Vision Forum is pleased to announce the 2006 Henty Essay Contest. The topic this year is How G.A. Henty’s works remind us of God’s providence throughout history. Contestants are encouraged to demonstrate that they have carefully read at least five of the novels and to draw from such in their essay. They are asking students eighteen years of age and under to submit an essay of fifteen hundred words or less, to be typed, double-spaced, and submitted with an accompanying biographical sketch, including a photograph of the essay’s author.

Deadline for submissions is October 31, 2006. Click on the graphic for more information.

On Sunday morning, we will get back the hour that was taken away in the spring. At 2 a.m. most of the United States will return to standard time. So, set your clocks on Saturday night, unless you are a purist who wants to stay up and make the change when it’s official.

Remember: Spring forward; fall back. Set your clock to one hour earlier, and take back that lost hour! (Click on the graphic to visit the Naval Observatory explanation.)

A 2005 article that appeared in the MIT Technology Review is a source of encouragement and exhortation to home schoolers who might be wondering if they’re hurting their children’s chances for success by home schooling. Excerpts of the article by Tracy Staedter follow.

“At Home with School
“Teaching your children may seem a daunting task, but these alumni have joined the homeschooling movement and are discovering its joys....

“With its high-powered curriculum, MIT seems an unlikely place to attract or produce homeschoolers. But in fact it does both. Anecdotal evidence from alumni gatherings, online forums, and articles from the Alumni Association indicates a growing interest in homeschooling among MIT graduates with families of their own. In addition, the number of homeschooled students applying to MIT has nearly doubled since 2001, with several admitted each year. Their parents’ reasons for eschewing traditional education vary, but they include concern about schools’ values and safety standards, the prevalence of drugs, the quality of teaching, and the lack of resources for children with health problems or special learning needs."

THSC Association is pleased to highlight the 10% discount for its members provided by College & Career Planning Services (CCPS), part of its ever-growing list of benefits. CCPS allows access to services such as career assessments, college enrollment coaching, and job skills training - services previously available only in the public school system.

Join THSC Association and begin immediately to enjoy the many benefits and discounts. A payment plan is now available, so you can work this valuable asset into your home school budget!

To many colleges and universities across the nation, home school graduates are becoming a desirable target for enrollment. AP reporter Alan Scher Zagier wrote an article documenting evidence of this positive change for home schoolers; the article is posted at cbsnews.com. Excerpts from the article follow.

“Colleges coveting home-schooled students

“With colleges and universities aggressively competing for the best students, a growing number of institutions are actively courting homebound high achievers like [Sara] Kianmehr, who took community college courses her senior year of high school and hopes to eventually study filmmaking at New York University or another top graduate school....

“After years of skepticism, even mistrust, many college officials now realize it's in their best interest to seek out home-schoolers, said Barmak Nassirian, associate executive director of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers.”

In spite of clear communications from Austin, THSC Association continues to field calls from parents who are encountering problems over driver permits, licenses, and photo IDs. As a result, Tim Lambert wrote the letter that can be read at the link that follows.

The THSC Association Store is rearranging resources and clearing its shelves!

While supplies last, take 25% off the price of the following items that have sold through THSC Association. We will no longer sell these helpful books and the video set, so now is your chance to buy them at significant savings!

Books:
Before Five in a Row
Home Schooling on the Threshold
The How & Why of Home Schooling
Strengths of Their Own

Video Set:
Dads: Men in the Gap

The clearance discount applies only to the items listed above. Remember, this discount will be available only as long as supplies last. When they’re gone, it’s over.

This discount is not available in the online store. To take advantage of this sale, call (888) 200-4903.