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Home Schooling in the News

Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor, Your Homeschoolers

“The Romeikes are not your typical asylum seekers. They did not come to the U.S. to flee war or despotism in their native land. No, these music teachers left Germany because they didn't like what their children were learning in public school — and because homeschooling is illegal there.

Home schooled Student Wins El Paso Times Spelling Bee

El PASO 2/19 –“A home-schooled sixth-grader won the 66th annual El Paso Times spelling bee this afternoon.

Why We Choose to Homeschool Our Children

“When most people think of homeschooling, they think rich celebs and White families. But figures from the National Home Education Research Institute show that more Black families are gaining in on the practice. In 2007, an estimated 220,000 Black children were homeschooled, compared to 84,000 in 1999. Black students make up nearly 10% of the estimated two million students who are homeschooled nationwide--more than any other minority group.

Taking the Homeschool Leap—Through Baby Steps

“My head was throbbing whilst looking forward to another sleepless night when my toddler was recovering from a cold that she had passed on to her baby brother. Yet, I needed to submit an article to a magazine, and I was relentlessly trying to come up with an idea. One of my editors was on-line and her ‘status’ read, ‘Homeschooling.’

Bad Economy May be Fueling Lake County Home Schooling Trend

Florida--“When 7-year-old Annabelle Kirkpatrick studies fractions and converting pints to quarts, she and her mom go into their kitchen and start cooking.

German Home Schoolers Granted Asylum

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – “A German couple who fled to Tennessee so they could homeschool their children was granted political asylum Tuesday by a U.S. immigration judge, according to the legal group that represented them.

Little Christian School Out-Debates Them All - Again

“Patrick Henry College, in Purcellville, Va., near Washington, D.C., sent the maximum number of eight teams to the 64-team competition at Florida International University College of Law in Miami and placed first, third, ninth, 11^th, 13^th, and 17^th.”

Cut the Power of the Family Courts

“Do you think judges should have the power to decide what religion your children must belong to and which churches they may be prohibited from attending? We have long suspected that family courts are the most dictatorial and biased of all U.S. courts, routinely depriving divorced fathers of due process rights and authority over their own children, but this December a Chicago judge went beyond the pale.

Moms’ Pleas Highlight Home School Dilemma

Ft. Wayne, Indiana--- “The two women believed they were adequately home-schooling their children – using age-appropriate books and a computer with Internet access.

“But according to the Allen County Prosecutor’s Office, Lila M. Ferguson, 38, and Molly M. Williams, 42, committed a crime – neglect of a dependent – by depriving the children of an education. According to court records, the offense was largely characterized by a failure to provide records on the children’s educational progress as they claimed to home-school their children.”

Competition Stiff at Texas BEST Robotics Championship

“… Saturday's event brought together 14 winners of local competitions in Texas and New Mexico. The teams came from public and private schools – and included two consortiums of home-schoolers.”

What Ails Public Schools? Better Ask, What Doesn’t?

“A shocking chronicle of institutional dysfunction, ‘The War on Kids’ likens our public school system to prison and its disciplinary methods to fascism. At least now you know why little Johnny won’t get out of bed in the morning.

“Arranged in sections that range from merely interesting to downright horrifying, this provocative documentary suggests a system regulated by fear and motivated by the desire to control. Tracing the evolution and application of zero-tolerance policies on drugs and violence, the director, Cevin Soling, amasses overwhelming evidence of institutional overreaction. When an 8-year-old can be suspended for pointing a chicken finger and saying ‘Pow,’ we know that common sense has officially left the building.”

Read the review….

Hearing for Home Schooler Forced into Government System

The New Hampshire Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case of a 10-year-old homeschool girl who has been ordered into a government-run school because she was too "vigorous" in defense of her Christian faith.

In his blog, RightInTexas.com, Tim Lambert reported on this case after the original decision.

Home Schooler Signs to Play Basketball at Drury

On signing day for high school athletes in the Ozarks, eighteen-year-old Kylie Williamson, a competitive basketball player since age eleven, had a dream come true. She signed a letter of intent to play round ball for the Drury Lady Panthers. “They have a good family atmosphere, made me feel welcome, and they’re just really positive there and upbeat, and I really liked it…,” Kylie said.

Europe Cracks Down on Home Schoolers

MUNICH, Germany
“Increasing custody cases in Europe are proof that officials there have declared war against home schooling and parental rights, according to some residents.

Local Home School Team Makes Most of Its Opportunity

From the Temple Daily Telegram:

“Football can be complicated as anyone involved would like to make it or as simple as drawing pass routes in the dirt on a playground.

Anything but Typical: Meet Shanaya Fastje

“From a distance, she seems like a typical 10-year-old girl who loves playing her guitar, making jewelry and spending time with her friends. Get to know her though and it soon becomes evident that Shanaya Fastje is anything but typical.

Home School Family Finalist in Texas-wide Competition

A Seabrook family, the Engelberts, have been named finalists in the TXU Power Saver Challenge 2 contest. The contestants compete to make their homes the most energy efficient. Mr. Engelbert submitted an essay describing why his family would be a great candidate for the contest, and his entry was chosen as one of five out of 1500 entries. The family then created a five-minute video demonstrating why their home needed an energy makeover.

Gifted Student Held Back by Graduation Rules

 “Anyone who wants to appreciate how strong a grip high school has on the American imagination--and how clueless some school districts are about this--should consider the story of Drew Gamblin, a 16-year-old student at Howard High School in Ellicott City.

Home Schooling: Heroes Take Time to Help Others

Home-schooling families have great flexibility to get involved in the community. Since we're not compelled to follow a certain daily routine, we can arrange study time around volunteer opportunities.

The Pioneer Woman, An Internet and Publishing Sensation

“Ree Drummond likes to call herself an accidental country girl and she considers herself something of an accidental cook. But there's nothing accidental about the success she's built combining those two.

National Home School Volleyball Tournament Extends Deadline

The National Home School Volleyball Tournament organization has decided to extend the registration deadline to September 30. The tournament is in Omaha, Nebraska, from November 4-7. There are at least thirty teams registered so far, and more would only add to the fun!

Cinderella Story Continues: Oudin Wins Again at U.S. Open

NEW YORK (AP) — “Forget about forehands and backhands. Melanie Oudin's biggest weapon is her heart.

“The 17-year-old sparkplug from Georgia proved it again Monday at the U.S. Open, extending her remarkable run to the quarterfinals with another come-from-behind victory, 1-6, 7-6 (7-2), 6-3 against 13th-seeded Nadia Petrova.”

Home Schoolers Top National Average on ACT

“Compared with other students, homeschoolers scored higher than the national average on this year’s ACT, a national standardized test used to gauge educational development and college readiness. "

Abilene: Bible, Family Time Factors in Home Schooling

“‘God has been taken out of schools. This gives me the freedom to teach them what they need to learn.’ — Diana Williams of Abilene, speaking about home schooling her children for the first time."

Reason #317 to Homeschool in Texas

“A Murrysville [Pennsylvania] couple, long at odds with the Franklin Regional School District over the home-schooling of their now-grown children, filed a lawsuit in Westmoreland County Wednesday, seeking a ruling to overturn laws that give public school districts the right to oversee home education."

North Carolina: For More Kids, Home is Where the School Is

“There were a record number of home schools and students at these institutions in the state of North Carolina and Richmond County last year."

Home Schooling, Home Businesses, and Home-based

 “Seven children, three home-based businesses, one family business, year-round home schooling, five acres, and a menagerie of goats, ducks, chickens, geese and dogs — how does she do it?

Advocates of Home Schooling Closely Watch Missouri Divorce Case

 “A divorce case out of St. Charles County is getting swept up in a debate over homeschooling because a judge could decide whether a mother can still educate her two teenagers at home."

Reason #738 to Homeschool: UK Parents Forced to Sign School Contracts

Parents in the United Kingdom will be encouraged to complain about “recalcitrant” families, and before their children will be allowed into a chosen school, they will have to sign a legally binding contract with the head teacher. The contract states that the parents will guarantee their students will attend classes, complete homework, behave in school, and even go to bed at a reasonable time during the week. If the teacher believes the contract has been breached, the parent may be fined or even incarcerated.

Home Schooled Athletes Join Competition in Delaware

A Delaware “diploma program for home-educated high school athletes,” called Mount Sophia Academy, received approval for full membership status from the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA), which permits the program’s students to participate in sports programs competing against other schools.

Chasing the Dream at Full Throttle

“Broken arms, a crushed foot, a torn-up shoulder and a punctured lung: Painful.

“Roughly a dozen motorcycles replaced during the past five years: Spendy.

“Getting the chance to compete in the largest amateur motocross race in the country: Priceless.

“For Ryan Skinner of Longview, competing at the Loretta Lynn Amateur National Motocross Championships in August — on the ranch of the famed female country music singer — is an experience that he can’t forgo.

Home School Reduces High School Drop Out Rates

In this article, Lynda Altman says that home schooling is one option to battle high school dropout rates. She cites statistics from a report on why students drop out. According to that report, the majority of the students surveyed said they dropped out because of “lack of interesting material.”

The Schooling Choice We Love to Hate

This article from an Australian newspaper examines the reasons families choose to homeschool and lists some of the common objections. A historian from Education Next, an educational journal published by Stanford, predicts the future of home schooling as segueing into hybrid education, combining virtual schools, distance learning, and software.

Homeschooling: More Ethnic Minorities, Lower-Income Families, and Parents of Moderately High Formal Education?

Dr. Brian Ray of the National Home Education Research Institute takes issue with a recent USA Today article that stated that home educators are increasingly white, wealthy, and well educated. In his review, he cites facts from the original article and then counters with his research. Of the USA Today piece he says, “It appears that USA Today either did shoddy information gathering, poor interpretation, or wanted to offer a certain slant or bias in the story and in its title.”

Another prominent home school advocate and parent, Voddie Baucham, has written a blog post  about the same USA Today article.

The Soft Bigotry of High Expectations

Rod Dreher of dallasnews.com debunks the notion that college is the natural destination for all high school graduates. To support his position, he reviews a new book by Matthew Crawford, Shop Class as Soul Craft. Crawford is a scholar who left academia to open a motorcycle shop. Read his article “The Case for Working with Your Hands.”

More Higher-income Families are Homeschooling Their Children

 “Parents who home-school children increasingly are white, wealthy and well-educated — and their numbers have nearly doubled in a decade, a new federal government report says."

Community Colleges Expand Options for Home Schoolers

Community colleges are not only good for college freshman; they have become increasingly popular with home schoolers. This article targets J. Sargent Reynolds Community College in Virginia, but institutions like it are available in many states and are actively pursuing home schoolers.

Bloomfield Board Votes to Close Family Home School

The Bloomfield, New Mexico, school board voted to close the Family Home School, which was funded and operated by the Bloomfield school district. It was located on the campus of Naaba Ani Elementary School and was established in 1995 to draw home schoolers back into the public school system. The school became involved in controversy in February when officials discovered that it was using the A Beka curriculum.

New Zealand Home Schoolers Win Robotics Competition

 “Auckland Homeschool Team Free Range Robotics took away two awards at the 2009 Vex Robotics World Championships held 30th April - 2nd May in Dallas, Texas."

In Tennesee -

“A rarely used anti-filibuster rule was invoked in the House Thursday to clear the way for passage of legislation that could help some home-school students get a job.

Interest in Home Schooling Grows with Hard Times

As families continue to struggle financially, some with children in private schools are looking at home schooling as a more affordable alternative. Home school supply stores and support groups report an increase in traffic and inquiries. Tim Lambert of the Texas Home School Coalition says THSC has seen a twenty percent increase in membership over the past year.

Texas Home Schoolers Sign to Play College Ball

Lindsey Parrish, a 5’6” combo guard from Liberty Christian School (LCS) in Argyle and Anna Parish, a 5’9” point guard from Fort Worth have signed national letters of intent to play basketball for John Brown University next winter. Both Texas girls are home schoolers and have each received numerous awards in both state and national play.

Home Schooler to Graduate from College Before High School

As Neil Turner walks across the stage May 11 to receive his Associates of Arts Diploma from M State - Fergus Falls, he may just appear to be a typical college grad.

San Antonio Home Schooler Places First in National Essay Contest

Angela Stevens, a seventeen-year-old home schooler from San Antonio, received a $5000 check and an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., for winning first place with her essay on “being an American.” Angela’s mother and teacher, Darline Stevens, also received $5000. The contest, which had 31,000 entries, was sponsored by the Bill of Rights Institute, the History Channel, and State Farm Insurance.

Houston Home School Basketball Team Claims National Title

The HYCA [Homeschool Youth Christian Association] Warriors won a third straight championship in the 18-and-under division at the National Christian Home School Basketball Championship tournament held March 16-21 in Springfield, Missouri. The Warriors beat the Oklahoma City Storm, 54-38. This is the team’s fifth championship in the last six years. Congratulations, Warriors! Way to go!

Playing God with Home Schoolers

In a tongue-in-cheek turnabout, Patrice Lewis of WorldNetDaily cleverly portrays what it must be like for a child to be forced to attend an unfamiliar school:  the peer pressure, the academic demands, and the incompatible worldview. Judges know best, though…don’t they?

Judge Rips Homeschool Mom's Choice of Churches

Back in the news is the North Carolina judge who ruled that, regardless of the “good job” the mother had done in home schooling, her children must return to public school next fall. He has now cited the mother’s choice of churches as one reason for his ruling. The judge allowed evidence from critics of the church, but almost no evidence from its supporters was included in the hearing.

Lubbock Home Schooler Heads to Washington, D.C.

Lubbock seventh-grade home schooler Christina Benitscheck is headed to Washington, D.C., to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee for the second time. She won the regional bee by correctly spelling “cauterize.” The National Spelling Bee is May 26-28.

Amid Hard Times, Home Schoolers Persist

This article illustrates the determination of home schoolers to finish what they start. They may have to take evening jobs, switch the teaching from Mom to Dad, or accept help from their older children, as they fight to continue homeschooling through an economic downturn. Other parents are turning to home schooling when they can no longer afford private school tuition.

An 87-Year-Old's Economic Survival Advice

Chuck Norris recounts his mother’s advice for surviving an economic downturn. Mrs. Norris grew up in Oklahoma during the Great Depression. Her father worked at several jobs, anything to keep the family afloat. They made do with no electricity, running water, or INTERNET! She reminds us of what’s most important and enduring.

Home School Sports Bill Advances in Utah

A bill that would allow home schoolers to play sports in public schools passed in a 4-2 committee vote in the Utah Legislature. SB61 would permit the students to participate in sports and other extracurricular activities in the schools in their districts. The bill would require home schooled students to prove academic eligibility by submitting an affidavit signed by their instructor, stating they are doing well. A similar bill was introduced last year; it passed the Senate but not the House.

Home School Supporters Pack State House Over Proposed Changes

More than 1,000 New Hampshire home schoolers and their supporters converged on the State House February 10 to protest changes in the state’s home school laws. The proposals called for increased oversight of home schooling families to “make sure all home-schooled students are receiving an adequate education.”

The Coming War Against Home Schoolers

 “I knew this was coming. The inflamed, all-seeing red eye of political correctness, glaring this way and that from its dark tower, has finally discovered that home schooling is a threat to the Marxoid project, and has launched its first open attack on it.

“Before long, those who wish to declare independence from the state system (and cannot afford monstrous private school fees) will face endless interference, monitoring and regulation.”

Home Schoolers Named as Finalists in Intel Science Talent Search

Two home schooled students were named finalists in the Intel Science Talent Search. Michael Wham, of The Woodlands, Texas, submitted a project titled “Computer-Assisted Analysis of Red-cockaded Woodpecker Vocalizations.” Philip Streich, of Platteville, Wisconsin, entered a project titled “Determining, Quantifying, and Maximizing Carbon Nanotubes' Thermodynamic Solubility: The Missing Link to Practical Supermaterials and Maximizing Solubilities in General.”

Finalists will compete March 5-10, 2009, in Washington,D.C.

Congratulations, guys! Great job!

More Kids Learn at Home

Amarillo families discuss the reasons they began homeschooling and the changes that have taken place in the movement over the last twenty years.

The National Center for Education Statistics, a division of the Department of Education, estimates a 36% increase in the number of home schoolers from 2003-2007. This report has been the catalyst for many local articles across the state and country, which have been good public relations for the home school community!

Texas Home Schooler Finalist in Intel Talent Search

A Woodlands home schooler, Michael Wham, was one of "300 students named semifinalists of the Intel® Science Talent Search 2009, a program of the Society for Science & the Public.” Each semifinalist receives a $1,000 award, with an additional $1,000 going to his or her respective school, resulting in $600,000 in total semifinalist awards. Congratulations, Michael!

Brazilian Home Schoolers Taken to Court

The Brazilian family that was in the news last year is back—this time being taken to court by judges who are ignoring the evidence of test results and psychologists in order to persecute the family for homeschooling. Despite high test scores and evaluations that deem the children mentally healthy, the judges insist on taking the family to court on a charge of “intellectual abandonment.”

Homeschooling for the Obamas

A home schooling mother of three and columnist from Maryland advises the President-elect and First Lady-to-be on an educational alternative for their daughters. She details the flexibility, togetherness, security, and tax-savings (for us!) that home schooling would provide for the new First Family.

When the Science Guy is Still in Short Pants

Eight-year-old Enzo Monfres likes science and nature. His parents like making videos and encouraging Enzo’s interests. These forces all combined to land Enzo on YouTube and as a guest on the Ellen Degeneres Show. He works with the National Wildlife Federation and has insider access at NASA. Now, due to his knowledge and charm, Enzo and his parents are working on a possible television show with him as the host. Snips and snails and puppy dog tails … who knew?

Lady Chaps Sign First Player for 2009/10

Lubbock Christian University Women’s Basketball Coach Steve Gomez announced his first signee for the 2009-2010 season. San Antonio native Elizabeth Arnold signed her letter of intent on December 9. Elizabeth is playing this year for the Homeschool Christian Youth Association’s (HYCA) North Lady Warriors, which is a Houston-based home school basketball programs. Prior to this season she started for the San Antonio FEAST (Family Educators Alliance of South Texas) Patriots for three years.

Wichita, Kansas, Home Schoolers Win Robotics Competition

For the fourth consecutive year, the home school robotics team from Wichita, Kansas, has won the Frontier Trails BEST Regional Robotics Competition. In addition to winning the BEST Competition, they also garnered honors in several other areas. Home school teams from other cities placed high in the completion as well.

Adrift from Our Past - S. Michael Craven

“Last week my family and I spent four blessed days at my wife's ancestral farm, a beautiful spot located between Navasota and Brenham in historic Washington County known as the birthplace of the Republic of Texas in 1836. The land, possessing rolling hills, tranquil ponds and a plethora of Bluebonnets has been in my wife's family since the mid 19th century. It is a wonderful place rich in nostalgia and strong family roots. I confess that it is one of our favorite places on earth.

“It was during this trip that we occasioned to visit the Museum in nearby Chappell Hill where the region's and much of my wife's family history are on display. Housed in what used to be the Chappell Hill Female College established in 1856, one felt immediately transported into another place and time. There were letters, photographs and placards all of which offered amazing insight into the lives and culture of this nearly forgotten community.”

Maine Home Schoolers Participate in Local Sports

Home schoolers in Lisbon Falls, Maine, are allowed to participate in sports programs in the public schools. This article spotlights two of these athletes. The reporter spoke with both boys and their wrestling coach. One of the students has had a tough few years; sports is one thing that keeps him on track.

Made in the USA: Spoiled Brats

“The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right? The same magazine that employs Michael (Qurans in the toilets at Gitmo) Isikoff. Here I promised myself this week I would be nice and I start off in this way. Oh what a mean man I am.

“The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the president. In essence 2/3s of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change.

“So being the knuckle dragger I am, I starting thinking, ‘'What we are so unhappy about?’''

Marriage Survives!  Can It Endure?

“At the conclusion of my series In Defense of Marriage this past August, I wrote that the outcome of California’s Proposition 8 would figure prominently in the future of marriage in America. If the proposed amendment establishing that ‘only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized’ was defeated, I predicted it would be nearly impossible to halt the radical homosexual movement and their efforts to redefine marriage and the natural family.

“In a momentous turn of events, Proposition 8 passed! The citizens of California—forced by circumstances—have codified what has been a self-evidential social norm throughout human history. Similar measures passed overwhelmingly in Florida and Arizona, bringing to 30 the total number of states that have amended their constitutions in order to protect marriage from special interest revisions. And in Arkansas, citizens voted to protect children by barring their adoption by homosexual couples. We should all be mightily encouraged by these events.”

Economy Forces Christian School Closure in San Antonio

A northside San Antonio private Christian school is being forced to close its doors due to the struggling economy. Harvest Fellowship School is losing thousands of dollars each month due to rising costs and lack of enrollment. At least one family interviewed said they would probably start homeschooling.

The New Pioneers

In an effort to revitalize a dying kibbutz in Israel, a developer invited a new breed of pioneers to take up residence. Their relaxed lifestyles, “green” mindset, and insistence on homeschooling is making the old guard uneasy. This article explores both sides of the issue, asking whether or not the two groups can ever learn to live together.

Home Schoolers and Full-time RV’ers

The Loud family homeschools. They have sold their home and are full-time Rv’ers. They now have a show called, “Six for the Road,” airing on The Learning Channel (TLC). One year ago they gave away or sold everything they owned and bought a fifth wheel and hit the road. The next two episodes of the show air on November 5  at 9 p.m. Central time. Two 30-minute episodes will air. Join the Loud family’s bumper sticker contest!

Working Replica of Noah’s Ark Opens in Schagen, Netherlands

“The massive central door in the side of Noah's Ark was thrown open Saturday for the first crowd of curious Pilgrims and townsfolk to behold the wonder."  See a video of the builder and his ark.

Home School Author Christopher Paolini Hits Big Time

At fifteen, Christopher Paolini was working on his epic novel. At eighteen, he and his family hit the road to promote the privately-published fantasy Eragon. Now, at 24, he has seen the third book in the series, Brisingr, released worldwide in late September. He’s not finished, though … there’s a fourth book in the works.

“ViewTube” a New Home Schooling Resource

A home schooling dad has started a "ViewTube" Web site for home schoolers allowing them to post videos. The content ranges from videos on how to teach English or math to some dealing with parenting or marriage issues. All videos are screened for inappropriate content.

Children Need Grandparents (and Grandparents Need Grandchildren)

A home schooling mom from Michigan advocates the three generations-- grandparents, parents, and children—come together to provide the best education possible. According to her, it benefits all, helping the parents to educate the children, providing the children with wisdom from the grandparents, and giving the grandparents a new purpose in life.

Students Take Control of City Council Operations

 “Students of CHERCH, a homeschooling group in Huntsville, participated in a mock City Council meeting Tuesday afternoon to learn the ins and outs of city government."

States Have Trouble Passing “Tebow” Laws

Ever since Tim Tebow, the former home schooled high school football standout, won the Heisman Trophy, states have been faced with the introduction of “Tebow” laws, which would allow home schoolers and other students in alternative education situations to participate in public school sports’ programs. Opposition is heavy from public school officials and parents, most of whom believe that students should either “get in or get out.”

Study Shows State Regulation of Home Schooling Unnecessary

The National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) has published a new study based on empirical research that compares the performance on college-admissions tests of home school students from highly regulated states to those from states with little or no regulation. The results will not come as a surprise to most of our readers.

Missouri Prep Star Orally Commits to U of TN

Taber Spani, of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, has orally committed to join Coach Pat Summit at the University of Tennessee. The 6’1” point guard led her team, Metro Academy, to a second place finish at the National Homeschool Basketball Championships in Oklahoma City in March.

The ABC's of Home Schooling

In a September 14 news story, CBS News reported on the growing number of home schoolers. The correspondent focused on two families, a former college professor and mom, and a father-turned-home school entrepreneur. The mother chose to incorporate extensive travel into her curriculum, and the dad made home schooling his business—literally. Their stories are very different, but both feel that home education is the best option for them and both see it as a growing, viable option for other families in the future.

Brazilian Home Schoolers Score Surprise Victory in Showdown Against Government

“In a surprise victory against government officials who sought to prosecute a homeschooling family for refusing to participate in the public school system, David and Jonatas Nunes have passed tests proving a high level of knowledge in a variety of subjects, including history, the natural sciences, the arts, sports, computing, and mathematics. ..."

Writer Wrong about Home Schooling

A resident of Springfield, Missouri, takes issue with Thomas Sowell’s August 24 column in which Sowell stated, “It is common for ordinary parents, with no training in education, to home school their children and consistently produce better academic results than those of children educated by teachers with master's degrees." The letter writer claims that the parents in Sowell’s cited study were actually certified teachers from families with higher than average incomes. He also asserts that once home schooling mothers have more than three children, they generally enroll them in school because they “lack classroom management training.”

More Black Families Choosing to Homeschool

As homeschooling grows in popularity throughout the general population, increasing numbers of black families are choosing to homeschool their children. The numbers have grown substantially in the past eight years as black parents have grown dissatisfied with substandard schools and become more familiar with the home schooling phenomenon.

Home Schooling Showdown in Brazil

 “Two homeschooled children face a battery of tests this week in a showdown between the Brazilian government and a Christian family over the educational rights of parents in the South American nation."

Home School Okay, Appeals Court Says

On August 8, the Second District Court of Appeals in Los Angeles reversed its February 28 ruling that made California’s 166,000 home schoolers truants from the public school system.

National Home School Basketball Tourney to Move

The National Christian Homeschool Basketball Championship will call Springfield, Missouri, its home court for the next three years.

Ft. Worth Home Schooler Inspired by Educator/Activist

Cameron Smith, a sixteen-year-old home schooler from Ft. Worth, was inspired by the story of a local educator who hosted Martin Luther King, Jr., in a 1959 visit to the city. Vada Phillips Felder, who died recently at age 97, met King at a Baptist Convention and invited him to Ft. Worth. He stayed in her mother’s spare bedroom, as local hotels did not allow African-Americans. Smith was moved by a newspaper story about Mrs. Felder and wrote an essay which won first place in the 13^th Annual Barbara Jordan Historical Essay Competition. His essay was titled “One Night with the King.” He was awarded a $2500 scholarship and a gold trophy.

Alvin Home Schooler Wins National Motocross Berth

Krae Weldon, a fifteen-year-old from Alvin, qualified for the largest amateur motocross race in the world, the 27th annual Air Nautiques/AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Tennessee. He competed against 20,000 other racers to win one of only 1386 spots in the prestigious competition. Krae has been racing since he was six years old.

Wayne Root Speaks Out on Home Schooling

Wayne Allyn Root, the Libertarian vice-presidential candidate, recently issued a press release addressing changes in regulation of home schoolers in Washington, D. C. He stated that the responsibility for educating children should rest with the parents, not the government, be it local, state, or federal.

Conservation, Prairie Chickens, and a Boy Scout

4-H'er Selected As State Ambassador

"Harrison County 4-H member, T.J. Cole of Marshall, has been selected to serve as a 4-H Food and Nutrition Ambassador for Texas, according to the Harrison County Extension Office. Cole, the son of Bob and Mary Nell Cole, is a member of the Home School 4-H Club. He has been active in the 4-H program for the past seven years."

Judge Dismisses Juvenile Case That Prompted Home School Ban

“A judge in California has ended juvenile court jurisdiction over two children in a family case that prompted an appeals court at one point to declare that parents had no right to homeschool their children in the state.

Home-Schooled Family Learns by Doing

Mark and Louise Anthony of Hopkins Park, Illinois, are an average American couple with children. Mark is in the Army, and Louise works full-time. The children help each other with homework and chores and have after-school activities. So why are these people in the news? The Anthonys have ten children who are home schooled.

The family manages by cooperating with each other and incorporating every minute and activity into their schooling. Several of the children are ahead of their public-schooled peers; most have black belts in martial arts and play musical instruments. One just received a college scholarship. Apparently, their system is working.

Rice Golfer Whitehead a Winner in the Making

Michael Whitehead, a Rice freshman from Sugarland, has had a great first season as a golfer. He played in all twelve tournaments the Owls entered and tied for 17^th in the Conference USA Championship. He says being homeschooled made the transition to college simple, as he already knew how to manage his time and learn on his own. Home schooling also allowed him to schedule golf practice around the weather, allowing him to optimize his time.

Are You a Threat to Popular Culture?

Sonny Scott, a columnist from Mississippi, muses on why people are so critical of home schoolers. He believes there is increased suspicion of the educational choice and says, “Their very existence represents a rejection of our values, and an indictment of our lifestyles. Those families are willing to render unto Caesar the things that Caesar’s be, but they draw the line at their children. Those of us who have put our trust in the secular state (and effectively surrendered our children to it) recognize this act of defiance as a rejection of our values, and we reject them in return.”

Citing all the rationalizations people offer for not homeschooling, he concludes that those who do homeschool are making everyone else uncomfortable. How rude.

Dad Takes on Rare Role: Home School Teacher

David Kahl, a stay-at-home dad from Georgia, has decided to homeschool his eleven-year-old daughter next fall. The transportation company employee already works from home, so the decision will not affect his job. He and his wife, a cosmetologist, have chosen to homeschool because their daughter Kyra is entering middle school, and they do not feel comfortable about her new campus. Kahl is reading books on home schooling, investigating curricula, and planning museum field trips.

Knitting Friendships
Five home schooled girls from the Beaumont area have formed a knitting club: The Knifty Knitters Knitting Club. One of the girls learned to knit and then taught the other four. The girls decided to make projects that they could pass on to those in the community who needed something warm and fuzzy. They are currently working on a blanket that will likely be donated to a nursing home resident. Their last project was baby booties, which they donated to a local organization, Hope Center.

Who Will Teach the Children?

Home schoolers from California discuss the ramifications of a possible court decision requiring parents to have teaching credentials before homeschooling their children. The families discuss the advantages of home schooling, what led them to choose this educational option, and dispel some of the myths about what kind of people homeschool.

Lubbock Home Schoolers Try Newspaper Biz

A Lubbock home school group, Families Investing in Christian Home Education (F.I.C.H.E.—pronounced “fish”), met at the Science Spectrum to learn how the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, the city’s newspaper, is produced. The students then compiled a newsletter for F.I.C.H.E., called “FICHE’y Business.”

"Nashunul" Spelling Bee Brings Out Protestors

The latest effort in an 800-year-old campaign to reform English language spelling took place during this year’s national spelling bee in Washington, D. C.  Proponents of this movement support using phonics to simplify spelling rules, supposedly making it easier for children, the learning disabled, and non-English speakers to learn reading and writing.

PARADE Magazine Hosts Home Schooling Poll

In a recent issue, PARADE magazine invited its readers to submit their opinions about whether or not parents should be required to have teaching credentials to homeschool their children. PARADE’s interest was spurred by the California court decision that parents need to be certified teachers in order to homeschool their children.

This Contest Left a Bad Taste in Home Schoolers’ Mouths!

Last week Subway® Restaurants launched a contest encouraging children to write stories telling how healthy sandwiches affect people’s lives. The sandwich company, in conjunction with Scholastic News Service, offered lots of prizes, including a grand prize of $5,000 worth of playground equipment for the winner’s school. And if the winner had no school because he was homeschooled? No problem—home schoolers were banned from competing.

No one knows what the real thinking was behind this hugely unpopular decision, but it is unlikely that Subway and Scholastic will ever ban “independent schooled” children again. Subway and Scholastic have both apologized, Scholastic doing so almost immediately after home schoolers began to react. Click on the graphic to read Subway’s regrets.

Ned Barnett for American Thinker presents his take on this meatball of a contest in this article from May 29.

The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), the nation's top conservative public interest law firm, is leading a diverse team of organizations to urge the Calif. Court of Appeals to protect the rights of home schooling families in the Golden State.

“The appeals court has agreed to rehear the case In re: Rachel L. In February, the court issued a decision that, if implemented, would deny nearly all California parents the right to homeschool their children. In the decision (which has now been vacated), the court specifically found that California's compulsory attendance law permits parental home education only if the parent is qualified as a private tutor (which requires that he or she undergo a rigorous and time-consuming process to obtain a valid state teaching credential for every grade to be taught at home).”

Home Schooled Students Perform Play

A group of home schooled students from Seguin and New Braunfels performed Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory recently. Sandi Mitchell, the group’s director, said the cast and crew is made up of 15 home school students who produce plays for both the community and local schools. Families and students themselves, most between the ages of 8 and 15, make sets, create special effects, and put on the entire production without professional assistance. Mitchell’s husband Scott wrote original music for the production.

Tennessee Home Schoolers Face Job Losses—Diplomas Invalid?

Three Tennessee daycare workers have lost their jobs, and a police officer is in danger of losing his. These people were not habitually tardy or insubordinate; the police officer has an exemplary record. The only problem with these employees is that they all have diplomas from home schools, and in Tennessee, that is a huge problem right now. The only thing that can save their jobs now is passage of H.B. 1652, which would revise the new interpretation that the Tennessee Department of Education has placed on the way the state views diplomas from home schools.

“While testing is part of home school curriculums, it is a small sliver compared to the time spent throughout the year in public schools preparing students for the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills."

Where's the Evidence of Abuse?

In this article for the Dallas Morning News, Scott Henson asks what evidence of abuse Child Protective Services has actually found in the case of the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints members in Eldorado. He alleges that the only thing the court in the case has really objected to is the belief system the children have been taught.

Why is the State Called Texas?

“ Texas. What's in a name? Perhaps a whole linguistic misunderstanding.“You may have heard the name comes from the Spanish name for the Tejas Indian tribe or kingdom. But none such ever existed."

Home School Graduates Adjust to Life at UT

Mary Hooper, reporter for The Daily Texan, examines how former home schoolers are adjusting to life at a large university. She delves into what being homeschooled was like for these students, how they were “socialized,” and what it has meant for them in college life. The report also describes the college application process for home schoolers at UT.

Breaking the Law?

“She's crunched by a budget, like most California teachers. She faces an increase in class size, like most California teachers. She makes no protest. There's nobody to protest to. Except maybe her husband."

Congressional Resolution to be Introduced by Congressman Buck McKeon in Support of Homeschooling, Parental Rights

Nearly three dozen members of Congress including the senior Republican on the U.S. House Education Committee today announced plans to introduce a resolution in support of parental rights in education, including the rights of parents who choose to home school their children.  The resolution comes on the heels of the California 2nd District Court of Appeal decision (In re Rachel L.) that found parents without teaching credentials who home school their children are violating California law….

Threat to Homeschooling

John Stossel writes that a California appellate court ruling that parents have no constitutional right to homeschool their children, pinned its decision on the statement that "a primary purpose of government schools is to train schoolchildren ‘in loyalty to the state."

Court to Reconsider California Ruling

The Pacific Justice Institute received word on March 26 that the ruling which declared most forms of home schooling in California unlawful was vacated. This means the decision will not go into effect and the case will be reheard, with another set of briefings due to occur later this month.

NY Times Article Lauds Home School Basketball Tournament

A reporter from The New York Times attended the last night of the National Christian Homeschool Basketball Championship. In his article, reporter Joe Drape describes the scene prior to the 6-A Girls’ Championship game and interviews several players.

California Resists Home School Ruling

On March 12 Time magazine published an account of some small relief to the Calif. home educators regarding the recent shock of a court ruling, which outlaws home schooling. 

Courts Outlaw Home Education in California

The following is from a San Francisco Chronicle article, March 7:

“A California appeals court ruling clamping down on homeschooling by parents without teaching credentials sent shock waves across the state this week, leaving an estimated 166,000 children as possible truants and their parents at risk of prosecution.

Judge Orders Homeschoolers into Government Education

WorldNetDaily, February 29, 2008

Home Schoolers' Setback Sends Shock Waves Through the State

San Francisco Chronicle, March 7, 2008

See what TIME magazine has to say about the issue.

Criminalizing Home Schoolers, Mar. 07, 2008

California Resists Home School Ruling, Mar. 12, 2008  

Governor Vows to Protect Homeschooling

San Francisco Chronicle, March 8, 2008

Does this ruling impact Texas home schoolers?  

Tim Lambert answers this question and addresses the results of the primary elections in Texas.

CBS News Video: Why Families Home School

The CBS Early Show recently did a two-part story on home schooling.  The first part, “Three Ways to Home School,” shows that home schooling allows children the time to pursue passions they would  otherwise have no time for, including socializing with other children. 

The second story shows the reasons different families homeschool. It focuses on a military family whose father is a Marine, serving in Iraq at the time of the interview, and a family that suffered a tragic loss.

George Washington on Church and State

A book review by Tom Pauken of Dallasblog.com discusses a new work by Tara Ross and Joseph Smith, Jr.: Under God: George Washington and the Question of Church and State.

Connecticut Parents Advocate Bill on Leaving Public School

Home schooling parents in Connecticut are supporting the passage of a bill that would clarify the requirements to withdraw a child from public school to homeschool him. The proposed bill would allow parents to simply send a certified letter to their public school if they decide to homeschool.

While a Department of Children and Families (DCF) spokesman stated that his department no longer investigates complaints of neglect just because a family is homeschooling, when families and schools clash over withdrawing a child, a call is usually made to DCF.

But What About Socialization?

This article reports on the results of several research projects comparing home schooled students to students in public schools. Researchers studied self-esteem, suicide rates, and how students treated other people during the different studies.  The results will encourage home schoolers and soothe the qualms of skeptical relatives.

Winners of Home School Video Contest on YouTube

A distance learning school in California sponsored a video contest for home schoolers in which the students answered the question: What’s cool about home school?  A 14-year-old from Santa Paula took first place.

Locking a Nation into Permanent Childhood

Vin Suprynowicz uses John Taylor Gatto’s research to argue that government schooling has become a business whose only success comes from making learning seem difficult.

Heisman Trophy Winner’s Parents to Share Testimonies

Bob and Pam Tebow, the parents of Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, are among the keynote speakers at the iTell365 Evangelism Conference, set for March 2-4 at First Baptist Church of Orlando.

Home School Basketball Team Making the Grade

The Homeschool Christian Youth Association (HCYA) basketball team plays in a renovated baseball facility and has no home games, but they are considered one of the top teams in the Houston area.

Kyle Orth Wins Piano Scholarship

Kyle Orth, a 16 year-old, home schooled junior from Richardson, has earned a chance to compete in the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Senior Piano Competition in Denver, Colorado. The competition is in March.

“Chance” Meeting on Airplane Leads to Teen’s Adoption

Seeing 17-year-old Christina Friesen curled on the couch with her father affirms their obvious bond. She looks as content as any teenage girl who has her father's heart wrapped around her little finger.

SWAT Officers Invade Home

SWAT team officers invaded a home schooling family’s mobile home, after receiving permission from a local magistrate. The situation came about as a result of the father’s decision to monitor his son’s condition himself, after the boy hurt his head in a fall.

Georgetown Home Schoolers Use Puppets in Anti-Smoking Campaign

Home schooled students from Georgetown have developed and are performing a Muppet-like puppet show that teaches the dangers of smoking. They have presented the show at local elementary schools, and the response has been enthusiastic.

Utah Mom Exonerated

Denise Mafi, the Utah home schooling mom accused of breaking compulsory attendance laws and threatened with the removal of her children from her home, had all charges dismissed on December 7, 2007.

South Plains Home Schooler Wins 4-H Gold Star Award

Lifelong home school student Trevor Gicklhorn was honored with the 4-H Gold Star Award at a banquet November 19, 2007. Trevor, along with his family, has been involved in 4-H his entire life.

Truancy Hearing Targets Home Schooling Mom

Utah home schooling mom Denise Mafi has left her home to avoid having her children taken away. She left her home and all her belongings after being threatened with arrest. She plans to return to Utah for her trial on January 9.

Educrats Ride Bigot Bandwagon

Olivia St. John details renewed prejudice against home schoolers in Utah, South Carolina, and California. From a judge who completely denounces home schooling to the South Carolina democrat who compares a home school mom on the school board to Dick Cheney teaching a gun safety course, naysayers are boldly speaking out against freedom of education.

Crosby Homeschoolers Learn Lessons in Own Way

Five home schooling families in Crosby have formed a support group, enabling them to share ideas, hold each other accountable, and socialize. They even plan to show the THSC documentary, Taking a Stand in Texas: The Battle for Home School Freedom.

Former Home Schooler Wins Heisman

Tim Tebow, a home schooler raised by missionary parents, won the Heisman Award, college football’s highest honor, last week. Tebow played high school football in Florida while still being homeschooled. Florida law allows home schoolers to participate in extracurricular public school activities.

Couple Celebrates 80 Years of Marriage

An East Texas couple relates how they have sustained a marriage for longer than many people live! This charming pair blends humor and candor as they tell it like it was … and is.

Home Schooled Kids Barred from Activities

Home schoolers from New York state discuss being barred from extracurricular activities in their local public schools. The father, recently denied another request to have his children included in those activities, vows to continue lobbying for schools to allow home schooled students to join in extracurricular events and classes.

German Home Schoolers Facing $6300 Fine

Government officials in Germany are attempting to levy a hefty fine on parents who are refusing to require their children to attend public schools. The officials also want to “stamp out parallel societies” such as those supposedly inhabited by home schooling families and are looking for ways to “bring the religious convictions of the family into line with the … school attendance requirements.”

Dallas Home School Football Team Perseveres

It’s not easy to be a home school football player: substandard facilities (city park), human goal posts, and financial sacrifice. For these boys, however, it’s all worth it. Their Friday night dreams are being fulfilled—one game at a time.

Click here to see the video story.

Home School Team Excels at Robotics Competition

“Saturday was the end for many North Texas Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology students after six long weeks of practice. But for Whitewright, Sacred Heart, and Texoma Home Educators, it marked the beginning of state preparations.”

UIL Restricts Activities by Home Schoolers

Because of UIL restrictions, many home schooling parents in Texas have to choose between keeping their teens at home and sending them to the local public school. This hot topic is discussed by parents and school officials in this article out of Longview.

Report Provides Evidence of Academic Improvement in Lower Socio-Economic Families

The Fraser Institute reports that, despite lower education levels and lower socio-economic levels, parents still provide better education that public schools do for children in those affected groups.

More Time for Catapults!

This columnist contrasts his own educational experience with that of his children, who are home schooled. In his family, spontaneity, teachable moments, and relaxed learning work side-by-side with teaching the basics.

Home Schooling Comes of Age

Isabel Lyman reports on the advances home schooling has made in the last few decades. No longer considered an offbeat trend, its students and supporters are now found in athletics, academics, the arts, and politics.

Home Schooling: Both a Challenge and a Blessing

Several Houston-area families discuss their reasons for homeschooling. Those who began in the 1980s reflect on the changes, both in attitudes toward the lifestyle and in the choices of curricula and opportunities.

Virginia Home Schoolers in Public School Clubs

Students from home schools or private schools in Prince William County, Virginia, are now allowed to participate in some public school extracurricular activities.

It Doesn’t Have to Cost a Fortune!

Home school parents in the Kansas City area discuss how they make it work on single incomes, and in one case, as a single parent.

Popularity of Home Schooling Increases

Dr. Brian Ray, with the National Home Education Research Institute, cites statistical evidence that points to an increase in the numbers of home schoolers throughout the nation. Several families discuss the beginnings of their home schooling journeys and how things have changed since the early days of the modern movement.

Educational Options for Autistic Children

Lisa Jo Rudy, mother of an autistic 11-year-old son, discusses her reasons for deciding to homeschool him. She also enumerates the pros and cons of different educational options in this short opinion piece.

Why Parents MUST MySpace

Kevin McCullough of TexasInsider.org urges parents to get involved in this Internet networking craze in order to keep their children safe from cyberspace dangers.

Duggars Have 17th Child

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, home schooling parents from Arkansas, have just welcomed their 17^th child.

Home School Graduate Heads to West Point

After a weeklong camp at West Point a year ago, Grant Durham knew West Point was where he belonged.

Home School Graduate Leads Diabetes Study

Baqiyyah Conway, M.P.H., daughter of Helen Jones, a pioneer in the Texas home schooling movement, is the lead author of an abstract detailing research on the link between diabetes, body fat, and heart disease.

But What About Socialization?

Schools are taking on the problem of increased bullying.

Meet the Baker, Home Schooled Entrepreneur

Zach Pringle, a 15-year-old homeschooler, supplies local Whole Foods stores with brownies, scones and more from his commercial kitchen trailer.

Houston Area Brothers Excel in Competitions

Michael and Ryan Wham, home schooled brothers from Houston, have both done well in recent contests. Michael won a scholarship in an international science and engineering competition, and Ryan was recognized by C-Span for a documentary he filmed.

Two Different Home schooling Experiences: New York and Texas

A home school mom tells of the different experiences of homeschooling both in New York and then Texas, where people are free!

Homeschool Has Graduated

Two families homeschooled their children, believing that students who are allowed to move at their own pace are more likely to become successful.

Colleges, Universities More Welcoming of Homeschooled Students

Homeschool graduates find greater opportunities for a college education.

Homeschooling Spells Success

Home schoolers excelled once again at the National Spelling Bee.

Homeschoolers and the Bee

Homeschoolers make up 10 to 15 percent of contestants in the National Spelling Bee.

Home School Graduation, Alaskan-Style

Simon Carlson received his homeschool diploma from his mom and dad.

Home Schooling Proves Its Merit with Scholarships

In Minnesota, a home school student is one of the state's 53 National Merit Scholarship winners.

Some Parents Opt for School in the Kitchen

“What do a plastic surgeon, a talk show host, a veterinarian, an artist, and the maitre d’ at The French Room have in common? They have all chosen to homeschool their children.”

Students Taught by Mom Achieve at High Levels

The most recent and comprehensive study of American homeschooling, done by Dr. Lawrence Rudner of the University of Maryland in 1999, concluded, “In every subject and every grade level of the tests, homeschooled students scored significantly higher than their public and private school counterparts.

Skewed Report: Parent-Taught Drivers More Accident Prone

 A news article presents research by the Texas Transportation Institute.  THSC gives a response to this report.  Bills concerning parent-taught driving are before the Texas legislature.

Going to School 'Not Compulsory'

Councils in England are being reminded that parents have the right to educate their children at home if they wish.

Socialization: Homeschooling vs. Schools

“It was Theodore Roosevelt who said, ‘To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society.’  Many homeschoolers share this sentiment when it comes to public schools, believing that the moral relativism, violence, peer pressure, drugs and promiscuity found inside their gates provide an inadequate setting to properly socialize their children.”

German Homeschool Girl is Home

“Melissa Busekros turned 16 today and is enjoying the day with her parents at their home in Erlangen, Germany, near Nuremberg. How long authorities will allow her to remain at home is unclear.”

Melissa Busekros Flees State Custody

Melissa Busekros, the schoolgirl taken by police and placed in a psychiatric hospital because she was diagnosed with a "school phobia" and was being homeschooled, has fled state custody to make a midnight trip back to her own family, according to Joel Thornton, president of The International Human Rights Group.

Homeschool Bill Revisited

A bill allowing homeschooled students to participate in public-school, extracurricular activities will be introduced this week in the Alabama State Legislature.

Council OKs Curfew Compromise

Local homeschool families in Paris, Texas, have persuaded the city officials to tentatively agree to a change in the daytime youth curfew that was designed to keep children under 17 off the streets during school hours.

“Youth Worker” Lies About Home Schooled Student

A youth services social worker apparently has lied to a German television station about a 15-year-old homeschool student ordered into a psychiatric ward because of her "school phobia," and another employee of the same state division shut down a scheduled 1-hour weekly visit with her family when her father showed her the statement.

Curfew Ordinances Reviewed

THSC advised the Paris, Texas, parents on ways to approach city officials to work for repeal or amendment of the curfew ordinance. Local newspapers carried the story, and later THSC was approached by the mayor of Paris, asking how to best deal with the situation.

Home-School Athletes: They Changed My Mind

Two girls from HCYA (Houston Christian Youth Association) have received Division 1 scholarships for basketball.  Houston Chronicle reporter Jenny Dial revised her ideas about home schooled athletes after meeting the Houston HYCA girls’ basketball team. 

Parents Pull Children Out of School, Protest TAKS

Several parents in Nixon, Texas, are homeschooling their children because of the TAKS test requirement in public schools.

Honoring Texas History Is Nothing to Be Ashamed Of

Any attempt to judge our history by today’s standards — out of the context from which it occurred — is at best problematic and at worst dishonest.

Homeschooling: Are Parents Making the Grade in Educational Decisions?

“On Sept. 7, 2006, police raided the home of Katharina Plett and arrested her for home schooling her 12 children. Home schooling is illegal in Germany and is becoming increasingly forbidden in many other European countries.”

Report on Home Schooling

A PBS program on home schooling was filmed in December and is now being broadcast on PBS stations around the country. The link below will give you the program via streaming video.  The transcripts and the link to view this streamed program follow these excerpts of the piece, which is posted on pbs.org.

Broadman & Holman Publishing Shifts Home School Emphasis

In his article that appeared at EthicsDaily.com on Jan. 3, 2007, Bob Allen documented the Southern Baptist Conventions LifeWay Christian Resources decision to discontinue its home school division with Broadman & Holman.

Continuing Account of Discrimination

In another report (See THSC E-Newsletter 1-2-06 for other stories.) about Ramon Perez–home school father, Christian, and police officer–Jordan Smith of the Austin Chronicle tells the officer’s reasons for pursuing legal action against the Austin Police Department.

Home School Job Discrimination

An Austin police officer was forced to resign due to discrimination based on his faith and the fact that he homeschools his children.  Check out the December Austin American-Statesman article.

See a CBS story with televised footage.

Many Roads to Quality Education

Many home educators have met with little or no support as they decided to teach their own.  Sometimes these dedicated parents themselves wonder if they are equipped.  Gain a little encouragement from the article by Kate Tsubata that was posted at washtimes.com, on November 27. 

Learning Writing Skills Through Nature

In a Dallas Morning News November 17, 2006, article, the account of a Rockwall home school family and their study group/co-op tells how one mother meets the needs of her children and other students.

Science, Education, and Reason??

David Anderson of the UK posted his analysis of the British Centre for Science Education and its views on home school regulation on blogspot.com.

Can Any School Ensure Safety?

According to syndicated columnist Cal Thomas, homeschool parents may feel like they have made the right decision after reading about the shooting at an Amish school in Pennsylvania. 

Benefits of Home Schooling Reported

An article posted at news8austin.com on October 25, 2006, reports on home schooling in print and on television.  In the report, both professional educators and home schoolers are interviewed, and National Home Education Research Institute statistics are cited as well.

Parents Choose Home Schooling for Food-allergic Child

In her article, posted October 17, 2006, The Cary News staff writer, Wendy Mondello, tells the story of how she and her husband made the decision to homeschool their son.

New York Students Thrive in Home Environment

The New York-based westsidenewsonline.com posted an article on October 29, 2006, highlighting several home school families’ activities and philosophies.

Amarillo Home School Team Volleyball Champs

Amarillo Home School Rockets win second national tournament.
Home schoolers made news in Amarillo as the Amarillo Rockets won the National Home School Volleyball Championship on November 4 for the second year in a row.

Quebec Evangelical Schools Under Government Threat

Our Christian neighbors to the north are experiencing government interference with the private education of their children. Read the article appearing at canada.com.

German Police Force Home School Children to Public School

In his article appearing October 25, 2006, at LifeSiteNews.com, Gudrun Schultz gives a disturbing account of the situation regarding home schooling in Germany.

Media Outreach to Home Schoolers

Many C.S. Lewis and The Chronicles of Narnia enthusiasts in the home school community were excited about seeing a quality portrayal of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe in American theaters. Movie makers have taken note and are now seeking input from the home school community.

Home School Kids Not Sheltered

New Jersey home schoolers answer the socialization question in an article by Michelle Pittman, which was posted October 22, 2006, in The Express Times at nj.com.

MIT Alumni Choose Home Schooling

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.

Colleges Seeking Home School Graduates

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.

Dog Debate Leads to Home Schooling

There are many reasons that parents choose to homeschool their children. Diana Schoberg tells of an unusual one in her article, which was posted on August 26, 2006, at patriotledger.com.

Home School Community Could Teach Schools

Brandon Hendrickson, a graduate student at Arizona State University, wrote an entertaining and insightful article based on his experience of seeing home schooling from both sides.

Rally Around German Home Schoolers

THSC has been following the accounts of persecution of home schoolers in Germany.  In an article posted September 26, 2006, at WorldNetDaily, Bob Uruh tells of a call to contact the German embassy in an effort to affect change for our fellow home educators. 

Why We Homeschool

WebCommentary.com offers a platform for discussion of current issues. Contributing author Tom Barrett submitted an article that his wife had written in 2004, which chronicles her journey to home schooling.

First Day of (Home) School

Home school student Kyle Beck is a 15-year-old contributing writer for the Fauquier Times-Democrat. His commentary was posted at TimesCommunity.com on September 5, 2006.

German Government Not Home School-Friendly

There have been several postings over the last few weeks regarding a family, the father of which spent a week in jail for refusing to put his children in public school.

Home School Family in Germany Flees

German home-school family flees to Austria

German Parents Wanting to Homeschool Turn to EU Court

Teacher Textbook Editions Forbidden on eBay

When home school parents have opinions, they tend to share them. In this August 27th WorldNetDaily exclusive, read how a major online resource site drew ire from this community of educators after the company adopted a new policy.

Home Schooling vs. Public Schooling

Real life lessons and realities are not necessarily found in the classrooms of public institutions. In her commentary that appeared in an August 27th article in the American Chronicle, Mary Lanphier explains why alternative modes of education might prove the better option.

Take It From Someone Who Knows

The best testimonies come from those who were there for the experience. Home school student Ginny Davis explains the many valuable assets of her education in a commentary that appeared August 27 in the Lansing State Journal.

From Start to Finish

Some parents can never imagine that once they begin educating their children at home they will continue until their students graduate — but it happens regularly! In this article by reporter Rob Rogers that was printed in the Record Searchlight on August 27, learn how one family started their home schooling adventure and have sent their oldest child to college, with more students soon to follow.

Home Schooling In the News: Home Education and Athletics Make the Perfect Balance

A flexible schedule has proven to be one of home schooling’s most valuable assets. Athletes have found this particularly true as they strive to spend more time dedicated to their sport. In her August 23 article, Jodie Wagner of the Palm Beach Post tells the story of one female gymnast who discovered these benefits.

Parents Taking Charge of Education Matters

In an article posted Tuesday, August 15, 2006, on EastBayRI.com, the author gives a short history of home schooling in the U.S.  The article tells of the support and concerns that always arise in conversations about home education.

Independent Faces of Home Schooling

An article by Erin Pustay, which was posted on IndeOnline.com, follows the experiences of Ohio home school families, each with individual educational methods.

What Are We Teaching?

Some have cited a lack of diversity and too much parental input as a weakness in a home schooler’s education. Parents and friends connected to the home schooling movement refute these claims in a series of blogs posted August 10, 2006 on the The News-Sentinel Website.

High School – Real Life?

You have probably heard it before. “If you choose to not enroll your child in the public high school, then they will miss out on the wonderful ‘real world’ experiences their peers will have.” In her opinion column published in the July 27 issue of the Gilroy Dispatch, Cynthia Walker debunks this mainstream myth.

American Home Schoolers to the Rescue in South Korea’s Churches

Home schooling has advantages for missionaries in the field.

Virginia Laws Make Home Schooling Easier

The home education movement continues to receive recognition across the nation, and as home schoolers participate in the political arena, more freedoms follow. Lindsay Puccio, in a July 20, 2006, Charlottesville Newsplex story, describes some of the latest developments in Virginia.

Candid Grads Reflect on Experience

Kate Tsubata’s article in The Washington Times tells what one family discovered while writing “Straight Talk to Parents & Teens from Homeschool Graduates.” 

Stability Despite Many Moves

Always on the move, military families struggle to find consistent and valuable education for their children. Many are discovering home schooling is the answer. See the washingtontimes.com story.

For Home Schoolers, School Is Already In

Some South Carolina home schoolers tell a reporter about year-round home schooling.

Grad-school Research Paper Yields Interesting Insights

Chris Stucchio tells of a graduate school research paper that yields convincing evidence for home schooling.

Home Schoolers Under Fire

In an article by Alexandra Colen, which appears at brusselsjournal.com, June 20, 2006, the reader sees a chilling account of the effects of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. 

Belgian Prosecuted For “Crime” of Home Schooling

Read this news account of a Belgian father who is being prosecuted for the crime of homeschooling his children.

More Home School Commentary: Winnipeg

In an article appearing March 6, 2006, at winnipeg.com, Lydia Lovric tells why she will choose home schooling for her daughter when she reaches school age.

Moscow: Plucky Parents Choose Home Schooling

An account of home schooling in Russia appears at themoscowtimes.com in this article by Alastair Gee, appearing in the Wednesday, May 24, 2006, edition.

Texas Home Schooler Signs With Cedarville University

Home school student Stephanie Latham became the first athlete from the Texas Home Educators Sports Association to receive an athletic college scholarship.

Brothers Returned to Parents

In an article appearing at canada.com, a story by William Marsden of The Gazette tells of a home school family that has been at the mercy of the state schools and the “experts,” in the care and education of their children.

Home School Graduate Excels in College Football

In some states, home school students are not excluded from public high school participation in sports.  This worked to the advantage of an Iowa home school graduate, Curtis Lilly.  His story and his Christian testimony are covered in a story by Brian Johnson, which appeared May 22, 2006, in the online version of the Ada Evening News.

Home School Graduation

The graduation of a West Point-bound, home school student from Texas is covered in the news.

At 18, Student Earns MBA

Home schooling frees parents and children to pursue what they are able, at whatever speed they can. See this Pennsylvania home school teen’s story.

Home School Mom Takes on Capitol Challenge

Texas home school mom is one of three [wives], since voters approved a Texas constitutional amendment allowing the swap, to serve in her husband's stead when military duty calls.

Pilot electronic education program in Houston ISD

Houston Chronicle reporter, Jennifer Radcliffe, in her news story of the pilot program beginning in Houston ISD, quotes education-choice proponents, public-school supporters, and parents of children in the program.

Indiana Parents, Critics Disagree on Need for Oversight

In an article posted April 5, 2006, on FortWayne.com, the author tells of consideration and rejection of legislation that would require more regulation and oversight of Indiana home educators. 

A Successful Homeschool Family

A Georgia mom successfully homeschools her five daughters and a niece.

Another Case for Home Schooling

Mary Jacobs gives her analysis of the fallacy of feminizing little boys to make them more sensitive. 

School's Out Forever

Daniel Williams with Time South Pacific gives an international update on home schooling and its advocates in Australia, New Zealand, and beyond.

Shrider: Fruits of Home Schooling

Marylee Shrider writes a column that appears twice a week in The Bakersfield Californian. In her March 20, 2006 column, she addresses the question, “What is it about home schooling that gets folks so steamed up?”

Home Schooled Brother, Sister Win Science Honors

Home school teens will represent Southwest Virginia at an international science fair in May.

More [Korean] Parents Choose Home School Option

The Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development estimates that about 1,000 households are home schooling their children. And with 30,000 to 50,000 elementary, middle, and high school students leaving the school system each year, the number of home-schooled children is likely to increase.

New Conservatism:  It's Crunchy

Home Schooling Has Appeal for Several Reasons

Author Marina Sarris tells about the growing number of home schoolers in Maryland and how the number of reasons has grown since the 1990s.

Homeschooling, Sweet Homeschooling

Virginia Law Would Lift Degree Requirement

In an article appearing on March 14, 2006, in dailypress.com, author Georgina Stark states that Virginia is the only state in the U.S. that requires home school teachers to have a college degree.  This may be about to change. 

01-30-06