http://wfmz.com/view/?id=284034 Here is one version - I couldn't get the actual news article, but this gives the "facts". Sabrina

I just started to read the personal accountability thread, and wanted to share this story. Last school year, it was reported, in my school district, that a mother received $45,000 over three years for her daughter's "educational needs". The daughter suffered from school phobia, and required special tutoring sessions (private, in home), private school tuition (in California), and the mother also submitted - with approval - receipts for her expenses when visiting daughter, including costs for boarding her dogs. Limo fees for taking the daughter to and from a private camp, and modeling lessons were among some of the other items. When asked why she didn't just home-school the girl, the mother replied that she just didn't feel qualified. And, when asked why the girl did not just drop out, being that she was now of age to do so, the mother said they were not done yet - apparently with her "education". It turns out the girl has had very little instruction, testing at the elementary school level in reading and arithmetic, because the mother made it almost impossible for the tutors to make their visits. Living in Pennsylvania, having to report to an evaluator and the school district, making sure I am in compliance with the law, this just burned me up - I am still fuming over it. It seems the laws are made to squash those of us who wish to exercise personal responsibility, who think for ourselves, and ask for absolutely nothing from anyone. Thank for letting me vent ... Sabrina

Hi. We have been doing this, since I tried to find a way to use SOTW 3 with SL 3. We have continued to study American History 2 days per week, with World History 2 days. And we are using the Famous Men of ... series for our Classics. It has really worked out very well. My kids are 16, 10, 9, 7, and 5 now, and we are continuing American History this year (mostly focusing on the Presidents and their time in office), with SOTW 4 for Modern World History, and the Famous Men of Greece. My kids have really responded well, and love so many aspects of the different programs we use. I would be hard-pressed to find something to drop. With my little ones, we will begin the cycle again in January, with SOTW 1, biographies of famous Americans, and Greek Myths. I have found living books curriculum uses this type of approach (World plus American simultaneously).

Oh, my gosh. I read the title, "Composers - do they smell?" Time for bed!

Hi, Cookie. Well, yes, once a post-loser, always a post-loser. Actually, my little guy was the first one to get sick, middle of the night, right in the middle of our hotel room at Great Wolf Lodge. So, rather than stay in the muck, we made a quick exit home. Then, the next three got the virus, so my time has been spent cleaning children, bedding, children, toilets, oh, and the children. More than you cared to know. And, as for the post concerning the "right" of the board to make the rules, I am very supportive of that idea. I was supportive of the SL forums when they went private, too. I was just voicing my opinion that it is unfortunate that it has to be this way, because I do not believe there is any way anyone can stop those individuals who wish to cheat others. On, Friday night, my brother was in a serious car accident, rear-ended right in front of his house while trying to turn into his own drive-way. Seems the teen-ager in back of him figured he didn't need to slow down 'cause he was turning. There were no dots, just my brother's turn-signal and break lights. Go figure ...

Thanks, Jeanne. I thought maybe my analogy did not make sense, but you got it.

J. Griff; I know you are not picking on me. Actually, posts by you and Gothic Gyrl (hope I got that right) are among my favorites. I may not agree with you, but you always speak your mind in a fair way, and it is usually very enlightening, not to mention entertaining. Maybe my anecdote about the "Dots" is a bit off, but such are the limits of the internet and "conversations". My long-awaited vacation with my kids was cut short by my littlest one when he became very ill, I am tired and worried about him, and the dots ticked me off. When I think about the road congestion, and then the lane restrictions to paint said dots, I get ... AGHHHH!!! And then I post "For Sale" items and, POOF! There are suddenly restrictions. Saddens me.

To Barb, Perhaps dots and posting make no sense to you, but they do to me. Just like Heather had an unfortunate encounter with a bad check, dots are not going to keep a driver with poor vision, lack of consideration, or plain carelessness from failing to keep their distance. We are over-legislating everything in this country, instead of demanding personal responsibility - and then having repercussions for lack of it. I may understand the intentions of requiring posts - and of dots on the road - but I will still stand by my contention that it is an unfortunate requirement.

"Depth perception problems" - now, it may just be me (it usually is), but shouldn't vision problems like this disqualify some people from driving? Not to discriminate or anything ...

And lest you think I am a flake, let me redeem myself (or at least attempt to do so). Yesterday, upon returning from vacation with my children, on Interstate 80, I noticed the State powers-that-be have painted huge white dots on the road, with a big sign that warns drivers to keep at least a dot between themselves and the car in front of them. Now, it seems to me we are once again micro-managing people. Instead of people realizing the need to slow down, keep space between themselves and others, get off their cell phones and just drive, we need huge red dots painted with our tax dollars to remind us that driving requires our attention. I realize this board is subject to unscrupulous people - but post requirements are not going to keep anyone from getting taken. I have purchased items from some people that were not exactly what I expected, and I have had at least one person try to cheat me on what they supposedly paid me for. (Luckily, I was able to produce a Pay-pal receipt.) If this is making any sense at all, it just seems to me that, like the big white dots, this step toward safe-guarding is well-intentioned, but micro-management, and it will not have any effect on anyone who really wants to be dishonest, or mis-represent their goods. I really don't think I can ramble like this for 45 more posts. Thank you.

Hi, Cindy. I have five kids, ages 16, 10, 8, 6,and 4. I have homeschooled since the oldest was 8. He is my guinea pig, made all my mistakes on him and now all the others are benefitting. I believe this is post #4 for me, so excuse me while I wrap it up and open another reply. Sabrina

Hello, my name is Sabrina and I am a post-loser. Many (all) of you do not know me, as I do not post. But I will, if I must, to sell my school items. Otherwise, my house will explode. Please expect more, insignificant, meaningless messages like this one. I am sorry, in advance. I do use Peace Hill Press materials, and have never voiced any opinions against them. Perhaps selling on here could be linked that!

Hello. I am mostly a lurker, gleaning what I can from the collective hive. But now, I actually have a question. My 16yo son's writing skills are poor. This year, I switched to TOG from SL. And, while he is getting better, he is definitely not where he needs to be for college-level work. I have been looking at James Stobaugh's Literary Analysis or British Lit for his junior/senior year. I would just like an opinion on which would be better to address the main need of writing skills. I thank you in advance. Sabrina