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Reflections on the Support Group Leaders Retreat
On Saturday, October 29, homeschool support group and co-op leaders from around the state gathered at the St. Cloud Civic Center for the annual MACHE Fall Support Group Leaders Retreat. The agenda included opportunities for fellowship, encouragement, challenge, and open discussion on a variety of current and imminent issues for homeschoolers and leaders of homeschool organizations. On behalf of all those who benefited from this opportunity I'd like to publicly thank the MACHE board for sharing their insights with us at the retreat, with special thanks to Karen Bryant for handling the lion's share of the organizational aspects.October 29, 2005 Reported by Dave Johnson, MACHE Liaison for District 1 and Julie Hunt, Support Group Leader At the end of this article are some thoughts from first time retreat attendee and support group leader Julie Hunt. Julie shares her impressions and a bit about the morning’s speakers, Julie Quist, Director of Ed Watch, and Minnesota Representative Mark Olson. In the afternoon, we were challenged by pastor David Watkins in a time of devotion, participated in a "town hall" discussion facilitated by John Tuma, and closed with a time of prayer in small groups. One of the benefits I've enjoyed from past retreats, and again at this one, is to learn of issues coming our way, both legislatively and on other fronts. Here are some of the questions we tackled during our town hall discussion:
In future articles we are hoping to have some of our leaders share more about these discussions and some of the changes that they are planning to implement in their support groups and/or co-ops as a result of what was learned. For the remainder of this article, here are some thoughts on the retreat from homeschool support group leader Julie Hunt. "Saturday I had the opportunity to attend my first MACHE support group leaders retreat and what a treat it turned out to be! Since I have not actually taken over yet as a support leader for our group in Monticello, I was a little apprehensive about the crowd. But what a warm, friendly group it turned out to be! I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know other leaders and hearing about their joys, issues and concerns. One of the things I learned was that our support group is certainly not a prototype for all support groups! As diverse as homeschoolers can be, support groups are equally unique. Besides, I learned there are networks, co-ops, and solely support groups. However, our love of Christ unifies us and that was evident when we had the privilege of praying together. "MACHE not only offered us an opportunity to network together, but planned a very informative day. In the morning we were updated on legislative issues by Julie Quist, Director of Ed Watch. She was most informative in shedding light on what's going on in the 'Nanny State;' including alarming work by some in the government to promote mandatory preschool and mandatory 'mental health' screening for children from infancy on! It was evident from listening to her that our enemy 'prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour' and he continues to turn his attention on our children. I appreciated Julie's talk, and continue to admire those who work so vigilantly to protect our children and our right to homeschool. For a more complete look at these most pressing issues please visit www.edwatch.org. "Next, Minnesota Representative Mark Olson spoke from his heart. I have heard him speak before in a general manner about legislative concerns, but this was a true testimony of his personal life experiences which led him to homeschool. What a great man of faith! We are truly privileged here in Minnesota to have him as a representative. He moved me to tears, and I don't think I was the only one. "In closing, thank you MACHE for putting on this invaluable day of restoration. Homeschooling is tough. I am amazed how you at MACHE do such an amazing job anticipating our needs to be informed and encouraged."
Submitted by Dave Johnson (Pine Island) and Julie Hunt (Monticello)
October, 2005
Report on Meetings with Dr. Brian Ray: September 10-11, 2004
MACHE was pleased to host researcher, educator and homeschool dad, Brian Ray at its first Fall Symposium and annual Support Group Leaders retreat on September 10-11 at Northwestern College in Roseville. The two day event began Friday afternoon with a roundtable discussion attended by various legislators and policy makers. It was almost incomprehensible to listen to this group of people try to discuss how to promote home education at a state / government level. How the Lord has blessed us! 
Friday evening, several hundred people attended a seminar by Dr. Ray in Maranatha Hall. Saturday morning was devoted to more specific teaching by Dr. Ray on what makes homeschooling distinct from other forms of education, and why it is imperative that homeschooling remain distinct. The entire weekend was informative, encouraging and helpful. Brian Ray, Ph.D., has become internationally known for his research on homeschooling, which he prefers to call home-based education. His most recent book, Home Educated and Now Adults, is a statistical report based on a survey of over 5,000 home educated students who have gone on to higher education or other forms of postsecondary careers. Dr. Ray earned his Ph.D. in science education and has an M.S. in zoology. He speaks at many conferences and provides expert testimony to courts, legislatures and the media. We were personally blessed to witness his true passion: excellence in education. The research Dr. Ray presents is compelling. For example, by the late 1970s, home schooling was virtually extinct. [Homeschooling has ALWAYS existed to some degree.] It is estimated that in 1978 there were only 12,000 home educated students. By 2003, there were over 2.3 million home educated students, comprising 3% of the population. Statistical growth of this nature is truly phenomenal. It means that home-based education has moved from the fringes of American society to nearly a mainstream practice in a short time span. But it is the demonstrable success of home educated students which is exciting and encouraging. Home educated students are pursuing higher education at a rate --74% -- which far surpasses that of the general population -- 46%. Home educated students are engaged in a wide-variety of occupations. One of the biggest surprises (to non-home educators!) was the level of involvement in communities and civic careers. Parents, take note: 95% of the homeschool graduates surveyed were glad that they were homeschooled, and many are already homeschooling their own children. While these statistical facts are indeed encouraging, there are still many pitfalls and caveats for the home educator. One of the greatest dangers currently is the lure of the home based, charter, tax-funded government school. Dr. Ray thoroughly challenged those present to examine why true home-based education and virtual/charter schools are not equivalent forms of education. He did this by carefully pointing out how a worldview drives all forms of education; nothing exists without a foundational idea. And if the family is not willing to take on the Biblically mandated jurisdiction of their children, it will be assumed by the state. To place one's children under the authority of nonbelievers implies agreement with a system, agreement with the worldview of the provider and the importance of the teacher over the parent. As a result, the heart of the child is turned. So, what are the effects of tax-funded school-at-home (home-based charter schools)? Participants contribute to a further entrenchment of "regular" state institutional schooling. Parents continue the advancement of falsehoods such as the teaching of socialism, chance/energy created life/species (evolution) and the idea that all values are equal. Parents become agents of the state in filtering ideas and curriculum choices made by someone else. Participants need to consider also that they are continuing the government monopoly of education and its unfair competition with other, nonpublic forms of education. This is especially true with home-based charter tax-funded virtual schools which actually bring money into a local school district. Why has home education been so successful? Everything any educator dreams of belongs to the home educator: customized teaching, small "classrooms," and making the most of teachable moments (often having an opportunity to create teachable moments!). Yet many are eager to give up all these advantages and return control to the state for the perceived advantage of a "free" curriculum -- even a computer! Thus, parents entertain the expectation of a hassle free school day and school year. No more agonizing over curriculum choices. That's true; you give that up. No more worry about record keeping. That's true; a certified teacher comes to your home to monitor your progress and make sure you are accomplishing your requirements. What was once private data is now the property of the state. We are all prone to discouragement. For some reason, we usually think problems are unique to our own situations. No one else struggles to get it all done. Yet talk to any teacher in any traditional school situation and you will hear of many difficulties in reaching their goals! The statistics are clear and revealing: home-based, parent-led independent education far surpasses all other choices. Please remember these simple facts. Homeschooling families have faced many, often seemingly insurmountable obstacles. And they persevered. Not because a statistician encouraged them, but because they knew the command of the Lord and the empowering gift of the Holy Spirit. This is what should help and encourage all of us. As Karen Bryant, MACHE board member and Fall Symposium coordinator, so succinctly admonished us,
"So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you." II Thessalonians 2:15.
All information cited is from Homeschooling Grows Up, HSLDA's synopsis of Brian Ray's full length report, Home Educated and Now Adults: Their Community and Civic Involvement, Views About Homeschooling, and Other Traits. Both the synopsis and the book are available from National Home Education Research Institute, P.O. Box 13939, Salem, Oregon 97309 * 503-364-1490 * www.nheri.org.
Submitted by Kathy Lytle
September, 2004 Back to Support Groups Copyright 2004, MACHE |