“Parents Opt For Homeschooling (KWQC-TV 6 Davenport)” plus 1 more

Parents Opt For Homeschooling (KWQC-TV 6 Davenport)

Posted: 17 Mar 2010 04:59 PM PDT

Are cutbacks and program reductions in public schools having an affect on homeschooling? About two million children nationwide are home schooled. That number grows 5-12 percent each year.

Everyday, 14-year-old Katrina Griffith goes to class in her living room. Wednesday she worked on music, science, and cooking. On Thursday she'll study all the core classes important for any 9th grader. But Katrina says she prefers the freedom of learning from home over a public school.

"You can set your own hours, the kids who don't get enough sleep because they're up studying real late," says Katrina Griffith.

Her mother, Lori, now her teacher, pulled her out of public schools this year. She says it was because of some of the decisions the district was making. Now, with all of the budget cuts and program reductions most districts are faced with, Griffith says she's glad she did it.

"Took her out before the end of the semester. It just got to be more of an issue and hard on her," said Lori Griffith. Griffith says she's seen too many districts letting teachers go, cutting programs like arts, and even closing schools altogether.

Katrina remarked, "They also sometimes overcrowd the classes which is kind of hard because you sometimes need the one-on-one with your teacher."

But with home schooling, despite the responsibility, her mother doesn't have to worry about that, and she predicts more parents will go that route. But every family is different...

"Homeschooling K-5th is like the perfect, perfect thing to lay down foundation for your kids," said Julie Oliger. Oliger has been home schooling her children for nine years. She says it's not for everyone and hopes parents base their decision to home school on their individual needs, not on what happens in the district.

"It's a totally different way of life. You really have to be called to homeschooling and to want to do it," added Oliger.

School administrators say budget cuts and program reductions do hurt the ability to meet the individual needs of all students. For families who choose to homeschool the districts often keep in contact to make sure kids have the best resources. "We think we offer some great opportunities for all kids but we understand and appreciate a parent's individual choice to home school. And we are here to help them be successful as well," said Mike Oberhaus, Associate Superintendent with the Rock Island/Milan School District. School administrators say many homeschool students are still involved with extra -curricular events and other activities with the schools.

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Montgomery County home-schooling couple back in court (WRGB Albany)

Posted: 18 Mar 2010 02:56 AM PDT

GLEN -- It's a story that's received national attention.

Richard and Margie Cressy, of Glen, will be back in court this afternoon.

The Cressys face charges of endangering their kids by homeschooling them but failing to follow the proper state education laws.

The school district says their four young kids haven't been registered with the district for the last seven years.

Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.