Homeschooling mother Kristin Maguire was voted chairwoman-elect to South Carolina’s State Board of Education Wednesday, bringing attention to the relationship between homeschoolers and public education. State Democratic Party Chairwoman Carol Fowler draws an interesting analogy.
“Having Kristin Maguire chair the State Board of Education is akin to Dick Cheney teaching a gun safety course. What does a woman who home schools her four children know about South Carolina public schools?” aikenstandard.com
What qualifies one to have a voice in education? Having a child in a public school? Or in a private school, as so many politicians do? She has served on the board since 2000, enough time to learn a little about the position, but more importantly, enough time for those voting to see whether or not they would have her lead them.
There does seem to be a strange notion that since we have chosen to homeschool, we have opted out of the national discussion on education. And that we do not care about public education. According to Molly Spearman, executive director of the state Association of School Administrators,
It is a great concern to educators in this state and people who support public education when the governor, the leader in our state, sends his kids to private schools, and now the leader of the board is a home-school mom. You question the commitment of folks to lead us forward in public education. Ibid.
I cannot help but ask one simple question.
What does it mean to support public education?
Satisfaction with the status quo?
Limiting opportunities for students?
Enforcing a one-size-fits-all system?
And if you wish for something better for your children, does it mean that you can’t work for something better for other people’s children?
The Thinking Mother shares some more links related to this story, including one posing an interesting question of its own:
…Why, exactly, is it that we have a State Board of Education? …
To the extent that the board serves a purpose, it’s to diffuse the accountability of the elected education superintendent – who in turn diffuses the accountability of the elected governor. And those are bad things. Even if we never let the governor appoint the superintendent (and we should), we at least should eliminate the board, and make education policy a bit more accountable to the public. The Gaffney Ledger
Why, indeed, is there so much “padding” between the parent and the education of the child? Maybe that is why some look with so much distrust upon the fact that Maguire homeschools. She has circumnavigated the bureacracy.
[tags]homeschooling, homeschool, Maguire, Kristin Maguire[/tags]
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I definitely agree with you on the fact that just because we homeschool does not mean that we have no interest in public education and in theory I do support any homeschooler who wants to run for a local school board. I do believe that homeschoolers typically would bring a different perspective on education which could be a good thing.
Unfortunately I don’t think that this is going to be good “PR” for homeschoolers in general as it seems she has some *very* conservative views that in themeselves are going to draw a lot of fire from opponents.
Homeschooling will by association be pulled into this criticism and I am sure that this will reinforce many people’s stereotypical views that *all* homeschoolers share her religious and political views.
http://notverybright.wordpress.com/2007/12/15/who-is-kristin-maguire/
As a more liberal homeschooler, who most definitely does not share Maguire’s views, this has dampened my enthusiasm for her election. It gets frustrating to see homeschooling incorrectly associated with one religious/political view. I can’t tell you the number of times that people are surprised to find out that I homeschool because I don’t fit the “stereotype”. But we are out there and we do exist!
Dana asked, “What qualifies one to have a voice in education?”
Paying your taxes.
Stephanie, it is true that she has very conservative and Christian views…I know I read one concern over how someone who believes in creation can be responsible for overseeing textbook adoption. Those arguments are fair game…they deal directly with the issues she will be facing and deal with whether or not she is the best candidate to address those issues.
This got edited out, but originally, I wrote that I know nothing about this woman and have no idea whether or not she would make a good chairwoman. The entry isn’t really about that but about the idea of the homeschooler by default not being qualified for the position.
This is only a musing, but I am guessing that the political climate in SC in general makes this a “hot” issue. A measure was introduced in the SC legislature that said,
“[T]he State Board of Education shall implement policies and a curriculum that accomplish the General Assembly’s desire to provide a quality science education that shall prepare students to distinguish the data and testable theories of science from religious or philosophical claims that are made in the name of science. Where such topics are taught that may generate controversy, such as biological evolution, the curriculum should help students to understand the full range of scientific views that exist, why such topics may generate controversy, and how scientific discoveries can profoundly affect society.”
It didn’t pass, but I don’t think it is uncommon to find this kind of approach in the schools in the south…at least that is where the disclaimer stickers seem to be more popular. I can’t help but wonder if the raucous over her choice to homeschool isn’t a deflection of the issue because those who oppose know it is more likely to gain support than addressing the issue of creation.
As a disclaimer, I do happen to believe in creation. As to how the origins of life should be taught in a public school, I don’t know. There are so many issues with that I don’t know how to untangle them all. So long as we have real choice in education (public, private, charter and homeschool) and the state cannot dictate curriculum to private and home schools, I am happy.
Life on the Planet, I agree. : )
Of course we homeschoolers support public education. Those are the kids who are going to be working for our kids one day.
To begin with, my “anti-spam word” was STRAW,; so this is my straw vote.
I’d file this article under Food for Thought, as I read the ideas presented and ponder them. I would hope, not expect, that the origins of life are taught as Theories rather than a consensus of supposed facts with the scales tipped heavily toward a science which can neither prove nor disprove any of the Theories. As for religion and Creation, I would hope that this is never taught in the public schools and left to the individual families unit and their church affiliations. My own view of the Creation is deeply rooted in my religious foundation and would not be given its proper station were it to be disseminated through the public school system, having to become politically correct would destroy those points of interest which permit me to use my faith.
Edmund, thanks for the smile. : )
T.F., I agree. The teaching of evolution does not bother me on its own, especially in the context of “this is the view that the consensus of the scientific community supports.”
What bothers me is the basis behind an ethics problem presented in one of my education classes. The situation centered on a girl who knew the material. She had been to a church sponsored seminar and understood everything in the textbook and aced the test. The problem was, she didn’t believe it and, while her paper expressed an understanding deeper than that of her peers, it was clear she did not accept the theory.
Was it ethical to pass her? (There is no right or wrong answer according to the book.)
That bothered me then, while I myself still was sort of on a fence between two beliefs and bothers me more now. What is “ethical” about failing her? She knows the material. What more can you ask of a student?
Creation in the school is an interesting problem of its own, and I don’t really like the ID thing. I wish it could just be ok for parents to teach what they believe, for Christian communities to provide resources supporting their specific views and for the school to teach established theory as a “consensus” view without the need for a student to believe it.
I’ve taught my children the principles of evolutionary theory and they will learn more as they grow older. And we don’t just scoff at it.
I do not see what difference it makes. She homeschools her kids, other kids go to public, private or state schools, so what.
If she was not qualified for the position (which she obviously is) then I would have reservations about her appointment.
She pays her taxes, contributes to her community and know wants to be involved in it. As has been mentioned she will no dubt bring a fresh point of view and ‘stir the pot’ a bit.
The skills and techniques she must have developed as a homeschooling Mom can be applied to public, private and state education. Good luck to her and congratulations I say.
I was just thinking about this subject earlier today when I was watching a public meeting with one of our senators about NCLB. I noticed that most of the speakers were public school workers (teachers, principals, etc.) and I wondered what their reaction would have been to a homeschooling mother speaking.
I think I would have a lot to offer in the way of suggestions on how to improve the schools based on my experience with my own children both in the school and now home.
Really, one does not need to have children in the public schools to have opinions or ideas on the subject.
Dana, regarding your hypothetical story about the girl in the science class, what bothers me about that is that an education class has questions with no right or wrong answers!
IMO, if a teacher failed a student, who knew the material and was able to demonstrate that knowledge, based on said student’s religious beliefs, there would be some serious first amendment issues.
I am a huge supporter of Public Schools. I am not so big on Home Schooling. Having said that, I see no issue with having someone who home schools their child in a position such as this. One thing about home schooling I do admire is, by not using public schools as education, they are thinking outside the box. I think it’s important to have people who are looking for solutions to problems helping our school systems. I think that is exactly what Home Schooling parents are doing, looking for a better eduction for their child.
Just my 2 cents.
I love it! Isn’t it great that she got the job!!!?
Party Chairwoman Carol Fowler is a condescending party hack. She assumes that because people homeschool that they are idiots. By the way Dick Cheney is probably a lot more safe with firearms these days. Ms. Fowler however doesn’t think people learn from their mistakes. I learned from my mistake of sending my children to a failing government school! Molly Spearman, executive director of the state Association of School Administrators puts down the governor for seeing the obvious – the school administrators are failing our children by catering to the teachers unions and political hacks like Ms. Fowler. I would be willing to bet if more school districts elected homescool moms the quality of education would improve. Just my 2 cents!
I think a member of a state education board that has any governing authority on public education should have a clear and manifest understanding of the stake that person has in public education. A homeschooler could make such an understanding clear. This woman in South Carolina appears, from what I’ve read, to be dedicated to killing public education.
I’d like someone who understands the key role education has played in the making of this nation, not someone who acts as a destructive parasite on the school board.
Dedicated to “killing public education?” By showing up to meetings prepared and demanding higher standards for kids? You will need a little more proof than “from what I’ve read.”
I have seen no evidence of her being a “destructive parasite on the school board.” Those are strong accusations offered without proof.
Even her opposition failed to criticize her views…only the fact that she homeschools.
Gosh, how would any of us know either way, about this particular woman? I sure don’t.
But I DO know homeschoolers who root for, and some hs activists working hard for, the destruction of public schooling. I even know a couple of conservative dads in Indiana-Illinois with discussion lists and an association and even a syndicated radio show, through which they call for hsers to rise up and “kill the Beast”, meaning the public school system. . .
Not surprising or necessarily unjustified, considering the NEA has long been legislatively committed to killing homeschooling! But the discomfort at a generic homeschool mom on a public school board is understandable if we remember how we squirm over having politically opposite schoolfolk making decisions that affect us.
An interesting thought (at least to me):
Is killing public schools equivalent to killing public education? I consider myself a fairly strong advocate of public education, ie., that we need an educated public to remain free. But of public schools? Not so much.
Sometimes they stand in the way of real education.
Indeed! And I see you’re pursuing that interesting thought in a new VERY interesting post, so I’ll join in that discussion. Great minds think alike?
I am late to this discussion, but I likes Dana’s question “Is killing public schools equivalent to killing public education?”
I have served on our local school board and I am a homeschool dad. I agree with Dana, in that I too believe in an educated public, but I completely disagree with our current public education system. I believe the system must be changed by removing federal and state oversight and placing full control back into the hands of the local parents. Funding, administration, and participation should be 100% voluntary. Parents must decide, determine and direct every aspect of the education “system” (i.e. teachers, buildings, curriculum, budget, administration, etc.)
Based on this system, every parent (including private education parents, which includes homeschoolers) would have the OPTION to participate in whatever manner they please (financial, leadership, etc.) No longer would control follow the money; no longer would political influence impact curriculum; no longer would tension exist between private educators and “public” educators because in essence, all education would be privately controlled by parents. Small group schools could be created in as small of an area as a cul-de-sac; medium size schools including several blocks of a subdivision; or even larger schools including entire communities; the choice would be up to the parents (and not the state boards, departments of education, or even the teachers’ unions).
From what I understand, New Zealand did something like this with their public education system about 10-15 years ago…they removed all oversight of education from the Department of Education and handed it to the parents. Supposedly achievement increase dramatically.
I am ALL for connecting and advancing important education ideas, and for acting individually as a citizen to improve and advance public education, rather than hiding in a homeschool-defined cave somewhere like Tolkien’s Gollem, clutching my own kids in a death grip while muttering “my precious!”
Have to warn Dana and Brian though, that I’ve been burned by warring gangs on both sides of the street — public school supporters intent on keeping us quietly home, out of anything to do with public education, but also the self-appointed homeschool guardians who want exactly the same thing! Us home alone or in modest jumpers at park day, safe from any “public” connections and believing the only way to stay safe is to stay clearly separate from all larger education programs, ideas and concerns.
The National Home Education Network legislative forums made some bitter enemies for refusing to exclude “education reform” talk from its diverse legislative topics for educationally engaged homeschoolers. The resentment built gradually but by the end, “education reform” connections to home education were synonymous with evil, heretical.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Brian. I’ll have to look more at NZ. : ) It mirrors some of my own thoughts, but has its own problems I wrote about some time ago.
Is it even possible to fix our education system?
Thank you for your thoughts, JJRoss. It isn’t likely that I’ll lose interest in education reform any time soon. It was a motivating factor in my choice to pursue a degree in education and an even stronger motivation to join Teach For America and teach in a little school near the TX border.
I didn’t exactly plan to end up where I am now, but education is one of the more important issues, and I still believe that mission statement of TFA’s:
“One day, all children in this nation will have the opportunity to attain an excellent education.”
But “excellent” doesn’t mean “the same.” I support (and have always supported) a wide range of diversified educational options for families to choose from.
Dana,
I enjoyed your other post and you have some good thoughts.
Sometimes revolution (or complete meltdown) is the only solution. Unfortunately, people get hurt in the process. It is just the way of a fallen world.
I believe the homeschool movement is a bit of the testament to parents beginning to take responsibility again. Unfortunately, the mindset within our country has been so perverted that any action “away” from the system is considered an “attack” on the system. The system, and those who benefit from it, cannot flourish without participants. Thus, I believe this leads to your conclusion that the system as we know it is probably not “fixable”. At some point in time in the far far future (it may not even be before the return of our Lord Jesus Christ), the majority of parents will finally be totally fed up and a true revolt will occur. But until then, the so called battle lines have been drawn and those who do not participate in the system will be viewed as enemies and the need to control these enemies will remain. As long as those who wish to remove themselves from the system are considered enemies, the battle will rage on. One near term improvement that could occur, but most likely will never happen, is to allow people to walk away from the system with no strings attached. Unfortunately, this must come from the system and is beyond the control of those who walk away. The hooks from the system remain through taxation, registration, testing, etc. and until such time that these hooks are removed, we will continue to be at war with one another…a sad state of affairs.
I personally would like to see the battle end, but I know that it is a battle for the hearts of our children AND it is a spiritual battle. Maybe by the grace of our Lord Jesus, the system will let go, but I am not counting on it, therefore, I agree with you that it probably isn’t repairable, but rather it will just have to be revolutionized the hard way.
Brian, you are right. Some things are changing in that there is greater awareness. We may fret about how unaccepted homeschooling is, but the “approval ratings,” so to speak, have increased steadily. It is an increasingly respected educational option.
I believe a highly diversified system is best…but it is difficult because there are so many with a stake in it as you point out. Governments and unions want centralized control. Thus we find ourselves continually striving against them.
Ditto the idea that dismantling the public school system as it is does NOT mean obliterating any form of public education.
Some home educators have been treated as ‘the enemy’ by other parents and educrats for so long that they have allowed themselves to be programmed to react in a very defensive and sometimes offensive manner. We have to get past that if we are going to effect any kind of real change for ourselves and for our communities.