Here's a new T-W-I-S-T on the Spelling Bee story we blogged about here last Friday. You'll recall that the MRC Culture and Media Institute director Robert Knight noted that many news outlets ignored champion Evan O'Dorney's homeschooled status.
Now, Andrew Coulson of Cato Institute informs us, Sara Mead, an education issues blogger at "The Quick and the ED" is suggesting characterizations of O'Dorney as homeschooled are false, "because he is registered with a public school independent study program."
Yet, "As I point out [in my post], even the O'Dorney's liaison at the Venture alternative public school refers to him as a homeschooler -- I called and asked," Coulson told NewsBusters in an e-mail.
Here's an excerpt from his blog entry "Bee Sensible" posted today at "Cato-at-Liberty":
And the fallacy for today is: false dichotomy.
While Mead attempts to create an either/or distinction between homeschooling and the home study program of Venture school, she is mistaken. There are four legal avenues for homeschooling in the state of California. One of them is to be associated with a public school home study program. Evan is not a “public school student” in the normal sense of that term. He is, as a local paper points out: “homeschooled by his mother Jennifer through Venture School.”
I had a nice conversation with Jim O’Brien, the Venture School official who liaises with the O’Dorneys. They meet about once every other week (not every week, as Mead asserts). He is available to consult with the family, but is not Evan’s teacher in the conventional sense of that word. Evan’s mother is his teacher. Mr. O’Brien himself describes Evan as homeschooled.
Mead also misrepresents the significance of homeschoolers’ showings in academic competitions. These showings are not based on “a few outliers” as she claims. In competition after competition, year after year, homeschoolers are overrepresented in the top spots. As I noted, public school students outnumber homeschoolers 40 to 1, but, in the 2007 Scripps Spelling Bee, U.S. public school students captured only 5 of the top slots — the same number as homeschoolers.
Perhaps public schools are teeming with brilliant spellers who mysteriously decided to stay away from the competition in droves. Again. Or maybe it has something to do with the educational freedom homeschoolers enjoy….
—Ken Shepherd is Managing Editor of NewsBusters
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40 to 1 and 1 to 1. Looks l
June 5, 2007 - 18:09 ET by vrwc1340 to 1 and 1 to 1. Looks like homeschooling has a bit of an edge over public schools. Maybe part of it is that most homeschoolers invite God in, whereas public schools have booted Him out!
BTW, been homeschooling for the past 16 years, and every year its the same, whether it is the National Spelling Bee, National Geography Bee, or any other schooling kudos, the bias is evident.
And, did you you know that one of the requirements to be a member of Hillary's Vast Right Wing Conspiracy is to be a homeschooling family?
Yeah, logic, reason, facts play less of a role now in the way we make decisions in America. – Al Gore
The arrangement sounds akin
June 5, 2007 - 18:21 ET by Ken ShepherdThe arrangement sounds akin to what my church does: provide a legal framework for oversight for home schooling.
A lot of home-schooling operations are done that way, with the oversight from either a public school central office or a church administrative office/church-school office.
Ken, it depends upon which st
June 5, 2007 - 18:34 ET by vrwc13Ken, it depends upon which state you are in. We have homeschooled or knew of homeschooling regulations in CA, WA, ID, AL, MI, and TX. In Texas there are hardly any, thus many move here just for that. In Alabama you had to register, and as you know California (surprised?) seems to be the worst for regulating homeschooling.
Yeah, logic, reason, facts play less of a role now in the way we make decisions in America. – Al Gore
The reason why homeschoolers
June 6, 2007 - 08:16 ET by liberal_bug_zapperThe reason why homeschoolers are better educated than public schoolers has zero to do with God. The public schools would be producing well educated kids as well if they had any standards and got rid of the leftist indoctrination.
And slightly off topic;
Do you want this country to be ruled by leftists? If you do, please, by all means keep up the Christians vs everyone else attitude as it will definitely alienate some of us non-religious conservatives and split an already fractured conservative coalition.
What is more important to you? Getting everyone to agree with you? Or, having the freedom of religion, and freedom from an overbearing and over reaching leftist secular government? Because if we keep moving in this way, our coalition will not last long.
The only reason I ever sided with any Christians in the argument against the Left is because I support freedom. I support true freedom from religious persecution, and I also support freedom for people of faith to legislate their faith as doing anything else would be disingenuous. But if you people of faith want to start making this an issue of believer vs non-believer… you’ll lose me and many other conservatives who don’t share your exact faith.
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"There are trivial truths and the great truths. The opposite of a trivial truth is plainly false. The opposite of a great truth is also true." ~ Niels Bohr
However, attacking Christians
June 6, 2007 - 08:20 ET by Sergeant ROCKHowever, attacking Christians with the same zeal as that of liberals/leftists is hardly constructive.
I am not attacking Christians
June 6, 2007 - 08:32 ET by liberal_bug_zapperI am not attacking Christians. I am asking them not to make this believer vs unbeliever. Other than that, I am all for protecting Christians rights to worship as they see fit, to legislate as Christians (as I do not see any separation of Church and State). All I ask in kind is that they not make this a believer vs unbeliever kind of thing. I am not a Christian. I am not a religious person and never will be... I was homeschooled for most of my grade school years (even though my parents were libs).... I did learn a lot of philosophy, ancient history, Latin and Greek and was doing trigonometry before I turned 10. When he said it was because of God.... that was a slap in the face of all of us who don't have the same faith.... making this a believer vs unbeliever argument when this isn't about that.
We have enough problems with the Liberals trying to take our freedom without Christians not valuing the freedom we as a group have by trying to force God down our throats. We side with you on almost everything... don't push us away because you feel you need to put God into everything... that's your faith, not mine. If you get elected, I'll deal with God in the law... that's how our country works... and with our Constitution, I feel safe that you can't legislate me into being a Christian.... but let's try and fight this fight together.... the fight is against the Liberals and against the indoctrination in the public school systems that is getting in the way of children getting an actual education... it's not about God. Take God out of the curriculum but take Lefty indoctrination out as well and teach reading, writing and arithmetic plus, history, science and art and you can have a pretty well rounded kid.
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"We can only reason from what is; we can reason on actualities, but not on possibilities." ~ Thomas Paine
As I recall, it was conservat
June 6, 2007 - 08:46 ET by Sergeant ROCKAs I recall, it was conservative Christians that lead the way in '94 and other elections. The values and principles of conservatism and religion seem to be largely one in the same. I don't know of any Atheist Right Coalition or Agnostic Right Coalition? So, one must conclude that you are in the minority (but the majority in the democRATic party). And I would also say that your irrational fear of Christianity is misplaced. I don't know of any overt campaign to cram God down your throat, especially on a par with that of liberal indoctrination which is OVERT. You're playing the moral equivalency game here.
Of course, I needn't remind you that atheist or agnostics did not found this country...
“It can not be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians, not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ!”
~Patrick Henry
But I keep having to remind
June 6, 2007 - 08:50 ET by sarcasmoBut I keep having to remind people that among the founders were deists like me, who wanted to be left the hell alone...
JMR
Patrick Henry was a deist? Ni
June 6, 2007 - 08:51 ET by Sergeant ROCKPatrick Henry was a deist? Nice try, idiot.
Nope, Jefferson was though.
June 6, 2007 - 09:06 ET by sarcasmoNope, Jefferson was though. Nice countertry, moron.
JMR
Yeah, that's always the God-h
June 6, 2007 - 09:13 ET by Sergeant ROCKYeah, that's always the God-haters answer. You can count the number of deists on one hand there, losertarian. So, that doesn't make for a majority. Nice try.
Sarc,Your assertion is not ac
June 6, 2007 - 09:26 ET by NL207Sarc,
Your assertion is not accurate. It is clear from his wrtings that Jefferson changed his position on religious philosophy more than once during his life, but he was essentially a Protestant.
"Although Jefferson's specific denominational and congregational ties were limited in his adulthood and his ever-evolving theological beliefs were distinctively his own, he was without a doubt a Protestant."
Then someone better change
June 6, 2007 - 09:29 ET by sarcasmoThen someone better change the Wikipedia entry on deism...But thanks for being able to respond intelligently, it's refreshing this morning.
JMR
Sorry if you feel we may be &
June 6, 2007 - 08:51 ET by vrwc13Sorry if you feel we may be "forcing God down your throats" or that it is a "slap in the face". But we are commanded to share our faith so not none should be lost. I agree we get a little over zealous sometimes, we are told to have truth with love, to turn the other cheek, etc. But if you really knew what our fundimental core beliefs were, you might understand more why this is important to us and to you even more.
We homeschool because we feel the public education is lacking is quality, standards, morals, and just about everything else we hold important for our kids. Take God out of the schools, ok, we will handle it at home, as we should. But look around a bit, public schools have become anti-christain, proof if needed.
Liberals do not like the idea
June 6, 2007 - 08:53 ET by Sergeant ROCKLiberals do not like the idea of children escaping their indoctrination - that's the problem.
I know, that's why hillary ha
June 6, 2007 - 08:57 ET by vrwc13I know, that's why hillary hates homeschooling, part of her VRWC talking points. Remember "it takes a village". Lived all of 2005 in Russia, not Moscow. Saw firsthand what "village" schooling does to a society. They are a third world country with a first world facade.
She probably also saw that sp
June 6, 2007 - 09:02 ET by Sergeant ROCKShe probably also saw that special on the History Channel about 'Hitler Youth' and how effective that doctrine was in leading children away from religion and family.
I'm with you Liberal Bug Zapper
June 6, 2007 - 10:40 ET by RJI'm basically with you Liberal Bug Zapper. I have frequently defended religious free speech and will continue to do so. I would literally defend it to the death. The so-called "separation of church and state" is a phony leftist concoction. But, having said that, I will also speak out against the several posters here who constantly insert their religion into threads and who denigrate other faiths.
They are little different than the Politically Correct Thought Police ideologues of the left.
"Render onto Caesar wha
June 6, 2007 - 08:40 ET by vrwc13"Render onto Caesar what is Caesars, render unto God what is Gods" I happy to discuss anything without bringing in my faith, but that does not mean its not there.
But when having to choose between "getting along" and contradicting my faith, I choose God. One of the most damning criticisms Christians get is when we are seen as hypocrital. Can't be a Sunday/Holiday believer without someone noticing, it's supposed to be a 24/7 faith or it may not be faith after all.
The public schools would be
June 6, 2007 - 09:46 ET by taznarAnd got rid of all the students who didn't have parents who valued their education.
The biggest predictor of educational success in my opinion is the value the parents place on that education. Home schooled kids have one great advantage -parents who truly value their child's education.
Anything to tear down the obv
June 5, 2007 - 18:09 ET by bigtimerAnything to tear down the obvious progress of home-schooling compared to our wretched public schooling in so many areas of this country.
Seems they just can't help themselves.
Pathetic to me that they do not try to open their eyes to see the mistakes they are making and learn from home-schooling.
IMO it's not fixable and yo
June 5, 2007 - 18:45 ET by sarcasmoIMO it's not fixable and you should not delude yourself with that hope, BT. Public schooling doesn't deliver very good education to kids for the same reasons a system of government-owned dairies would not deliver very good milk to them.
JMR
Sarc, or government owned ret
June 5, 2007 - 18:51 ET by vrwc13Sarc, or government owned retirement plans (SS)?
Yeah, logic, reason, facts play less of a role now in the way we make decisions in America. – Al Gore
Yes, take a look at that re
June 6, 2007 - 08:26 ET by sarcasmoYes, take a look at that return vs the average return on non-risky standard investments offered by private stockbrokers. Just like the milk. People who try to improve public schools are working against an ingrained incentive system that is the opposite of capitalism, which grinds-down the principles of even the most well-meaning person over a course of years. The key to improvement is the only thing most politicians absolutely refuse to consider -- less spending, and ultimately defunding.
JMR
I know sarc.Btw...Out in coun
June 5, 2007 - 18:51 ET by bigtimerI know sarc.
Btw...Out in country schools there are still some good quality schooling left in the US....anyway from my experience.
We have a school not far from me that is supposedly the oldest school here in Mt. they were going to close it last year because of lack of pupils...they didn't, but I fear it will end up going into histoy too.
This has to be one of the big
June 5, 2007 - 19:18 ET by balboaThis has to be one of the biggest non-stories in quite some time. Who cares if he is/was/might be home-schooled? Who cares if it's mentioned or not?
Its bias...something addresse
June 5, 2007 - 19:21 ET by vrwc13Its bias...something addressed on this site! Esp. since it's one of hillary's VRWC requirements.
It's bias to not mention he's
June 5, 2007 - 19:24 ET by balboaIt's bias to not mention he's homeschooled?
Yup, been following it years,
June 5, 2007 - 19:30 ET by vrwc13Yup, been following it years, always mention if public schooled, always avoid it when homeschooled. 40 to 1 public to homeschool, 5 out of 10 finalist are homeschooled, pretty significant don't you think?
It's great if that's how you
June 5, 2007 - 19:34 ET by balboaIt's great if that's how you want to raise your kid. But I don't know that you absolutely have to mention it in an article about the kid.
What part is 5 out of the las
June 5, 2007 - 19:37 ET by botgWhat part is 5 out of the last 10 taken by a segment that represents 4-5% is NOT newsworthy?
Any news organization should be doing exposes on how could this disparity could happen
Supreme Court, National Security, Borders, Fiscal Restraint, my litmus test for President.
It's a great stat. I'm just s
June 5, 2007 - 19:44 ET by balboaIt's a great stat. I'm just saying that I don't see that it always has to be mentioned. If it was, you'd probably be upset with the way they mentioned it. "Why point that out? Obviously trying to single him out as a freak. They feel like they have to get that little jab in there."
Spelling champs are freaks?Su
June 5, 2007 - 20:00 ET by botgSpelling champs are freaks?
Supreme Court, National Security, Borders, Fiscal Restraint, my litmus test for President.
It seems to me that Balboa
June 5, 2007 - 21:12 ET by lbcdawnIt seems to me that Balboa is writing what he thinks NB's rebuttal would be if the article had mentioned he was homeschooled... not that he is calling the child a freak for spelling good.
as for bias.. undoubtedly. Had he been a public school winner his school name, city, district, etc would be broadcast. Instead the public knows he eats a tuna sandwich on bread.
~lbcdawn Religion is about doing. Christianity is about done.
...calling the child a frea
June 5, 2007 - 23:06 ET by Tom1969caWell. Spelling well. ;-)
~~~
"The current tax code is harder to understand than Bob Dylan reading Finnegan's Wake in a wind tunnel."-- Dennis Miller
HA! Its not my fault I went
June 5, 2007 - 23:51 ET by lbcdawnHA! Its not my fault I went to public school.
If the kids status is so un
June 6, 2007 - 00:03 ET by RESTLESS 1If the kids status is so unimportant, then why is Sara Mead trying to misrepresent it?
I do boa.
June 5, 2007 - 19:27 ET by bigtimerI do boa.
Why? You feel home-schooling
June 5, 2007 - 19:29 ET by balboaWhy? You feel home-schooling doesn't get enough attention?
Pardon me, but...
June 5, 2007 - 19:50 ET by JABBal, stop playing stupid (read as being a troll), this is the second time today the subject matter slaps one in the face and you have to make an issue of it by playing dumb.
Grow up and act like an adult, I am embarressed for you.
"Too bad Ignorance isn't painful..."
Why is it whenever someone as
June 5, 2007 - 19:55 ET by balboaWhy is it whenever someone asks specific questions as to why people are offended by something, they resort to "stop being a troll"? I don't think not mentioning that the kid is home-schooled is the indication of any kind of bias. Oversight? Perhaps. But it doesn't reveal anything about the perceived political slant of the writer.
And speaking of spelling, if you're going to be "embarressed," at least spell it right. :-)
Hehe, Bal you just sank your
June 5, 2007 - 20:08 ET by JABHehe, Bal you just sank your own row boat, if that is the best you can do, I now understand why I converse with you very litttle. Have a Great life.
"Too bad Ignorance isn't painful..."
So nothing to add about the G
June 5, 2007 - 20:32 ET by balboaSo nothing to add about the Great Home-school Omission of 2007?
I already covered the bias
June 5, 2007 - 23:47 ET by sarcasmoI already covered the bias aspect when I was taunting the two lefties in the last thread about homeschooling linked above, have they come to play yet?? Not saying anything about homeschooling despite the asskickery of homeschoolers at this was media bias, Bal, period. Various kinds of media bias against homeschooling have been prevalant for my lifetime, it's a bias-touchstone like not mentioning the political party during political criminality stories, capiche???
JMR
I don't think not mentionin
June 5, 2007 - 23:12 ET by Tom1969caIf it happened once, you'd have a valid point. However, the thrust of the discussion is that when a home-schooled student excels it is almost invariably "oversighted" by the MSM.
Miss it once and it's an oversight. Miss it twice and it's a coincidence. Miss it multiple times and it's starting to become a pattern.
~~~
"The current tax code is harder to understand than Bob Dylan reading Finnegan's Wake in a wind tunnel."-- Dennis Miller
Especially when combined wi
June 5, 2007 - 23:50 ET by sarcasmoEspecially when combined with other blatantly-dishonest media coverage of homeschooling over the past couple of decades. Bal, we're suspicious on this subject for a reason -- we've been watching the bias unfold for a while. NB hits a homer here, and you just got a swing and a miss, dude, without even nicking that slow-ball that went right over the plate. Accept it. We're right this time.
JMR
Sarc,I noted above that anyti
June 5, 2007 - 23:56 ET by botgSarc,
I noted above that anytime a representative from 4-5% of the population took a national title 5 out of 10 years it's NEWS and in depht accounts of the anomally would be in order.
Bals answer? (paraphrase) 'Well if they did mention the homeschooling you guys would say the MSM was trying to portray the kid as a freak."
Supreme Court, National Security, Borders, Fiscal Restraint, my litmus test for President.
When reality's more like: w
June 6, 2007 - 00:32 ET by sarcasmoWhen reality's more like: whenever "journalists" cover home schooling, they tend to portray all home schooled kids as freaks, even when they all tend to be winners. And (like the deliberate lack of a "D" next to Cold Cash Jefferson's name) this kind of blatant bias has been palpable for years to those of us who've watched homeschooled kids kick the socialist-educated kids' asses over & over in this spelling bee. But what I ask people to do is the following. Forget the media, forget studies, forget science, and focus on YOURSELF for a minute. Do YOU know any homeschooled kids, and if so, what do you experience when you're around them. I do, and I experience great kids who make me resolve to get rid of socialist ("public") education in this generation if possible. Bal probably senses the anti-homeschooling media bias is in truth a public school funding political bias issue, and he knows that the Democrat teachers' unions get their money from public schooling. IMO he senses that it's politics whether or not he's willing to openly admit the political nature of all schooling choices, but it's hard not to admit it when people like me keep saying it...
JMR
I will say that the "h
June 6, 2007 - 13:09 ET by balboaI will say that the "home schooled kids as freaks" sure didn't get any help when Miss Euonym won the Bee. :-)