Mississippi's Messing Up a Good Thing And Failing to Fix a Bad One

When we decided to leave the lovely state of Louisiana and move to the frozen tundra, one of my greatest concerns was the homeschooling thing. After viewing the homeschooling laws of Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi, we decided that Mississippi was the best choice. The best choice was, for us, the state in which the residents had given up the least of their rights. It was the state in which the least amount of contact which educational bureaucrats was necessary.

It is my opinion that contact with educational bureaucrats is a bad thing. It is also my opinion that contact with educational bureaucrats will not in any way improve the education my children receive. Can't believe I just said that? Listen to this. The first year we homeschooled, we choose the take-a-standardized-test-at-the-end-of-the-year option. I arranged for my second grader, Salamander, to take the test at the local school board. We arrived dutifully ten minutes early, which was a good thing as the woman who greeted us told me that she had been given a First Grade Test. She looked at me blankly until I suggested that she go and find a Second Grade Test to give my son, as he had just completed the second grade. After ten minutes of discussion with the woman in charge, it was decided that Salamander would indeed be allowed to take a Second Grade Test. What a relief.

The Lady-Who-Was-Giving-the-Test took Salamander across the hall to a testing room, and I settled down with Nora Roberts to wait. Pretty soon I noticed that even with the light weight long sleeve shirt I had thought to bring it was getting a little cold. In fact, it was down right frigid. I glanced into the office next to me. The secretary was wearing a sweater. Louisiana in late May is not known for it's early morning frosts. I figure that a good 25% of the monthly budget went to cool that building. Poor Salamander. I knew he must be frozen.

I had just settled down again when the work crew arrived, the one that was constructing a new doorway to the room that was next to the room where Tiger was being tested. The work crew loved their power tools. They had a tool that made a "ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ" sound, and a tool that made a "BAM BAM BAM," and a tool that made a sound similar to "whack-ponk, whack-ponk." With all of those really cool sounds going on, the work crew had to talk real loud to hear each other. It was only natural.

Sadly, the work crew had to go on a break. All that work, you understand, can be rather tiring. It must have been everyone at the school board's break time because the guy in the office on one end of the hall kept shouting at the guy in the office in the other end of the hall. Also, if you're interested, I could tell you about the love life of the secretary in the office next to me because she was telling her assistant all about it. In fact, she must have wanted everyone to know her troubles because she talked loud enough for the space station crew to pick up her signal. (And on a side note, I must tell you that girl could have taught Nora Roberts a thing or two!) All of this commotion was going on while my Salamander was taking his standardized test.  I would have complained to the woman in charge, but I understand that she had left to attend a very important meeting and couldn't be disturbed.

The next year we signed up to homeschool under option two, Private In-Home School. No trips to that sacred edifice of education were required. That was a real shame because I was looking forward to hearing what the secretary in the room next to me was up to.

Fast forward six years, and here we are now in Mississippi, land of the free and home of the homeschoolers who don't have to deal with educational bureaucrats. However, if certain elements have their way, I'll soon be back at the school board freezing, blushing and asking men who are badly in need of belts to hush-up. I don't dare hope that Mississippi school board secretaries are less vocal about their personal issues than that one in Louisiana.

Since the legislature of Mississippi is so all-fired concerned about the progress of homeschooled students, I guess that means that they've sorted out the problems of their own school system. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center site,

"Unfortunately, Mississippi's public school system funnels many students directly into the juvenile justice system. The state's schools frequently employ disparate discipline practices and fail to provide appropriate services to disabled students."

That's quite the recommendation, that is. Take a look at Mississippi's state profile at the National Center for Educational Statistics. So, exactly what is it that concerns the state legislature about homeschoolers? Are they afraid that we might not be educating our children, either? Are they afraid that this alleged lack of education might result in homeschooled students ending up in jail or on the public dole?

What's that old saying about people in glass houses? Or is it the pot and the kettle?

*Update and a P.S.*

Here's the update: I spoke with my Senator's secretary this morning who assured me that the chances of this bill getting out of committee are slim to none. Fingers crossed. I was muttering "Kill the Bill" under my breath this morning until Tiger looked at me and said, "Why do you want to kill Bill?"

Here's the P.S.: The Christmas tree is still up, and thanks to Butterfly, the lights are on. Pitiful. It's just pitiful.

Comments

[dlyn]

Very interesting entry. Our kids are grown, but we have a lot of home schooling friends and it is increasingly difficult here in NY.

[Summer]

Often I think it is that they know that homeschoolers can, and do, make them look bad. When homeschoolers are on average out performing them and doing well after school and they are funneling "many students directly into the juvenile justice system" they know something neds to change. But rather than improve themselves they want to bring down homeschoolers to their level.

[Dana]

Yikes...glad your bill hasn't much chance of passing. It is frustrating reading all the rhetoric...I want to reach through my monitor and explain things to people who you would think are smart enough to know better than what they are saying.

[Aussie kim]

Great post! I think I'll go contact the senator........

[Activities Coordinator]

Thanks all.

Dana, I know what you mean. Every once and a while I want to tap the screen and say, "Hellooo? Anyone listening out there?"

Kim - Whatever you do, don't mention anything to the Senator about the Christmas Tree. Thanks.

[Alasandra]

I have spoken to several Senators about this bill (SB2271) and they all assure me that it will die in committee.

Since Senator Jackson has introduced this same bill since 2004, maybe we should find out what he has against homeschoolers. I fully expect he will introduce it again in 2009 and every year thereafter until he is voted out of office.

[Melanie]

Glad to find your blog! I'm a soon-to-be homeschooler in MS. I located your site when researching Senate Bill 2271. I got the same information that Alasandra got from many on the Senate Education Committee members. Glad to hear it. What I would like to know is the backstory on the bill? Who wrote the language (I mean who's whispering in Sen. Jackson's ear)? What lobby pushed for this bill to be proposed? Anyone out there have a clue? It helps to make a more informed argument if you know the “real” motivation behind the bill.

[Jeannie]

Greetings, Activities Coordinator! So glad I found your blog site :-)

I am a HS mom and full-time librarian living in the great state of Arkansas! Too bad you did not choose to come here!
:-(

I love your blog! It makes me laugh (which I desperately need in this uptight, free-speech for all, feminist, anti-homeschooling atmosphere I work in!)

BTW- I am also an Anglican- my husband and I are in the Catholic Anglican Church.

I look forward to reading more and participating here as I am able!

Blessings,
Jeannie

[Activities Coordinator]

Hey Jeannie!

Welcome aboard. We looked at Arkansas, but the homeschool laws were better in Mississippi. Sorry.

I'm surprised that your work environment is anti-homeschooling. My librarians are so friendly and helpful to homeschoolers! We love them greatly.

Feel free to drop in whenever you can.

[Jeannie]

I think the reason my particular library tends to be more that way is the individual attitudes of many of the women who work here. They are very liberal-minded and are pro-public school all the way! They tend to think anyone who homeschools has no business to do so. How dare we? Isn't it funny that they are so in favor of free speech, freedom of the press, free everything, except the right of parents to choose what is best for their own children???

(OK- I'm hopping down off the soapbox now ;-)

Apparently, they have also had some bad experiences with homeschool moms who have been late returning their library materials then argue about having to pay the fines.

Sadly, it makes us all look bad! But, I'm trying to change their attitudes! Could use some prayer on that!!!

Blessings,
Jeannie