I had the chance to actually be in the moment when a
homeschooler asked Bill Nye on his facebook page if he would ever consider
creating a science curriculum for homeschoolers. This was on a thread where Bill Nye asked his
fans to submit questions he would answer:
"Bill Nye (the Science Guy)
here, sitting by ready to take your questions (your good questions)..."
THE question: "The homeschool community is
severely lacking in real science curricula. Will you give thought to creating a
science curriculum for the ever-growing number of secular homeschoolers?"
His response was less than stellar, in my opinion:
Bill Nye The Science Guy: "Use your judgment. The rest of us out
here, want your kids to appreciate society and the importance of working
together in school and in life. A person working alone will probably not build
the future 797 airplane, for example. It takes people who can work with and
around people. Carry on."
I will admit, his answer
disappointed me. The homeschooler who
asked the question is a member of my Inappropriate Homeschoolers group and we
are secular homeschoolers. She brought
this to our attention and several other members, including me, went back and
commented. There were a lot of good
responses to Bill's apparent position on homeschooling.:
The original asker: "Wow. Did Bill Nye just insult
homeschoolers? I thought you were smarter than that. A very narrow-minded view
if you think homeschoolers don't work well together. How unfortunate."
Another respondent:
"Come on Bill, surely you don't buy into that anti-social
homeschooling myth...we want our kids to appreciate society and learn to work
together as much as any other parent...there are many reasons parents choose to
homeschool, and isolating our kids is not one of them."
The Inappropriate Homeschooler's comment: "It's not a question of IF socialization
occurs in the schools or home it's a question of WHAT socialization occurs in
the schools and the homes. Homeschoolers are living in the real world with a
myriad of ages, races, etc and they are more socially mature and capable than
their 'peers' in the institutionalized setting of public school."
After pondering this for a day and reading several
responses, some of which were ah, anti-homeschooling, I have come to a
conclusion that I've actually spoken of before:
Secular homeschoolers, those who are not homeschooling for religious
reasons, need a stronger presence in the homeschooling spotlight. I am NOT saying that religious homeschoolers children
are not socialized or taught well.
Clearly the majority are socialized and taught well because they were
the pioneers of homeschooling, whose children were the first subjects of the
studies showing the success of homeschooling.
However, there is a growing number (frighteningly so, in my opinion) of
very conservative, fundamentalist, young earth Christians in the homeschooling
community. It's a trend that I suspect
follows the curve of the growing trend in the Christian community period. Secular homeschoolers need to bring attention
to homeschooling so that everyone is not painted with the same brush as that
growing and very vocal group - the Ken Ham groupies, if you will.
Having just come from his 'debate' with Ken Ham, perhaps
he's more sensitive than usual to the fact that the majority of attention given
to homeschoolers involves religious ones, in particular Creationists. I can understand that. However, his comments seem directed at the
ever present 'socialization' issue. I,
along with all homeschoolers (religious or secular) are so OVER that
topic. How many years will it take for
the studies to be in existence to rid our society of that stereotype? Yes, there are some 'odd' folks
homeschooling, but HELLO - there are 'odd' folks in public school and
subsequently in real world jobs!
Nonetheless, I accept that the burden of proof is on us, the
homeschoolers, in particular Secular homeschoolers. I do not make this argument with the mind thought
of disparaging the rights of Christians, or other religious persons, to
homeschool for those reasons. I make
this argument so that secular homeschoolers will have equal voice and presence
in our society and in the media regarding who is homeschooling, why they are
homeschooling, and how they are homeschooling.
Clearly, secular homeschoolers need resources with which to
homeschool and to create a 'demand' for secular curriculum and resources is
necessary.
Bill Nye's remarks just brought it all the more to light for
me, how needed the National Alliance of Secular Homeschoolers (N.A.S.H.) is and
I, along with the other homeschoolers wishing to see it come to fruition, will
continue to make that organization a reality.
So, thanks Bill, for the extra push! The day will come when you will wish you had
created a science curriculum for secular homeschoolers if for no other reason
than how well it would have lined your pocket.
~Mari B.
Very eloquently stated!
ReplyDeleteI agree we need a more visual stance, cause everyone believes that it is only the religious that homeschool and that is so not true
ReplyDeleteVery well said.
ReplyDeleteBill Nye is accused of slinging mud (in a backhanded way, I would add) but then the author seems to turn around and do the same. Calling people "groupies" who "frighten" others with their conservative and religious world views is degrading. As Dr. Emerson Eggerich puts it, when two people disagree it is "not bad, just different". I think the author would like for Bill Nye to use this same consideration for N.A.S.H. Although the golden rule is derived from the Bible (which is a Biblical teaching but has also become a cultural proverb), shouldn't we all strive to treat others the way we want to be treated? Isn't that the basis of secular humanism and humanity?
ReplyDeleteI did not accuse Billy Nye of slinging mud, I spoke of his perpetuating the 'socialization myth' regarding homeschoolers. I didn't say that the 'groupies' of Ken Ham were frightening others with their views, I said that *I* found it frightening how quickly those numbers were growing. The truth is, despite what some Christians believe, there is no debate to be had with 'faith'. It is my definition, unprovable. Science is provable. Yet, I think that you missed the overall point to my post. SECULAR homeschoolers do not want or deserve to be put in the same category as religious homeschoolers. I know religious people who homeschool for secular reasons, so yes the two can work side by side. Religious homeschoolers teach their own (or their holy book's) ideas of science, history, and morality. Secular homeschoolers teach science's ideas of science and therein lies all the difference. I am treating others the way I want to be treated......I respect a person, as I wish to be respected. I do not have ot respect their BELIEFS, just as they do not have to respect mine....even if mine are proven via scientific methods.
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Delete"Slinging mud" no, what I gathered from the author was as intelligent as Mr. Nye is, he is obviously uneducated on the aspect of homeschooling. If Mr. Nye doesn't know what he's talking about he should have not responded to the question or instead of a backward stab at the community he could have responded with "no".
DeletePeople put a lot of weight in to what celebrities say. Mr. Nye is a celebrity. When he makes backward comments like he did he is influencing the minds of people. That's not a good thing since his assumptions were false. Yes, there are some "loners" in the the community, but the majority of the children that are homeschooled are very well socialized. Most are OVER socialized because of all the activities.
As a sidenote, The Golden Rule did not come from Christianity. It's documented much further back in history than the life of Christ. The writers of the Bible just reinterpreted what had already been said for centuries and put it in their book. http://www.thinkhumanism.com/the-golden-rule.html
DeleteYou do know that the golden rule is present in almost every religion, not just Christianity, right? Christians did not come up with the concept of treat others the way you want to be treated, it was around long before Christianity.
DeleteWell put. As a secular homeschooler, I do try to occasionally write comments, respond on message boards, etc., to give people an understanding of what homeschool is like for my family. We began homeschooling my daughter at the recommendation of the local school principal who suggested that she would "have no peers" at the school and that homeschooling someone of her intellect might be best. I was terrified, but it's been really great. I feel that homeschool often gets a bad reputation. People have this picture of the "unsocialized nerd" or "sheltered religious kid". My daughter isn't either of those things. Most homeschoolers I know aren't.
ReplyDeleteOn Facebook I often post photos from our science class or outings she has with other homeschoolers, and when I comment on articles I sometimes include a link to her website, which shows her being very active in her community: http://www.anna4animals.net
In the photos section there are pics of my daughter speaking as an author to other children at local schools, and even at Barnes and Noble, volunteering at her local animal shelter, etc.
I think it helps change the image people have about homeschoolers. At least, I hope it does.
I didn't mean to take your post off topic but intolerant language is offensive in any form, even if it's buried in a otherwise well-written blog post. If any other word used to identify social/cultural groups were inserted in place of Christian, it would be offensive, no? That's my thesis. Let's experiment.
ReplyDelete"However, there is a growing number (frighteningly so, in my opinion) of African-American children in the homeschooling community."
Now that statement would get immediate, justifiable backlash. Let's repeat the experiment to verify the results.
"Secular homeschoolers need to bring attention to homeschooling so that everyone is not painted with the same brush as that growing and very vocal group - the Jewish community."
Hmm. Seems the results confirm the thesis.
Now, to me, when any other social/cultural identifier is used it immediately becomes a racially/culturally insensitive, inappropriate remark. Yet, because the word "Christian" is used, it's acceptable? I would call that inconclusive at best and intolerant at worst.
Actually I reject your premise because the examples you used, African American chlildren and Jews, are people who are BORN that way. No person should be ridiculed, discriminated against, or rejected because of the conditions of the birth - sex, race, creed, color, sexual orientation, and any physical or mental challenges.
DeleteNo on is born a Christian. Any belief system a person chooses is, in my opinion, open to debate, disdain, and opposition.
I respect a person's RIGHT to believe however they wish, but I am not required to respect the belief itself. I do not give blanket acceptance or respect to the Christian faith and when their actions, due to their participation in a group of which I am a member, paint me with the same brush....then yes, I most certainly will speak out.
Others, such as your self, have the right to disagree with my opinions, as I've disagreed with theirs. My intolerance of a belief does not make me a racist or a biogot. It's a common argument from the Christian community actually, when we disagree with their intolerance or discrimination, that we are persecuting them. That argument as well, holds no weight with me.
A a Christian I am very intolerant of the fundamentalist right wing new earth people who misuse the label Christian to as an excuse for their anti-intellectualism and hatred. I am ashamed that I have to share a label with them, and hate being painted with the same brush. Ignorance such as the above, which confuses genetics with a choice is a great example of this movement against Christ and his teachings while wearing a tattered cloak of respectability.
DeleteThoroughly refreshing to stumble upon such well articulated thoughts AND comments.
ReplyDeleteI just want to point out that the deleted comment was the same exact comment that is still visible from Breezy. The blog posted the same comment twice.
ReplyDeleteAwww, my kids would be broken-hearted if they knew what Bill Nye had said about homeschooling! Clearly the Science Guy hasn't yet met any academically rigorous, secular homeschoolers--we should invite him over!
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to thank you for your post and commend you for speaking your point of view. I was so disappointed to hear Mr. Nye's comments and I look forward to seeing more clarifications from those in the trenches. Never mind the static from the fundamentalists - you have the moral high ground here and you speak the truth! Keep up the good work! I look forward to reading more posts from you.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the socialization myth does not fit with many homeschooled children, however, caution should be made when proclaiming statements such as:
ReplyDelete"Homeschoolers...are more socially mature and capable than their 'peers' "
This is just as ridiculous and impossible to prove as the claim that home-schooled kids are behind socially. Plus, statements like that lend themselves to arrogance and superiority-- the last labels homeschoolers need in order to find success in their endeavors. There are so called, "socially mature and capable" children of all educational models, and one type of education does not hold the corner market of maturity and capability over the other(s).
I disagree that the statement "... are more socially mature and capapble than their peers" is ridiculous and impossbile to prove. There are many college administrators and professors who have gone on record stating the vast difference. There are studies as well, such as the one found at this link: http://www.redshift.com/~bonajo/socialresearch.htm
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ReplyDeleteIf you are truly secular and you see natural law and natural forces and nature in general as a guide to reality then the burden of proof should be on government schools not homeschoolers. In nature, children are not born to government schools they are born to parents in homes. Animals in nature homeschool as their young learn directly from their parents and by themselves. Apes don't send their young to government schools. Ape juveniles also don't learn from other juvenile apes, they learn from their parents.
ReplyDeleteBill is so right, if all of the kids in the world were home schooled, then who is going to be the engineers of physicists that make the world right now. You are using a piece of technology right now, do you want to lose it, you obviously don't appreciate it. You kids will lack the knowledge of the reality that life isn't about doing everything that you personally want. You have to do what it takes to make the best life for yourself, and it wont be easy. If you child wants to be living in Hawaii somewhere by the time they retire, they won't know that it will take hard work that you don't want to do. You think it was easy at all for Bill Gates, um noo! Do you ignorant person know that so many people long to have an education at a school because they cannot get a proper one where they live and you obviously don't respect that or don't care about the graces of any others. People would do anything to be in your place. Public school is mostly free. You better be happy you're even wealthy enough to spend all of you days with your kids and still provide, stop being so selfish, and that's to all home schoolers/home schooled.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry Victoria but I don't see where you are practicing the skill set you claim to have: "Minding my business, being intelligent, knowing ignorance vs. dumbness".
DeleteTo read more on my thoughts, regarding your opinion, and other homeschoolers thoughts:
Deletehttps://www.facebook.com/TheInappropriateHomeschooler/
actually no he is not right! i am approximately 4 months ahead then the us districts of schools because i do 16-20 days of work in one day!
Deleteim sorry if i have to help your alker across the street
when it comes to school i wanna get this show on the road!!!!!!!!