October 30, 2010 by admin.

GED’s - To take or not to take.

There is one issue that keeps coming to my attention by would-be homeschoolers, or hesitant parents who are thinking about homeschooling. It is the diploma -vs.- GED issue. Parents who have not homeschooled before are sometimes leery of GED, since before the era of homeschooling popularity, having a GED meant you could not pass public school criteria, or that you were a drop-out. Not so in today’s society. GED is not just for ‘losers’ anymore! J So, leaving that aspect and going on to what I would really like to address, lets focus on experienced homeschoolers with children reaching their high school years. The question- Should I allow my child to get a GED?

Most people hope their children will continue to follow the ideas they have been taught as they grow up. That’s the whole purpose in homeschooling, in a way- to (ourselves) mold our children into the adults we believe would benefit the Lord and society in the best possible manner. Most homeschoolers wish that their children would grow up and homeschool their own children, eventually.

To begin homeschooling in the state of WV, you must have a diploma or a GED. Thus, if our children wish to homeschool their own children later, they must have a GED, since WV does not grant diplomas to homeschoolers. (Neither do they accept the credits of most Christian schools if you decide to put him/her in public school. Nor will they accept a Christian school diploma.)

Some people who do not live in a state with said requirement, have expressed that they feel that getting a GED is a bad example to other homeschoolers. They feel that it is a compromise on the part of a homeschooling (especially Christian) family to comply with the status-quo of passing a ‘secular’ (in this case) standardized test.

Some of the main arguments for this thinking are:

1. The relinquishment of parental rights must always be guarded against when dealing with civil and educational government standards.

2. As Christians we are told to ‘come out from among them and be ye separate’. (2 Cor 6:14-17)

3. We should never put our children into situations which we think may be harmful to their spiritual well-being.

4. It may be a flawed theory, that passing a standardized test or not, determines a person’s ability or knowledge. Some folks test well while others freeze up.

On the other hand:

1. Just because you comply with a civil law to attain an end, -ie homeschooling-, doesn’t mean you are compromising your standards or rights (given by the government, by the way) as parents. Civil government is always obeyed in Scripture when it does not go against the laws and/or precepts of God. (Matt 17:27, Rom.13:1-8, Titus 3:1 are some examples)

2. It is agreed that Christians should be separate from the world system, for we have no part in their wickedness or gain. This world is not our home, we are just passing through; pilgrims and sojourners in this place. Therefore, we are technically in bondage to those ‘higher powers’ we read about in Rom. 13. The Bible never contradicts itself. I believe, to be in compliance with their rules, (as long as it doesn’t contradict the laws of God) is the will of God. I have heard it said, “We are to be IN the world, but not OF the world.”

3. Will it hurt my child spiritually? This is kind of ‘touchy’. First, it is understood that all children are not alike in their spirituality. (As a matter of fact, I’ve never seen a spiritual child. I have seen many kids sing, quote the Bible, and even witness for Jesus- RIGHT before they hit their sister and throw a temper tantrum. But I digress. J ). Nevertheless, a child, by the age of 16 or 17, should they have come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ, will probably be able to experience the ‘world’ and discern good from evil. We all must learn to choose the good and refuse the evil. There will come a time when your child MUST choose for him/her self. One of the hardest things a parent must do is let go of their control, and let their child have a relationship with the Lord. I am of the opinion that if your child cannot discern the lies perpetuated by the world system by the time they are ready to graduate from high school, you have not done your job as a parent. As far as their spiritual well-being when they are out from under your tutelage, it is up to you whether to teach the right thing or not, but it is the Lord who must protect them and keep them unspotted. (2 Peter 2:9, Prov. 21:31, Prov.16:7)

It is up to you as well, as to how you tell your child to answer such questions that may occur. Do they answer them the way the test makers expect, or do they answer in the Biblical way? Well, are they there to pass a test or teach Sunday School? Before you stone me for blasphemy, I am in no wise saying be hypocritical or double-minded. However, you are not about to change the test makers’ minds if you do not answer a question the way they want it answered just because you do not believe in evolution. On a GED, there is no place for a written-in opinion. Honestly, in my experience of standardized tests, there are SOME things that need to be warned of, and some things are just silly. If you’ve done your job, your teenager will know there are no 5 million year old “anythings”. Answer the question they way they want it to be answered and know that it is a lie. Simple.

4. I don’t think I have a Biblical answer for this one. I agree with the non-testers in this aspect, actually, having three children, none of which are alike when it comes to testing. I do think, however, that you cannot keep tests of some kind from entering into the life of your youngster. God tests us and tries us according to our abilities and strengths, AND to reveal to us his will, AND to exercise our faith. I have yet to sit down with paper and pencil and hand in a written test to the Lord, but tested, I have been and will continue to be. Also, I don’t believe God is a ‘standardized’ tester. (Rom. 12.) I also believe that we must study to show ourselves approved unto God, but not only to Him. It boils down to, there are some things that you don’t like to do which may be hard, but they may be a necessary stepping stone toward a higher goal.

By the way, most colleges do not require a diploma or GED for admission, but they do require an SAT or ACT. I don’t know about Bible Colleges, but if they are accredited colleges, I would assume they would require an SAT or ACT (which are ‘secular’ standardized tests) and which opens up a whole new subject as to how to further your child’s education. Once again, a college diploma trumps a high school diploma or a GED - unless the college degree is from a non-accredited college.

As parents, the one thing we must do is pray that we make the right decisions to the GLORY OF GOD. Some people’s decisions are not meant to be others’ decisions as long as God gets the glory. Compromising should never be an option when it comes to the gospel or the fundamentals of the Bible, OR of the scriptures themselves- but let’s be sure that when we think others are compromising, we are not judging a matter out of pride, strife or our own vain glory- even to the point of whether or not others homeschool! To GOD be the glory. (Question, Non-homeschoolers-CAN you glorify God by NOT homeschooling? Can you honestly say that sending your child to a public school WILL bring glory to God? Think long and hard about that before judging the homeschoolers.)

Though I have decided to homeschool and are aware of some obvious benefits, if someone else does not home school their children, but Jesus gets the glory, what have I to say about that? All I am here to do is to share the benefits of homeschooling from the get-go and hope folks take my advice. I have nothing to say to parents who decide against homeschooling that the Lord will not deal with later on if he doesn‘t get the glory. Be assured, homeschooler or not, we WILL be judged for our actions.

“To actuate an idea for a noble cause is not as noble as to follow a great leader; our leader being the Lord Jesus himself.”

(By the way…has someone already coined that phrase, because if not, I claim it! J )

Posted in standardized testing, prayer, homeschooling | 4 Comments »

March 12, 2010 by admin.

This is the time of year when homeschool assessments are being done. Consequently, this is the time of year when a lot of people who are debating about homeschooling start asking me questions. I would like to try and answer some of the more common questions here if possible for a reference to those whom I speak to. If you are like me, even though I’ve talked to someone, I like to have a written reference which I can go to if I forget something.

1. When do I send in my letter of intent? First of all, GOOD JOB in knowing that this is the first step to the legal process of homeschooling! Chances are, if you have gotten this far, you have already made up your mind to homeschool in the fall, and have been doing your own research. Letters of intent must be sent no later than two weeks before the first day of the school year. I don’t advise waiting that late. I do advise to send your letter Certified, especially in the first year you are homeschooling. Most of the time, we send in our letter with our children’s assessments. This year, however, I will have to send my letter separately because we chose the Portfolio option.

2. How should my child be assessed and when? First of all, WV law provides for three options for assessment. Option one is the WESTEST given at any public school. You must contact the school to order the test and arrange for testing. Most homeschoolers do not advise this option, for several reasons which I won’t get into at this time. Option two is to have your child take a standardized test such as the California Achievement Test, the Stanford Achievement Test, or the Iowa Test of Basic Skills. The test can be no older than ten years old. Most Christian schools do one of these tests, and I can assure you, they know how old the tests are ;). They are held to the same standard testing procedures. Up until this year, (and only because we chose portfolio) we have had no problems getting a Christian school to allow us to come and test with them. Organizations such as CHEWV also offer testing options through them. Option three is the Portfolio option. With this option, you much have a certified teacher assess your child’s work that he has done throughout the year and send in an assessment form to the board of education. Contrary to some people’s belief, you do not have to send your child’s portfolio to the board of ed.

Any of these forms of assessment have to be at your county’s board of education by June 30. The testing ’window’ varies, but is usually between March 1 and April 3. I always send my assessments by proof of receipt or certified mail. Yes, it costs some money, but it is worth the peace of mind to know that what you had to get in by a deadline, actually got there!

3. How much time do we have to spend ‘doing school’? There is no set amount of hours, time or days to the homeschooling calendar, but every parent concerned about their child’s education will have an idea about how much they know their child can handle in one day. Sure, there’s going to have to be some seatwork done, that’s part of learning to do things we don’t like to do! J But let me stress that paperwork and testing do not a classroom make! We used to go shopping, and Leah would tell the cashier how much my bill was before they hit the total button! She was doing math all through the store. It impressed ME the first time she did it. I didn’t know she was adding it up…tax included! J Reading road signs and billboards are good reading practice, not to mention trips to the library! Museums and arts centers are wonderful homeschooling tools. Don’t lock yourself in a box with a set number of pages or videos to watch every day. When the sun shines go play! They are only children once. I guarantee that if you apply yourself to homeschooling, it will show on assessments.

4. What do I mean by the last statement? Do you mean they don’t have to sit and do ‘work’ on paper? Well, in a word, yes. Here are some examples: When they are very small, and you are playing at a park, count the rungs on the ladder to the slide! How many times can you swing? See that sea-saw? What is it? Why does it work that way? Sounds like physical science. J The slide is a ramp. How far can you throw a rock? How fast can you run? (that’s Phys Ed!) Get fancy and use a stopwatch, or teach them to count the second hand on an analog watch! How fast does your heart beat after you run? How do you think your blood travels through your body? You know I can go on and on and ON with this school day and have never picked up a pencil. What’s that bug in the grass? How about that leaf? Which tree did it come from? How are clouds made? Why is the SKY BLUE???

Does that sound daunting to you? Then, I’m sorry. You are not ready to homeschool.

If it sounds fun and exciting and makes you want to go now… well, what’s keeping you?

Homeschooling IS a walk in the park - IF you apply yourself. You don’t know the answers to those questions? Well then, chances are your kids won’t either, because as far as I know, Government schools don’t do that.

Does it make you want to learn those things, and put a longing in your heart to teach? Well, then I’d say you’re ready.

Now, I have dear friends who are not physically able to go to the park and play with their kids. They honestly cannot run, they can’t get active because of ailments. That doesn’t mean they can’t homeschool. I have friends with other special needs - I refuse to use the word handicaps because they are NOT handicapped. They can do some things better than someone without their issues! I encourage them to homeschool also. Why? Because I know what homeschooling IS and what it is NOT.

In a word, homeschooling is instilling a love of learning in your child that will last a lifetime. It is not a tedious, boring, mental anguish that makes everyone hate learning.

Nobody, (I mean nobody!) knows everything. The learning process continues long after the twelfth grade whether you know it or not. Think about it, how many things can you think of that you learned after you got out of school? So just because you can’t do some things does not mean you can’t teach other things.

The last bit of advice I would give is …ask for help. Other homeschoolers with a true heart for kids won’t put you down because you have a limiting quality that keeps you from doing something like going to the park! Maybe they will take your kids when they take their kids? Homeschoolers ARE social! J Then, maybe one day, you can teach their kids something. I kind of hate to use a cliché, but - We’re all in this together! It is invaluable to have a homeschooling friend to talk to.

It is invaluable to have your kids with you; to watch them grow and learn and BECOME a productive adult capable of handling life’s cold, hard facts in an extraordinary way.

Posted in standardized testing, friends, teachers, Q&A, portfolio, curriculum, homeschooling, hints, beginning, letter of intent, Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

November 19, 2009 by admin.

This time, I thought that it might be nice to let one of the kids do a blog since you hear from me all the time!  Sometimes it’s good for kids to hear how other kids think about things.  When I asked, Sarah volunteered to do it.  So below are her words.  :) 

Sarah’s rambling thoughts (I have a lot of these)

 PORTFOLIO OR STANDARDIZED TESTS

All I have known before this year was standardized testing. Now that we are doing the portfolio I can compare the two. The portfolio is stressful when you’re trying to get things done on time and in order, but you do get to see what you are really learning, and what progress you’ve made, which is great. And doing reports and making movies are a fun way to get extra points (Right Mom? J).

 The standardized tests through the years were fun for a while. But they do not show you exactly what questions you got wrong or what ones you got right.

 But the MAIN reasons for not doing the Tests this year were…

1. Mom had peace with God in doing the portfolio this year.

 2. The standardized tests are full of evolutional and environmental junk, which means you  must choose their answer in order to get the question correct- even if they are completely wrong, and you didn’t know or care how old the dinosaur bone might be if it were found under however many dozens of layers of polluted earth.

3. Because it was no fun driving so far, paying and packing for lunches, and having to get to bed early so we could get up earlier.  

So, I am enjoying the portfolio so far and I have no problem with doing my work. Most of the time anyway. J

Sarah’s second rambling thought

FRIENDS (a confusing definition of friends)

 I really don’t have any BEST friends my age that I can talk to every day, but that’s OK, since I have so many different kinds of friends and talk to different ones almost every day! My friends are my family and my family’s friends. When my family meets my friend then my friend becomes my family’s friend, if my friend is a good friend for me. (Did ya get that?)  If dad and mom don’t like the people I talk to then I usually won’t get too close or make friends with them, because I know that they know what is best for me. BUT (Now to my point) More than all my friends, Jesus is my friend. And though I fail Him, He always loves me and will stay with me and never leave me. When I complain about all the “friends” that never talk to me anymore He says, “Hey, you haven’t talked to me in a while, “Why are you complaining that you don’t have any friends? I’ll always be your friend.

Sometimes this old world get’s me down and I don’t know what to do.Sometimes it gets hard to smile. I can’t see the sun shining through.But even in my darkest day, when I can hardly see my way, I can feel the hand of Jesus. He’s been a friend to me. 

Jesus gave my life a song. Jesus I’ll sing it all day long. He makes my life worth living you see. He’s been a friend to me. He’s been a friend to me. 

He’s a friend when the day is done, when I feel the wind blow.And He’s a friend when the morning sun, sets my world all aglow.More than all, He was my friend, before I knew I needed Him.Greater love has no one. He gave His life for me. 

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 

Sarah’s Third Rambling Thought

TEACHERS (and my brother)

My Dad teaches history. If there is one thing I just do not like, it’s learning history. If I don’t know I’m learning history, then history is great! My Daddy can make it very interesting, and sometimes I can get into it. My Mom is a great teacher; she can explain things to me in different ways so that I can understand. Economics is yet another weight holding me back, but Mom is coming to the rescue as soon as we have time to breathe. My sister Leah is my math teacher. I’d like to say she is doing a great job. I understand some of the things in algebra that I didn’t get before. She takes the time most MORNINGS, ( only when she is completely awake J) to explain this and that, and why  that I don’t need to understand why this or how that. She will be a great teacher. I guess I need to mention

Ok so tie all these rabbit trails together (if you could make hide or hair of it J) we get:

Portfolios are fun.

A Friend who isn’t hard to find,

My teachers (and brother) are fantastic!

Hmmm all those F’s make me nervous I’d better go and study!  

Posted in teachers, friends, brothers and sisters, standardized testing, portfolio | 2 Comments »