Homeschooling and Choice

Here's a great editorial on school choice: "Keep the option of single-sex ed." Some quotes:

Students are less concerned with impressing the opposite sex and are free to explore educational interests that they might otherwise ignore in a standard, coed environment.

Critics of single-sex education argue that socializing, especially between genders, should be an integral part of education.

One point in the debate is clear: Single-sex education isn't for everyone – thus the requirement that such programs remain voluntary.

Yet given that single-sex education is probably better for some kids and not for others, it seems that parents, and not the ACLU, are best positioned to make the decision about what learning environment would be best for their children.

Indeed, on several measures, support for greater choice in education is growing. Parents, in large number, are tired of the same one-size-fits-all public education system. They crave more flexibility and control over where, and under what circumstances, their children are taught.

If the recent debate in Kentucky teaches us anything, it isn't that single-sex education is good or bad, but that we desperately need more choice in education.

Replace the "single-sex education" with "home education" and voila, you get the same message: choice (by parents [and students]) is always a good thing.

Copyright 2008, DannyHSDad, All Rights Reserved.

Homeschooling in California: Illegal or not?

There's been some uproar over the decision made by California Court of Appeals recently on a case of "homeschoolers." LA Times had a sensational article titled "Ruling seen as a threat to many home-schooling families: State appellate court says those who teach children in private must have a credential." But if you take a step back, there is no need to panic: "Homeschooling is NOT Imperiled in California." (hat tip to LRC blog).

In sum: homeschoolers, TAKE A BREATH. You are not about to be criminally charged for choosing to educate your children at home, as the LA Times and the various commentators I mentioned above imply. You can still homeschool your kids, assuming that you can pass a criminal background check and aren't totally incompetent. The lawyers for these parents and homeschool advocates all over the state are gleefully watching all the outrage this has stirred up, but I think they should be ashamed of themselves for terrifying the parents of homeschooled children.

We should all keep in mind that outrage is fun, but not necessarily harmless.

Those parents who are absolutely freaked out about this case and its implications should go here for more information on homeschooling your child under the private school exemption. I suggest you be sure and read numbers 12-14.

And if you read what Department of California says, it's not too hard to be compliant with the law. (More or less: since law is always subject to interpretation.)

Copyright 2008, DannyHSDad, All Rights Reserved.

Back to Normal and misc.

School started this week. Sort of. We've chosen to get into normal school curricula via A Beka. My older son has tried their DVD course the past few months and it seems to work well enough so we've ordered the whole set for this school year (9th grade). And our younger son will be taking 7th grade A Beka, too.

As much as I'm pro-unschooling, my wife isn't comfortable managing and keeping good records of mishmash of textbooks and curricula, especially if we are to give opportunities for our sons to get into college (still working on her that college is overrated and unnecessary). And going with a full curricula, gives her, at least, a peace of mind (keep in mind that she grew up in Japan and going to school was the only way to officially "learn" and she followed the script pretty well.]

And since I have a regular full time job, there is no way I can do that for her. I'm more serious about starting my own business but I'm still not willing to "cut the umbilical cord" from mothership corporation (health care insurance, steady pay, etc.). I have started to tinker with programming but no progress to report (I'll start blogging in dannytech once I have something).

As for the market, I'm now back in the black but no real change: 60% short and 40% cash.

Copyright 2007, DannyHSDad, All Rights Reserved.

More Misc: Market, Home Education, Dodge, etc.

It seems that Mr. Market had a fake out on Monday but continued the downward trend today. I've put in some more short orders (now DXD) to get my net worth 60% short (40% cash). The market may go up and down for the short term but with the various investment banks having credit problems and many hedge funds blowing up, along with imploding mortgage lenders, the trend for the economy is very negative and the asset bubble will deflate sooner or later. We may not be at the very top but we're very close in my opinion and matter of time when things start to unwind either bit by bit or via a market crash(es).

We're signing up with a local church to be associated with their home educational program here in Orange County so we'll see how that goes. My wife wants to sign up our sons to CBS for teens so we'll see how that goes too.

As for our Dodge RAM, my wife and I put in the window film for it, but we didn't do a good job. It's a bit ugly in the application but I'm willing to live with it. Oh well....

We'll be on vacation the next few weeks so don't expect much posting nor commenting!

Copyright 2007, DannyHSDad, All Rights Reserved

Why Public Schools Promote Hate

"Teaching Hostility" by John Markley is a great article on why public school promotes hate. It's because tax money is used to teach something to children and when we have plurality of values, it's impossible to teach that something which everyone can agree to. That is, majority values are not what I necessary want my children to be taught. So, in the public schools, people get up and arms over creation vs evolution, prayer or not, sex ed or not, religion, Christian words and ideas, etc. And ensuing PR (public relations) campaign, legislative movements, lawsuits, etc.

All because tax money is used to educate our children.

Without forced education, people would spend their money on what they want for their children and will vote with their feet (and dollars). Of course, we've chosen to teach ourselves, but that's an option most people still will not consider....

Copyright 2007, DannyHSDad, All Rights Reserved.