Showing posts with label education news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label education news. Show all posts

School Integration

If I hadn't lived there myself, I might not believe that in this day and age, this kind of nonsense is still going on in schools.




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Did anyone do the math?

There is a movement called ED in "08" that is working to get presidential candidats to address education in American. A documentary they filmed is called 2 million minutes which they claim is how many minutes the average student spends in highschool in America, India, and China. The purpose of the movie is to show how much of ths time is sqandered by American students. Let's look at the numbers:

2,000,000 minutes
33,333 hours
833.33 hours per month (based on 10 month school year for 4 years)
193.79 hours per week (based on 4.3 weeks per month)
38.75 hours per day (based on 5 day work week)

...wait... there are only 24 hours in a day.

There is no way any child in any country spends that much time in school, even if you include homework and extracurricular time.

To get 2,000,000 minutes of education, a student would have to work
33,333.33 hours in the four years
8333.33 hours per year
694.44 hours EVERY MONTH with no break
161.49 hours every single week
meaning 23 hours every single day.

That leaves 1 hour per day to eat, sleep and socialize.

Perhaps the movie should be more realistically called 600,000 minutes which would equate to 10 hours per day with summer breaks and holidays.

Anyway, while the title and premise of the movie is mathematically flawed, you still get the picture they are trying to get across.



Perhaps the real problem is with unrealistic expectations? I don't believe it is possible for students to achieve EVERYTHING that is heaped on them in high school. It would be alot more realistic to let children choose their avenue of study in high school so that the ones more inclined to math and science actually have the time to concentrate on it. Maybe then American students will be able to compete with children in China and India

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More on Clayton County Accreditation loss

Writing one blog post about this fiasco did not satisfy me. Here is my video response.



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Ironic and Disturbing accreditation loss in Georgia

If you live in my neck of the woods, you heard this past week that Clayton County Public Schools (ALL OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN CLAYTON COUNTY) is losing its accreditation.

The agency that issues the accreditation said the entire school system is "fatally flawed" In a scathing report. The report delivers a devastating blow to the 53,000 students in Clayton County. Whether the schools actually lose their accreditation or not will depend on two things -- a September 1 deadline, which officials have until to disprove the agency's findings; and the national accreditation board has to approve the recommendations made regarding the Clayton County system...The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) said the problems they found are overwhelming and extreme.


The irony is in the fact one of the major concerns about homeschooling is the lack of accreditation when mom teachers student. However, 53,000 students are about to lose accreditation as well. This puts these students at a lower level than most homeschoolers about to graduate. The reason is that a homeschooler with plans for college would be able to plan, keep their own records, and make sure their education is unique enough to impress a college. These public school students have done what they are told, leaving little time for unique experiences and personal studies to impress colleges. Instead, they have trusted the almighty school districts and now they may be left in a boat without a paddle.

The AJC profiled one such family with twin brothers counting on their public education to mean something.

"It is one of the most depressing days of my entire life," Joshua said Friday night. "Several people in my class even began to cry. It's just really sad that this has had to come to this. It is almost as if they forgot about the students and their futures when they held the investigation."


The disturbing part is what kids will lose:
~Hope Scholarships
~Chance that the Ivy League Schools won't accept them
~Inability to transfer credits to other high schools
~Loss of property value (for parents)
~A lot of kids becoming disenfranchised

As a homeschooler, you would think I am writing this to gloat about the poor shape of the public schools here in GA. That is hardly my desire. I am actually quite disturbed and upset that these kids who have worked so hard for so many years will have nothing to show for it.

Sure, many will find a way to make it in spite of this tragedy, but many others will feel defeated and stop trying.

What can parents do? Look into homeschooling... not necessarily to homeschool, per se, but to learn how to supplement their kids education present their kids to colleges in such a way that it won't matter where they were educated, or by whom.

Then again, homeschooling may end up being a lot easier.





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Crazed Teachers Action Causes Families to Homeschool

Ok. The homeschooling part is only an aside... a byproduct of serious problems a school was having with a teacher. This teacher allegedly lost it when she did not get her way. She wanted to teach fifth grade and was turned down, so she began writing death threats on the walls of the school.

"Students were pulled out of school by their parents, and some have not returned," Warminster Police Chief Michael Murphy said. "Their parents are home-schooling them."


Full story here.
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Reasons I am Glad we Homeschool.

I am glad we homeschool because we get to choose our kids classmates. Even with my kids taking classes outside the home, as homeschoolers we still have a bit of control over our kids classmates. Since it is a paid program, we can demand the directors take action on problem kids and/or move out kids if needed.

We don't have to deal with our kids being lumped in with students who beat teachers, which happened in a local middle school this week. Teacher speaking out about beating

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Earn to Learn, or Learn to Earn?

Personally, I believe that the latter is the way things should be. In order to earn a living, children should be prepared through learning. Instead schools are paying kids to learn.



Am I the only one that is bothered by this?

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Every parent is suspect

In regards to SB 36 and SB 37, new laws in the works in Utah allowing homeschoolers to participate in extra curricular activities, the problems stem from a basic mistrust of parents. No one even tried to hide this apparent mis trust. The problem come with SB 37 where they feel public school parents will switch their kids to homeschooling to keep academically poor kids playing.

I find this idiotic. To think that a parent is going to change their entire lifestyle to cheat the system to allow little Jummy, who is failing in school to stay on the football field. These people have no iidea about what it takes to homeschool a child. At least some people agree with me.

Several legislators bristled at the idea that parents would lie about their children's grades so they could play sports.
"Somehow, every parent is suspect and a closet perjurer ready to abandon their honor so their child can participate in extracurricular activities," said Sen. Mark Madsen, R-Lehi, who sponsored both bills. "Research has been done that shows that just doesn't happen."


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Wisconsin Eliminating Virtual Schools

Yesterday I reported that New York is no longer giving homeshoolers special education and and therapy services. Now I have read that a court ruling threating to pull the plug on Wisconsin Virtual schools.

I find this all very interesting. Let me see if I am getting this right...

  • Parents become disenfranchised
  • Parents begin homeschooling kids
  • Schools see that homeschooling takes money from them
  • Schools want to lure parents back and offer virtual schools and other services
  • Homeschooling parents are smarter than that, and take the services, but don't go back to the schools.
  • Schools pull the plug and cut homeschoolers at the knees.

Now here's what hasn't happened yet.... Ready?

  • Homeschoolers get over it, find other resources and keep homeschooling.

Duh!

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Was my last post in error?

According to a comment, my last post was the result of believing Christian Hysteria.

Here are some excerpts from the actual law that was signed.

SB777

sec 1: It is the policy of the State of California to afford all persons in public schools, regardless of their disability, gender, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or any other characteristics that is contained in the definition of hate crimes set forth in section 422.55 of the penall code, equal rights and opportunities in the educational institutions of the state. The purpose of this chapter is to prohibit acts which are contrary to that policy and to provide remedies therfore.

sec 4: Section 210.7 is added to the Education code to read: 210.7 "Gender" means sex, and includes a person's gender identity and gender related appearance and behavior whether or not stereopyically associated with the person's assigned sex at birth.

sec 15: Section 51500 of the education code is amended to read:60044 No instructional materials shall be adopted by any governing board for use in the schools that in its determination contains: any matter reflecting adversely upon persons because of a characteristic listed in 220.


sec 220: No person shall be subjected to discrimination on the basis of disability, gender, nationality, race, or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any characteristic that is contained in the definition of hate crimes set forth in section 422.55 of the Penal Code in any program or activity conducted by an educational institution that receives or benefits from, state financial assistance or enrolls pupils who receive state student financal aid.
(religious institutions are excluded)

So was I wrong? ... technically, but this law says alot of things that are not written. Read it and decide for yourself.

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Does what you name your child affect their education

As homeschoolers, this is not a worry... for now, but still something that cannot be overlooked. What you name your child can and will affect the way 'professional' educators view them and will also affect the kind of effort put into their education. It will however have an effect in college applications and the job market.

As an African American, I have always been painfully aware that a name could get in in the front door, or lock you out. I saw many friends with Afrocentric names and funny nicknames unable to break through certain barriers. (Those who did, altered or changed their names.) My mother used to point out that she named me, and chose the names of many of her nieces and nephews carefully for that reason. Yes she was one of those relatives that would passionately campaign and bombard pregnant women with name choices. Still, I cannot complain about my name. It is one of those names that leaves everything to the imagination. It it a distinctly girly name, but ethnically, it is no clues as to my background. Like me, my children also have names that are ethnically neutral, and my daughter holds a name that does not reveal her sex either.

Why am I bringing this up? This subject was driven home by The president of the National Education Association who instead of saying teachers were sent to inner city schools, he said "They're going to send them to teach where Ray-Ray, Little Willie, Little Man, Too-sweet, and Chiquita are in the classroom." Link here My goodness! And you want me to trust my kids education to a person with this kind of thinking?

Never.

Now, this does not mean that I think ethnocentric names are bad. After all, we live in a different time than the one I grew up in, and each person has the right to name their own child what they will. But there is still an ignorant minority (in power) who will label your children based on those names. It's sad, but true.

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Forget about Guns and Knives at school

Local GA highschoolers are being faced with a new danger... MRSA. Just this morning it was reported that there are 5 more cases.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is a type of staph that is resistant to certain antibiotics. These antibiotics include methicillin and other more common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin. Staph infections, including MRSA, occur most frequently among persons in hospitals and healthcare facilities (such as nursing homes and dialysis centers) who have weakened immune systems . Now it is spreading through the local schools.


Another reason to homeschool? I won't go that far. But I will say that if my kids were in the schools where there were infections they at least homeschool temporarily until I felt confident that the spread of infection was under control.




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Teacher abuse is more widespread than you think

I awoke this morning to a news story that said Teacher sexual misconduct is worse than previously thought. Even worse, the last thing I read last night was about a music teacher who got away with abusing kids for year.

This is enough to make a homeschooling mom like me to say "whew"! Thank goodness I homeschool. It is also enough to make puplic school parents very afraid.

At the end of the day, practically no children are immune to such abuse. The only way to keep your children safe from abusers is to have them with you 24-7. That is not possible for me.

My kids are with numerous "teachers" on Monday and Thursday, youth group leaders Tuesday night, and Fencing coaches throughout the week... so what is a parent to do?

What I do watch them like a hawk... you'd think I was a stalker. I might show up any day at anytime and always unannounced. I think it is clear to everyone who has access to my kids that they do not have "access" to my kids.

If your kids tutors, coaches, or schools do not allow you the same access, then you have some questions to ask.



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The National Education Association is on the warpath

The National Education Association is on the warpath and homeschooling is the enemy.



The National Educational Association in their 2007-2008 Resolutions has taken a stand against homeschooling.

It reads "The National Education Association believes that home schooling programs based on parental choice cannot provide the student with a comprehensive education experience. When home schooling occurs, students enrolled must meet all state curricular requirements, including the taking and passing of assessments to ensure adequate academic progress. Home schooling should be limited to the children of the immediate family, with all expenses being borne by the parents/guardians. Instruction should be by persons who are licensed by the appropriate state education licensure agency, and a curriculum approved by the state department of education should be used.
The Association also believes that home-schooled students should not participate in any extracurricular activities in the public schools. The Association further believes that local public school systems should have the authority to determine grade placement and/or credits earned toward graduation for students entering or re-entering the public school setting from a home school setting."


Take a moment to tell the NEA that homeschooling is a real option that does produce wonderfully rounded and educated members of society.


there is a petition here by FL Homeschoolers



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14 year old who planned attack was homeschooling?

I seriously doubt it.



This unfortunately is an example of abuse of the homeschooling label.



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Is anything being done to make schools safer?

Is anything really being done to make schools safer, this lastest school attack is telling me that nothing is being done. It is very very sad.






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If Your Homeschoolers Goal is College, Be Prepared

According to this story, valedictorians are a dime a dozen. Your kids will have to stand out to get into college. For homeschoolers that means being dilligent about academics and finding awesome extracurriculars.






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Hug a Homeschooler Today

In response to No School Hugging rules in a Chicago school, I would like to declare today, "Hug a Homeschooler day".



Show the kids some love!



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This is why kids need cellphones

I am not even going to get into the hostage situation... except this is a lose-lose situation... kids either live in a police state or in constant danger.

My concern is that some schools do not allow cell phones. I know I don't send my kids out of the house without them... even to homeschool co-op classes.




They might as well be homeschooling.

What I believe is happening is that so little time is spent actually learning in schools is that all of the real work is sent home for parents to handle with the kids. They might as well be homeschooling. View the video and please comment






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12 grade year of homeschooling, Finishing Strong

We are almost done with my college prep series. There will still be a video on completing the transcript.    Stay tuned... meanwhile, ...