Lonnie, I'm glad you are asking so many questions from various sources. You must be a good student because you know how to research. Use your own common sense for your answers. Have you read books such as Carry on, Mr. Bowditch? Nathaniel Bowditch was indentured at the age of twelve for nine years in the late 1700's. Instead of giving up on his dream of getting an education, he turned his life into a learning opportunity. His curiosity led him to algebra, astronomy, Latin, and French and further into a successful life. This wasn't unusual and some of our nation's founders started from the same humble beginnings. Mr. A Lincoln was also led by his curiosity. He was a voracious reader (as already stated) who became a store owner, surveyor, postmaster and taught himself law in order to become an attorney. He persisted without being discouraged. There is another book you might appreciate while you're in school and it's free and on-line. It was written by a former New York Teacher of the Year - John Gatto. You could pass this on to your teacher too, as he might not have heard of it. This is a bit of a history lesson and an eye opener for someone like me who also attended public school when I was your age. http://www.johntaylorgatto.com/chapters/

My dad went to a one room schoolhouse that would be considered a public school as it was paid for by the surrounding community. It was a successful school with a lot of accountability. Homeschoolers seem to do the same regarding their educational results. We foot the bill on educational resources, as well. Our federal and state tax monies would require the same accountability and results from the schools and our employees, including the Regional Offices of Education. As a taxpayer, I would not expect their staff to be chasing down private school families (homeschool families are the target), as these public employees surely have better things to do in their own backyard. As I understand it, one of 3 public school students drop out and at least half of the minority students don't graduate. I would agree that public education seems to be the backbone of this unfortunate economy. The priorities don't seem to be "about the children", but rather, about power and accumulations of public money.

Farmland owner here who doesn't take subsidies. (We probably could if we planted some corn to feed that new ethanol thang) We've been in farming in central Illinois for 6 generations. Family farmers that didn't go the way of corporate farming have suffered since the government got involved. Thanks, Richard Nixon. Get government out of the way. Then those who love the land and have it in their blood can control their lives and livelihood and take off the chains.

It is a strategy, Paul. It's happening here, in Indiana, Mississippi and various other states. They're using supposed homeschool truancy or "no-schoolers" (the phrase Senator Maloney picked up from the Regional Office of Education Supts) as a reason why ALL homeschoolers must be tracked. But we know it's really about the money AND control, having little to do with bettering children's education. The schools are not only pushing out and failing children, but the real indignity is they're blaming the hopelessness of those kids' situations on homeschooling. Those kids were not "serviced” - using Senator Maloney's terminology - in the schools with our tax money. We're not "complicit" - another term from Senator Maloney. We're just trying to be left alone in this ridiculous world of the nanny state.

My grandmother was educated in Latin and logic, besides other high quality courses when she attended the same high school I attended. Latin and logic weren't offered during my time and there were only 2 AP courses available when my children attended the same school a few years ago. (One of the AP courses was at a similar level as an Advanced Math college prep course I took.) The classes I had such as physics weren't offered anymore for my children. This high school was recently picked for an award because their test scores were satisfactory. I always found the NCLB option to go to a different school amusing, if the test scores didn't add up. For the reasons you laid out, GoJB. My parents attended country schools and there was accountability all around. Consolidation and centralization of communities have killed that. The issues that we would agree on, Frank, will likely not be resolved any time soon from the looks of this current legislative bunch and our governor. I'm a strong advocate to get rid of compulsory attendance/education laws, so we would disagree about that fundamental issue. I'm enjoying the discussion though. There is a bill to now engulf all Illinois private schools in the public school hubris of red tape and bureaucracy. So the possibilities in Waiting for Superman are a bust in Illinois. I strongly encourage anyone to read John Gatto's writings. He was a NY Teacher of the Year, until he couldn't take it anymore. http://www.johntaylorgatto.com/chapters/index.htm Sorry to go on so LONG. Guess I'm pretty passionate about this.

Frank, I understand your point about being quasi babysitting nanny state providers. But the 2 political parties push for more of this via institutional (and credentialed) early learning and these zero to 20 tracking plans pushed through our state and federal legislations. The enablers of these legislators are very often the teacher union/edu-industry support of more, more and more government interventions into families, whether it's home visits upon the birth of a child to make sure you're a 'proper' parent, or otherwise. These groups helped create the problem with their lobbying for more jobs and protections. Our society seems to be generally accepting of this attitude that parents are idiots and just around to pay bills, while the "experts" tell us what we're doing wrong. It's a dysfunctional family model environment in many schools with the school social worker, psychologist, birth control counseling, et al. It can't go both ways. I understand your dilemma. It must be difficult. But the push to fix up parents was successful in undermining families, while someone forgot they have to put up with the disrespect while away from the home too. Probably got off track of this post's point. Maybe not...I've seen kids who should never go to college because it's a waste of their God-given talent. They love to work on engines or be a carpenter. They shouldn't be made to feel like failures from k-12 because they're so good at something so essential in our labor force. Schools are elitist in more ways than one.

Good question, April. We're polling our representatives to find out where they stand on this bill because it's a fundamental issue: May our children learn in freedom or do we have to fill out tedious, over-reaching paperwork to satisfy the bureaucrat? Education is so important for our children and our society. Where are the successes and where are the failures and does the government focus on fixing problems or following the money? I've written my Senator (Bill Brady) asking him to query the fiscal cost of such a bill and I've asked for his support against this bill. We can all do this. It's not just about private schools. It's about having the freedom to do what is best for your children,whether that is in a public school or private school. Dave Jordan, doing what's best for your children does not require accountability to the government. Private schools have proven that. I'm at a loss for words regarding government accountability in Illinois. They work for us, remember?

Great background information, Fran. Ricca Slone, meet Aaron Schock. I would imagine that was a night and day difference in political philosophies in that seat after he beat her incumbency. The leaders in the Democratic Party might want to consider that fact in how much they want to push this bill. I would think the Republican Party in IL would also understand that private schools do not want to be accountable to the public school bureaucracy. It's that parental choice and minimal government thing. Makes us efficient. I believe Regional Superintendents are elected officials, as well.

Yes, Terri, that is important information. It's shocking that legislators would be taking an action like this against non-public schools. This bill has nothing to do with education and learning. If it did, this would instead be a Resolution congratulating parents for using private schools and taking the educational responsibility and financial burden on themselves. This bill proposal causes private schools to be accountable to the IL State Board of Education and their minions. Logic should surely prevail about the wisdom of that situation.

Senator Maloney thinks this should be a priority, which is quite amazing. A new Dept of Education and a bill like this is proposed when we should be expecting fiscal discipline and responsibility. Good grief, there's no end to the disappointments in Springfield.

I agree with you, Mark. Historical education, too, is important, as illustrated by the statistics you related. The mantra by the pro-abortion crowd has been "no more coat hangers and back street alley abortions" by butchers like Gosnell. Tragically, and for decades, people like Gosnell were sanctioned by the State (and Republican Tom Ridge). Margaret Sanger -Planned Parenthood founder- had the dream to "make for a greater race". Her concern in the early 1900s for women "who ignorantly bring forth large families and who thereby enslave themselves" might be considered understandable without birth control knowledge and the concerns about venereal disease then. We've now escalated society norms and acceptance to 2 working parents with children raised by the State from "Zero to Five" until children are supposed to attend kindergarten. Sanger asks back in 1920: "When society holds up its hands in horror at the “crime” of abortion, it forgets at whose door the first and principal responsibility for this practice rests. Does anyone imagine that a woman would submit to abortion if not denied the knowledge of scientific, effective contraceptives? Does anyone believe that physicians and midwives who perform abortions go from door to door soliciting patronage? The abortionist could not continue his practice for twenty-four hours if it were not for the fact that women come desperately begging for such operations. He could not stay out of jail a day if women did not so generally approve of his services as to hold his identity an open but seldom-betrayed secret." In this sordid day and age of government oversight, I think that burden of 'responsibility' has been put on the government and our government has failed miserably. The "workers class" (as Sanger describes them) were butchered in that Philadelphia hole just as before. Where is this great progress for women since Roe vs Wade, let alone our innocent babies? There is none. There is sheer murder instead, with a voice for political correctness added in bucketloads.

That's a great piece of history. Straight talk about the tyranny of government forcing us to pay for the unspeakable evils of Kermit Gosnell, his staff, other butchers and the regulators that refused to intervene because it wasn't politically correct. There's always those who assure us the government is there to help the 'poor and needy'. I've always said they are the first victims of "the government is here to help". From the Philadelphia Inquirer: http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/inq_ed_board/Public_agencies_played_role_in_abortion_horror_story.html "The grand jury said that what can only be described as a back-alley abortionist pulled in as much as $15,000 per night. His patients were mostly low-income, minority women who lacked health insurance. Many came from out-of-state. ... It’s even more disturbing that the state, which could have shut down the clinic or revoked Gosnell’s medical license, ignored complaints repeatedly. Gosnell’s clinic was inspected in 1989, 1992, and 1993. Deficiencies were found each time. Yet state evaluators reapproved it without requiring corrective action. The state Health Department decided after 1993 to stop inspecting abortion clinics for “political reasons,” the grand jury concluded. That occurred during the administration of Gov. Tom Ridge, a supporter of abortion rights. As a result, nail salons in Pennsylvania received tougher government scrutiny than Gosnell’s clinic."

This is a concern for all freedom lovers. Many Regional Offices of Education are pushing for other government entities to take on their job. Watch for these truancy ordinances trying to take a quiet ride through the county board or town agenda. Too many of these have already passed in big and small towns and cities. I'm a dreamer, but I would suggest folks check to see if their town has a daytime curfew - officially known as a truancy ordinance. Ask their officials why there is a daytime curfew on their citizens and what the purpose is in stifling free movement. You might be shocked at the answers. If anyone needs help with data, I'll be happy to help out. Just one person grabbing the bull by the horns - see Terri Koyne's update in defeating the Carlinville daytime curfew - can make a difference. If there's no logic, it will be exposed as the deception that it is.

Here's what I suspect happened there.... If Berkley or Cook County has a truancy ordinance (daytime curfew), then anyone looking to be school age can be stopped and questioned **in public places**. We're not supposed to be out during public school hours, but Terri gave a good explanation of how silly that is. Here's some of the verbiage from one of these ROE written ordinances: "It is unlawful for a person who is 7 years of age or older and under 17 years of age to be present at or upon any public assembly, building, business, street, or other public place except for a school and its grounds between 8 am and 3 pm from the beginning of the Public School year and through the end of said scheduled school year unless accompanies and supervised by a parent, legal guardian or other responsible companion of at least 21 years of age…." Theoretically, the kids were playing at the little boy's 'school'. But that's not the only time I've heard of little kids being questioned by the police while taking a break and playing outside. It surely doesn't leave a positive impression as the parents end up having to explain to their kids that they should be able to play outside, but they can't because the police don't know the law. It's a no-win all around. Or the older teens can't walk or travel w/o a 21 year old accompanying them. It's quite pathetic. And they say homeschoolers aren't socialized.

Great article, Terri. Here's hoping real facts prevail. Unfortunately, if the Regional Office of Education Supts follow their previous pattern, they'll keep at it with other little towns now that Macoupin, Jersey and other county boards gave the go-ahead. Waukegan and Rockford and Peoria passed daytime curfews over the years when no one was paying attention. Their truancy rates are currently abysmal. But they've essentially limited all law abiding citizens who will be stopped on the street if they look suspiciously like a teen. The solution is NOT to abide the powermongers and roll out homeschool IDs. The solution is to fight back. Best wishes tonight, Terri! Thanks for fighting the good fight.

Helen Keller and Mao make an interesting comparison. The principal is unclear about the problem, but does note the Keller quotation. I'm with you, Elizabeth and am glad we homeschool. When I was a public school parent wanting to solve a problem, I can't tell you how many times I ran into that 'confusion about the problem'. It's a practiced technique among school authorities and it makes you feel like you're beating your head against a brick wall.

Speaking from central Illinois and farm country, I'm afraid our family has little choice but to stay. Our family has farmed here since our Murphey family came from Virginia in a covered wagon in 1853. We've seen the best and we're seeing the worst right now. We look to be the last generation standing as farmers. We still have the land. Until my folks pass, and the government finds a way to take it. My family has been farmer thrifty and tended the resources well. We're stuck in a homestead we love and a state we're coming to despise. It's pretty heartbreaking.

We shouldn't ever forget the Willis family's horrific tragedy that stemmed from George Ryan and his ilk's deals made that decimated families. Durbin, Thompson....they're of the same cloth. Hopefully we've hit the bottom and there will soon be a need for integrity again. http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2008-12-07/news/0812060525_1_corruption-district-judge-rebecca-pallmeyer-george-ryan John Kass has it right.

I'm afraid I was wondering the same thing. These seem to be empty words below from the Illinois Republican party, particularly when Radogno was a chief sponsor and Roger Eddy was signing on as a co-sponsor. “Raising taxes right now will further drive our economy down, and raising taxes by 75 percent will drive even more Illinois businesses and citizens to lower-tax states,” Indeed. Blows your mind.

Egg factories contain pathogens which sicken and kill those who assume the FDA has done their job and eat those eggs. Ask the 3 dozen poisoned with salmonella last summer. You'd think 3.2 billion $$ 2010 budget would have made sure the largest egg factories in the country were inspected. When those unfortunate circumstances change, I won't begrudge the waste of tax money and FDA's lack of oversight over these animal factories. I'm protecting my family watching over our food sources and not trusting FDA. Unfortunately, that's how it works.