Talk:Essay:Proposed Homeschool Constitution

Original Comments

Liberal bias is mentioned twice. I suggest to make it more neutral and to keep in mind those Liberals who want to homeschool their children. --BillC 13:22, 21 September 2008 (EDT)

Seems like a good idea. Would you consider drawing up an alternate Constitution for Jewish, Moslem or other non-Judeo-Christian children? I'm sure they could do with a 'system' for their own schools. And yes, the point above about Liberal bias is fair - there would probably have to be a Constitution for them too. BenHur 13:26, 21 September 2008 (EDT)

Many "non-Judeo-Christian children" may want to adopt this Constitution, or participate in classes. It's common to find non-Christian students attending Christian schools, for example. That's no reason to change the school or the Constitution.--Aschlafly 13:28, 21 September 2008 (EDT)

Well, in fairness, I doubt the non-Judeo-Christian (or liberal) parents would want to attend such a Judeo-Christian school, that's all. They could draw up Constitutions for their own beliefs. There's a few other items that would be changed too, but mostly it would be the same, simply reworded for Faith or beliefs. Good idea though. BenHur 13:32, 21 September 2008 (EDT)

Thanks for the compliment, but non-Judaeo-Christian (including liberal) families already attend Christian schools in significant numbers. But as to those who prefer their own constitution (or no constitution), I'm fine with that. This is purely voluntary.--Aschlafly 13:34, 21 September 2008 (EDT)

Indeed they do, but many of them would prefer not to, much as you might not be happy to have your child schooled in an environment of daily prayers to Mecca or observing Saturday as the Sabbath. It's common for people of one religion to not be comfortable in the environments of another. BenHur 21:57, 21 September 2008 (EDT)

As in how people of faith are uncomfortable in the atheistic environment of public schools?--Aschlafly 23:39, 21 September 2008 (EDT)

Excellent article! I have one additional suggestion for consideration. How about a phrase discouraging the use of "politically correct" terminology in education (e.g. using C.E. and B.C.E. instead of A.D. and B.C.). --DRamon 09:23, 22 September 2008 (EDT)

Great point. I think that is already covered, however, by the reference to liberal bias.--Aschlafly 09:39, 22 September 2008 (EDT)

Article II Section 2

Shouldn't mathematics be included, or science? --DinsdaleP 08:56, 22 September 2008 (EDT)

That's understood. No one is going to omit those topics.--Aschlafly 09:40, 22 September 2008 (EDT)

Some thoughts

As a homeschooling mom, who has belonged to many groups over the years, I offer the following comments based on my experience. Please take them in the spirit of helpfulness in which they were intended. I did not make any changes to the essay itself, as I assume that it is not appropriate to do with an essay like this.--Hsmom 10:24, 22 September 2008 (EDT)
Article I: Religion and Behavior. Clearly, the guidelines you are providing are for a Christian homeschooling group, either one in which all members must sign a statement of faith, or one in which all leaders must sign such a statement. The latter type is often open to participation by non-Christians, so long as they understand that the group will be run in a Christian manner. Assuming that is the case, here are my thoughts:
Section One: There shall be no religious test for student participation, but a voluntary Christian prayer shall be led at the beginning of classroom instruction. I would also add that meetings shall be opened (and maybe closed) with a prayer.

Section Two: There shall be no censorship of the Ten Commandments, "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance, or similar recognition of our Judeo-Christian heritage. I really don't think this is necessary, as the people who are likely to join a Christian homeschooling group usually aren't interested in censoring such things, and Section Three pretty much covers it.

Section Three: God-honoring behavior shall be required at all activities. This sums it up nicely.

Section Four: Civility and chivalrous behavior shall be encouraged between boys and girls, and athletic competition between the genders shall be discouraged. A Christian homeschooling group I've been involved with held a weekly gym class. Both boys and girls participated. Without the participation of both genders, there might not have been enough students to run the class, and we did not have access to two gyms (we were lucky to have the one). I think this should be worked out on a case-by-case basis, trusting in the common sense of the Christian homeschooling mothers (and fathers) in the group.

Article II: Curriculum. I am assuming here that you are writing this for a group which offers classes to homeschoolers?

Section One: Instruction, textbook materials and assignments shall be free from liberal bias. Often, the best textbook for a particular course also includes some things with which some Christians would not agree. For example, history texts might have a few pages at the beginning discussing evolution or the age of the earth, but otherwise be acceptable. Usually, the teacher simply assigns the useful pages and ignores the rest. Requiring that all materials be completely in line with Christian teaching will sometimes limit students' access to good materials. Why not trust in the common sense of the Christian homeschooling moms (and dads) who are teaching to choose the materials they think are most useful?

Section Two: Instruction shall include teachings in history, government, writing and (if possible) economics. This is good in theory (though I would add math, science, literature, and so on). However, in reality the courses offered usually depend on what the participating families need or want, and, frankly, what they are willing to pay for. The group can only offer courses if there is enough interest to hire a teacher, enough space to hold the class, and so on. Perhaps a broader statement about the group's intent to offer a wide range of classes, based on member families' needs and interests, would be best. Then the Christian homeschooling moms (and dads) who run the group can use their best judgment to determine which classes can be offered.

Section Three: All students shall learn to read well using phonics, and all problems in a particular student's ability to read shall be identified and corrected. I have two concerns with this section:
All students shall learn to read well using phonics... I assume you mean here that reading classes shall be based on a phonics approach? I do not think it is appropriate to dictate what approaches a parent may use at home. My personal experience is that some, even many, children respond well to phonics instruction, especially in the case of dyslexic kids. However, some children need very little phonics on their road to literacy. I think homeschooling groups should trust Christian moms (and dads) to use whatever approach works best with an individual child.
...and all problems in a particular student's ability to read shall be identified and corrected. Frankly, this sounds like an unfunded mandate to me. Are you saying that the group will take responsibility to identify and correct reading problems? I would not want to take that responsibility away from a homeschooling parent. Or perhaps you are saying that parents must take on the responsibility to address reading problems?

Section Four: Instruction and discussions in all subjects shall be only in English (except for courses teaching foreign languages). Why? Most American Christian homeschoolers speak only English fluently, so it's not really an issue. But if the group serves a group where the students are fluent in another language, why not teach some subjects in that language? I am thinking here, for example, of traditionally French-speaking Americans in northern Maine, who want to preserve their heritage by raising their children bi-lingually. Why not have, for example, gym class taught in French to give the students practice? Or, in other areas, a group may want to partner with local Spanish-speaking Christian homeschoolers to offer classes in both languages, so that the students can benefit from getting to know each other and speaking each others' language? Again, I think this should be left on a case-by-case basis, trusting the Christian leaders of the group to make a wise decision based on local circumstances.

Section Five: Friendly competition, and the awarding of honors, shall be encouraged to motivate students. Very nice.

Article III: College and Culture.
Every person has been given different talents. College is the right path for some, but not for others. College is essential for some career paths, but not for others. While it is an admirable goal to prepare those boys and girls who are college-bound to excell, we should not forget those students who may take a different path. They too, need encouragement, opportunities, and preparation for their chosen career and the other roles they will play as Christian adults in their community.

Section One: Students shall receive preparation and guidance to excel academically at college. Nice, although "guidance" may be a bit problematic, as it brings to mind a public school guidance counselor. I think, in general, "guidance" should be left to the parents.

Section Two: Information about the nature and extent of liberal bias at many colleges shall be made available to college-bound students. Certainly Christian families must consider the general outlook of the colleges they are considering. Who, though, are you tasking to provide this information? The course teachers? The group leadership? While this may be useful information, and indeed there is much information about colleges that would be useful to Christian homeschooling families, I'm not sure it should be the responsibility of the homeschooling group to provide it. Many Christian homeschooling moms reach out to other moms who already have kids in college, often via nation-wide email groups, where much useful information is shared, from people who have had specific experiences with various colleges and can speak directly from that experience. Perhaps the group can steer moms with college-bound kids to these venues.

Section Three: Students shall be prepared to handle and reject the increasingly atheistic culture, and the harm it causes. How? In regular classes? Teachers typicaly have very little classroom time with their students, and often must use every spare minute to adequately cover their subject. Perhaps it would be better to mandate offering Bible study, which could incorporate a number of concerns facing Christian homeschooled students?

Article IV: Activities and Cooperation.

Section One: Students shall be encouraged to participate in civic activities, such as dinners with outside speakers and trips to conservative gatherings. Again, this is something that the group's leadership could certainly arrange, or they could publicize opportunities offered by other groups. But this is the kind of information that homeschooling moms exchange informally all the time - I don't think a formal statement is needed.

Section Two: Homeschool groups shall cooperate in working with other homeschooling groups that adopt this Constitution. I would change "shall" to "are encouraged to". Busy homeschooling moms (and dads) who run these groups don't need more requirements on their plate. Section Three: This Constitution is entirely voluntary and shall not be construed to create any enforceable fees or obligations of any type. Good. Although, in my experience, most Christian homeschooling groups already have group guidelines, developed/honed over the years, that cover much of what you've included here, and much more. I'm not sure what the advantage would be for any given group to adopt this particular document?