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The freedom of homeschooling options continues to become more flexible in the U.S. A high value is placed an children having an education that best fits their needs. Governments around the world don't share the same feeling. There are countries in Europe that are threatening parents who home school to fines and imprisonment. Here is an excerpt of the article. If you'd like to read the rest, please click on the link below.


"A June 11 report on home education in England by Graham Badman, former managing director of Children, Families and Education in the County of Kent, makes the case that homeschooling should be extensively regulated. More troubling, the report has been accepted in full by British Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families Ed Balls.

The underlying philosophy behind Mr. Badman’s conclusion is based upon children’s rights contained in the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child, which came into force in Britain on Jan. 15, 1992. Mr. Badman contends that current homeschool law, which is very similar to many homeschool laws in America, does not address children’s education needs or protect the child from harm by the parents.

The U.N. Convention would give children more than 40 “fundamental” rights, including the right to express their views freely, the right to be heard in any legal or administrative matter that affects them, and the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas. Mr. Badman is urging that England make it possible for children to form their own views and express themselves freely in all matters affecting them, including how they are being raised and what form of education they are receiving.

Who will decide the conflict between the rights of the child and the responsibility of the parents? The child, the parents? the government?

http://www.hslda.org/docs/news/washingtontimes/200906290.asp

Help!!

This week was a tough week for Kate. Math isn't her favorite subject and as much as I want to keep avoiding the lessons, I know the material has to be taught. So what's a parent to do when it seems progress is impossible? First of all, remember that not every day is a good day. Even the best college professors at Harvard have had days that feel unsuccessful.

Not many of my friends and colleagues home school their kids so it’s hard for me to express my feelings to them. They just simply don’t understand. My husband suggested I get connected to a support group. I remember hearing about these groups during a homeschooling convention but didn’t put much thought into it. Actually, I thought the idea was silly. I was so busy with working part time, managing a household/teaching that it just seemed like a waste of time. But honestly, I’m glad I gave it a try. To my surprise there are many organizations out there where the people are helpful and informative and were able to relate to what I was going through. I’ve made a lot of friends who help me stay grounded during stressful times such as these. We meet at least once a week to recuperate and share the best and worst moments of our week. Here is a link to some of the support groups in New Jersey. The hardest part is finding time for the initial call or visit. Get connected, you won’t regret it.

Support groups in NJ http://www.homeschoolcentral.com/support/new_jersey_homeschool.htm

For those reading from a different state, feel free to share the state you’re located in and I’ll be happy to provide support groups in your area.

Interview with an Educator

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwPMIysUgW8

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