Homeschooling statistics

Created by: CollegeAtHome.com Please understand that I do not believe that homeschooling is the right choice for every student or every parent. However, I think this proves much of what I have learned about homeschooling since beginning the process a year ago. The common questions and concerns I hear so regularly are addressed here. If school is working for your child, by all means, stick with what works! These are averages.

Parents in denial, shock and laughter

There is a lovely woman who I am honored to call a friend. She is married to a real-life, easy-t-recognize genius. They have a preschool-aged son. I have been telling my (also brilliant) friend that their son is gifted, and that it's hereditary. At first, it was denial that anyone except her husband was gifted. At least she didn't try to deny that one. Our mutual teasing has gone on as long as I have known her. I just kept insisting that their son is gifted. Of course, being someone who can handle me, she blew it off. Yes, I did just admit that's sometimes what it takes to deal with me. Moving on. Today, I got an awesome, short text from her, essentially saying, "I concede. He is gifted." Just to put another feather in the its-not-hereditary camp hat, I replied with, "Duh!!!!!" Enter the laughter. She sent me more details ending with, "oh dear." It made long Christmastime lines at the post office quite entertaining, as I pictured my friend with Piglet's voice and stutter ;). I think the bottom line is that most parents adore their children and believe them to be the most amazing children on the planet. At the same time, we know we're partial to our children, so we doubt our own opinions. Or, perhaps it is hereditary and we simply don't recognize it as anything unusual. I must admit it is far more relaxing to joke around with my friend and anticipate her younger child going through all of this than it was to realize it in my own child. We will laugh together and share stories through both families' adventures, I hope. I cherish the vulnerability of other families sharing their experiences with us. If things on this blog resonate with you. . . or even if they don't, you are not alone. Wishing you a holiday season rich and warm with loving community.

What does giftedness look like?

I've gotten more than the usual number of people recently telling me that they don't think their child is gifted. The reasons are plentiful. Some say that they are struggling with everything. I knew a girl whose first grade teacher said she was falling behind. In a year or so, she was doing seventh grade math. My daughter is reduced to tears from math, but is years ahead in other subjects. Some say their child doesn't get high grades or scores. That describes my daughter, yet she is highly gifted; Albert Einstein flunked out of school, yet I don't think that's why his name has become a synonym for genius. Some parents tell me that their kids are behind in developmental ways. I still cannot throw or catch as well as the average gradeschool child, yet I have a gradeschool child. Some parents tell me their child is immature. Well, they are children, and let's face it, we all know adults that are immature. What does giftedness look like? It looks like a beautiful impressionistic painting made up of smaller, different pictures, just like most other things. Recently, in our house giftedness has been contained within someone who upon being asked to let the dogs out and (separately) told where her goggles were, did not hear me. The second repetition regarding the dogs, led to her going the wrong direction, putting on her shoes and simply standing there waiting. With the goggles, it led to her telling me that, "no, that's my towel mom." Funny, I thought I knew what goggles looked like. The third repetition, she let the dogs out, but not without some sitcom-worthy physical humor included. With the goggles, it was, "oh, I thought you were pointing to my towel." I responded, "I listened to the words and pointed to your goggles" without too much tone, and managed to postpone rolling my eyes until after she had turned around. I'm fairly certain none of the examples from today would show up in a short checklist of what indicates giftedness in a child. She is still gifted. Labels are supposed to clarify, yet they are very difficult to accurately define. Merry Christmas a little early :)

CRPD - will the UN govern educational decisions in the US?

There is an upcoming vote in the US Senate about a UN Convention for the Rights of People with Disabilities on December 4th. It affects homeschoolers and parents of kids with disabilities, as well as the population as a whole, but has been remarkably unknown. I'll do my best to summarize, and you can find ample information on the web if you feel inclined. The UN would be able to regulate what is considered necessary for the education of people with disabilities. However, disabilities is not defined, so this could mean children who are very young and have a mild (and possibly temporary) speech impediment. It has the potential to negate parents' rights to homeschool, or make educational decisions for their children, and moves that to the UN. Part of my issue with that is the obvious infraction of freedom granted in the US constitution. Part of my issue with it is that the UN is not an elected group, so we have no say in the individuals making the decisions. They are also quite removed from our immediate viscinity and unlikely to fully comprehend what is necessary in individual cases. The US is widely acknowledged to have the most extensive support offered to people with disabilities, so it is unlikely to enhance the programs offered here. Reportedly, Obama has acknowledged this fact. However, it is unclear how much fiscal involvement might be involved. For instance, currently Kansas does not consider dyslexia a learning disability (or at least it is not covered by their state special education). Another example in the US is that dysgraphia is not recognized, as I have mentioned before. With the increased expense of social workers who monitor and take families to court "in the best interest of the child" to insist that they be returned to school, the funding for education is not going to be enhanced. The list of problems addressed by our government, if history is an indicator, are likely to decrease, rather than increase. Also, I have yet to see any proof that the US will not be required to send money to other countries in order to have this educational change implemented similarly throughout the UN countries. I have seen indication that it will increase expenses to the US related to education, but not any enhancement in education of US citizens. It also give the UN and unprecedented amount of power within the US. The expense part of it affects every American, and our education system as a whole. The fact that parents of children with disabilities who are using the public education are against it, in general, nullifies the argument that it will serve people and families with disabilities, in my opinion. The vote is imminent. What can you do? Learn more. I am biased, as our daughter could be labeled and targeted, and possibly required to return to school "in her best interests" even though she is many grade levels ahead of her age. If you read my previous posts, you'll see how damaging that would be to her - how damaging school attendance was for her in first grade. You can sign an online petition - there are online petitions both against and to ratify the change, so you can act either way. There are many blogs and group references to the effort, so you can compare different accounts in an attempt to get an unbiased picture. You can e-mail and/or call your senators. I am concerned. People including Dr Ruf who I've mentioned in this Blog have gone to a lot of trouble to make sure that homeschooling is a legal option in all 50 states. She did not hear about this effort ahead of time, either, but is taking action and continuing as an advocate for educational choice. While I am admittedly bitter that the government doesn't provide for my child, I certainly don't want my decision to find an option that works for her taken away. Please look into this & weigh in if you feel so inclined.