Educating at home

". . . the moral strength of a nation is only as strong as the moral strength of its individuals." Eric Sloane

"If we want better people to make a better world,
then we will have to begin where people are made

--- in the family."¹

In the last century families have undergone constant and ever increasing degeneration and disintegration. Divorced, broken and single parent homes have been linked with an increase in under achievement, antisocial behavior, suicide and violence [the Broken Family].

Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. Ezekiel 16:49

The sin of Sodom and Gamorrah was in part that they did not strengthen the poor. The poor did not mean those who were poor financially but also poor in virtue. Any athlete will tell you that you need to exercise your muscles to stay fit. If you don't use it you loose it. Virtues like faith, hope and charity, patience, love and understanding are the muscles of the character of mankind. It is in the virtues that we are made in the image of God. We must exercise these spiritual muscles or loose them and the best place to begin is within the family.

... the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and [that] they may teach their children. Deuteronomy 4:10

The idea of mass institutionalized education is a modern phenomena. It has been a social experiment whose result will be judged in the centuries to come. We live today in a time of decision. We must consider the viability, practicality and wisdom of education in institutions other than the family.

God created the family and education was the right and responsibility of the family as a unit. Today, the system of institutional education is often under attack for all the social ills of society. Accusations of a moral breakdown, dumbing down of educational requirements, test manipulation, lack of discipline are common enough. But is it the responsibility of schools to accomplish the job of what was once the exclusive realm of the family and parents?

Have parents neglected their God given rights and responsibilities by turning their children over to institutions rather than directly handling their children's education and moral upbringing?

Homeschooling children has also become a modern phenomena that is overturning faith in institutional education. Over 2,000,000 children are being home taught today. The Homeschool growth rate is from 7% to 15% per year.

Why home school

One of the first and foremost reasons for homeschooling is the desire of concerned parents to teach deeply held beliefs and values to children. Many values, beliefs and principles brought down through the ages are now banned from public schools. Although children may be exposed to these principles in other ways the bulk of their learning is devoid of these precepts.

Secondly a close family relationship is maintained in the daily activity of teaching your children at home. These bonds and the self sacrifice required in homeschooling send a positive message of concern to children. Sending your children to others to obtain an education is sending the psychological message that the parent is less than adequate to teach their children at the earliest stages of mental development.

Some people say in defense of this that they only want what is best for their children. If this is true then even more parents should began to homeschool there children based on the evidence now in from those who have already done so.

On average they score 30% higher than public school children and also score higher than private school children. Some believe that the high scores by home taught individuals is due to the education of their parents. Although it is true many professional teachers do homeschool their children did not score higher than low income or average middle class parents.

Dr. Steven Duvall compared the academic engaged time (AET) and basic skill development of learning disabled students who were home educated to those in public school special education programs. Higher rates of AET and greater academic gains were made by the home educated. "... parents, even without special education training, provided powerful instructional environments at home..." (p. 11).¹

When examined and compared for college academic preparedness and college academic achievement, Dr. Rhonda Galloway found that the home educated performed as well or better than public school or conventional Christian school students .²

Social Myths

According to studies by Dr. Taylor (1986), Dr. Montgomery (1989), Dr. Johnson (1991), Dr. Shyers (1992), it was concluded that home educators carefully address the socialization needs of their children. The home schooled are as well adjusted socially as their institutionalized counterparts, however, they are less peer dependent than the private school students (Delahooke, 1986). The home educated have significantly lower problem behavior scores than do their conventional school counterparts. The home educated have much more positive self-concepts.

Dr. Gary Knowles, of the University of Michigan, interviewed adults who were home educated. None were unemployed and none were on welfare, 94% said home education prepared them to be independent persons, 79% said it helped them interact with individuals from different levels of society, and they strongly supported the home education method.³

And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. Deuteronomy 6:7

The honorable choice

From purely religious view point the integrity of homeschoolers to abide by the Commandments and the principles of the Bible in not coveting the general funds collected by taxation should be commended. They instead take on the full responsibility and right to raise and teach their children as granted by God.

Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any [thing] that [is] thy neighbour's. Deuteronomy 5:21

In Oregon alone in 1997, it appeared that homeschooling had a savings to the taxpayers of at least $61 million per year.⁴ And commendably the average homeschooling families have no desire for access to tax-funded resources. Their children are learning well, they do not need or want more state regulation and will strongly oppose it, and the parents will not likely be coaxed into more regulation by the lure of offered services.

Because of these basic attitudes and their marked success it is no wonder that Patricia Lines of the U. S. Dept. of Education concluded that home education families " have not turned their backs on the broader social contract as understood at the time of the Founding [of America]. [They are] asserting their historic individual rights so that they may form more meaningful bonds with family and community. In doing so, they are not abdicating from the American agreement. To the contrary, they are affirming it."⁵

And, ye fathers, ... bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.Ephesians 6:4

Below we include a number of resources for you to examine and study. All the curriculums available may not be what you want or can afford or choose to follow. There are many ways to proceed. No two children are the same and no single method to teach them can be established. Each family should work out their own plan but there is help available and support groups, email lists commercial and not commercial aids to assist you in what can be the most rewarding task of your life.

Education: digging deeper.

You might find it of interest to read an article on this web site as to how schools have been used to change the way Americans view history and therefore see the present. You may have been deceived.
Schools as tools

Also: Charlotte Thomson Iserbyt has written "the deliberate dumbing down of america" ...a chronological paper trail (714 pp, 8-1/2"x11"). I have not seen a copy of this book but I suspect it is informative.

Links to aid your family in the quest for education

Schooling Curriculum Reviews and Archives
"The Original Curriculum Reviews Site"

Alpha Omega Publications - has been providing homeschool curriculum since 1977. Switched-on Schoolhouse if a CD-ROM format for grades 3-12. Lifepac Gold curriculum is work text units divided by subject and grade. Horizons curriculum is designed for elementary-age students to provide a foundation in math and language. Weaver is a unit study based curriculum. Alpha Omega Academy for grades K-12 provides teaching support and administrative service.
Phone - 1-800-3070
Website - http://www.aop.com/

Home school curriculum
Http://www.aop.com/HomeSchool/

Homeschool - Your Virtual Home School - Homeschool.com
Homeschool.com - Your Virtual Home School Homeschooling Resources Homeschool.com - Your Virtual Home School New to Homeschooling? Subscribe Message Boards Past Articles Click Learning Your Advisors Resource Guide JASON At-Home Online Courses ... Http://www.homeschool.com/

Rod and Staff Publishers - was founded in 1958 by Virginia based Mennonites, publishing their first Bible Reader Series in 1963. Their curriculum reflects the dress and lifestyles of rural Mennonite living. They are in the textbook publishing business and do not offer accreditation, placement tests or high-school diplomas. They do provide free sample curriculum for each grade level and have designed curriculum programs for each grade.
Rod and Staff Publishers, Inc.
P.O.Box 3, 14193 Hwy 172
Crockett, Ky 41413-0003
Phone - 606-522-4348
Fax - 800-643-1244
The Unofficial Page for Rod and Staff Publishers
Http://www.anabaptists.org/ras/

Christian Liberty Press - offers curriculum kits for each grade level K-12. Subject texts can also be ordered individually. They offer three plan: CLASS Plan which provides complete curriculum plus testing and custom curriculum design, grading of school work, maintenance of academic records, diploma, graduation ceremony and assistance in dealing with school authorities. Family Plan provides the above less customer service, grading, recordsCurriculum Kits provide just the curriculum needed.
502 West Euclid Ave
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
Phone - 847-259-4444
E-Mail - custserv@homeschools.org
Http://clpress.hpwebhost.com

The Elijah Company - offers a large selection of books that have been used and approved by the Davis family, owners and operators, and trusted family friends. They are not a big company but their inventory is quality. Their catalog offers teaching tips, helpful hint, and curriculum suggestions. It's much more than just a catalog!
1053 Eldridge Loop
Crossville, TN 38571
Phone - 1-888-235-4524
Http://www.elijahco.com/index.html

Sonlight Curriculum, Ltd. Home Schooling Education For K12 - emphasis if a strong liberal arts and hard sciences basis. It is highly structured and the teacher/parent and student must love to read as this is a literature based curriculum. The lessons come with complete day by day instructions. Most of their "Basic" programs which included Bible, History, Readers, and Read-Alouds, can be used by a broad range of ages. Programs are also available in Language Art, Science and Math/Home schooling curriculum for Pre-K through 12th grade . Homeschool books, supplies, and literature-based curriculum, all subjects. Worldwide FREE shipping. 8-week risk-free trial.
Sonlight Curriculum
8042 South Grant Way
Littleton, CO 80122
Phone - 303-730-6292
Fax - 303-795-8668
E-Mail - main@sonlight.com Http://www.sonlight-curriculum.com/

Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc. - provides quality junior and senior high science curriculum. Laboratory equipment, CD-ROMs and internet courses are also offered. Their textbooks are written in conversational tone.
1106 Meridian Plaza, Suite 220
Anderson, IN 46016
Phone - 888-524-4724
E-Mail - mailbag@highschoolscience.com

Website -http://www.highschoolscience.com/

Timberdoodle Co. - A great supplemental catalog of learning tools; puzzles, Fischertechnik, science kits and games, thinking tools, math aid, Calculadder, art lessons and supplies, music skills, historical fiction and more.
1510 East Spenser Lake Road
Shelton, WA 98584
Phone - 360-426-0672
Http://www.timberdoodle.com

Homeschool Central - all of the resources needed to homeschool your children
Homeschool Central is the place for homeschoolers and those http://homeschoolcentral.com/

Homeschool World: "The World's Most Visited Homeschool Site" The latest homeschooling news, articles, organizations, events, Homeschool Mall, and much, much more! Http://www.home-school.com/

ADPRIMA - home schooling information and links to great sites
http://www.adprima.com/home.htm

INTERNET HOME SCHOOL
a direct online k-12 instructional service for home schoolers with staff in L.A. and DFW.
Http://www.internethomeschool.com/ The Home School Internet Resource Center - 1-800-863-1474

Help and Resources for the Home School and Private School Community - We Make Home Schooling Easy
http://www.rsts.net/home/home.html

Homeschool With A Purpose is dedicated to helping you to bring up your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. We offer homeschool curriculums as well as an abundance of links, information and merchandise.
Http://www.homes-cool.com/HOMESCHOOLWITH/Home_Pagex.html

Seton Home Study School
Important: "Your Online Info" has been replaced by "My Seton" on our main menu. We have designed this web page to support the mission of Seton Home Study School, to help parents with the Catholic education of their children, in all subject areas, in grades kindergarten through high school. Http://www.setonhome.org/

Robinson Self-Teaching Homeschool Curriculum
Printing with the Robinson Curriculum has never been easier and less expensive. We recommend you check out this new DUPLEX laser printer from Brother. Printing with the Robinson Curriculum has never been easier and less expensive. We recommend you check...
Http://www.robinsoncurriculum.com/

The Foundation for American Christian Education - Christian School and Homeschool Curricula
For Christian Education, Christian school and homeschool books and curricula based on the Principle Approach of America's founders, visit the Foundation for American Christian Education.
Http://www.face.net/

Accelerated Christian Education dba SCHOOL OF TOMORROW
Accelerated Christian Education (ACE or A.C.E.)dba School of Tomorrow publishes K-12 Biblically-based academic curriculum and develops programs for home schools, Christian schools, private schools, and public schools.
http://www.schooloftomorrow.com/

CEM is now Religious Education services
The Christian Education Movement has now joined together with the National Christian Education Council to form a new charity called Christian Education. A subsidiary of this new company called Religious Education Services is now handling all former CEM...
Http://www.cem.org.uk/

OCEANetwork Web page
Oregon Christian Home Education Association Network provides information and services to homeschoolers in Oregon and those interested in finding out about Christian homeschooling in Oregon. Please browse our pages for more information. In 1999, the...
Http://www.oceanetwork.org/

Classical Christian Homeschooling: Classical Education at Home
Classical education and its practical application in grades K-12 for homeschooling families.
Http://www.classicalhomeschooling.org/

TEACH - The Education Association of Christian Homeschoolers
The purpose of The Education Association of Christian Homeschoolers (TEACH) is to further the interests of home education of children by their parents. To accomplish this, TEACH provides services and information to homeschooling families and support...
Http://www.teachct.org/

Escondido Tutorial Service classical Christian education homeschool home-school great books homeschooling home-schooling literature
http://www.gbt.org/

Harmonic Vision -- Makes learning music fun! Music Ace is a Music Education Software that brings music to life! Learning music will never be the same! Learning the ABC's of music is as easy as Do-Re-Mi! The award-winning Music Ace Series unlocks your child's hidden potential, makes mastering the essentials FUN and cultivates a life-long love of music! There's no...
Http://www.harmonicvision.com/

eNASCO On-Line Catalogs Catalogs for education, agriculture, early childhood, nutrition,
http://www.homeschool-nasco.com/

AUSTRALIAN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
The Australian Christian Academy is an educational institution in the State of Queensland offering curriculum and support to Home School families around Australia and the South Pacific region. Nearly three thousand home educated students are currently using the A.C.E./School of Tomorrow curriculum with the Australian Christian Academy.
Http://www.aceaustralia.com.au/aca.html

Legal Defense

Home School Legal Defense Association - An annual membership fee provides you with unlimited legal advice and representation, if needed, on issues pertaining to home schooling, dealings with local school authorities, and social services on issues regarding parental rights and home schooling.
Phone - 540-338-5600
Fax - 540-338-2733>
http://www.hslda.org/

Testing and Evaluation Service

Bob Jones University Press Testing and Evaluation Service - They offer a variety of standardized tests including The Iowa Test of Basic Skills and The CogAT Diagnostic Test. If your child has been in public school it is advisable to test them upon withdrawal to document where they are academically.
BJUP Testing Service
Greenville, SC 29614-0001
Phone - 800-845-5731
http://www.bjup.com/index.html

Book Resources

Homeschooling the Early Years by Linda Dobson, Prima Publishing (1999).
ISBN #0-7615-2028-7Covers the aspects of learning reading, writing, arithmetic and more for 3-8 year olds

Homeschooling the Middle Years by Shari Henry, Prima Publishing (2000).
ISBN #0-7615-2092-9. Discusses approaches to teaching the 8-12 year old.

Homeschooling the Teen Years by Cafi Cohen. Prima Publishing (2000). ISBN # 0-7615-2093-7 Covers a general picture of what's available for teaching 13-19 year olds. Also Homeschoolers' College Prep Handbook by Cafi Cohen. Prima Publishing (2000). ISBN # 0-7615-2513-0

Big Book of Home Learning by Mary Pride. The home-schooling "encyclopedias" on teaching tips, helpful advice, and product reviews. Volume 1 covers major home school methods and shat you'll need to get started. Volume 2 reviews products through 6^th grade. Volume 3 covers the options for grades 7-12 plus college admission.

http://www.home-school.com/catalog/pages/bigbook.php3

Christian Home Educator's Curriculum Manual by Cathy Duffy. Recommends the best teaching materials based on the type of learner your child is. Volume 1 covers preschool and elementary. Volume 2 for Junior and Senior High.

Teaching the Trivium by Harvey and Laurie Bluedorn. Explains the classical style of education.
http://www.triviumpursuit.com/index.htm

The Unschooling Handbook by Mary Griffith. Input and advice from unschooling families. Http://educationreformbooks.net/whole_world.htm

The Relaxed Home School by Mary Hood. Schooling in an unstructured way with an eclectic approach rather than prepackaged curricula. Http://www.relaxedhomeschool.com/

'The Homeschooling Revolution' More and more parents in the U.S. are discovering that the government schools are failing their children, leading to an marked increase in the number of home-schooling families. If you're considering taking such a step, find out more about home schooling with Isabel Lyman's overview of the movement, "The Homeschooling Revolution."
"The Homeschooling Revolution" is available at ShopNetDaily:
http://www.shopnetdaily.com/store/item.asp?ITEM_ID=245
To view our entire collection of home-schooling books, go to:
http://www.shopnetdaily.com/store/SubDept.asp?DEPARTMENT_ID=6∓mp;SUBDEPARTMENT_ID=16

WorldNetDaily News Alert service. customerservice@worldnetdaily.com

The Pittsburgh East Suburban Homeschoolers' Association (PESHA)

Common Teaching Approaches and Related Resources

http://members.aol.com/peshaorg/teachappr.html

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3. HOMESCHOOLERS GIVEN GOOD REPORT

Over the past twenty years, parents have increasingly seen home schooling as the best alternative to the cultural war zones of many public schools. The first generation of these homeschoolers are now adults, and J. Gary Knowles, a researcher from the University of Toronto, has made efforts to determine how parents have done in preparing these youngsters for adult life. His conclusions have been quite positive.

Many educators have argued that home schooling does not sufficiently prepare students for the complex demands of the adult world, and warn against poor socialization. Knowles, however, has determined that the average home educated student may actually be better prepared for adult life than traditionally educated counterparts. Based on extensive interviews, he has found that these students tend to be more mature, self-motivated and responsible. When faced with the college experience, homeschoolers are better at staying focused and dealing well with the pressures of college life. While Knowles had concerns that home-schooled students are not exposed to as much cultural diversity as other students, he found that homeschoolers were not socially deprived. He asks, "Where did we ever get the idea that 2,000 13-year-olds were the ideal people with which to socialize other 13-year-olds?" He also testifies that these adults experienced far less conflict with their parents during the teen years. Home-schooled teens tend to have close, honest relationships with parents and siblings.

Beyond the concerns of negative peer pressure, violence and questionable education methods in public schools, many parents have opted for home schooling so that they can better know their kids, and can better individualize the school day to fit the needs of each child. Many parents have chosen to help their special needs or gifted children study at their own pace, with the freedom to focus on topics of special interest. For other children, the flexibility of home schooling has allowed them to pursue particular skills - like golf or ice skating. The results have been encouraging, as the average home-schooled student has scored higher on standardized tests than conventional school counterparts, according to the Home School Legal Defense Association.

There are imperfections in home schooling as well, of course. Excessively demanding or extremely slack parents can make for a poor home school experience. Some children may have parents who are just not good at teaching. However, parents who home school generally care most about giving their children quality education, and enjoying their kids' company. Many homeschoolers who are now adults say they wouldn't have had it any other way.

RELATED LINKS:

First Wave of Homeschoolers Comes of Age - Fox News:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,49573,00.html

More Parents Choose Home Schooling For Their Kids - Florida Today:
http://www.floridatoday.com/! NEWSROOM/localstoryA17189A.htm>

Encouraging Test Scores - Home School Legal Defense Assoc.:
http://www.hslda.org/courtreport/v16n5/v16n512.asp

Enterprising Teen Starts His Own Bookstore - Star Tribune:
http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/2227632.html

Home Schooling Panel Discussion - Koinonia House:
http://www.khouse.org/misslerreport/personal/19991011-4.html

Other sources

Focus on the Family

Focus on the FamilyNews Poll: Home-schooling Gains Acceptance
By Mark Cowan, correspondent "Not only is home-schooling becoming more common, it's also gaining wider acceptance as being good for the nation."

Http://www.family.org/cforum/fnif/news/a0018718.html

Study Praises Home-Schooling
By Stuart Shepard, correspondent What is it about home-schooling that leads to success? Home-schoolers do better academically and socially than their public and private school counter parts. That's according to a study by Canada's prestigious Fraser Institute.

Http://www.family.org/cforum/fnif/news/a0018454.html

Homeschooling - While school leaders and educational reformers continue to seek ways to improve education for America's children, one approach continues to deliver the goods: home schooling

Http://www.family.org/cforum/topics/a0018791.cfm

A Focus on the Family Position Statement

Http://www.family.org/cforum/research/papers/a0000975.html

There's No Place Like Home - The evidence is in: home schoolers are excelling across the curriculum.

by Simon J. Dahlman http://www.family.org/fofmag/pf/a0017463.html

Why Parents Choose Home Schooling By Chris Jeub. This article was originally published in Teachers In Focus. Chris Jeub was a public school teacher for seven years in Minnesota and North Dakota before coming to Focus on the Family in 2000. He is now senior Web editor for Focus on the Family.

Http://www.family.org/pplace/schoolkid/a0016163.cfm

Getting Started Home Schooling By Debra Bell. Debra Bell is author of The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling and founder of the Debra Bell Home School Resource Center.

http://www.family.org/pplace/schoolkid/a0016882.cfm

When Your Grandchild is Home SchooledBy Barbara Curtis With an estimated 1.5 million home-schooling families in the United Statesa number growing daily  more and more grandparents face the possibility of joining these illustrious ranks.

Http://www.family.org/focusoverfifty/lifewise/a0013383.html

April 16, 2002

First Generation of Home-Schoolers Hits Workforce By Stuart Shepard, correspondent Smith said some companies like... are actually seeking out home school graduates because of their reputation as good employees.

Http://www.family.org/cforum/fnif/news/a0020363.html

Koinonia House endorsement of homeschooling - Home Schooling Panel Discussion -
http://www.khouse.org/misslerreport/personal/19991011-4.html

Helpful Websites

Homeschool Students Score Better Academically and Socially

Basic Statistics

http://homeschoolfaq.com/homeschooling/homeschool_statistics1.htm

Home Education Magazine - lots of resources, including great message boards! http://www.home-ed-magazine.com

Unschooling.com - essays and message boards on unschooling. http://www.unschooling.com

Loren's Homeschool Page - lots of helpful links by a southern CA homeschool parent. http://home.earthlink.net/~mav1/hschl.htm

A to Z Home's Cool - lots of resources of all types from links to lesson plans. http://www.gomilpitas.com/homeschooling

School Is Dead: Learn in Freedom - a vast array of homeschooling resources, including a very large listing of colleges that have accepted homeschoolers. http://www.learninfreedom.org

World Book Typical Course of Study - a helpful scope ∓mp; sequence for grades K-12. http://www.worldbook.com/ptrc/html/curr.htm

Email Lists

California Homeschool Network (CHN) Sponsored and hosted by the nonprofit homeschooling organization, CHN. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CaliforniaHS

Homeschooling Association of CA (HSC) Sponsored and hosted by the nonprofit homeschooling organization, HSC. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CA-Homeschooling-HSC

California Homeschoolers of Color. New email list for homeschooling families of color in CA. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CAHomeschoolersofColor

Lots of Lists! For an exhaustive and descriptive listing of homeschooling email lists visit the HELM online website. http://www.helmonline.com/pages/res/elists/elistsindex.shtml

¹ Braud's 2nd Enc. by J.M Braud.

² Lesley A. Taylor, 1993

¹ Steven F. Duvall, 1994.

^{2 J. Gary Knowles, 1991}

^{3 J. Gary Knowles, 1991}

⁴ Brian D. Ray, 1997

^{5 Patricia M. Lines, 1993}

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