Please Stop the ACT Race

According to an article in today's Chicago Tribune this year's ACT scores for Illinois high school students did not improve for the Class of 2015. In fact, the writing scores actually declined. The article states that "Only 26 percent of high school graduates scored high enough on all four of the main subjects to be considered prepared for college, the same as last year."

Only 75 - 80% of high school aged students take the ACT in Illinois. Most who do take it take it during their Junior year.

The public school system in Illinois has to accept every single student. They have to accept those with IQs of 50 and 150 equally. Anyone who knows the standard bell curve concept can clearly understand that only some students would be expected to have abilities that could lead them to college. Other studies I have read have claimed that only about 10% of gifted students are still in the public schools - leading me to the conclusion that the public schools are "bottom heavy" as far as the bell curve is concerned.

Also, only a small number of students need to go to college. If you need a college degree to do the job you want to do then it is worth the cost (in both years spent attending classes and financially). Many high school students have no idea what they want to do though or want a job that they don't need a college degree for.

All this said, how can we be upset that only 26% of public high school students are prepared for college? Shouldn't we be preparing every single student for real life and not only for the next four years of a life many of them shouldn't really be considering anyway?

Only a small number of students need Algebra II. 100% need is far better Consumer Math so they can understand interest only mortgages and how credit cards actually work.

Only a small number of students need to be able to write a 20 page research paper. 100% need to be able to write a clear and concise memo and email.

Only a small number of students need to memorize the Krebs cycle. 100% need to be able to understand human disease (as well as mental illness) well enough to understand what their doctor is telling them about their loved one.

Only a small number of students need to memorize the Declaration of Independence. 100% need to understand our current legal system and laws.

We have failed several generations trying to aim for college at the exclusion of everything else. Please stop the great ACT race.

Fall Homeschooling Workshops - The Johnsburg Library Edition

By Request:  Wed., Sept. 2nd from 6:30-8:30 I will be speaking on two topics

6:30-7:30 -  Homeschooling 101 -
What you need to know NOW about homeschooling. Bring your best questions and get real answers. Legal questions, questions about activities, "what about socialization?", and much, much more.

7:30-8:30 - Homeschooling High School -
You can do this. Honest. Bring the teens and lets make a plan: how to.. when to.. why to..  ACT vs SAT, Community College classes, Transcripts, and Diplomas all will be discussed.  Bring your questions!

Cost: FREE
Location: The Johnsburg Public Library
                 3000 N Johnsburg Rd., McHenry, IL 60051 (one block EAST of the traffic circle)
                 815-344-0077

Looking for Activities and Resources in or near McHenry County, IL?

Another plug for playing board games with your kids

Hey Steve, they are fantastic year round!

Check out Steve's article
Board games a good "summer school" lesson
by Steve Rosen
Kids & Money

Powerful thought!

It's a FREE Double Header!

Please spread the word. 

Tuesday, Aug. 18

Huntley Public Library

Part I is 5:00-6:15 p.m.      

Everything You Wished You Knew About Homeschooling In Northern Illinois, But Were Afraid to Ask.  

Covered topics will include the many options available in education today, current legal information affecting home educators in our local area, getting into college, and much more.  Everyone is Welcome! 

**6:15-6:30 p.m.

Snack break (snack provided)

 Part II - 6:30-7:45 p.m.

Homeschooling for Cheapskates

Homeschooling doesn’t need to be expensive.  In fact, many find that it is virtually free!  Join us for a discussion about how to homeschool using free materials and resources available on the internet, at the library, and in your community.  For adults.  Please share the information with others who would be interested.  Everyone is welcome! 

Registration required.  Call the Children’s Desk at 847-669-5386 ext. 26 to register for Part I, Part II, or both.

Upcoming Events!

In addition to offering my FREE weekly (by appointment only) consultations where I help families one-on-one I am offering several workshops and opportunities for more general support in the next few months. You are invited to attend one or all.  All of the listed workshops are located in McHenry County, are FREE, and are open to anyone with questions at any level.  

NEXT WEDNESDAY, July 29th 

Homeschool Roadmap

Homeschooling is a lot like going on a road trip. Some of us like to just get in the car with a destination in mind and have fun finding loads of cool things to see and places to eat and stay along the way. Other folks plan out every mile and every stop with two weeks of hotel reservations made in advance or they hire a guide to do that for them. It doesn't matter how you travel as long as you have a fun and successful time. We will discuss the law, resources, and lot of the options on the homeschooling road and help you figure out which options will work for your unique situation. 

7 - 9pm at the Johnsburg Public Library (one block east of the traffic circle no matter what your GPS tells you!)

no registration required

Ideal for the new homeschooler or one who is frustrated or confused with the sheer abundance of choices available today. 

(I will offer another of these at the Johnsburg Library in August if there is enough interest.)

Tuesday, Aug. 18

Huntley Public Library

Part I is 5:00-6:15 p.m.      

Everything You Wished You Knew About Homeschooling In Northern Illinois, But Were Afraid to Ask.  

Covered topics will include the many options available in education today, current legal information affecting home educators in our local area, and much more.  

**6:15-6:30 p.m.

Snack break (snack provided)

 Part II - 6:30-7:45 p.m.

Homeschooling for Cheapskates

Homeschooling doesn’t need to be expensive.  In fact, many find that it is virtually free!  Join us for a discussion about how to homeschool using free materials and resources available on the internet, at the library, and in your community.  For adults.  Please share the information with others who would be interested.  Everyone is welcome! 

Registration required.  Call the Children’s Desk at 847-669-5386 ext. 26 to register for Part I, Part II, or both.

Tuesday, September 8th

11 - 2 pm

Homeschool Expo - no presentations but a lot of different resources available to you during that time

Park Place in Crystal Lake (CL Park District) 

Saturday, September 19th

10 am - 4 pm

Used Curriculum Flea Market (10-1:00) and 

Eat, Meet and Greet with Q&A (1:15-3:00)

Illinois HOUSE Fall Meeting (3-4:00) open to all homeschoolers. Loads of information!  

If you want to sell INDOORS at the Flea Market you DO need to register. It is recommended that you register for the outdoor spaces as well - but is not required. 

For full details and to register to sell please visit   https://sites.google.com/site/hrcopenhouse/

The folks at ARC are working to develop a non-common core college placement test as an alternative to private schools who are not teaching CCSS. This would be an alternative to the ACT and SAT.

Already we have over 800 colleges and universities that do not require or use the SAT or ACT. (For a list please visit fairtest.org ).

I am not finding a web page for it this group though. If anyone finds it please let me know!

Google's 4 Week Internet Camp starts Monday!

Google has brought together Khan Academy, National Geographic, National Parks, and NASA to launch Camp Google: a free, four-week online camp for kids 7-10, filled with fun science activities and exploration. Talk about an awesome collaboration! Wow.

Every Monday camp kicks off with a live adventure that you can access right from the Camp Googlesite. The adventures begins July 13th with Ocean Week. Your kids will head deep into the depths of the Atlantic Ocean to explore. Later this summer, they can join a live hike up an active volcano with a Park Ranger and a jam session with a music star. Everyone is welcome and you can jump in anytime.