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News Item October 2011 |
Online academies and programs are mushrooming in every state, and more and more homeschooling families are considering these distance learning alternatives. To get a better view of what is within this mushrooming cloud, it is helpful to find out what teachers think of these options. After all, what the teachers think impacts what school systems can offer over the long haul. Here’s the NEA’s official statement on distance learning (page 248, NEA Handbook 2011): The National Education Association believes that quality distance education can create or extend learning opportunities but is not an alternative to traditional education that allows for regular face-to-face interaction among students, peers, and instructors. The Association opposes arrangements whereby elementary, secondary, and undergraduate students receive all or most of their education through distance learning and rarely, if ever, convene in an actual classroom. In case there is any doubt on the matter, here’s the official statement on home schooling (page 250, NEA Handbook 2011): The National Education Association believes that home schooling programs based on parental choice cannot provide the student with a comprehensive education experience. When home schooling occurs, students enrolled must meet all state curricular requirements, including the taking and passing of assessments to ensure adequate academic progress. The Association also believes that home-schooled students should not participate in any extracurricular activities in the public schools. It may be possible in the short run for homeschoolers to find a distance learning option that seems “homeschooler friendly,” but it is only a matter of time before the teacher’s unions assert their considerable clout and enforce their stance. For example, some homeschoolers in Washington state can get reimbursed for their curriculum through the school system, but a school representative must go through the curriculum first to make sure it meets the “state curricular requirements.” In this case, no references to creationism and evolution taught as fact. These “free” options come at a cost. http://www.nea.org/assets/docs/2011_NEA_Handbook_Resolutions.pdf 318 Words |
