How Accreditation Can Be Harmful: No Diploma? No Problem! (Part 5)
School based public programming may work in schools, for which they were created, but they are very difficult to complete at home. These programs are designed to be delivered by a certificated teacher, not as an outline for those teaching themselves. Few agencies offering public programming make this information known.
Another thing to consider is that it is better to have never started a job than to have started one without completion. Let me explain.
A home educated student using alternatives to public programming will not have a transcript of her high school program on government record, as would be the case for accreditation seeking school attendees.
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What Accreditation Entails: No Diploma? No Problem! (Part 4)
Once again, a student left our organization for another, because it promised her a high school diploma. Now one needs to understand that a high school diploma is earned by following government programming, delivered by a certificated teacher, using approved resources.
Forgive me for being a bit cynical, but let’s take a closer look at this situation in order to understand just how mercenary people behave.
The particular third party agency involved in this story has had a sordid history of seemingly being willing to do whatever is in keeping with its own best interest.
Continue reading “What Accreditation Entails: No Diploma? No Problem! (Part 4)”
“Believing” in Accreditation: No Diploma? No Problem! (Part 3)
Why do most people, including those who are home educating, believe that only government approved programming and accreditation will guarantee student success? There are two things that need to be considered to gain insight into this phenomenon, involving both the cause and the effect.
There are two main players comprising the bulk of the education industry. Needless to say, this does not include students, who are only involved insofar as they are absolutely required to fuel the engine of this industry.
The founding player is government, which has both logistical and nefarious motivations. Understand that the need for a good education, combined with parental desire for daycare services directs the government to make the school program last as long as possible.
Continue reading ““Believing” in Accreditation: No Diploma? No Problem! (Part 3)”
Ubiquitous Belief in Accreditation: No Diploma? No Problem! (Part 2)
Let me list a few things about education that we generally accept without question. Have you ever heard an alternative to children starting school when they are five or younger, or having to continue attending over the next twelve or more years?
Who questions the delivery of programming being broken into academic years, schedules and subjects? What about a child having to learn to read by age six, lest they be condemned as slow or handicapped?
How about fixing the child that does not fit the school mold? Standards? What are they? Better still, does anyone really know what is actually being taught in schools? How is it possible that a disconnected and distant government would be better acquainted with what your child needs than you?
Continue reading “Ubiquitous Belief in Accreditation: No Diploma? No Problem! (Part 2)”
Adapting to the Narrative: No Diploma? No Problem! (Part 1)
A good friend of mine swore in church! Not only did he swear, but he did so… out loud… in his deep baritone voice, yet!
Obviously, he was upset, so much so that he did not care who heard him. He could not believe that, after having faithfully attended church his entire life, this was the first time anyone had ever given an alternate viewpoint to something he had simply come to accept as being factually true and therefore, trustworthy.
Actually, he was more than upset. He was aghast. How could a critical thinker be so duped, brain washed, directed to believe in something, without supporting evidence, without a mention of potential problems, and most certainly without alternative points of view?
Continue reading “Adapting to the Narrative: No Diploma? No Problem! (Part 1)”
On Desiring to Unschool (Part 2)
Last week I discussed “a request we often get from home schooling parents.” So, how do we respond to that request for help in escaping school? How do we direct those who desire to switch from status quo school based education to real education at home?
I do have a few quick answers to encourage parents in their quest to escape school, but it is not that easy. My answer is usually in the form of “look at what school does and don’t do that.” Another similar answer is, “do what the school is not doing.” My favourite is simply summarized as “just be a family.”
However, before proceeding with this topic, one should address a very common misconception about unschooling, one undoubtedly created by unquestioned adherence to status quo systemic education.
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On Desiring to Unschool (Part 1)
You may be surprised to know what we often hear from parents following the first few years of home education experience.
Now before I tell what this request is, I must remind you of the fact that school and all its related activities and applications are so normalized that most everybody just assumes that it is the only way a child can possibly get an education.
Most parents have been educated in a school. It is all they know. When religious groups create their own private schools, it is usually nothing more than a variation of the school theme, grades, subjects, marks, report cards… you know what I am saying. Same for charter schools, alternative schools and any other manifestation of … school.
Continue reading “On Desiring to Unschool (Part 1)”
The Heartbeat of Education Unlimited (Part 5)
Education Unlimited has a long history of successfully serving those who have entrusted us to be their home education providers. We are confident about what we are doing because we are sure of our faith foundation. This surety provides us with an eternal standard by which to measure our results.
The moment we are willing to compromise this faith, we destroy the very foundation that distinguishes us from nearly all other home education providers of this Province. That is why we stood with Harvest Baptist Academy in our opposition to the demands of Bill 10 and especially Bill 24.
Standing on principle enables us to refuse to be drawn into arguments and debates about issues outside of our calling of helping those who desire to learn and grow in their home education program.
Continue reading “The Heartbeat of Education Unlimited (Part 5)”
The Heartbeat of Education Unlimited (Part 4)
Alright, now that I have allowed my passion respecting the plight of home education in this province to overflow, let me provide you with a few more advantages to being associated with us at Education Unlimited.
We operate using a digital management system that is simply unrivalled by our competitors. The system we have invented provides secure 24/7 access to all of the pertinent information as well as what is needed to fulfill all requirements, giving parents maximum control and maximum help with a minimum of effort.
Parents can use our system to complete their program planning and evaluations online. They can also create transcripts for recording their children’s educational achievements in a document that has been accepted at most post-secondary institutions.
Continue reading “The Heartbeat of Education Unlimited (Part 4)”
The Heartbeat of Education Unlimited (Part 3)
Now, you can be forgiven for being a bit overwhelmed regarding what to do about your home education affiliations, for it is a rather confused system that we have here in Alberta.
Home Education in Alberta is complicated by the fact that there is funding associated with it and as a consequence, there is far too much competition, marketing and misinformation, more designed to prioritize “winning your allegiance” than helping you with your program.
To help you gain clarity, I would like to make you aware of some important facts you should consider before making that all-important decision as to who you chose to be your guides and helpers in your home education journey.
Continue reading “The Heartbeat of Education Unlimited (Part 3)”