“Pasco County (Florida) teacher Mike Maynard also stood at the podium and told parents their children would receive a better education in public schools — a statement that sent a rumble of angry laughter through the crowd.”(Tampa Tribune)
Florida schools are not being shy about trying to get homeschoolers to come back to school. The parents of 760 homeschooled students in Pasco County were invited to a meeting last Thursday in an effort to woo the families back into public school. Fewer than 30 parents attended the meeting, and they were not in a good mood.
Many parents scolded the group regarding the audacity to attempt such a thing when no changes in the educational system had been made. They cited poor morals, no communication with the teachers, alienation of parents, and teaching to the Florida Comprehensive Assessment test. The overall message from the parents was, thanks, but no thanks.
The school system made no effort to disguise the fact that they needed the funds that re-enrolling homeschooled students would give them. The districts homeschooled children are worth $3.34 million dollars as a whole and $3998.00 each. Parents did not neglect to ask why they were not also trying to recruit the 2000 plus students in private school. They did not like being singled out.
In the end, the meeting held a modicum of success for the school district. A few parents showed interest in the “a la carte classes” and electives made available to homeschoolers.
If you are in Florida, you will want to be on the lookout for the broadcast of the district meeting on HITV in the near future.
Read Equal Access Laws for Homeschoolers
Should Homeschoolers and Public School Children Play Together?