooling:

H.R. 2343 seeks to expand the Head Start Early Home Visitation program to supposedly "educate" parents of children from infants to 5-year-olds on parenting strategies. If passed, this bill would literally open the door for government employees to enter private homes to impose unelected officials' educational agendas, which may prove offensive and contrary to many families' moral and religious beliefs. Although at this point enrollment in the home visitation program is voluntary, government programs almost always grow beyond their original scope when bills are amended.

This intrusive and unnecessary legislation comes at a whopping starting cost of more than $190 million—a burden that will be incurred by already struggling American taxpayers.

More information is available on their web page.

Greensboro paper sees education vouchers as the more interesting issue

When Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue declined an invitation to a gubernatorial debate on UNC-TV this week, it gave Libertarian candidate Michael Munger a greater opportunity to promote his own platform. The Greensboro News & Record, commenting on this, mentioned three issues of interest, but focused on this one:

Munger is running on a platform to provide a $1,250 voucher to every child in the state that could be used toward private education or home schooling. Perdue has consistently accused McCrory of backing a broad voucher program, which McCrory denies.

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).

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.

Asheville homeschooler helps organize peace march

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.

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.

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:

"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)

N.C. Homeschool News 8/24/08

McCrory again calls for vouchers for nonpublic education: Gubernatorial candidate and Charlotte mayor Pat McCrory spoke at the opening of the Allamance County GOP headquarters in Graham. According to the Burlington Times-News,

He said he wants to improve public schools, including charter schools, while also supporting parents who homeschool their children and advocating vouchers to give more parents the option of sending their children to non-public schools.

Congressman holds Town Hall meeting with Burke Co. homeschoolers: Rep. Patrick McHenry met with local home educators recently at Winkler Park in Hickory, as reported by the Hickory Daily Record:

"I'm a big supporter of homeschooling and the rights of parents to homeschool their children rather than leaving that choice up to a bureaucrat," said McHenry, adding, "You shouldn't be punished for homeschooling."

McHenry said he's in favor of providing vouchers or tax refunds for parents who educate their children at home to pay for expenses related to education because, "The cost to homeschool is significant — this is not free."

But, McHenry said, providing parents who homeschool with relief money is not a main priority for Congress.

"Unfortunately, I don't see Congress doing anything to fix this problem this year," he said.

"Homeschooling" to play Guitar Hero: The Raleigh News & Observer reported July 27 that 16-year-old Blake Peebles had convinced his parents to allow him to leave a traditional Christian high school to focus on becoming a professional video gamer, majoring in Guitar Hero. He is now being taught at home by tutors, although the paper continued to refer to the change in schooling as "dropping out" or "homeschooling", interchangeably. Blake now spends several hours per day practicing the game and has won about $1000 in prizes so far. The story has prompted widespread interest around the country, including references in Education Week and a video gaming blog that brought the News & Observer a stunning 85,000 visits to the already three-week-old story online.

160 football players "take a knee" to pray for accident victim: Reported in the Morganton News-Herald, when a motorcyclist's stunt resulted in a 50 mph crash next to a high school football game, players at the Pioneer Football League event held a spontaneous prayer meeting for the rider as coaches cared for the victim. PFL is made up of homeschoolers and other students whose schools may not offer a football program.

Economist notes "amateurs" outperform professionals: Thomas Sowell, writing in Townhall.com, points out that when untrained practitioners get better results than government-certified and -backed professionals, there is something seriously amiss in the profession:

If ordinary people, with no medical training, could perform surgery in their kitchens with steak knives, and get results that were better than those of surgeons in hospital operating rooms, the whole medical profession would be discredited.

Yet it is common for ordinary parents, with no training in education, to home-school their children and consistently produce better academic results than those of children educated by teachers with Master's degrees and in schools spending upwards of $10,000 a year per student-- which is to say, more than a million dollars to educate ten kids from K through 12.

Nevertheless, we continue to take seriously the pretensions of educators who fail to educate, but who put on airs of having "professional" expertise beyond the understanding of mere parents.

(Noted by George Leef at the Pope Center for Higher Education, Raleigh, NC)

UPDATE: Fixed the broken link on the Morganton football story; sorry for any inconvenience.

EDITORIAL NOTE: I'm pleased to be back in the U.S. and back on N.C. Homeschool News. Saudi Arabia was a very different kind of place, and for myself, I'm glad to be back in a country with cool breezes, green grass, and occasional thunderstorms. My pictures are posted on my personal blog, The Inundated Calvinist. -- Hal

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)

ACADEMICS

BURKE - Two Burke County homeschool grads appointed to service academies

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)

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)

N.C. Homeschool News 5/4/08

NEWS

ALAMANCE -- School board candidate calls for public schools to use homeschool curriculum. At least, that's what I think she said -- read the comments of Rebecca Stumpfig in the article. (Burlington Times-News, 5/3/08)

McDOWELL -- Family begins homeschooling after 12-year-old son is paddled at school. (Asheville Citizen-Times, 5/1/08)

SPORTS

ROWAN -- The Cabarras-Rowan Homeschool Stallions defeat in-state rival Raleigh Warriors in Marietta, GA, to win a berth in the Homeschool World Series (Salisbury Post, 5/1/08)

UPDATE: More from reader Cindy Vedder: Our son Jared plays for the Raleigh Warriors. We were at the game. They almost came back and won in the 7th inning. They were down 9-3 at the start. Then followed five or six consecutive hits and a walk. The game winning double play was a "line drive" to the first baseman, who caught it and tagged first. So it ended 9-7. It was a heart-breaker for our team. I hope the Stallions do well in the Homeschool World Series!

N.C. Homeschool News 4/27/08

NEWS

STATE -- Republicans from the 2nd Congressional District have elected a homeschooled high schooler as part of their delegation to the Republican National Convention this summer. John Calvin Young, son of Hal and Melanie Young of Smithfield, was selected as an alternate delegate to the Convention, to be held in Minneapolis in September. John Calvin, 18, has been active with Republican campaigns and Teen Age Republicans for several years, and will be majoring in political science and economics at Washington and Lee University in Virginia this fall. (NCGOP 2nd District website, 4/26/08)

WARREN -- Letter writer says that state senate candidate Chuck Stires supports school choice, including homeschooling (Virginia/North Carolina News, 4/23/08)

BERTIE -- South Mills homeschoolers visit alpaca shearing in Windsor
(Hampton Roads Virginian-Pilot, 4/27/08)


SPORTS

PENDER -- Homeschooled member Joshua Butrim shares the team's recognition for "Safest Handling of Firearms on the Line" in 4-H District shooting competition at Camp Tuscarora (Wilmington Star-News, 04/22/08)


PEOPLE

BUNCOMBE -- Homeschooler finds interest and diversity in discussions of "Blue Moon Group" (Asheville Citizen-Times, 4/27/08)

N.C. Homeschool News 4/20/08

NEWS

STATEWIDE -- Homeschooling is mentioned as part of the education platform of gubernatorial candidate Sen. Fred Smith (Leland Tribune, 17 Apr 2008)

CABARRUS -- State senate candidate Thomas Hill says state should encourage homeschooling as an answer for school construction costs (Charlotte Observer, 17 Apr 2008)

ORANGE -- Editorial calls for refundable education tax credits, and notices that they cover homeschoolers in some states (UNC-Chapel Hill, Daily Tar Heel, 14 Apr 2008)


SPORTS

DAVIDSON -- Davidson County Community College Foundation Scholarship Golf Tournament will fund scholarships that include homeschoolers from Davidson and Davie
counties. (Lexington Dispatch, 14 Apr 2008)


PEOPLE

HAYWOOD -- Homeschool father called "The Michaelangelo of Maggie Valley" (Waynesville, Smoky Mountain News, 16 Apr 2008)

MECKLENBURG -- Homeschool mother Tina Witt wins one of fifty tickets from the Charlotte Diocese to see the Pope in D.C. (WSOC-TV, Charlotte, 14 Apr 2008)

N.C. Homeschool News 3/23/08

NEWS

STATEWIDE -- Republican gubernatorial candidate and former state Supreme Court justice Bob Orr calls for tax credits for "approved expenses" as part of his educational strategy ensuring parents are partners in the educational process. He does not mention homeschools explicitly in the policy paper on his website.

MECKLENBURG -- Over a thousand families are homeschooling in the Lake Norman area, according to this story. (Charlotte Observer, 03/02/08)

ACADEMICS

DURHAM -- Quest Homeschoolers of Durham will be competing in the state Odyssey of the Mind competition April 5 in Greenville. "Earlier this month, 1,118 students from 69 schools and organizations showed off their creativity in the Eastern Region competition. Teams advanced to the state finals by excelling in events such as writing and performing humorous skits on why dinosaurs became extinct and developing a balsa-wood structure that weighs no more than 15 paper clips but can support a huge amount of weight." (Raleigh News & Observer, 03/19/08)

MECKLENBURG -- Kelsey Rushing Farson, the daughter of Jak and Teresa Farson of Davidson, has been named a 2008 Morehead-Cain Scholar, one of the most prestigious scholarship programs in North Carolina. The scholarship to the University of North Carolina is worth over $80,000 and pays for summer programs and a laptop computer in addition to full tuition for the univeristy. The Morehead Scholarship was renamed last year after a $100 million donation from the Gordon and Mary Cain Foundation. Congratulations Kelsey! (Greensboro News-Record, 3/12/08)

SPORTS

STATEWIDE -- Homeschool teams from Greensboro and Wake Forest were reported as favorites in the 12th annual East Coast Basketball Championships at Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA. (Lynchburg, VA, News-Advance, 03/19/08)

BUNCOMBE -- The Western Carolina Athletic Association Trailblazers established their credibility in a 1-1 tie against Enka High School in Asheville. (Asheville Citizen-Times, 03/23/08, with photo) According to Ernie Hodges, president of North Carolinians for Home Education, rules for the N.C. High School Athletic Association do not allow homeschooled athletes to be members of public school teams; however, there is nothing that restricts homeschool teams from competing against the public schools, as in this case and others around the state.

CLEVELAND -- Gardner-Webb University's women's softball program signs a homeschooled star from Virgina, where she led her club teams to national championships. (Gardner-Webb
University press release, 03/17/08)

ORANGE -- Hillsborough's Euroclydon Storm downs the Binghamton Blaze in quadruple overtime, 90-86, at the East Coast Home School National Basketball Tournament in Lynchburg, VA. (Binghamton, NY Press & Sun-Bulletin, 03/19/08)

RANDOLPH -- Jonathan McNeill of Asheboro won the state K-12 chess title and a $1500 cash scholarship at the N.C. State Scholastic Championship, sponsored by the N.C. Chess Association, February 22-24 in Charlotte. He will be representing the state at the G.M. Arnold Denker Tournament of High School Champions in Dallas this August. (Susan Polgar, 02/25/08)

PEOPLE

ASHE -- 2007 champion speller Josiah Wright, a homeschooler from Fleetwood, will give introductory remarks to the contestants of the 2008 Winston-Salem Journal Regional Spelling Bee. (Winston-Salem Journal, 3/24/08)

N.C. Homeschool News 3/16/08

NEWS

STATEWIDE -- Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dennis Nielsen "said the solution to many of the state's education problems can be averted through home schooling," according to a newspaper article on education reform. (Rocky Mount Telegram, 03/16/08)

STATEWIDE -- Eric H. Smith, a Republican candidate for Superintendent of Public Instruction, told the Johnston County GOP convention Saturday that parents are the best judges of how to educate their children, and stated his support for charter schools, private schools, and home schooling as useful alternatives. (NCHSN exclusive, 03/16/08)

ALAMANCE -- The Alamance-Burlington School System's Parenting Subcommittee recommends a number of ways the school system can improve their interaction with parents, in hope that changes to the system to help parents "connect" with their children's educational process and lower the "achievement gap".

Increased and enhanced parental involvement in the schools will help lower the achievement gap by making the parents more knowledgeable of what is going on in their child's school and classroom, making the parents feel good about what is happening in the school, and improving parental support of the child's efforts and the school's efforts. Heightened parental interest and involvement in school enhances the child's views of the value of education and the importance of academic success.

They conclude,

These recommendations are clearly in place in most private and charter schools, and parent involvement goes without saying in home schooling.

(Alamance-Burlington School System web page, accessed 03/16/08)

HERTFORD -- Chowan University opens its instructional materials library to local homeschoolers. (Chowan University Headlines, 03/04/08)


PEOPLE

ASHE -- A performing group of homeschoolers, organized and led by 15-year-old Jeremiah Cullen, ministers to residents at Seagraves Nursing Home (Boone, The Mountain Times, 03/13/08)

EDGECOMBE -- The Tar River Home School Group gets socialization on field trips (Photo) (Tarboro Daily Southerner, 03/12/08)

MECKLENBURG -- Tanner Winchester, 10, of Waxhaw, took first place in his division at the Charlotte Piano Teachers' Forum competition in Charlotte recently. He has performed in a number of venues, including a lunch concert at Founder's Hall in Charlotte, where "Winchester demonstrated his flair for the classics. Many uptown workers did a double-take when they realized it was a little boy filling the hall with dazzling music." (Photo, video) (Charlotte Observer, 03/09/08)

POLK -- Homeschooler James Hyde of Saluda has been selected as a finalist for Clemson University's top scholarship, the National Scholars Program. The scholarship covers tuition, books, room and board, and study abroad for eighteen students selected this year. James plans to major in bioengineering. (Clemson University press release)


SPORTS

NEW HANOVER -- Homeschooled 10th grader Ellie Cooper was the top North Carolinian competing in the Junior Olympics in fencing, placing 98th nationally. Ellie competes in the foil category and represents the Cape Fear Fencing Association. (Wilmington Star-News, 03/05/08)

N.C. Homeschool News 3/9/08

NEWS


STATEWIDE -- More on new vaccination requirements:

• "A booster dose of TDAP vaccine [tetanus, diptheria, and pertussis (whooping cough)] will be required for ... Students in private, homeschool, and non-traditional schools who are 12 years old on or after Aug. 1, if five years or more have passed since the last dose ... [as well as] Students enrolling in college for the first time on or after July 1 who have not been vaccinated against tetanus and diptheria within the last 10 years"


• "The new rules, approved Monday by the state Commission for Public Health, also mandate a second dose of mumps vaccine for all children before enrolling in school, college, or university."

HARNETT -- Homeschooling mother files for school board

Lillington home schooling parent Jone Rose added her name to the ballot for the District 4 seat on the Harnett County School Board Friday, the last day of filing. ...

Mrs. Rose said she is aware that people will wonder why a home schooling parent would want to serve on the board for public schools. She said she is running because she knows other families may not be able to escape a public school system that isn't meeting all their needs.

"There are families out there who can't home school or afford to send their children to private school," she said. "They have no options. They are stuck. I want to bring my knowledge and understanding of the educational system to the table so we can improve the standards in Harnett County to benefit everyone."

(Dunn Daily Record, 3/3/08)

NASH -- Libary includes homeschoolers in plans for a $212,000 homework center
(Rocky Mount Telegram, 3/2/08)

SPORTS

STATEWIDE -- NCHE State Homeschool Basketball Tournament

Boys Semifinals - Forsyth 69, Raleigh 30
Girls Finals - Surry 52, Durham 33

(Winston-Salem Journal, 3/02/08)

N.C. Homeschool News 2/24/08

NEWS

STATEWIDE - Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dennis Nielsen calls for tax credits for homeschoolers (WNCN-17 (NBC), Raleigh - 2/22/08)

PEOPLE

HENDERSON - Lia Campbell of Hendersonville qualifies as a finalist for National Vocabulary Championship, to be held in Los Angeles next month. Lia was a competitor in last year's first ever event (PRNewswire, 2/21/08)

OPPORTUNITIES

ARTS - Congressional Arts Competition (Raleigh News & Observer, 2/23/08)

N.C. Homeschool News 2/17/08

NEWS

NASH -- Homeschools on the topic list for Leadership N.C.'s education session
Rocky Mount Telegram, 2/14/08

POLK -- Hendersonville homeschooler kicked off Facebook - no category for "homeschoolers"
Washington Post "Off Beat" Blog, 2/11/08

PEOPLE

FORSYTH -- Winston-Salem homeschooler achieves highest honor in Royal Rangers program
Winston-Salem Journal, 2/10/08