SIGN A PETITION AGAINST THE NEA's EFFORTS

tj · Joined: 22 Aug 2007 Posts: 15

Please keep in mind that this is a NEA resolution, voted on by NEA
representatives to the national organization. It has no no real meaning
beyond that fact. It does not necessarily reflect the views of the rank and
file - in fact, I'd be willing to bet that many NEA members are not even
aware of the existence of this resolution. If the NEA tried to rally the
troops behind this resolution, I think it would be surprised by the lack of
support. Most teachers I have known over the years (including many NEA
members) have no problems with homeschooling. For the majority of teachers,
homeschooling is a non-issue.

tj

"DigMar" wrote in message @q5g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
>I don't know if this has been previously posted here or not, however,
> this subject needs to be reinforced in any case. Someone sent me an
> email today regarding The National Education Association in their
> 2007-2008 Resolutions taking a stand against homeschooling.
>
> I was a bit skeptical to be honest. Figured it was a scare campaign
> via email. Turns out to be true, and the NEA's elitist approach really
> gets my blood boiling! If you appreciate the freedom to homeshool,
> please sign the petition listed below and forward this to your
> homeshooling friends. It's no joke.
>
> "The National Education Association believes that home schooling
> programs based on parental choice cannot provide the student with a
> comprehensive education experience. When home schooling occurs,
> students enrolled must meet all state curricular requirements,
> including the taking and passing of assessments to ensure adequate
> academic progress. Home schooling should be limited to the children of
> the immediate family, with all expenses being borne by the parents/
> guardians. Instruction should be by persons who are licensed by the
> appropriate state education licensure agency, and a curriculum
> approved by the state department of education should be used.
>
> The Association also believes that home-schooled students should not
> participate in any extracurricular activities in the public schools.
> The Association further believes that local public school systems
> should have the authority to determine grade placement and/or credits
> earned toward graduation for students entering or re-entering the
> public school setting from a home school setting."
> http://www.nea.org/annualmeeting/raaction/images/2007-2008Resolutions.pdf
> - Page 36: B75
>
> Sorry, if that isn't enough, this NEA article is a bunch of Bull @#$
> %.. "Home Schools Run By Well-Meaning Amateurs" -
> http://www.nea.org/espcolumns/dv040220.html
>
> TAKE A MOMENT TO TELL THE NEA THAT HOMESCHOOLING IS A REAL OPTION THAT
> DOES PRODUCE WONDERFULLY ROUNDED AND EDUCATED MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.
> http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/homeschoolers-against-nea
>

Archived from group: misc>education>home-school>misc

Brandon Staggs · Joined: 28 Sep 2007 Posts: 18

"tj" wrote on Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:24:42 -0500:

> If the NEA tried to rally the
> troops behind this resolution, I think it would be surprised by the lack of
> support.

Heh -- but I bet they continue to pay their dues anyway! LOL. What a
joke.

--
Brandon Staggs
http://www.swordsearcher.com
http://www.studylamp.com
http://www.brandonstaggs.com

tj · Joined: 22 Aug 2007 Posts: 15

Which is totally irrelevant to what I said (or any part of the discussion
for that matter). Are you even *capable* of posting something intelligent,
youngster?

tj

"Brandon Staggs" wrote in message @40tude.net...
> "tj" wrote on Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:24:42 -0500:
>
>> If the NEA tried to rally the
>> troops behind this resolution, I think it would be surprised by the lack
>> of
>> support.
>
> Heh -- but I bet they continue to pay their dues anyway! LOL. What a
> joke.
>
>
> --
> Brandon Staggs
> http://www.swordsearcher.com
> http://www.studylamp.com
> http://www.brandonstaggs.com

DigMar · Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 5

I don't know if this has been previously posted here or not, however,
this subject needs to be reinforced in any case. Someone sent me an
email today regarding The National Education Association in their
2007-2008 Resolutions taking a stand against homeschooling.

I was a bit skeptical to be honest. Figured it was a scare campaign
via email. Turns out to be true, and the NEA's elitist approach really
gets my blood boiling! If you appreciate the freedom to homeshool,
please sign the petition listed below and forward this to your
homeshooling friends. It's no joke.

"The National Education Association believes that home schooling
programs based on parental choice cannot provide the student with a
comprehensive education experience. When home schooling occurs,
students enrolled must meet all state curricular requirements,
including the taking and passing of assessments to ensure adequate
academic progress. Home schooling should be limited to the children of
the immediate family, with all expenses being borne by the parents/
guardians. Instruction should be by persons who are licensed by the
appropriate state education licensure agency, and a curriculum
approved by the state department of education should be used.

The Association also believes that home-schooled students should not
participate in any extracurricular activities in the public schools.
The Association further believes that local public school systems
should have the authority to determine grade placement and/or credits
earned toward graduation for students entering or re-entering the
public school setting from a home school setting."
http://www.nea.org/annualmeeting/raaction/images/2007-2008Resolutions.pdf
- Page 36: B75

Sorry, if that isn't enough, this NEA article is a bunch of Bull @#$
%.. "Home Schools Run By Well-Meaning Amateurs" -
http://www.nea.org/espcolumns/dv040220.html

TAKE A MOMENT TO TELL THE NEA THAT HOMESCHOOLING IS A REAL OPTION THAT
DOES PRODUCE WONDERFULLY ROUNDED AND EDUCATED MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/homeschoolers-against-nea

tj · Joined: 22 Aug 2007 Posts: 15

wrote in message > TJ - I don't disagree with your
comments at all. I think most of the
> rank and file NEA members would have no problem with homeschooling,
> however, while things do need to be voted on, the NEA leadership could
> certainly make the case for its members to vote in particular ways
> down the road.
>

The NEA, in my experience, carries little influence with its membership
outside of work-related matters. It could make all the cases it chooses,
but I doubt that the membership would support it in any outside activitiy.
Homeschooling exists in all 50 states. It is no threat to public schools.
Every NEA member I know knows this and considers it a non-issue.

> They could also exert leverage in other non-union voted ways. Like
> putting pressure on congressional members with regards to laws. The
> NEA has sizable influence, and can use it in many ways that members
> never vote on. Reading through some of the NEA's site articles
> certainly does not paint a homeschool friendly picture to me, and
> think we should all remain vigilant.

Yes, it can. However - there are more homeschoolers than there are NEA
members (and I suspect they have more money to spend on political matters,
as teachers are not considered to be well paid in most areas). Trust me,
the NEA's *official* position may be anti-homeschooling, but in real terms,
it is unimportant in the overall scheme of things.

>
> Seldom do big changes in policy come overnight, generally it is slowly
> over time. Things start with resolutions, etc, and then move on once
> they are accepted. This looks like groundwork being laid to me.
> Someone at the NEA wanted this in this years resolutions to make some
> statement. I don't know who it is or why, but there it is...
>

This resolution has been around forever. The only ones who pay attention to
it are homeschoolers. I have never heard teachers talking about it (in
either NEA or AFT districts). As I said, it is a non-issue to most
teachers.

tj

corey.spann · Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 1

On Oct 23, 3:27 pm, DigMar wrote:
> I don't know if this has been previously posted here or not, however,
> this subject needs to be reinforced in any case. Someone sent me an
> email today regarding The National Education Association in their
> 2007-2008 Resolutions taking a stand against homeschooling.
>
> I was a bit skeptical to be honest. Figured it was a scare campaign
> via email. Turns out to be true, and the NEA's elitist approach really
> gets my blood boiling! If you appreciate the freedom to homeshool,
> please sign the petition listed below and forward this to your
> homeshooling friends. It's no joke.
>
> "The National Education Association believes that home schooling
> programs based on parental choice cannot provide the student with a
> comprehensive education experience. When home schooling occurs,
> students enrolled must meet all state curricular requirements,
> including the taking and passing of assessments to ensure adequate
> academic progress. Home schooling should be limited to the children of
> the immediate family, with all expenses being borne by the parents/
> guardians. Instruction should be by persons who are licensed by the
> appropriate state education licensure agency, and a curriculum
> approved by the state department of education should be used.
>
> The Association also believes that home-schooled students should not
> participate in any extracurricular activities in the public schools.
> The Association further believes that local public school systems
> should have the authority to determine grade placement and/or credits
> earned toward graduation for students entering or re-entering the
> public school setting from a home school setting."http://www.nea.org/annualmeeting/raaction/images/2007-2008Resolutions...
> - Page 36: B75
>
> Sorry, if that isn't enough, this NEA article is a bunch of Bull @#$
> %.. "Home Schools Run By Well-Meaning Amateurs" -http://www.nea.org/espcolumns/dv040220.html
>
> TAKE A MOMENT TO TELL THE NEA THAT HOMESCHOOLING IS A REAL OPTION THAT
> DOES PRODUCE WONDERFULLY ROUNDED AND EDUCATED MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/homeschoolers-against-nea

TJ - I don't disagree with your comments at all. I think most of the
rank and file NEA members would have no problem with homeschooling,
however, while things do need to be voted on, the NEA leadership could
certainly make the case for its members to vote in particular ways
down the road.

They could also exert leverage in other non-union voted ways. Like
putting pressure on congressional members with regards to laws. The
NEA has sizable influence, and can use it in many ways that members
never vote on. Reading through some of the NEA's site articles
certainly does not paint a homeschool friendly picture to me, and
think we should all remain vigilant.

Seldom do big changes in policy come overnight, generally it is slowly
over time. Things start with resolutions, etc, and then move on once
they are accepted. This looks like groundwork being laid to me.
Someone at the NEA wanted this in this years resolutions to make some
statement. I don't know who it is or why, but there it is...

DigMar

DigMar · Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 5

TJ - I don't disagree with your comments at all. I think most of the
rank and file NEA members would have no problem with homeschooling,
however, while things do need to be voted on, the NEA leadership could
certainly make the case for its members to vote in particular ways
down the road.

They could also exert leverage in other non-union voted ways. Like
putting pressure on congressional members with regards to laws. The
NEA has sizable influence, and can use it in many ways that members
never vote on. Reading through some of the NEA's site articles
certainly does not paint a homeschool friendly picture to me, and
think we should all remain vigilant.

Seldom do big changes in policy come overnight, generally it is slowly
over time. Things start with resolutions, etc, and then move on once
they are accepted. This looks like groundwork being laid to me.
Someone at the NEA wanted this in this years resolutions to make some
statement. I don't know who it is or why, but there it is...

DigMar

DigMar · Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 5

Oops...Sorry for the double post. Smile

DigMar · Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 5

Yeah, I agree with most of what you said. I'm a neighbor with a
university professor, and we discuss these issues at length, as he
recently began home schooling his son. (Well, his wife)

The last I heard there were over 1 million home schoolers in Florida
alone, and any attempts by the NEA to regulate it would likely be met
with strong opposition.

However, I do have to say, I am seeing inroads by the NEA into this
area. Case in point. You can sign up with places like Connections
Academy; to take advantage of state funded programs. http://www.connectionsacademy.com

These really are great opportunities for home schoolers to get
everything totally FREE including computers and even paper and
pencils. (Free, well... our taxes pay for it)

While it's a neat program, to participate you have to have previously
been enrolled in the public school system, and then must conform to
their guidelines. Because it's part of the Florida Department of
Education it's the NEA by extension.

I'm not an alarmist, and seldom take up causes, however, I'm a bit
more skeptical on unions making resolutions for resolutions sake. Make
general resolutions and then help offer home schooling options. Hmmm...
then to say if your going to home school you have to use our program
really isn't a big step. Not really a conspiracy theory, just is how I
would do it if I was them.

tj · Joined: 22 Aug 2007 Posts: 15

"DigMar" wrote in message@e34g2000pro.googlegroups.com...

> The last I heard there were over 1 million home schoolers in Florida
> alone, and any attempts by the NEA to regulate it would likely be met
> with strong opposition.

Regulation won't come from the NEA. *If* it comes to a state near you, it
will be the rest of us that are pushing for it. Smile

>
> However, I do have to say, I am seeing inroads by the NEA into this
> area. Case in point. You can sign up with places like Connections
> Academy; to take advantage of state funded programs.
> http://www.connectionsacademy.com
>

I'm confused. What does CA have to do with the NEA?! It was created by
Sylvan Learning Systems and later sold to a private investment firm... It
has no connection to the NEA.

> These really are great opportunities for home schoolers to get
> everything totally FREE including computers and even paper and
> pencils. (Free, well... our taxes pay for it)
>
> While it's a neat program, to participate you have to have previously
> been enrolled in the public school system, and then must conform to
> their guidelines.

I found nothing on their Web site that says the student must have previously
been in the public schools. You must conform to the public school guidelines
for your state, because the program is state accredited. This is true of
many Catholic schools as well. To be accredited, you have to meet state
guidelines. However, this also has nothing to do with the NEA.

Because it's part of the Florida Department of
> Education it's the NEA by extension.

Oh, my gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood..... Tell me he didn't say this.....

So I guess you would have no problem with my saying that Jesus was a member
of the Jewish Mafia. Makes as much sense. You *do* realize that state
departments of education and the NEA/AFT tend to be on opposite sides of
most issues, right?

>
> I'm not an alarmist, and seldom take up causes, however, I'm a bit
> more skeptical on unions making resolutions for resolutions sake. Make
> general resolutions and then help offer home schooling options. Hmmm...
> then to say if your going to home school you have to use our program
> really isn't a big step.
>
Tell me how many senate/HR resolutions you can name and/or give any
importance to, and you'll see the importance of any NEA resolutions.

At no time does the NEA say to use their program, nor does the NEA *have*
any program that I'm aware of.

Not really a conspiracy theory, just is how I
> would do it if I was them.

Not I. I would document all the homeschooling failures that have been
dumped back on the public/private schools to clean up, and use that to scare
the public into action. We, the voters, are the ones you need to be afraid
of. We're the ones who have the control. If we collectively decide to
regulate homeschooling in a state, there won't be much you can do about it
(as long as what we do falls within the parameters of state and federal
constitutions). We've already done it in several states. Mine is not one
of them. IL is in the running for friendliest homeschooling state. Not
only do we have not any (enforced) regulation, but we offer educational
materials to homeschoolers free of charge via the regional superintendents'
educational libraries. Also some districts offer aid to homeschoolers in
the way of books, curricula, testing materials, etc. CPS in Chicago (where
I work) goes out of its way to help homeschoolers.

I'm sorry, but this whole NEA nonsense has been going on for decades and is
simply ludicrous. Yes, it has a posititon statement on record. BIG, HAIRY
DEAL. Nobody cares about it other than homeschoolers.

FYI: I'm not a big union person. In the 30+ years I've been teaching, I've
been a union member for maybe 5 of them. I'm currently a member of the AFT,
but will be cancelling my membership at the end of the month (I still have
to make Fair Share payments, but I won't be a member). I'm not anti-union,
simply aware of their existence and the need for them in the public school
systems.

Even so, I have to speak up when people try to make the NEA this colossal
monster that it isn't. It isn't even a true union (although it has added
union functions) - that's the AFT.

tj

Michael S. Morris · Joined: 05 Aug 2007 Posts: 780

Thursday, the 25th of October, 2007

Ted writes in small part:
IL is in the running for friendliest homeschooling state. Not
only do we have not any (enforced) regulation, but we offer educational
materials to homeschoolers free of charge via the regional
superintendents'
educational libraries. [...]

Correction: That should read "free of additional charge". Every
homeschooling parent is almost certainly a taxpayer, and, as a
taxpayer, has already paid for such things as educational
materials in the superintendents' educational libraries.

Mike Morris
(msmorris@netdirect.net)

DigMar · Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 5

"Regulation won't come from the NEA. *If* it comes to a state near
you, it
will be the rest of us that are pushing for it. Smile

"

Agreed...

"I'm confused. What does CA have to do with the NEA?! It was created
by
Sylvan Learning Systems and later sold to a private investment
firm... It
has no connection to the NEA."

I know Connections is Sylvan. There are some others as well that offer
services to take advantage of the state homeschool programs, but they
have to abide by the state school systems to remain in the program.

"I found nothing on their Web site that says the student must have
previously
been in the public schools. You must conform to the public school
guidelines
for your state, because the program is state accredited. This is true
of
many Catholic schools as well. To be accredited, you have to meet
state
guidelines. However, this also has nothing to do with the NEA.
Because it's part of the Florida Department of"

I realize the above also regarding accreditation and private schools.
I'm on the school board for a large private school here, and we are
accredited with Association of Christian Schools International,
Florida League of Christian Schools, and Association Christian
Teachers and Colleges and Pinellas County Child Care License Board.

Yes, the requirements are there on the site:
http://www.connectionsacademy.com/state/eligibility.asp?schoolCode=fca

Prior Public Schooling Limitations - Second Grade through Eighth
Grade: All second through eighth graders are required to provide
evidence that they were previously enrolled and counted in a Florida
public school on or before the October 2006 enrollment count date and
remained enrolled through the February 2007 enrollment count date. A
copy of a school report card is required to be submitted to
Connections Academy to prove eligibility. This documentation is also
subject to verification through your previous school district before
enrollment can be completed.

"Oh, my gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood..... Tell me he didn't say
this..... So I guess you would have no problem with my saying that
Jesus was a member of the Jewish Mafia. Makes as much sense. You
*do* realize that state departments of education and the NEA/AFT tend
to be on opposite sides of most issues, right?"

Sorry, I didn't mean to state the above in that manner if that is the
way you took it. What I meant was that the NEA and our state school
system are quite tightly wound together here. Maybe not in IL, but
they are here in FL. They exert a good deal of force in shaping our
public schools here. If not where you are, then great... The Jesus and
Jewish Mafia bit isn't worth my time responding to. I agree about the
NEA/AFT at loggerheads often.

"Tell me how many senate/HR resolutions you can name and/or give any
importance to, and you'll see the importance of any NEA resolutions.
At no time does the NEA say to use their program, nor does the NEA
*have* any program that I'm aware of."

As one who unfortunately once went through a VERY long 3 year legal
battle over land development/usage issues with the State and a
commercial developer, I saw first hand how much of the workings of FL
law is crafted. It isn't all pretty I can tell you. If you really
believe that law spontaneously erupts from the voters or is all
approved by the voters then good for you. People and organizations put
pressure in places and you get policy. Same goes for public schools. I
don't remember seeing a grassroots policy arise regarding schools down
here in recent memory from the "people". I was simply saying that the
NEA makes resolution, maybe they don't mean anything, (but they did to
someone at the NEA) but they are a strong statement on their position
and many such statements can be picked up by state departments. If you
can't see that then you need not respond cause I doubt I will.

"Not I. I would document all the homeschooling failures that have
been
dumped back on the public/private schools to clean up, and use that to
scare
the public into action. We, the voters, are the ones you need to be
afraid
of. We're the ones who have the control. If we collectively decide
to
regulate homeschooling in a state, there won't be much you can do
about it
(as long as what we do falls within the parameters of state and
federal
constitutions). We've already done it in several states. Mine is not
one
of them. IL is in the running for friendliest homeschooling state.
Not
only do we have not any (enforced) regulation, but we offer
educational
materials to homeschoolers free of charge via the regional
superintendents'
educational libraries. Also some districts offer aid to homeschoolers
in
the way of books, curricula, testing materials, etc. CPS in Chicago
(where
I work) goes out of its way to help homeschoolers.
I'm sorry, but this whole NEA nonsense has been going on for decades
and is simply ludicrous. Yes, it has a posititon statement on
record. BIG, HAIRY DEAL. Nobody cares about it other than
homeschoolers."

Yeah, I probably would have gone about it the way you outline above
prior to my State fight. I would do things differently now. Probably
more of an incremental approach through outside agencies leaning on
key people in the right agencies. Sorry, cynical I know. It's a round
about way to get what you want with less blowback. Again, sorry, I
still have to disagree on the NEA and policy derived from agendas/
resolutions.

"FYI: I'm not a big union person. In the 30+ years I've been
teaching, I've been a union member for maybe 5 of them. I'm
currently a member of the AFT, but will be cancelling my membership
at the end of the month (I still have to make Fair Share payments,
but I won't be a member). I'm not anti-union, simply aware of their
existence and the need for them in the public school systems. Even
so, I have to speak up when people try to make the NEA this colossal
monster that it isn't. It isn't even a true union (although it has
added union functions) - that's the AFT."

I'm glad to hear you have been a teacher so long. Many thanks from all
of us I'm sure. It can be a thankless job at times. As for me.. I'm no
union fan, but that's a discussion for a different time and forum.
Unfortunately, I can't continue this thread much longer, (there's just
too much work & too little time as these are getting lengthly) so take
care.

DigMar