This is a reminder that THSC is still accepting applications for its 2006 Patrick Henry College Scholarships, but time is short! Applications must be postmarked by next Monday, April 3, 2006.

The mission of Patrick Henry College is to prepare Christian men and women who will lead our nation and shape our culture with timeless biblical values and fidelity to the spirit of the American founding. (Click on graphic for information about PHC.) In keeping with its mission to serve the home schoolers of Texas, Texas Home School Coalition (THSC) has established a scholarship fund for Texas home school graduates who attend Patrick Henry College.

• The THSC scholarship is available to students entering Patrick Henry College as incoming freshmen.
• Applications must be postmarked by April 3, 2006.
• THSC is now accepting tax-deductible donations to its Patrick Henry College Scholarship Fund.

For many years, Texas home schoolers have benefited from this informative publication specifically written for Texas home educators. It features articles about the history of home schooling in Texas, as well as how to deal with the school district.

Click on the graphic to check out the contents— helpful articles as well as lists of important information! In “Chapter Three - Home School How- To's,” read about getting started, home schooling with preschoolers or special needs children, and all the way through to teenagers and getting a driver license!

The Homeschooling on the Border Conference, co-sponsored by Southwest Homeschool Network (SHN) and West El Paso Christian Homeschool Association (WECHA), will be held April 6-8, 2006, at Scotsdale Baptist Church (click on graphic for map) 10015 Lockerbie Drive El Paso, Texas.

Along with other speakers, THSC’s Tim Lambert will be speaking on Friday the 7th at 11:00 a.m. on “What Every Home Schooler Needs to Know About the Law” and giving a devotional Saturday the 8th at 9:20 a.m.

For registration information and updates, visit http://www.elpasohomeschool.com or http://www.wecha.org or call 915-842-8021, 915- 598-9535, or 915-852-3951.

“Hooked on Books,” by Joel Belz, is an article appearing at worldmag.com. Click on the picture to see the discounted price for a subscription to World magazine, as well as other benefits available for THSC Association members.

“It isn't every day—and it's probably good that it isn't—that a WORLD subscriber e-mails me to say, "I just read your column and want to come and talk with you about it." But a fellow from Lockhart, Texas, wrote me just such a note after reading my Feb. 4 piece about eighth-grade tests in Iowa's public schools in 1924. He was so passionate in his response that we ended up having dinner together this past weekend here in Asheville. Now I want to spread a bit of his passion.”

Daylight Saving Time Begins April 2nd! Remember to set your clocks (Spring forward!) before you go to bed on Saturday—unless you are a purist and want to stay up and set your clocks at 2 a.m. Click on the clock to see some facts about Daylight Saving Time.

THSC Association was sent this information and asked to get it to as many people as possible. The drug recall is for over-the-counter products containing phenylpropanolamine. The possible side effects are quite serious, so if you ever use decongestants or weight control products, you might want to check the website below. Click on the graphic for another news link.

In a column appearing March 19, 2006, at baltimoresun.com, author Marina Sarris tells about the growing number of home schoolers in Maryland and how the number of reasons has grown since the 1990s. Excerpts follow.

“Home schooling has appeal for several reasons Educational, personal, religious concerns drive a growing trend in Howard County

“Although home schooling has become more common, many people harbor misconceptions, proponents say. ‘We're sort of portrayed as being in the fringe, as religious fanatics or odd,’ said [home school mom, Whitney] Turner, a Columbia resident. ‘When people hear [that] you home-school, they put a wall down. They say, “I could never do that,” and that's the end of the conversation.’

“According to parents who home-school, it is a lot easier to do than people think. First, throw out the notion of large classrooms or of needing a degree to teach, they say. ‘You have to throw out the paradigm we have embraced for education, that it involves 25 children and a teacher at a chalkboard for six hours a day,’ Turner said.”

THSC Association wrote the letter that can be seen at the following link, when a member family had problems with an insurance claim, as their child had reached the age of 19. Tim Lambert explained that home schoolers in Texas are recognized as secondary school students until graduation from their home schools.