40% of parents say they would choose a regular public school for their child. However, approximately 90% of Virginia’s K-12 students attend regular public schools.[2]- 39% of K-12 parents say they would like to send their child to a private school. In reality, approximately 9% of Virginia’s K-12 students attend private schools.[3]
- 11% of parents in the survey would prefer to homeschool their children. According to data collected by the Virginia Department of Education, close to 2% of school-age children are homeschooled.[4]
- 8% of parents say they would like to send their child to a charter school. Currently there are only three charter schools in operation in Virginia, serving approximately 190 students.[5]
- YOU OR YOUR GROUP WILL WIN because this fundraiser, unlike many others, is low-maintenance and highly profitable.
- HOMESCHOOLING WINS because $2 of every sale will go towards helping HEAV continue to support and equip homeschoolers across Virginia.
- THE MERCHANTS WIN because their business increases and the revenue remains in the local community.
- THE CUSTOMER WINS by purchasing a card that recoups its purchase price after only one or two uses.
- They also make nice, affordable stocking stuffers for Christmas or birthday and Christmas cards.
Keeping Focused on the Mission (Part 2)
[This is a sequel to "A New Year’s Thought – Keeping Focused on the Mission."]
Last week, I wrote about keeping intent on the mission God has given to us as Christians. All week long, I’ve been trying to write the sequel. And all week long, I’ve had the hardest time keeping focused on the mission myself!
One night I felt particularly frustrated. I’d worked hard all day, but it seemed I had gotten nothing done at all. Here I was, starting to paint the office at 7 p.m. when I was supposed to have begun right after lunch. In the back of my mind, I also knew a seemingly never-ending pile of work still needed done.
I plugged in a sermon and began painting. As I listened, I grew more and more convicted. My problem became clear: my eyes were on me. My failure to keep focused on the Lord and His mission had expressed itself in my being short with my mom, brother, and several other dear people, not to mention feeling like giving up and hiding my head in a hole like an ostrich.
Lesson for the week: Part of keeping focused on the mission has to do with continually surrendering our own plans and desires and remembering we’re not here for us!
Katherine Loop @ January 13, 2010 | General | Comments (0)
The Harms of Homeschooling? Where Are the Premises?
Dr. Brian Ray recently released an article examining claims made by Robin West in her “The Harms of Homeschooling.” Dr. Ray examines each of West’s seven claims, which include educational, economic, and political harms, pointing out the lack of evidence for each one. Ultimately, he makes the case that it all boils down to a worldview: Who should decide what’s best for children, parents or the state?
Here is how he describes the article’s purpose:
“The purpose of this article is twofold, to show that the “harms of homeschooling” that West alleges basically have no foundation in research evidence and to note that West’s proposal for the state to control homeschool parents and their children is based on a worldview that it antithetical to one held by a significant portion of Americans.”
Read “The Harms of Homeschooling? Where Are the Premises?” here.
annemiller @ January 13, 2010 | General | Comments (0)
A New Year’s Thought – Keeping Focused on the Mission
This past weekend, our family headed off on a “fieldtrip” to the pentagon. As we wandered through the hallways, I was struck by the care each branch of the military had taken to convey its history and mission through various displays. One Army display particularly grabbed my attention: I will always place the mission first.
Always place the mission first. A good soldier lives — and dies — for his mission. He doesn’t let hunger, fatigue, fear, personal agendas, or anything else distract him from the mission.
The thought of placing the mission first struck a chord because our family had been examining and discussing missions and goals for the New Year. We’d also recently heard a sermon that pointed out that God has given all of us mission statements in His Word. He’s told us to trust, love, and rest in Him. To rejoice always. To serve one another in love.
Now here was the mission theme once again, this time with a soldier analogy. I walked away from the display with a thousand thoughts whirling through my head. God calls us soldiers too. What mission were we to place first? What mission has He called us to as Christians? Could other missions — even good missions — be keeping us from that? How do we keep focused on His mission? How do we live trusting, loving, and resting in Him? What would it look like if we did?
More to come next week!
Katherine Loop @ January 6, 2010 | General | Comments (0)
Strong Support for School Choice
- By Yvonne Bunn, HEAV director of homeschool support and legislative affairs
Although 90% of Virginia’s school-age population attend government schools, many families would change that if they could.
According to a newly released study, School Choice Survey: Virginia’s Opinion on K-12 Education and School Choice (released by the Friedman Foundation in November 2009), Virginia parents support educational freedom and school choice.
39% of the parents with children in public school would choose another form of education, while 40% are satisfied with their child’s education. The survey results reveal a major disconnect between the preferences of parents and actual school enrollments.[1]
The survey also reveals many parents have succumbed to the “not-my-school” syndrome. The same survey participants who believe there are problems with the government-run system don’t think things are as bad in their child’s school as in other schools. 62% of Virginians believe their school is “good” or “excellent.” But if given the chance to send their children to a private or charter school, or to homeschool, then 54% said they would make a change. Residents in Northern Virginia shared the most positive views of government schools (70%).
Interestingly, the survey indicates a majority (65%) of tax-paying survey participants underestimate how much it costs to educate public school children in Virginia. 19% believe it costs less than $3,000, and 28% believe it costs between $3,001 and $6,000. In reality, the average cost to educate a child in Virginia in 2007 was close to $12,000 per student.
The entire survey can be reviewed here.
[1] The subgroup “K-12 Parents” makes up 31% of the total survey sample (n=367).
[2] Regular public school enrollment (2007-2008) obtained from the Virginia Department of Education (VDE): http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/dbpubs/Fall_Membership/2007/readme.htm.
[3] Private school enrollment estimate obtained from Stephen Broughman, Nancy Swaim, and Patrick Keaton, Characteristics of Private Schools in the United States: Results From the 2007-08 Private School Universe Survey (NCES 2009-313). National Center for Education Statistics, Institute of Education Sciences (U.S. Department of Education. 2009), Table 15.
[4] Homeschooling data from the document posted on the Virginia Department of Education website: http://www.heav.org/assets/files/law/Homeschool-Numbers-2008-2009.pdf.
[5] Virginia’s charter school information obtained on the Virginia Department of Education website: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/Instruction/OCP/charterschools.html.
annemiller @ December 16, 2009 | General | Comments (0)
Earn Extra Money for Christmas, Extracurriculars, Your Support Group or Team — and Support HEAV at the Same Time!
Needing extra cash for the Christmas season…or maybe for extracurricular activities, a sports program, mission trip, band program, or curriculum? Could your support group use a financial boost? Have an entrepreneurial child?
Selling Peel-A-Way cards is a simple and do-able way to raise funds either as an individual or as a group. People love the cards AND you’ll be supporting HEAV at the same time!
How Does It Work?
There are NO up-front costs, risks, storage, or spoilage. You or your group sell Peel-A-Way cards — a credit-card-size coupon card with 32 mini peel-off “Buy-One-Get-One FREE” offers from local merchants. Each card sells for only $12, has a value of over $150, and is good for 12 months or longer. The purchaser saves the cost of the card on the first or second use!
For every Peel-A-Way card you sell, you or your group will make $4, and HEAV will make $2.
Everyone Wins!
Ready to Get Started?
Ten families selling ten cards per family can make $400 for your group! The coupons are good at locations across the state. Just give us a call at 804-278-9200 to request the number of cards you want. The sooner you call, the sooner you can get started raising the extra money you need!
Blog @ November 24, 2009 | General | Comments (0)
A Few More Vaccination Opportunities
The files below contain information on a few more upcoming vaccination opportunities.
Central Region Vaccination Plans as of 11-12-2009
11-12-09 Pediatric Vaccination Clinics
Important Note: HEAV does not recommend or endorse any vaccine. Because homeschoolers fall within the target at-risk group for H1N1 influenza, HEAV is publishing information regarding the availability of the H1N1 vaccine. Vaccination decisions are the responsibility of the parent.
Blog @ November 13, 2009 | General | Comments (0)
H1N1 Scheduled Pediatric Clinics
The files below contain information from the Virginia Department of Health regarding upcoming pediatric clinics.
11-10-09 Pediatric Vaccination Clinic Info – Primary List (2)
New River Health District Clinic Schedule
Rappahannock-Rapidan Press Release
Blog @ November 11, 2009 | General | Comments (0)
Washington Times Op-ed—Lawyer Inspired Peers to Fight On
[Editor's Note: We came across this op-ed in an HSLDA e-newsletter, and felt you would appreciate reading it.]
by J. Michael Smith
HSLDA President
Christopher J. Klicka, senior counsel and director of state and international relations for the Home School Legal Defense Association, died Oct. 12 in Colorado Springs. His death is a tremendous loss.
Chris started full time with HSLDA in 1985 after graduating from law school. During an internship, he researched the laws of all 50 states as they related to the right to homeschool. His treatise, Home Schooling in the United States: A Legal Analysis, which is updated regularly, is the leading authority summarizing the 50 states’ laws.
Chris is survived by his wife, Tracy, and their seven children. Although he died at the very young age of 48 after a 15-year battle with multiple sclerosis, Chris achieved more than most people ever will. For 24 years, he fought valiantly on behalf of homeschool freedom and intervened on behalf of thousands of families to establish their right to teach their children at home. Not only did he fight for homeschool freedom in the courtroom, he helped draft legislation that recognized the right of parents to teach their children at home in dozens of states and testified before numerous legislatures.
He lobbied Congress on behalf of homeschoolers to level the playing field in the military, colleges and universities; as well as issues regarding educational grants and benefits, Social Security and veterans benefits. Through his advocacy, homeschoolers were exempted from requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act, a law that could have allowed the federal government to regulate homeschooling.
Because of his interactions with departments of social services as a result of child abuse and neglect investigations, he became an advocate to protect families from abuses by these agencies. He helped write legislation that amended the Child Abuse and Protection and Treatment Act (CAPTA) to establish the right of parents and guardians.
He also persuaded Congress to require that all social workers and police officers be trained on the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable search and seizure.
Not only was Chris an outstanding advocate for parental rights and homeschool freedom, but he was an even better person. As the MS took an ever-increasing toll, he continued to travel to homeschool conferences around the country, bringing a message of hope and encouragement. He informed the homeschool community that through faith in God, one can do all things.
Many times he could barely stand, gripping the podium to deliver a message that lifted the spirits of thousands of homeschool moms and dads. After all, if Chris could do the things he was doing every day, certainly they could overcome their petty problems and fulfill the calling in their life to teach their children at home.
The homeschooling movement has lost a giant in our struggle for freedom and acceptance. No one individual has done more to bring about the freedom to homeschool in the United States and around the world. Chris also had a heart for international homeschooling and was responsible for starting organizations similar to HSLDA in other countries. His enthusiasm and advocacy for homeschooling is expressed through his books and other writings, and thousands of families homeschool as a result of reading one of his books, hearing him speak at a conference, or getting personal encouragement from him to get started and keep going.
Despite his death, Chris’ legacy will live on. Those of us who worked with him daily, and the thousands of families that have interacted with him through his writing, speaking and counseling, will continue his legacy as we’re challenged by his determination to never give up no matter how difficult the circumstances appear.
Chris had many great character traits, but perhaps the greatest was his love for God, which was reflected in his love for his wife and children. The example he gave through his life and through his death is indelibly placed in the hearts of all of us who knew and loved him. His vision of freedom for families to homeschool will never die in our hearts as we vow to carry that same determination forward to protect and advance the precious right of families to teach their children at home.
Michael Smith is the president of the Home School Legal Defense Association. He may be contacted at (540)338-5600; or send email to media@hslda.org.
annemiller @ November 11, 2009 | General | Comments (0)
H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine Clinic for Richmond City Homeschoolers
Important Note: HEAV does not recommend or endorse any vaccine. Because homeschoolers fall within the target at-risk group for H1N1 influenza, HEAV is publishing information regarding the availability of the H1N1 vaccine. Vaccination decisions are the responsibility of the parent.
From the Richmond City Health Department:
Beginning, Thursday, October 29, The Richmond City Health Department will be offering an H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine Clinic to children who are being home schooled in Richmond City. Children will be given the LAIV (live attenuated) FluMist which does not require an injection. Children who are immune compromised, have asthma, diabetes, or otherwise and cannot take the nasal FluMist vaccine for medical reasons, will be given the injectable vaccine. Visits are by appointment only. For an appointment please call Tashana Stith at 482-5506. Due to limited quantities of vaccine, this clinic is for Richmond City residents only. The clinic is being held at the Richmond City Health Department office located at 400 East Cary Street, Richmond, Virginia. There is no charge for the vaccine or its administration.
Parents are asked to review the attached information regarding the FluMist vaccine, and complete the Screening Questionnaire and Consent Form prior to their appointment in order to expedite the vaccination process.
Thank You!
Richmond City Health Department
To view a daily updated list of clinics in other areas of the state see http://www.vdh.state.va.us/index.htm.
Attachments:
H1N1-LAIV-final-2.pdf
screeningquestionnaire_flumist.pdf
consent-form.doc
Yvonne Bunn @ November 11, 2009 | General | Comments (0)
H1N1 Influenza Vaccine for Homeschoolers
As the H1N1 vaccine* is arriving at pubic schools for distribution to students, some homeschool parents are asking if their children can also receive the free vaccine from a public school. Many private and homeschooled students have reported being unable to receive the vaccine, while a limited number of other parents have had no problem.
HEAV contacted the Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources and the Virginia Department of Education to quickly resolve this matter. Michelle Vucci, director of policy for the Virginia Department of Education, was sympathetic to homeschool parents, and suggested they contact their local health department to determine distribution policies at the local level. She also recommended parents contact their local school. HEAV has had no official response from the state health department, but some local health officials urged parents to check with their primary-care physicians.
Parents who choose to have their children vaccinated* will be required to supply personal information that will be compiled in a statewide database that may be linked to a national database.
Virginia has received only about five percent of the state’s requested order for H1N1 vaccine, and at the present time, availability is sporadic in schools and health departments.
For information about the H1N1 shot or inactivated vaccine, visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines/Pubs/vis/downloads/vis-inact-h1n1.pdf.
For state and national information, visit www.vdh.state.va.us/index.htm or www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu.
*Important Note: Vaccinations are a controversial issue. Because homeschoolers fall within the target at-risk group for H1N1 influenza, HEAV is requesting information regarding equal access to the vaccine for homeschoolers. HEAV does not recommend or endorse any vaccine. Vaccination decisions are the responsibility of the parent.
Yvonne Bunn @ October 27, 2009 | General | Comments (0)