Black Students Make Up Nearly 10% of the Estimated Two-Million Students Homeschooled Nationwide
http://www.essence.com/lifestyle/parenting/commentary_why_we_choose_to_homeschool.php
Commentary: Why We Homeschool Our Children
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 | 11:50 AM
by Aretha Taggart, as told to Yolanda Sangweni
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.
Albert and Aretha Taggart decided no one could do a better job at educating their four children than they could. So Aretha left her corporate job and began teaching her children at home six years ago. Here she shares why her family made the choice to bring the classroom into their home.
Read more: http://www.essence.com/lifestyle/parenting/commentary_why_we_choose_to_homeschool.php#ixzz0gEPjEQ9P
Resources
National Black Home Educators (NBHE)
The National Black Home Educators is a nationwide organization dedicated to mentoring parents and training youth.
http://www.nbhe.net
Home Educators Association of Virginia (HEAV)
On the “Support” page, HEAV provides listings of Virginia support groups by county and city.
http://www.heav.org/support/index.html
annemiller @ February 27, 2010 | General | Comments (0)
Discounted HSLDA Membership – Now Through the End of February – Save up to $50!
Homeschool Legal Defense Association is offering a $25 discount for new memberships (anyone not currently a member–does not apply for renewals) on their two-year membership plan when you sign up using this link. Offer expires midnight on Sunday, February 28.
Become an HEAV member and save an additional $25! HEAV members save $25 on their HSLDA memberships–that brings your savings up to $50!
When you sign up, write “Affiliate 2294016″ in the space marked “Other” on Section 2, Question B (the question labeled “I received this application from”), and HEAV will receive $20 as well (new members only)!
We recommend homeschooling families join HSLDA. Even if you never experience legal trouble yourself, your HS LDA membership will help enable other homeschooling families to get the legal help they need and will help defend our right to homeschool. Joining HSLDA is a great way to support homeschooling freedoms nationwide and in Virginia at the same time!
Blog @ February 24, 2010 | General | Comments (0)
Homeschooling – Full of Pleasant Surprises!
Below is a letter a homeschool mom in Virginia sent us sharing about a pleasant — and quite unexpected — surprise!
Have your own homeschool stories? Share them here! Send them to kloop@heav.org, or leave them as a comment.
Dear HEAV,
This is one I had to share: Last month we finished studying the postal system and began studying the fire department. We began with how the Pilgrims used the bucket brigade to extinguish fires and so on. My children had questions I could not answer, such as, “How long are the hoses on the trucks? How many forest fires have there been in Virginia this year?” and others.
Instead of looking up the answers for them, I asked them to write a letter to the fire department and see if their questions would be answered. I thought it would be good practice after learning about the postal system. Three weeks passed….
Tuesday afternoon the doorbell rang. I thought something terrible had happened, but instead I was pleasantly surprised. The fire department had come to our front door for an “in-person,” 30-minute, hands-on class (fire truck, ambulance, and four wonderful people). We were so shocked and overwhelmed! They said they would’ve called, but we didn’t include our phone number in the letter. WOW!
We’re working on a HUGE thank-you letter for all four fire fighters.
Note to self: Homeschooling can be full of pleasant surprises, and be careful what you ask your children to do! 8-) Amy Pickett
Blog @ February 3, 2010 | General | Comments (0)