tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23431082.post190165309252844435..comments2023-09-26T05:01:50.591-04:00Comments on Mixing Home Business and Home Schooling: As I was saying...Susan Critellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144037647565763557noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23431082.post-4411059365671704622008-08-22T16:44:00.000-04:002008-08-22T16:44:00.000-04:00Susan,I think you’re a little confused about what ...Susan,<BR/><BR/>I think you’re a little confused about what UC is doing when it approves courses as suitable to count towards admissions. What they’re looking for is a lot more narrow and specific than you seem to be assuming.<BR/><BR/>UC couldn’t care less about a prospective student’s religious beliefs or worldview. What it’s looking for during the approval process is whether the teaching material presented by the school shows that a particular course provides a good introduction to a particular academic discipline. Does the text explain, correctly and in detail, the methods by which academics working in the field examine a problem? Does it set up exercises during which students can practice these methods? Does it offer a comprehensive overview of the scope of the academic discipline and its primary conclusions? In short, does an “A” grade in that particular course demonstrate that a student is likely to do well when taking an introductory course in the same subject at a UC campus?<BR/><BR/>UC history professors don’t use divine provenance as an explanation for historical events, so a text that relies almost exclusively on divine provenance won’t give students a proper grounding in the academic discipline of history at it is taught at UC. UC biology professors don’t use creationism in their research programs, so a textbook that insists on using that approach doesn’t demonstrate that a student understands the academic discipline of biology. <BR/><BR/>Note that these restrictions apply only to the primary textbook used in a class: textbooks that present non-academic approaches can be used as supplemental texts without affecting a course’s approval status. (As an aside, the “approved texts” with the feminist and gender-issue slants that you mentioned were used for upper-division college courses at UC. They would not be deemed adequate as primary texts for college prep high school courses, because they don’t give a broad introduction to the academic discipline of sociology.)<BR/><BR/>To qualify for admissions to UC, about half the student’s high school coursework must be approved college-prep courses. UC doesn’t look at unapproved coursework for admissions purposes, so there is plenty of opportunity for schools to teach and students to take courses that teach alternative material exclusively. Calvary Chapel’s high school already offers enough approved courses to give students wishing to apply to UC some choice, and Calvary Chapel students regularly gain admission to UC by taking those courses. <BR/><BR/>In short, this was a frivolous lawsuit. The UC admissions standards don’t interfere with Calvary Chapel’s ability to teach alternative religious approaches or its student’s ability to learn them. The only thing that UC insists upon is that applicants demonstrate that they are prepared to excel in the secular courses they will be required to take if admitted. That, as the judge agreed, is a very reasonable, non-discriminatory requirement.<BR/><BR/>Hope this clears up the confusion,<BR/><BR/>MaryAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23431082.post-66331809394429760492008-08-22T12:26:00.000-04:002008-08-22T12:26:00.000-04:00Hi Deb, thanks for your question. No, this is some...Hi Deb, thanks for your question. No, this is something different. In fact, the ruling you are speaking of was reversed, and homeschooling has been deemed legal in California.<BR/><BR/>This case involves the University of California and Calvary Chapel Christian School, in which the university declared certain courses ineligible to be counted in determining whether a student could attend a UC school. My post expresses concern that this could prompt other universities to follow suit, making it more difficult for Christian students, whether homeschooled or from Christian schools to matriculate at univerisites around the country.<BR/><BR/>Unfortunately, this case was resolved in favor of the university. You can read all about both cases elsewhere in this blog in the August 2008 archives.Susan Critellihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11542338773744077046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23431082.post-76306449836416963602008-08-22T12:03:00.000-04:002008-08-22T12:03:00.000-04:00I have not followed the CA rulings. Is CA wanting...I have not followed the CA rulings. Is CA wanting standard tests for all Homeschooled children to pass as all other children? Are they requiring that parents are teachers if they homeschool? Or are they just saying no more homeschooling? Forgive my ignorance. I have not followed the discussion. Is this in the courts now? State Level? Federal Level? www.debrennersmith.comAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07554535335935709156noreply@blogger.com