At 09:19 AM 5/25/98 -0700, Dean Russell wrote: >I noticed in this post that Cindy is involved in home schooling. Is that from >want or need? We have been thinking about schooling for the Children (Michelle >8 - Trevor 7 ) while on the waves for a couple of years. Could you or Cindy give >us your thoughts on long distance learning. I'm not sure if this should go onto the list or not; but since cruising families often have to home school, I will write at least one letter to the group on the subject. If it doesn't generate any interest, then Dean and I can take it off line. Paul III has now spent his first five years in public schools, and his second five years in his "home school." None of this time has been long distance learning on a cruising boat. It has all been shore based. None-the-less, I do not believe things would be significantly different if we were doing it "long distance." Our reasons for home schooling are many and somewhat complicated; but they all boil down to one primary objective: To give Paul III the very best education possible. Academically, he has improved significantly and continues to improve. We can see that in his standard test scores, which are the same standard tests that public school kids take. But an education is so much more than academics, to the point where academics are a minor part of his overall education. This other part of his education is strictly hit and miss in the public schools; but he has excelled in the home environment. These other parts of his education are such things as character, self discipline, and the ability to learn whatever you need to learn to get the job done. I actually know of business owners who will not hire a kid under 22, unless he has been home schooled. Some of them even will come to our home school meetings to recruit help. We are not raising children. We already have children. What we want eventually is adults, and that is what we are raising. I kept that last paragraph short on purpose. I could easily exceed Georgs' new 50k limit on the reasons for home schooling. I will leave that to you folks to sort out your own reasons for yourselves. I shall now address the logistics of it, rather than the reasons for it. Every state in the USA has different requirements for schooling, home or otherwise; and I have no idea what the requirements are in other countries. What I will say here applies to Florida, but is similar in other states. There are two ways to home school, one of which legally is not home schooling at all. Most folks elect this easy way, which is to register under a private school that caters to home schoolers. If you do this in Florida, then you are not counted legally among the home schoolers and you do not have to meet the legal requirement imposed upon home schoolers, which are minimal anyway in this state. Legally, Paul III is a private school student and not a home schooled student; even though all his classes are at home. This type of private school is frequently referred to as an "umbrella school." Umbrella schools offer a number of advantages for a very minimal cost. (Often under fifty dollars per year per student.) They typically have one or more certified teachers on staff. They will set curriculum standards and provide you will a menu to choose from. You can either buy a pre-packaged curriculum, or you can put one together yourself; but either way it would have to meet the standards set by the umbrella school. These certified teachers will normally administer standard tests at least once per year. They are also available to consult with for planning purposes; but tutoring is normally arranged at a separate cost, or else tutoring services are traded among the parents. (I'll teach your kid Calculus if you teach mine music and drama.) When the kid finally graduates, he will get a diploma from the umbrella school which looks just like any other diploma from a private school. If you are not with an umbrella school, then you must register with the school board. They will do an FBI check to make sure you are not a child molester. They will then monitor your child's progress by his once per year standard tests, which you must pay for. My best estimate is that about ten percent of home school families elect this approach. Any time you see the number of home schooled kids in the media, it will always be only the ones that have registered with the school board. In Brevard county, we have about 2000 kids registered in this way, which means that we must have about 20,000 kids being home schooled in all, if my ten percent estimate is accurate. Whither or not you are with an umbrella school, most folks will join a home schooling support group. This is where the parent help each other sort out all the little concerns that arise. They also plan field trips and other events. If we were a long distance cruising family, then our home schooling would change very little. Some umbrella schools will specialize in supporting long distance cruising families. If you want to cruise with children, then that is by far the easiest way to go. These typically cost a little more than most umbrella schools, but then they provide more service. Some will even grade the papers and select the curriculum. Personally, I would prefer a minimum service school and do the rest myself. Besides this, the cruising world is a very tight knit community. Where ever you go, it will not be difficult to get your own home school support group up. Lessons can be very interesting. One of Paul III's current text books is Dave Gerr's "Propeller Handbook." His assignment is to learn how to spec out a propeller and to select the propellers for our boat. That is a huge task for a ninth or tenth grader. When he gets that one done, then he will get some fluid power text books and spec out the hydraulic motor, and gear box if required. I will arange for him to participate in the overhauls of several pumps and motors at a hydraulics repair shop, so that he will know how they work. Then he will be able to design the rest of the system. His field trips have included a tour of an ocean tug, with an interview of the engineering chief. He has corresponded with the engineering chief on the USCG ice breaker Polar Sea, and with several oceanographers. His conclusion from that is that he will study business in college instead of Oceanography, since oceanographers are cheap enough to hire when you need them. (Oceanography was his first choice, since he figured it would be beneficial to our fishing business.) I am in the process of arranging field trips to a Caterpillar dealer, and possibly also to the factory. Designing and building this boat has provided a plethora of learning opportunities. These opportunities would be no less plentiful as a full time cruising family. That is the Reader's Digest version. If anyone would like to discuss the matter further, we can do that. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ :: Paul and Cindy Kruse :: KJV Joh 14:27 Peace I leave with you, 165 South Kenneth Court :: my peace I give unto you: Merritt Island, FL 32952 :: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. E-mail: plkruse@iu.net :: Let not your heart be troubled, 407-453-6206 :: neither let it be afraid. :: +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++