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Kelly
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| Posted: Oct 17 2005 at 8:14pm | IP Logged
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OK, I need to pick some brains, here. I've been invited to speak on homeschooling at a conference in Spain. From what little I've garnered, Spain doesn't have much in the way of homeschooling. The people with whom I've spoken have been mostly dumbfounded by the concept (hence the invitation, there are surely better speakers out there, I just happened to be the Token Homeschooler they knew...) Anyway, I'm pondering taking some materials over, and was wondering about the wisdom of providing information on the HSLDA because I know they are very pro-active in the international homeschooling arena. However, as we all know here, they are also *very* Protestant. It seems that most of their international homeschooling advocacy has been thru evangelical churches, though I know they've done work in Ireland, too, and whether or not that was with Catholic homeschoolers, I know not. What do you all think? Would it be wise to give out HSLDA brochures? Is Spain ready for that? I personally appreciate HSLDA for all it does, and have been a member for years, but I also have a pretty strongly tuned radar for Protestant outreach (being Catholic in a Bible Belt definitely tunes the old radar  ). Any input from our thread members outside of the US?
The conference is actually a conference on "Freedom". It is put on by a Catholic university in Spain. Every year they have a different theme, with speakers addressing various issues. My topic is the Home as a seedbed for Freedom. I know they're particularly interested in homeschooling and how that feeds into the mix. Although I have a general idea where I'm going with this, I'd be happy for any suggestions or input. Putting heads together is always fruitful, especially with this sage group.
Kelly in FL
PS I'm also planning to take over a list of useful, Catholic hsing websites and blogs, as well as some books, such as Elizabeth's...(hope that's ok, Elizabeth!)
If you all have suggestions on websites/blogs, too, that would be great.
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BrendaPeter
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| Posted: Oct 17 2005 at 8:19pm | IP Logged
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Hi Kelly,
Isn't Scott Somerville (I think that's his name) with HSDLA Catholic? I remembering reading a great article based on a talk he gave awhile back at NACHE. Maybe you could give him a call?
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Blessings,
Brenda (mom to 6)
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Anne Marie M
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| Posted: Oct 18 2005 at 7:29pm | IP Logged
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I heard about Scott's talk, but I also heard that he isn't Catholic. However, I second Brenda's suggestion to give him (or someone else at HSLDA) a call. HSLDA is Protestant, yes, but I haven't run into anything anti-Catholic with them.
How cool to be invited to a conference in Spain! I wanna come!!!!
Anne Marie
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Natalia
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| Posted: Oct 18 2005 at 9:52pm | IP Logged
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Do you speak Spanish Kelly? Last year while looking at the Conclara website I found this link Crecer sin Escuela It talks the idea of educating children at home in Spain. Maybe it will give you a sense of how things stand over there. I was talking once to a friend of mine that lives in Madrid and she had never heard of homeschooling. In fact her children don't come home from school unti almost 6 pm... Where in Spain is this conference? You are a lucky girl!
Natalia
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guitarnan
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| Posted: Oct 19 2005 at 7:36am | IP Logged
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Kelly,
Count me in as yet another stowaway!!
HSLDA will definitely be able to give you info on what the homeschooling situation is like in Spain. They can also tell you about the relationship between the U. S. Constitution and homeschooling. I don't know if Spain has a written constitution or if there is an oral tradition (like Britain).
The other thing I'd suggest you research is the cultural differences in attitude toward home education and toward "rights" in general. My experience living in Italy and Ireland, and my friendships over the years with people in Germany and France, has taught me that we Americans have a unique perspective on individual rights and freedoms. My German friend is an English teacher, and she understands the homeschooling concept but believes it will never be allowed in Germany; parental rights definitely take second place to the government's decisions about education.
Just my thoughts. Good luck!
__________________
Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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Kelly
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| Posted: Oct 19 2005 at 9:41am | IP Logged
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Thanks, all. I'll go ahead and confer with HSLDA. I know they've been very involved with trying to make homeschooling legal in Germany (tho most of my German friends, like yours, Nancy, are skeptical), Ireland and Japan. I'll check out the article, Natalia---I do speak Spanish, and that article looks like it will be most informative. Like your friends, my friends there were ELECTRIFIED by the idea of homeschooling, they simply couldn't conceive of such a thing. You're so right, Nancy, about America's rather unique perspective on individual rights and freedoms-this has been a stumbling block to me as I ponder what to say. It's not that we're so wonderful or anything, but the creation of the USA, not to mention its largely Protestant mindset, has imbued our mindset with an It's-our-right-to-do-your-own-thing mentality that IS vastly different from many other countries. Cowboy Country Meets Madrid! Brenda, I think I have that speech on tape somewhere. I'll revisit that. I don't think Sommerville is Catholic-in fact, I seem to remember some drum beats at the time from some people who thought his speech was rather condescending (though it didn't seem that way to me at the time). I do think HSLDA is a good resource.
Thanks for all the ideas. Keep 'em coming! Wish you all were coming along, too---wouldn't that be fun. Besides, speeches make me nervous! 
Kelly in FL
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ALmom
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| Posted: Oct 20 2005 at 4:28pm | IP Logged
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They also may be able to put you in touch with Catholic homeschoolers in the area- I don't know if they have that on the international level but they did help my sister find Catholic homeschoolers in PA. - actually gave her a Catholic contact. A local Catholic contact really helps.
Janet
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: HSLDA & hsing websites
