I just read an excellent article on personal responsibility (foreign concept, I know) by Thomas Sowell. You can read it here. Okay, for some Blogger reason the link won't show up so just copy and paste this: http://jewishworldreview.com/cols/sowell082509.php3

Here are a couple of quotes to whet your appetite:

"Americans can have the best medical care in the world without having the best health or longevity because so many people choose to live in ways that shorten their lives."

"...most discussions of what is wrong [with public education] leave out the fact that many such students may have chosen to use school as a place to fool around, act up, organize gangs or even peddle drugs."

“What grade is your daughter in?"

Why must people become so wrapped up in their own mindset, their own frame of reference that they can't see that there could be any other way of truth and value? My mom used to say, “Their mind is made up, don't confuse them with facts.” As a homeschooler, I encounter people like that all the time, although not nearly as often as I used to. When I started homeschooling 16 years ago, it happened daily but nowadays it is more like a few times a year. Of course, if I go to the NEA website, it happens much more frequently;o)

Here's what got me to thinking about this subject; someone asked me what grade Harmoni was in. Simple question, right? But is it? My answer was, “She isn't.” Completely bumfuzzled them. How I answer this common question depends a lot on who is asking and why... and my mood. Some people might get, “Well, lets see, she is 12 so I guess that is about 6th or 7th grade, right?” To some I would say, “Well, it depends on which subject you are talking about; anywhere from 5th grade to college.” But the real, true answer is, “She isn't.” Hello? Homeschooler!

People don't seem to understand that the system most of us were raised in isn't the only way. The more you diverge from traditional “public school” methodology, the more difficulty people have accepting it. There are even a lot of homeschoolers who look down their noses at anyone who doesn't use desks and textbooks and gradebooks with a red pen. I have tried to explain to some people (the ones who were worth the effort) that grade level is simply a useful construct for the public school system to function. (At least that is an arguable point; I won't go into why I don't really believe that it is in this post.) But what does “grade level” mean in real terms? Of what use is it to a homeschooler unless they are basically doing school at home? Grade level is an arbitrary label applied to make things easier for school administrators. Period. I have exactly two students at this point in time. I manage to keep things rolling without those labels. The only reason I could have for using them is to compare my children with the children of other people who are around the same age. That serves no useful purpose to me. I am much more concerned with whether or not my girls are setting and reaching goals in a relevant and timely manner.

I don't assign grade levels to my girls. We figure out what our goals are. We ask ourselves what useful and worthy things are there to learn? “If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.”[1] We ask what things will make us feel culturally literate and what things will move us toward our goals. Then we work on achieving those goals. At a certain point, usually the early to mid-teens, getting into college hopefully becomes one of those goals. (Bear in mind that I have already graduated two homeschooled kids as well as one who went through public school.) At that point, we start looking at what is required to achieve that goal. The materials we use may have “grade levels” attached but that still has very little meaning to us in any real and useful way.

Here's an example. Gini is 15. She does not enjoy algebra. She and algebra have a hate-hate relationship. She mastered all the basics of arithmetic and some pre-algebra but when she hit algebra, she stuttered to a stop. She hasn't progressed much mathematically since she was about 13. Two things have happened to start her engine again. First, her little sister has caught up to her and is still going strong. Awkward! Second, she started thinking about going to college. And she doesn't just want to go to any old local college where we could help pay her way. No she wants to go to BYU Hawaii. Big dream. Big money. She better get one heck of a good SAT score. We looked up some information about what level of math she would have to master to get the kind of SAT score she would need to get into BYU Anywhere and especially to qualify for some kind of scholarship. I mean, have you looked at out of state tuition costs??? Anywhere, much less Hawaii???? Well, I have told them to shoot for the stars....

Now, please notice; did grade level come up in that topic at all? No. Did it need to? No. She needs to master a couple more levels of Algebra as well as some more advanced Geometry and Trig. And she needs to do it in the next year or two. Is she trying to go from an 8th grade level to an 11th grade level in a year and a half? No, she is learning a logical sequence of math skills that she needs in order to get a really good score on a specific test. Did I mention that she is interested in Veterinary Science? Yeah. Math and science heaven also known as pre-vet. (By the way Gini, OSU ROCKS for Vet Science!)

And, for the record, I have actually sat in classes at Oklahoma State University next to people who were functioning and getting by even though I knew for a fact that their math skills were still at an "8th grade level". Were they still "in 8th grade?" I tutored for my work-study money. I'm not making this up. The public schools are graduating people with less math skills that Gini has right now. Worse, in my opinion, is the fact that they are graduating people who can't outread the average ten year old and don't know the names of all the continents. So grade level begins to mean even less in that light, eh?

Now because I know this will be a question in the minds of some people, yes, I could have pushed her and prodded her and punished her through Algebra. After all, it was done to me. But I chose instead to have faith in her and in her Father's plans for her. I knew that when she came to realize that the math mattered that she would learn it much more quickly and joyfully than she would if I forced her into it. And our home and relationship would be more joyful as well. How many moms describe their relationship with their 15 year old as “joyful”? Well, I do. We have a really wonderful, loving, and yes, joyful relationship. And, guess what, I also have no doubt that she will go to college. Whether or not finances will allow her to go to Hawaii I can't say; that is several years away in a very uncertain economy. She understands that. She knows that she may end up at OSU or even local community college if finances dictate that. But I have no doubt that she will master the math now that she has set her mind to it and neither does she. With no clue whatsoever what grade level she is on, she will master Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry. And she will take the SAT by storm. And even if she is a “year late” taking the SAT and even if she has to settle for OSU (my alma mater), she will become a fabulous veterinarian. She certainly has a gift with animals. Oh, and they won't care what grade level she achieved either;o)


[1] from 13th Article of Faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

SOCIALIZATION AGAIN... AND AGAIN AND AGAIN AND....

When I first began homeschooling in 1992, people often expressed doubt about my sanity. Can you really teach your own child? But you didn't finish your degree! Boy, I'd go crazy if my kids were all home all the time!!! I was made to feel like there was something wrong with the fact that I loved being with my children and that I was arrogant to think I could handle the education of my (then) 8 year old son. Well, I figured I managed third grade just fine so it was worth a try;o) Actually, that is a whole, long 'nother story. Nowadays there are few who really question whether or not homeschooling can turn out well educated people; it has been proven time and again that it can and does. My topic today is socialization.I doubt there is a homeschooler on the planet who hasn't been asked, "Aren't you worried about socialization?" Frequently it is asked in a genuinely concerned tone while at other times it is more of an accusation. It took years for me to get through that question without flinching.I went through phases. At first, I would be intimidated. I would fumble around talking about how hard I was going to work at making sure Cameron was exposed to lots of activities with other kids. Then came the defensive/annoyed phase. Oh for pete's sake; you don't really think that kids are gaining anything valuable inthat area in public school do you? Puhlease! Lately, though, I think I have evolved. By golly, I may get all mature and stuff yet;o) Actually, what I got was educated on the subject.Hmmm, educated; yes, I learned something. I read and studied the writings of many different people on different sides of the education question. I studied the roots of American public education and its goals. And I didn't take a class to do it; I did it on my own because I had a desire to understand the subject. But I digress;o) Nowadays when I am asked about socialization, I ask a question of my own. What, exactly, do you mean by socialization? I ask this question in all sincerity; I'm not being sarcastic or snotty. The definition of socializationis thus:socializationA noun1 socialization, socialisation, acculturation, enculturation; the adoption of the behavior patterns of the surrounding culture[from WordReference.com]May I also submit the definition of socialism:socialismA noun1 socialism: a political theory advocating state ownership of industryNow, the American education system was based on the Prussian system which was unabashedly formed to create good little socialist citizens. Noone pretended that independent thought or individuality was of any importance whatsoever. True academics were discouraged except for an elite few - about 8% of the children. Might socialization viewed in this light be seen as advocating the "state ownership" of our children? When we also consider the atmosphere and "behavior patterns" found in most public schools today, if I am asked if I wish my children to be encultured to the behavior patterns of the average public school, I answer no without apology.The thing I've come to realize is that most people mean something entirely different. And if they ask the question sincerely, I am happy to discuss it with them. What most people are concerned about is that kids who don't go to public school will never learn a) how to get along with their peers and b) to deal with adversity. I'll deal with these one at a time.First, we have getting along with peers. Well, I suppose we have to define peers first.peern 1: a person who is of equal standing with another in a group[syn: equal, match, compeer][from dict.die.net]Okey-dokey. Next, we must ask ourselves who are our child's peers? As far as their age-mates in the public schools, suffice it to say that my children are, thankfully, not of equal standing with them. They really feel very little in common or comradeship with many of those kids. Is that bad? Nope. Thank you Jesus. If there are age-mates around who share their values and morals, they are more likely to find them at church or at interest based activities such as leadership clubs, 4-H, scouting, rodeos, drama and improv troupes and singing groups among many others, not to mention the many sports and interest groups formed especially for homeschoolers.But are peers necessarily age-mates? Again, nope! I love being around homeschooled kids. When they are young, they are quite likely to be very exuberant and energetic. In other words, they would probably drive a classroom teacher crazy. But they are so much closer to what children really should be. Children are built to learn by doing and while on the move. But, again, that is another subject.As they get a little older, homeschoolers are just as likely to identify with elderly neighbor who teaches them to tie flies as they are the skateboarder on the next block. I've sat in quilting bees with grandmothers, young mothers and homeschooled kids. They chatted and had a blast. Do you think the public schoolers would consider this cool? Probably not. But who is better "socialized" in terms of society and the world?There is a misconception that young homeschoolers are never exposed to anyone other than the people in their parents' church. I find this to be very rarely true. We are devout Christians but we are friends with people who are Muslim, Pagan, Jewish etc. There are many different "peer groups" out there. I think the tragedy is that the average public school student is given such a narrow view of what his should be. Most public schooled kids are into their own little clicks of kids who are their same age, race, religion, economic background, etc. Who is better"socialized" in terms of a country commonly referred to as a melting pot?The second concern out there is that homeschooled children will not learn to deal with adversity. This is the one that leads to such brilliant observations as, "Kids will never learn to say no to drugs if they don't go to school where the drug dealers are" and "he'll never learn to stand up for himself if he never deals with the bullies in school." Alrighty then. I firmly believe that if I raise my child to love and respect his fellowman and to expect the same and to know that he deserves the same - as any child of God does - then when he is confronted with adversity, he will deal with it in a mature and responsible way. Period.We put these kids out there on their own for so many hours of their day from such a young age (and getting younger every year - 3 year old kindergarten anyone? Oh wait, that is called Head Start) that many of them become beaten down and confused before they ever reach an age or maturity level sufficient to stand for their convictions. By the time they go to school, do their homework, eat their supper and bathe, their parents don't have any time with them. So how are they to instill all the confidence, hope, faith and trust that they need to deal with those issues? We are, in essence, turning our children over to the teachers. There are many wonderful people in the teaching profession but conservative or individualistic values are given no quarter in public schools so parents who hold those values dear are fighting an uphill battle to pass them on. So the kids are left with confusing, conflicting views at a very young and impressionable age. Trial by fire is not a great philosophy when dealing with young children's lives.I saw a woman on Oprah one day who had seen the devastating effects of the public school attitude toward peer relations and bullying. Her son had been bullied for years, very badly at times. The school just seemed to think that the boy needed to learn to deal with it. The woman came in one day and found her son dead at his own hand. He had blown his face off with a gun. She said, "his outside finally matched the way he had been feeling on the inside all those years." How horrifying. But I will never forget what she said when Oprah asked her if there was anything she wished she had done differently. She said she wished she had taken him out of the school. She didn't really realize that she even had that right.So is socialization a problem that homeschoolers need to address? No, socialization is an issue that every parent had best give some serious time and thought to if they want their children to be "encultured to adopt the behavior patterns" of the kind of people they want their children to be. And you might want to take a long hard look at the culture that exists in their school. It is a whole different world than it was even ten years ago. Is it a culture that you wish your child to become encultured to? If not, do you really want them spending a minimum of 40 hours per week immersed in it?

THAT'S OUTRAGEOUS...

...or is it? I am open to discussion on this one. A Catholic School in Detroit has banned MySpace for their students. Sounds good to me! I really don't think that any sort of blogs or "social spaces" have any place at school. But here is the kicker: the students will be suspended if they are caught using MySpace at school or at home! My initial reaction to that is that it is patently absurd. And wrong. And dangerous precedent. My ONLY hesitation is because it is a Catholic School.I can't stand the idea of schools, or any other public institution trying to dictate the way that parents raise their children. I am NOT a subscriber to Hilary Clinton's "Village" raising my child. Thanks, but... umm NOT!!! Most of the "village" nowadays is.... let's just say, not what I want for my kids. And guess what, I still have the right to choose what I want my children to be exposed to in this country, thank you very much. My child is not the property of the state or the republic or any other institution. I do have the right (and the responsibility) to raise my child to the best of my ability with my world view. I personally believe that a really good, thinking parent will, as the child becomes able to assimilate it, present the alternatives and encourage the child to make his own responsible, informed choices. But I don't have the right to force every parent to do so. Amish can teach their children that being Amish is the only right way. The Catholics can do the same. We LDS can also teach that ours is the truly right way. The kids can then grow up and use the thinking skills and spirit that their maker gave them to decide that their parents are full of it. After they turn 18;o) I am not, of course, addressing so-called parents who abuse or neglect their children in a criminal way. Different subject altogether. I am under the working assumption that we are talking about responsible parents with different opinions and world views.How does all this apply to a MySpace ban? My kids are not allowed to use MySpace while they are underaged. I have the right as a parent to ban it. But I just don't see that it is ANYONE ELSE's right or privilege or responsibility to allow or disallow it. My quandry is that I do believe that private institutions such as private schools, churches, the boy scouts or what have you should have the right to have standards of behavior that are required to participate in them.So, I guess that my bottom line is that I believe that this school is misguided and is addressing a valid problem in an invalid, ineffective way but I guess they have the right to do it. And, were I a parent at that school, I would have to seriously consider the school's mission and methods.

FREEDOM WRITERS

I'll make this brief. 5 stars. Watch it. Own it. Everyone who lives in this country should watch this movie. It will make you angry, it will make you cry but ultimately, it will give you hope. Thank God in Heaven for the Mrs. Gruwells in the world.

If you have often thought, "I just don't understand the gang mentality," watch this movie.
If you are worried that the world is going to hell in a handbasket, this movie.
If you care at all to understand how and why non-white races in this country feel disenfranchised, watch this movie.
If you don't believe that public schools are part of the problem more often than part of the solution, watch this movie. (And then go to UTube and watch this video of John Stossel's report "Stupid in America": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfRUMmTs0ZA
If you don't believe that one good teacher can make a real difference, WATCH THIS MOVIE.