Comments on: A Brief History of American Homeschooling

By: emm

emm — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 14:40:29 +0000

Norma – all the more reason for support groups to help educate their members. Every family should be know their state law and be able to defend it. State support groups must have or develop communication with state officials. We must not hide our heads in the sand.
a) it doesn't work
b) someone will jump at the chance to "represent" you – middlemen who are willing to self regulate the homeschool community

*We need to know what laws are introduce in our state legislature
*We must have rational, calm communication with bill sponsors and the state education committee.
*Be able to communicate with our homeschool community about potential legislation

By: Grandma Linda

Grandma Linda — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:58:51 +0000

Whoops…the dog ate my calculator. So when someone asks, we'll say "between 4.5 and 35 million." Wait, come to think of it, I used to do that 20 years ago when someone asked!

Thanks for the applause.

By: Mary

Mary — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:32:42 +0000

well, golly gee, Miz Linda, if 10 years ago there were a million homeschool families and, according to HLSDA, homeschooling is growing by 15% a year, that means there are 35 million homeschool families. *I* have a calculator. I'm not sure about HSLDA. I think they use the BS method of calculation.

Our history is a great story though, especially when told by those who lived it. Applause!

By: The Daily Planet » Blog Archive » Carnival of Homeschooling: House Fever Edition

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 06:47:05 +0000

[...] Linda Dobson who is a PARENT AT THE HELM shares A Brief History of American Homeschooling. [...]

By: Norma

Norma — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 22:14:45 +0000

I tend to agree with Helen. I think the numbers are escalating. This (imo) is causing more eyes to be upon us. I have a sinking feeling that in the next several years we will find ourselves in the crosshairs of some very big guns. When our numbers were small, we could maneuver around the regulation. Once our numbers surpass 5 million I think there will be increased pressure to regulate and standardize homeschoolers.

By: Grandma Linda

Grandma Linda — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 21:51:22 +0000

I've grown conservative in my old age, Helen…but I'll GLADLY buy it! (On some level, I'd REALLY like to know, wouldn't you? )

By: Helen Hegener

Helen Hegener — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 21:41:40 +0000

I'll see your 3.5 and raise it to 4.5, because I think the rate of escalation has increased tremendously in the last few years, and especially in the last year or so as more and more horror stories like the webcam lawsuit are making parents take another look at what's really going on in the schools. But as you say, it's just an educated guess, isn't it?

By: Grandma Linda

Grandma Linda — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:00:02 +0000

Hi, Carol, As you're aware, "number of homeschoolers" at any given time is, at the very best, an educated guess. If it only increased 2% each year since, that's about 2.5 million. So my "educated" guess is 2.5 – 3.5.

Do I 3.75? Good. Anybody bid 4? More? Going…going…

By: Carol J. Alexander

Carol J. Alexander — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:19:09 +0000

Hi Linda,

Ten years after you wrote this, what is the ballpark figure?

Carol